RIP Wayne Roberts aka Stay High 149

Stay High 149 for Scion Installation 2004/5

The sad news of old skool writer, Stay High 149, passing away hit the Interweb this week.

I met him once and still remember his energy. Now, the New York City metro map he tagged with a smoking Saintly figure will be a poignant reminder of his Los Angeles visit in 2005.

As Patti Astor said "A leader in the game. I'm glad he got a chance to get his book out, no one will forget Stay High." You can check his book out on Ginko Press here.

Excerpt from Puma's Clyde 01 tribute book 2005

This video is an amazing lesson in graffiti history...this is why we're mourning Stay High 149!

#Puma reps old skool...never fades [#oldskool #hiphop ]

Searching for info on Def Jam I stumble upon this series of videos sponsored by Puma.

Remember back in 2007-8 when Puma released a whole series of old skool hip hop shoes and garms? I got myself a Puma MTV hooded sweatshirt and the second release (grey on white) of the Vaughn Bode "Cheech Wizard" Clydes (but stayed away from the horrific sweatshirt!?)

These five video interviews by Fab 5 Freddy celebrate and promote that 80s-era in New York when hip hop was becoming the tour de force it is today. Watch them all! Ricky Powell, Dr. Revolt, Fabel and Walt Fraiser. Credit where credit's due.

"In the first of a five part collaboration between VIMBY and PUMA, Fab 5 Freddy, the original host of Yo! MTV Raps discusses the beginnings of hip hop and introduces some of the names that changed the game forever. School is in session." Vimby

VIMBY - PUMA  x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 1

VIMBY - PUMA x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 2

VIMBY - PUMA x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 3

VIMBY - Puma x YO! MTV Raps Pt. 4

VIMBY - Puma x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 5

Puma x MTV 5-day hip hop flavor

Is the UK the Hip Hop capital of the world?

I'm serious! Think about it ... back when Hoxton was still edgy Levi's did a party in Shoreditch with Futura and Lee (I got my Frankenstein poster signed). Covent Garden's Boxfresh did a Wild Style party in 2003 with Charlie Ahearn. Last year, I discovered a remake of the 1982 Afrika Islam Zulu Beat show created in Nottingham?! Word! Fast forward and this summer Puma celebrate the re-launch of their Clyde sneaker. Nice to see some cool UK talent on the roster next to Doug E Fresh and MC Shan!

What else is happening? B-Boys break...since the Urban Games of 2001-3 the interest in breaking has seen a rise in events for B-Boys to throwdown. Man, anyone who has history with me knows I wish I could break!