No one can’t really narrow Modeselektor into a certain genre except that its musical creations propagate “happy vibes”. With the Berlin-base electro pop group set forth on their “Monkeytown” European tour, Carhartt WIP and its Music Division will be along for the ride, dispensing latest Carhartt WIP x Modeselektor merchandises at select cities. In addition, Carhartt is sponsoring a special Cahartt Radio featuring special mix by Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary of Modeselektor. Free to tune in via your computer, your iPhone or iPad, and now as an app for Android devices as well. Meanwhile, stay tune for Modeselektor concert appearance near you here.

It’s difficult to believe it was a quarter-century ago that Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin founded Def Jam Records out of Rubin’s dorm room at NYU. The label’s impact on popular music has been far-reaching enough that one could liken it to Motown in the 1960s. Last Friday Def Jam capped off its 25th anniversary celebration with an intimate dinner at New York’s Spotted Pig, the restaurant for which Jay-Z is part owner. Naturally, Hov was in the house, alongside Simmons, Rubin and Lyor Cohen, Run-D.M.C.’s manager in the ’80s and eventual head of Island Def Jam. Other attendees included the label’s former VPs — Kevin Liles, Michael Kyser, Julie Greenwald and Wes Johnson — as well as Def Jam recording artist Young Jeezy. Click through for images from the event.

You certainly don’t see opening gala as such on this stretch of Fifth Avenue in New York City. A little touch of evening rain certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit as they entered into the UNIQLO Fifth Avenue, aka “the crystal cathedral”. Among the very first to greet invited guests last Thursday evening was UNIQLO Founder/Fast Retailing CEO Tadashi Yanai and his wife in traditional kimono. Other familiar greeters were Naoki Takizawa, UNIQLO Design Director, and of course, Nicola Formechitti, the retailer’s consummated collaborator. But what grabbed most of the headline and photographers’ blinding flashes were the surprise appearances, from artist KAWS, actress Susan Sarandon, Suchin Pak, Edison Chen… Even retail king Mickey Drexler, CEO of J. Crew, stopped by and shared an animated conversation with Yanai. And with the smashing of sake kegs to usher in good fortunate, the official cerebration started…

Photography: Poe for Freshness

UNIQLO Fifth Avenue
666 5th Avenue | Map
(@ West 53rd Street)
New York, NY 10016

Sometimes the road to success is not as smooth as it seems and the latest video from Nike Sportswear looks at the day in a life of Lamar Odom. From his home in sunny Los Angeles to his hometown in Queens, New York, the accomplished basketball star gives us a glimpse of his past by showing us through the spots where he frequented while growing up. Playing in the background of the short film is a basketball player turned rapper Stalley, an Ohio native who sums up the story of an athlete’s lifestyle. The exclusive track, Born To Win is available as a free MP3 download at Nike website and the full length video can be seen after the jump.

Famously mercurial, former Oasis lead guitarist Noel Gallagher nevertheless ushered a revival of Britpop back in the 1990s. With his new band, High Flying Birds, the outspoken musician is poised to do so once again for a new generation of listeners. Ahead of his new album launch next Monday, October 17th, adidas Originals will offer a rare opportunity for fans to ask their questions directly to Gallagher. Starting today, adidas Originals will open up questionnaire submission on its Facebook page. Gallagher will then select three of the questions himself and answer them through a personalized video, also to be posted on adidas Originals Facebook page. Finally, the three selected submissions will each receive an autographed pair of Noel Gallagher x adidas Originals Training 72 NG, with the overall winner receiving an autographed guitar as well.

Thanks in part to his extensive adidas Originals collection, Gallaher, together with adidas Originals, decided on the Training 72 as their base for the new collaborative edition. Known as the Training 72 NG or Training 72 Noel Gallagher, the design includes an all white leather blue leather Trefoil pattern on gum rubber outsole.  It also comprise of a portrait of  Noel Gallagher himself, etched on the tongue tag and embellished with gold foil. Limited to 200 pairs worldwide, the Noel Gallagher x adidas Originals – Training 72 NG will officially launch on Saturday, October 22nd, at adidas Originals No.6 in London and No.74 in Berlin.  In the meantime, visit the adidas Originals Facebook page for a chance to win a pair earlier.

Release Date: October 22nd, 2011 (Saturday)
Facebook Contest Start Date: October 11th, 2011 (Today!)

While he is quite a prolific designer, sneakers by hip-hop artist Eminem have not amassed much attention mainly because they are so difficult to come by. However, thanks to his namesake company, Shady Records, all of Eminem‘s creations, past and present, are on display. During semi-retospective organized by Lipton Brisk Iced Tea for its Brisk Bodega event, Paul Rosenberg, Shady Records’ President, narrated a brief visual guide on all of the sneakers designed by Eminem. This included the most recent CONVERSE Chuck Taylor All Star “Bad Meets Evil” Edition, the highly sought after Eminem Jordan IV in dark blue, and the artist’s first collaboration, a series of Nike Air Max auctioned for charity. See the video after the click to learn more about these rare specimens.

To celebrates its 8-year anniversary, Japanese streetwear label Lafayette asked DJ Soul to put together a hip-hop mix. With help from Bun B and DJ Premier, the New York-based mixologist has assembled a mixtape featuring rarities and unreleased music from a veritable who’s who of present day hip-hop, including rap luminaries like Raekwon, Kanye West, Nas, Juelz Santana, Pete Rock, Rick Ross and others. Click through to see the full tracklist, then go here to stream or download the entire mix.

Following the tranquilly of a private opening party last Thursday night, the new VANS DQM General opened up to its larger circle of friends and family with a gnarly event at the House of VANS space in Brooklyn the night after. Headlined by Venice Beach’s own Mike Muir and Suicidal Tendencies, nearly a thousand people swam through an ethereal mixture of adrenaline, excitement, sweat, and blood. It was almost for certain that with the appearance of Suicidal Tendencies on stage, a mosh-pit would be somewhere nearby. After 90-minute of pure enthrallment with the gathered crowd, the band invited their fans on stage to close out the performance. Of course for those who wanted no part of the body surfing, an outdoor yard with food and drink was the ideal setting to catch-up with friends. All told, it was a skate party to end all skate party of Summer 2011.

*NOTE* For those who remembered to pick up the VANS DQM General zine last Friday night. Swing by the store this week and use it to get your FREE t-shirt.

Photography: Bryan Derballa

The VANS DQM General – New York
93 Grand Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-226-7776

Love him or hate him, 50 Cent will always remain to be a charismatic individual. In an attempt to help starvation in Africa, 50 Cent has established a new brand of energy drink called Street King. Each purchase of a shot helps to provide one meal for a child, in conjunction with the United Nations World Food Programme. The goal of this project is to raise one billion meals and 50 Cent is reaching out to the masses for support. In terms of the energy drink itself, there are two 100% natural flavors offered in Orange Mango and Grape. Find out more about the project on the Street King website and click after the jump to hear what 50 Cent has to say about children dying from hunger in Africa.

On a scale that rivals Cirque du Soleil, Reebok officially launched its Reethym Of Lite campaign for the all-important Asia Pacific last evening in Tokyo. With well over 1000 people packed into Ebisu Garden Hall, guests in attendance was a wide swath of VIPs like supermodel Ai Tominaga, DJ Sam Lee of Hong Kong, Japanese star Beni, Malaysian DJ Xu from LAPSAP, models Elli Rose and Melody Yoko, A Bathing Ape‘s NIGO, and retailer BEAMS CEO Yo Shitara. A performance line-up equals to that of a music festival, the evening long festivities saw Trippple Nippples, Mademoiselle Yulia, DJ Lucas Valentine, and Taku. It was also the point of debut for The Run, a new song tuned by Verbal and Taku, as the duo m-flo, specifically for Reebok. The evening hit new high again however when Swizz Beatz took the stage. It was an evening true to Beatz’ Reebok theme song, International Party.

Immediately after the July announcement of its Reethym Of Lite campaign with Swizz Beatz, Reebok Classics and its executive Markus Wonko started plans on the Asia Pacific leg of this global project. With the polymathic Japanese musician Verbal at the helm, this all important region will gets to see its very own interpretation of Reethym Of Lite tonight in Tokyo. Gathered his experiences from the ongoing energy conservation tasks in Japan soon after the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, Verbal thought of a near future proposition where “reediting” the cities will be the tasks at hand for a selected few. This sci-fi theme clip encompassed not only Verbal himself, but a number of talents from the region, including actress Kiko Mizuhara from the film adoption of Norwegian Wood and Daisuke Ueda, all donned with latest Reebok Lite packable apparel and footwear. Choreographed over a virtual soundstage, largely thanks to 3D mapping technology by SUPERBIEN, the creative team behind the film was a who’s who list of celebrated individuals – photographer Doi Koichiro, visual director Yoon, stylist Shun Watanabe, and make-up artist Moma. The soon to debut Reethym Of Lite campaign for Asia Pacific will mark the first of many to come between Verbal and Reebok Classics.

An exposé on past albums which redefined music genres, Reebok Classics partnered with Rock The Bells in bring Classic Albums by Classic Artists, a rare one-on-one session with the artist themselves. Often called the “Queen of Neo Soul”, Erykah Badu described the creative and often surprising process during the making of her debut album, Baduizm. Unlike anything else during its release in 1997, Baduizm ushered a new musical genre called Neo Soul, along with a triple platinum status, #1 ranking on BillBoard’s Hip-Hop Chart, and 2 Grammys.