Montréal, Canada rapper Jonathan Emile has unleashed a track with Kendrick Lamar today entitled "Heaven Help Dem". The song definitely provides another strong voice in the world's fight against social justice, as both Emile and Lamar speak on police brutality in their respective verse. HYPETRAK reports that a publicist details Kendrick Lamar's verse for Emile's new track was recorded back in 2011, but the track had not been completed since December. "Heaven Help Dem" is available for stream below and go here for more music from Jonathan Emile.
Vice Sports: Nigel Sylvester on Breaking the Mold and Taking on BMX (Part 2) /
Vice Sports returns with Part 2 of "Nigel Sylvester Taking On BMX" after last week's Part 1 took us around Sylvester's native Jamaica Queens, New York City stomping grounds. This time around the BMX rider opens up about his brand and how he uses his bike to express himself differently than other riders. Most intriguingly, Nigel Sylvester comments on the current outlook of the BMX industry alluding to a lot of comments he received for doing ESPN's 2014 Body Issue. He says, "I already knew going into it. I was like ok, this is gonna shake it up a little bit. I think the BMX industry had more to say about it than anyone else... They look at it like, 'Oh he's gay for doing that.' I'm doing things my way." But, the doubt and hate seems to only fuel Sylvester as he continues to find success from the seat of his bike and even in other creative avenues which he mentions in the video below.
Le Coq Sportif "Made in France" Arthur Ashe /
On the brink of Black History Month, Le Coq Sportif presents its premium "Made in France" range with the Arthur Ashe silhouette. Manufactured in Romans-sur-Isère, a town recognized for its superior leather production, the luxurious tennis sneaker pays homage to former US Open and Wimbledon champion, Arthur Ashe. Other than his elegant play and pioneering role on the tennis court, Ashe is known for his humanitarian work with the Arthur Ashe Foundation.
The shoe, on the other hand, features a Tanneries Roux leather upper with perforated side panels sitting atop a timeless gum sole. Further exuding more luxurious elements of the hand-assembled shoe is a special wooden presentation box with a wooden shoe tree, a tin of leather cream and a leather buffing cloth. The limited edition Arthur Ashe sneakers will be available in limited quantity for approximately $251 USD. Be sure to check Footpatrol, Hanon and Sneakerstuff accounts for their release on January 19.
Faster and More Affordable Broadband for U.S. Communities /
While we refrain from discussing major political issues on InTheRough, President Barack Obama is making headlines today as he is traveling to Iowa to talk about expanding broadband access. In a rapidly evolving technological environment in which students, businesses and civilians in general rely on access to faster internet connections, this news seemed relevant to all of us.
As you'll see in the video below, only a few U.S. cities (Cedar Falls, IA; Kansas City, MO; and Chattanooga, TN) have these large broadbands while international cities such as Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Paris have been providing expansive and affordable broadband to their people for some time. Through executive action, President Obama hopes to help more communities and major cities acquire these same speeds, so that they, too, may be more economically competitive. Be sure to tune in to the State of the Union address on January 20th to hear more about President Obama's upcoming plans to improve our nation.
Step Inside the Trap with "Noisey Atlanta - Welcome to the Trap" Episode 1 /
"Trap music" to the casual rap and hip-hop fan means hard-hitting bass lines joined with a myriad of lyrical flows. But what the casual fan may not know is the drug trafficking overtones that come with Trap. Noisey's Curious George, Thomas Morton, the same man who showed us Chiraq, expands upon the complimentary relationship between drug trafficking and rap with "Noisey Atlanta - Welcome to the Trap". The purpose of the 10-part series documents Atlanta's rap scene, while Episode 1 is a Trap lesson as host Thomas Morton explains Atlanta's drug trafficking history that ultimately led to the Trap. Longtime dealer and robbery boy, Curtis Snow (Snow on Tha Bluff) explains, "It's a Trap. It's one way in, one way out. That's a trap... Where ever there's a trap there's a studio. You can't have the trap, without the studio, without the dope. The dope is what inspires the rap... Trap music is like, crack baby beats, that's what we call it. When a rapper is rapping you should be able to smell the dope cooking." This culture of moving dope and making music has been around for some time. After his time with Snow, Morton spends time with Bleu Davinci, a rapper under Black House Mafia, now a record label, but once a drug smuggling ring in the early 2000s operated by "Big Meech". Watch Episode 1 of "Noisey Atlanta - Welcome to the Trap" below and stay tuned for more episodes, as Thomas Morton will explore Trap Life with ATL stars like 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Migos, Jeezy, and Young Thug.