After his stint as Snoop Lion, the D-O-Double-G is back and better than ever. The proof comes courtesy of his latest track, "Peaches N Cream" that is set to appear on his forthcoming album Bush that he and Pharrell Williams have been teasing for quite some time now. "Peaches N Cream" is noteworthy not only because it is the first single to release from the album, but it also delivers a neo-disco, G-Funk vibe that you can trace back to the 80s and 90s with George Clinton; point being: your parents will love this song. This dose of funk is a product of Pharrell's masterful production work (he is also the executive producer of Bush) and melodies from R&B legend Charlie Wilson, marking the second time this trio has injected G-Funk into the mainstream, the first being "Beautiful". Bush releases May 12 and is available for Pre-order here, enjoy it below.
Tunji Ige - Day2Day (Eagle Remix) /
Philadelphia rapper Tunji Ige has been a favorite of ours ever since we heard his mixtape, The Love Project. Tracks like "The Ex Song" and "For Us" have appeared on our VibeRotation playlists due to the Philly product's soothing, versatile, and melodious flows along with a singing voice that is rather welcoming. His abilities are easily paired with the EDM and neo-house movements, which is why this remix of Tunji's "Day2Day" by another Philadelphia native, Eagle, is so noteworthy. According to the DJ and producer's SoundCloud Eagle is inspired by "Tha booty", taking from Jersey club music, New Orleans bounce, and heavy bass sounds that gets the booty shaking. Bounce and funk are certainly present in Baby Eagle's latest remix available below, enjoy.
The Timberland 6-Inch Boot: Form, Function, and Hip-Hop Cool /
The Swartz family was certainly not aware of the cultural mainstay they created in 1978 when the Abington Shoe Company became The Timberland Company solely from the success of one boot. Timberland, footwear specialists, makes a boot called the 6-Inch Waterproof Boot that is so deeply rooted in popular culture due to its functionality, simplicity, and urban youths who stomped around New York City in the early 1990s, specifically those in the world of hip-hop.
What made the 6-Inch Boot so unique, and better than its competitors during the time of its birth, was the boot's creation process. In 1965 Timberland introduced injection-molding technology that fused soles to leather uppers without stitching, producing a true waterproof boot. Innovative design and production led to a classic in 1973 when Abington Shoe Company delivered one of the first leather waterproof boots of its kind, the Timberland 6-Inch Boot, originally named under Abington as the "Timberland". The Yellow boot was an immediate success. Such a commercial success only made sense for Abington Shoe Company to change its name to what it was best known for, hence The Timberland Company. Incorporating premium full grain nubuck leather, rubber lug soles, comfortable glove leather lining, padded leather collars, and unprecedented craftsmanship, Timberland's 6-Inch was the perfect work boot to fit within the company's hard working and dedicated philosophy that represented its fellow New England natives. Furthermore, the boot carries a simplistic attitude and build highlighted in its "Yellow", "Wheat", or "Butter" colorway that stores like Saks Fifth Avenue keenly recognized as a staple in fashion. This aspect allowed the Timberland 6-Inch to transcend its construction, weatherproofing, and work-purpose origins, opening the doors for the 1990s taste-making hip-hop community in New York City to make this rugged boot "cool".
The NYC hip-hop scene in the '90s saw Timberland's 6-Inch Waterproof Boot everywhere--on the feet of Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z, Swif-N-Wessun, and more. In a 2012 interview current Timberland CEO Jeff Swartz stated how he was initially surprised the boot had such a following amongst inner city teens and young adults. Why was this the case? The pride the Swartz family has in their brand and their product was evident as Jeff Swartz spoke. He proclaims, "We make the best damn boot in the whole world, we guarantee it for life and it won't disappoint you... Our strategy has been about putting your head down and making something so good that they gotta have it." This confidence the Swartz family has injected into Timberland since its inception goes hand in hand with hip-hop's self-boasting and tough mentality that is often confused with brash arrogance. Black Timb poster boy and Wu-Tang member, RZA, said of the boot in an interview with GQ last year, "They had all the qualities of a good product and that's why we continued to wear them. Timberlands became something that was cool and rugged at the same time." In a world where suede Pumas, shell-toe adidas, and Jordans were already staples in wardrobes, the Timberland boot offered a fresh alternative to add to rappers' baggy jean, oversized, working-class chic look, while offering form and function in New York City's brutal winter weather. The boot was name dropped with ease in songs and appeared on album covers seamlessly fusing fashion and hip-hop into a cohesive unit that still remains today, "Timbs all seasons for ass kickin' reasons," rapped Swif-N-Wessun in his 1995 "Wrekonize". This trend that gained momentum in the 1990s has now turned into a staple piece in the wardrobes of all walks of life and is still seen on the feet of pop culture's most influential people such as Kanye West and Cara Delevingne.
Without the Timberland craze that swept through the hip-hop and urban communities, the 6-Inch Waterproof Boot would not be the icon it is now. To pay homage to this fact, InTheRough took to our current urban environment in Greenville, SC with our classic Timbs to shoot a lookbook. The purpose was to highlight the confidence, rugged, and cool characteristics that weave through Timberland's boot and hip-hop culture. The top of Greenville's Paris Mountain and a happened-upon skatepark, called ROOTS Skatepark, served as the perfect landscapes with their colorful, raunchy, and boastful graffiti facades. We showcase the one and only Yellow 6-Inch Timberland, as well as a copper brown pair that compliments the classic. The lookbook is available above, enjoy!
Buy your pair here and read more about Timberland on the brand's website!
ROOTS Skatepark
3708 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611
B3 featuring Jaquáe and Wilx - Important /
Rising Tennessee rapper and Division 1 lacrosse player Betchley III, or as you may know him, B3 has dropped off his recent single to his forthcoming mixtape, Section B3. After his last cut, "Turnip", the new "Important" comes with a trap charged beat produced by Sonic Legion and confident bars from B3 proclaiming if you have not already heard of him, you are about to. Also, prominent up and coming New York City rapper Jaquáe and Wilx join the Tennessee native for ample features. Section B3 is dropping right before summer, until then listen to "Important" below and under OfficeVibes.
VibeRotation 14 /
This week's installment of VibeRotation is a manifestation of the prospect of warm weather and the good vibes that connotes the spring and summer months. Rooted in part by the masterful production of both the Drake and Big Sean projects as well as the ever growing deep house vibes that seem to become more intertwined with hip hop each and every day, this playlist has plenty of sounds that will brighten your Monday mood. Notable new work in the playlist features tracks from Charlotte-based rapper Well$, a banging trap instrumental by Yung Squire, Jaden Smith's nine minutes of fire complemented by a Ta-Ku beat, and a remix of N.E.R.D.'s "Everyone Nose" that still knocks four years later. VibeRotation 14 can be listened to below and be sure to check out other hidden gems on our SoundCloud. Wishing you a healthy and productive week.