Matériel Supply "Streets À Regalia" Fall 2015 Collection /  by Alex Young

New York-based skate label Matériel is a creative expression and reflection of the world it inhabits. This characteristic allows the brand to seamlessly execute its ideas, clearly integrating them with design.

For Fall 2015 Matériel draws on past travels to Paris, France in a graphic t-shirt collection. Hand-drawn, sans typography, French vinyl records, and vintage travel books inspires the range presented in Matériel's "Streets À Regalia" lookbook. Shot on 35mm film, the visuals immerse the lifestyle brand in descriptive Parisian streets and linear impressions. Each graphic is akin to an album cover presenting different emotions and scenery referenced to the streets of Brooklyn, NY.

Whether abroad or in native New York, Matériel Supply naturally absorbs the cultures displayed to offer accurate interpretations grouped under a skate theme, all of which is credited to the groups' "Abstract Minds". Shop the entire Fall 2015 collection here. 

Ghetto Sauce - "Taste So Good Make You Wanna Smack Your Mama" /  by Alex Young

Photo by Amani Davis 7/5/15

Photo by Amani Davis 7/5/15

Ghetto Sauce was created by Freddie Lee, it took him 20 years to finesse this bomb ass sh*t. The sauce’s website claims you can put it on: ribs, meatloaf, steak, hamburgers, grilled salmon, chicken, fish, spaghetti, Bloody Mary mix, chili, baked beans, even soups and pizza. I have discovered myself to be very partial to the chicken and baked beans recipes. Ghetto Sauce is available at the Historic Soulard Farmers' Market in St. Louis, in grocery stores, and online. In many ways does this sauce make basic foods delectably ghetto.

Unfortunately, all who enjoy the sauce do not share in romanticizing the ghetto experience. The St. Louis grocery store, Shnucks, thought their customers would be offended by the name “Ghetto Sauce” and changed the name to “American Gourmet Sauce”. To me this is as consistent with St. Louis’ treatment of its marginalized populations as ever: ignore their existence as much as you can, and appropriate their contributions as quickly as possible. Fortunately, an article came from a STL paper about the name change and it popularized the sauce like never before. The flavor of Ghetto Sauce is one of a kind, and the name is icing on top of the cake. Comical and true to the legacy of the people who birthed it, “Ghetto Sauce” should be a household name. It represents the American dream; but also the worst nightmare of some of the very same people who coined the phrase.

Photo by Amani Davis 7/5/15

Photo by Amani Davis 7/5/15

What is incredible about Ghetto Sauce is it tells the same tale of the African American narrative: making pleasure from pain. It seems that nothing good should ever come from the ghetto, but the marginalized populations in America prove time and time again that they can make something from nothing. Ghetto Sauce is yet another example of this undying reality. I will say personally this sh*t is the most fire sauce ever. EVER.  Over the summer I threw down on some incredible veggies, beans, steak, burgers—and obviously—bomb ass wings.

Ghetto Sauce means, “We come from the ghetto and still do positive things”. It is a reminder of the value the most oppressed people in this nation have, and the hope that lies in staying true to oneself. It is remarkable when people use the tools around them to produce positive things for not only themselves, but for the mainstream population. 

Stream Mac Miller's 'GO:OD AM' Album in Full /  by Alex Young

Ahead of its September 18 release, Mac Miller's third studio album, GO:OD AM, is available to stream. The 17-track, Long Play unveiled on NPR carries features from Ab-Soul, Miguel, Lil B, and more. In the spirit of promotion Mac will host Homecoming Weekend September 16-20 in his native Pittsburgh, PA throwing free events for fans, like a Softball game, bowling, and a chance to attend a Steelers game. Give GO:OD AM a first listen below and pre-order the project now on iTunes.

GO:OD AM Tracklist:

1. Doors
2. Brand Name
3. Rush Hour
4. Two Matches (Feat. Ab-Soul)
5. 100 Grandkids
6. Time Flies (Feat. Lil B)
7. Weekend (Feat. Miguel)
8. Clubhouse
9. In The Bag
10. Break The Law
11. Perfect Circle / God Speed
12. When In Rome
13. ROS
14. Cut The Check (Feat. Chief Keef)
15. Jump
16. Long Day
17. The Festival (Feat. Little Dragon)