Fly Or Die: Go Hard Or Go Home

"Get Up, Get Out, and Get Something" - Outkast

Today was just an ordinary day at work. Life behind a desk with a computer screen can be as engaging as watching old ladies knitting quilts in your local retirement home. There are individuals that have an unwavering sense of pride when it comes to their profession and there are those who just go through the motions because they have nothing else. I find myself loitering near the latter and it creates such an unlikely rush for a destined supremacy. While riding home, I talked to my homie over at NerdAtTheCoolTable and we discussed our personal situations and how we planned on breaking out of our temporary yet rigorous prisons. We both hustle but in different ways and I respect anybody who recognizes the importance of laboring for a desired goal. Fast forward a couple minutes and I'm contacted by homie Chris and we had a similar conversation about reaching our dreams and again the need to succeed is no longer something we think about, it's something that fuels our existence. No more regrets, no more wasted amounts of time because each day is a gift and we got a lot riding on the line these days. We all have moments that mold us and to everybody out there....This is mine

Fly Or Die 2008


The Game - Dope Boys featuring Travis Barker (One of My Anthems)

What is Goyard?

The first time I ever heard about Goyard trunks was from Lupe Fiasco's "Paris, Tokyo" off The Cool album. I snooped around and I found a video for an in store tour in Paris, France. I like the style of the designs and I already know these items cost a grip...More fuel to reach baller status!

In My Mind...Thoughts from Mikey McFly

Daft Punk - Something About Us

Living the single life has its pro's and con's. Of course I lived by Biggie's mantra of "Pimp 'til the end, tell a friend..." but sometimes all the machissimo in world can't keep you from being alone. Now, I'm not on here scribbling sob stories or trying to tug at your heart strings because I know everybody has had their own problems in that area. Some people deal with it easier than others, while some played the role of the SUFLAN (SUcker For Love Ass N****). I have no shame in saying that I was in both positions and those experiences made me a better man. I often think back to certain situations I was in and how I would have played them out differently but I can only learn from my mistakes and keep it moving along. Some chicks are worth the anguish and others are just filler material on my life's soundtrack. I'll leave you with words from my cousin, "That's the game though"...

Pedestrian 215 Interview

There a few things about South Street that I like. First there's a diverse group of people that can be seen on a daily basis and there's the various businesses up and down the strip. Pedestrian, one of the newest stores on the block, has quickly made a name for itself here in Philadelphia by featuring the best in underground fashion. For all the people around the world, here is my interview with Andrew P. Co-Owner of Pedestrian.


1. There are a lot of clothing stores on the South Street Strip, how is your store so unique?

The reason we are different is the fact that we are independently owned and operated. We also carry brands that are more limited and underground then most other shops on the strip. Pedx also offers a shopper friendly atmosphere where you won't be bothered every 2 seconds by an employee...

2. How did you get into the business of retail?

My partner Robert got his start selling New Eras and doing custom embroidery on them years before it blew up and did well with that so we hooked up and started working on Pedestrian in late 2005. A year later we opened the doors and here we are almost 2 years later and have a spot in Baltimore and a new location in Philly...

3. What I like about your store is the personality. All of the items that you sell mirror various lifestyles that defy the monotony of today's designs. Who is your all time favorite designer?

My favorite has to be Ralph Lauren, Polo has been my favorite brand for years. All of their garments are timless pieces, and carry a feel of true quality. I will always buy Polo cause you know you are getting an ill piece. I have been rockin it for years and will for years to come!!!

4. You recently moved from one location to another. What influenced the change in scenery?

We have had a good response in Philly since we opened and we wanted to move to a place where we can be more than just a store. We have been talking about moving for a while and once this spot was available we knew it was the perfect spot. It has enough area to chill, have parties, space for our product and even room to grow. So it was a no brainer...

5. Why did you choose to name your store "Pedestrian"?

We choose the name Pedestrian because it fits the lifestyle of our customer...Most kids are into Kix and Streetart and those kids are on there feet...Plus the fact that our logo is EVERYWHERE also helps.


I have always wanted to deal in clothing. I have been a fashion junkie for years and I don't see it ending anytime soon. I really want to be more on the design end, so you will hopefuly see us making that move sometime.

7. Name some of the brands that your store features.

We carry mostly NY based brands such as Mishka, Mighty Helathy, King Stampede, Reason and Eriffs. But we also deal with a few local compaines like Fresh Melt Water and Anml Hse. The shop also has its own line and look for us to be doing more and more as we settle into the new location.


8. One day last week, I came into your store and you were bumping music by Immortal Technique. Is he one of your favorite artists and why?

Hahaha...Well, Yeah I like Immortal Technique, he is real as shit. He isn't one of my favorites but I do like him a lot.

9. How would you describe your style?

Always changing and adding more pieces to the collection along the way. If I was anyone style it would be bland. You have to use garments and accessories from all types of styles and create your own.

10. How you define "style"?

Style is confidence in what you wear...some people can pull of anything and make it good. You just gotta have the eye to pull it together

11. What are your views on "posers" and those follow "trends" instead of setting them?

With out people to follow a trend we would all be broke. If someone is into something, even if they are a "poser", then they are into it and if they like it that's cool. Every genre has posers and people hate them, but sometimes posers actually become kids who set trends. To each their own is how I feel.

12. What are your plans for "Pedestrian" as far as future developments are concerned.

World Domination and a full line of products. We are gonna start making PEDX a household name. The new shop in Philly and the BMORE spot are only the beginning.

13. Is pimping easy?

Is Philly known for Cheesesteaks?

Pedestrian's blog

PEDESTRiAN
215-592-7510
526 South Third St.
Phila, PA 19147

Albums That Made Me Pt. 4

Little Brother - The Listening

It was May 2003 and I had just finished my freshman year of college. I was chilling in my friend's dorm room and we were just kicking it, talking shit you know the usual things that everybody does. We were listening to music by Slum Village, DJ Spinna, and 9th Wonder's 9th Invented the Remix. All of a sudden, my homie pops in this CD and from only hearing a few seconds of the first track,"Morning (Intro)" I was hooked. Phonte and Big Pooh, the rappers in the collective, displayed chemistry similar to that of Q-Tip and Phife (A Tribe Called Quest) and Posdnous and Trugoy (De La Soul). We went through a few tracks on the first listen and a few tracks immediately caught my attention. "For You", "Speed", "Whatever You Say", "The Way You Do It", "So Fabulous", "Shorty on the Lookout" and "The Listening" were all stand out jawns (If ain't know I was from Philly then you know now) and I knew that this album had the potential to be classic and it took a second listen to the entire album on my train and bus ride home for the confirmation. Hearing "Away From Me" and "Nobody But You" showcased the groups range in content. Hearing the skits on the album shows that Phonte could moonlight as a comedian plus the dude could actually sing. 9th Wonder's beats on this album couldn't not be downplayed, his production was sooo consistent on this LP that I instantly placed him into my top list of producers. This album taught me a lot in terms of lyricism and I listened to this album almost every week since I got it 5 years ago and I will continue to do so in the near future.

Rap In The 90's 8: Friday Throwback Edition

Main Source - Fakin' The Funk

Steez Watch: Cardboard Robot

I dig Cardboard Robot as a clothing company. They have a lot of unique items and I'm all about being different from the next man. The "Hollywood Stars" hoodie in the picture above is older but is still interesting largely due to the fact that I bought it and only wore it ONCE. I was in Agent Aloha on South Street and I asked this hipster kid what he thought of it and he basically said if I had style I shouldn't get it. The next week I said eff it, I'm a grown man and I'll get what I want, screw opinions ya dig? So I just need the right jeans, t-shirt, and kicks to rock with it and I'm setting it off like Strafe in the 80's.

Three 1 Zero - '99 Lakers LP

Download here Three 1 Zero - '99 Lakers LP

"I got this new project I put out called "'99 Lakers LP" Crazy title huh? Well I feel like right now my career is like the 1999 Los Angeles Lakers. That season for the Lakers was insane. First of all the season was cut in half due to the NBA strike so the support of basketball was at an all time low. (Kind of how the music industry is now). We had two different coaches that didn't know what the fuck they were doing. We had crazy ass Denis Rodman and this was also the year that Kobe and Shaq first started to "feud". Most importantly it was their last season @ The Forum in Inglewood, California (my home town). The next season they packed up moved out the Forum, got a new coach, upgraded their uniforms, made a few changes and revived the Lakers dynasty with back to back to back championships. (My goal is to revive hip hop but more specifically the west coast)."

Three 1 Zero Presents 99 Lakers LP imeem playlist

I peeped the playlist earlier this week and I like what I heard and I'm sure some or all of you will too (I say some because everyone has different tastes so I can't discriminate)

What's The Connection?

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean



Billie Ocean - Carribbean Queen

What's the connection between these two songs? Listen to both...

P.S. Billy even jacked the moonwalk in his vid, when will it end?

Interview with Stress The White Boy

Couple of months ago, I attended a concert in Philly and it proved to be a great night for many different reasons. I ran into my friend Big O(who I hadn't seen in a while...peep the interview), got a chance to meet Buckshot of Black Moon (Peep the pics) and I met Snapkracker (One of the coldest photographers ever...peep the interview). Snapkracker schooled me to a lot that night and he introduced me to Stress The Whiteboy. Stress is one of the coolest individuals and definitely a rising star in Philly's music scene. He's produced for The Gym Class Heroes, Tyga, Lil' Wayne and host of others. Ladies and Gents, I present to you the interview with Stress the White Boy, one of the illest producers...

1. What's going on with you Stress?

Not Much Buddy. Running around like a madman, like usual. Grinding.


2. Where are you from and how did you get into music? Who were your early influences?

I grew up in Fairless Hills, PA. Oldest of 5 kids. Blue Collar kid. Son of a Boilermaker/Steelworker. I was always into music since I can remember. Music and Tattoos. My Father was real into music - a music lover. My Dad was a huge fan of Soul music. As I got older I equally had a passion for Punk Rock as I did for HipHop music. In 1990, I actually convinced my Dad to let me use an income tax return check to let me buy a set of turntables. I told him I wanted to DJ parties to make money, but I only wanted to learn to scratch, b/c my best friend Hav and I planned on starting a Rap Group. haha. Thats how SubHoodz started, and thats what led me down path of production & DJing.

3. What's the story behind Chop Shop Studio?

ChopShop Studio is the recording studio that I own. Its on the property of the home my wife and I own in Langhorne, PA. Its where I do all my work from. Its a project studio where I do production and track emcees/vocals etc for music that I am doing. I dont open it to the street for hourly rates. Its where I spend most of my time at, being that I work from home with music. Its a 700 sq ft detached 2 car garage that I had a contractor come out and gut a rebuild everything to how I wanted. 12' x 12' live room, 8' x 12' control room, lounge / widescreen TV, video games, tons of toys and crazy albums framed all over my walls, and alot of Irish Republican Army paraphenelia hanging as well. haha Its my sanctuary. Ever since I had it built, it has been up & up for me when it comes to production, placements, and remxies, etc.


4. How did you link up with the Gym Class Heroes? How were you able to land 4 tracks (Pillow Talkin', 2.A.M, Summertime and I Am featuring Lil' Wayne) on Tyga's debut album?

I was on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour DJing for The Lordz. I had my little brother Sev One out on tour with me, who was 13 at the time. My brother Sev met Travis of Gym Class Heroes at the lunch line one day and he told Travis he made beats, etc. Travis was like cool - get me a beat CD. My brother ran back to the tour bus and got a beat CD, and gave it to him. Trav was like "You are HOW old?" haha He Loved it. But then my brother Sev was like "Yea - My older brother STRESS w/ The Lordz taught me how to make beats and his stuff is amazing, etc." Trav told Sev to get me your brothers beat CD as well.. Haha. Sev came back to the bus, asked for a beat CD from me, and the rest is history. We built from there on. Trav and I are family. He treats myself, my wife, my brothers and sisters, as well as my friends, like we really are related and family. Class Act. Trav and I had been talking for a while to do work together - him rhyming and my production. They were re-releasing their "As Cruel As School Children" album as an MVI (Music Video Interactive) with bonus remix material, CD ROM, etc. He asked me would I be interested in doing a STRESS remix for the song "Clothes Off!". I was WAY down. He told me he wanted to get his little cousin TYGA on a verse. I was with it. Amazingly, Ghostface Killah recorded his verse to the song and they sent me his verse to put into the session that I had been working on for the remix. A couple of weeks later, Gym Class Heroes were playing Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ. Trav asked me if I wanted to bring my brother, nieces and nephews out to the show, and after the show we can head back to ChopShop and put work in. We went to the show, but Trav couldnt come back to the studio. I was introduced to his cousin TYGA, who jumped in the ride and came back that night to ChopShop studio. Haha TYGA stayed with me at first for 4 days, went back to LA, then 2 weeks, back to LA, then 2 weeks again with me. We just kept recording and banging out songs, until he got his deal, and after almost 25 + songs, I had 4 make the "No Introduction" album.


5. How would you describe your production style?

Thing is, I am a PRODUCER. I produce records. I record and engineer my music. I MIX my music. Haha I mix other peoples albums as well. Thats what I do. Most of my work is mostly Hiphop, but I can produce a HipHop record. I can produce a Rock record. I can produce a Reggae record. Thats what a music producer should be able to do, and it all comes with experience. 18 years for me.. My production ALWAYS knocks, and ALWAYS is clean.


6. What are your favorite albums and what characteristics should a "classic" album have?

Nas "Illmatic".. Gang Starr "Moment Of Truth".. Tiger Army "Music From Regions Beyond".. Slayer "Reign In Blood".. Bad Brains "Rock For Light".. Madball "Infiltrate The System", H2O "Nothing To Prove".. I think a "classic" should DEFINITELY have staying power and never lose its replay value.. The records I listed above have those characteristics..


7. What projects do you have coming up?

Was out on the Vans Warped Tour w/ The LORDZ, but I had to drop of early because I am currently banging out official Gym Class Heroes "The STRESSed Out ReMixes" for their new album "The Quilt".. Those remixes feature the likes of Peedi Crakk, Reef The Lost Cauze, Rahzii Hi Power, Side Effect, and Brainstorm. Im working on other Gym Class Heroes remixes and trying to get Outer Space and others on also.. Travis and I are also working on a mixtape together as well. Got a lot of songs done, but have more to finish. Other than that, Production, Production, and more Production, as well as touring like crazy and about to head out again in October with Reef The Lost Cauze and Outer Space with Jedi Mind Tricks on a US Tour. I am working on a project with Freddy Madball, the singer of the NYHC band MADBALL, and I am starting a new project with an MC by the name of Prophit. I am also going hard with Krush Unit, a label that I co-own with Hav of SubHoodz & emcee Side Effect, and we are prepping for our release "The STRESS Files" for Reef The Lost Cauze in October and Side Effect's "The Bangologist" in January 2009 and the Brainstorm album soon after that.. I have a production record I plan on doing with my brother Sev One called "Sons Of A Boilermaker" thats coming out on Krush Unit that will feature alot of killer artists.. Trying to do a STRESS & Viro The Virus record with all of the tracks I did on his last 2 albums with a few new ones & release that on Krush Unit. Gym Class Heroes just re-did the "Degrassi" Theme song for Nickelodeon, and I did the scratches on the song. haha That was alot. Im always on the go. This is my job. Literally.


8. I remember in our previous conversation, you mentioned it took you 18 years to get to where you are today. How important is persistence and hard work to you?

Persistence is key, man. Talent, Persistence, and the law of averages. Its bound to work out for you sooner or later if all three of those factors are in place. I set goals, and then I dont stop until I achieve them. I have done alot in 18 years of doing this, and its all trying to achieve a little more than the last goal.


9. How was it being on the Conan O'Brien show?

It actually was one of the more memorable experiences I have had in my music travels.. Everything ran to a "T" on that show. Everything happened exact times, exact EVERYTHING. Got to hang out with Ann Curry the news anchor from the Today Show on NBC.. It was real cool, and I got paid for it too. haha I had alot of fun doing that show.


10. Where did the name Stress come from?

I had a vinyl bag years ago that said "STRESS" on it.. That describes me perfectly. haha. I just added "The Whiteboy.." STRESS THE WHITEBOY.. It stuck..


11. How did you hook up with Reef Tha Lost Cauze? Who else in the City of Philly is on the rise?

I met Reef years ago doing shows with Side Effect all through out Philly. He and I have worked on tons of songs together throughout the last 6 + years.. Reef and I are road dogs.. We have done tours together all over the world, and it keeps getting better. I also think that Side Effect & Brainstorm are definitely on the up and up. Side Effect has been doing his thing for a long time, and Brainstorm is making noise himself. Outer Space, Viro The Virus, Jake Lefco, Clean Guns/Beat Garden, and Eshon Burgandy are just a few who are making tons of noise as well. The Philly area is loaded with talent.


12. Since I am trying to understand the ways of the music business, what would be the number one rule to abide by?

Always be yourself and do you. Let everything else around you fall in place.


13. Rakim or Big Daddy Kane?

I love them both, but I am partial to Rakim.. "Microphone Fiend" does it for me EVERY TIME. Haha


14. What is your philosophy?

Do the right thing - Treat others how you would want to be treated, because what comes around, goes around. I dont care what color, age, or sex you are... When we all shit, it ALL smells bad. Word. We all need to get along.



Stress's Myspace

Stress's Blog