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I've been drawn to fashion ever since I was kid, but it was hip hop's introduction to me that served as the tipping point in my life when I decided to start really expressing myself with clothing. I can remember listening to "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel and actually getting a chance to see the video. Seeing that visual in the early 80's, I mean, it blew me away. Those cats were FLY. I remember my half sister would visit me from Queens, NYC and bring me the latest mixtapes from Kool DJ Red Alert and other assorted audio goodies. I appreciated the music, but I was always on her about bringing me some of the clothes from New York. It was simple, I wanted the shit that I just couldn't get, i wanted that OFFICIAL status. Once she did, I took it and ran with it. I was THAT DUDE. I'm talking about Adidas with colorways cats just didn't have, Fila's that never even touched the west coast and Nike nylon sweat suits that were crazy. Looking back, I guess I could've been rocking knock off or Canal St. shit but I didnt know and more importantly I didnt care; I stood out. Unfortunately that only lasted for a couple years before my sister got caught up with some d boy out in NYC. We lost touch with her, only later to find out he got her strung out. Nonetheless I came into my own in Cali. I found myself being influenced by Hip Hop and gang banging, we had our own thing out here on the west coast. Our attire in the early 80's was like hard denim Levi's, t-shirts every color, Dickies (depending where you lived) Nike Cortez, Fila, shell-top Adidas, Starter jackets, Fila coats,etc. When the crack boom hit in the 80's cats started buying gold like crazy. In Cali we had the Turkish links, Figueroa chains and Herringbones, some cats even took it further with the fly watches, rings, and all that. My New York family kept me in the fashion loop, and my LA backyard molded me as well, so for me it was like the best of both worlds, the perfect marriage. In my high school years a lot changed for me as I was more established in getting money so my clothes changed to reflect that. It was all about Guess?, Polo, Jordans, as well as the acid-wash cords, Levi's and even the Levi coats with the faux fur. I remember my whole crew stayed on each other about our gear. I was a street kid, my style of dress was a reflection of hustlers, gang bangers and pimps. I would be in and out of foster care so I did what I had to do to stay fresh at all costs. I figured if I was nicely dressed people would assume I had a nice family. I wasn't proud of the fact that I had to hustle to be fly, but I did what i had to do. No moms or pops. Just me and my click terrorizing the streets to eat and to be fly. Now I am a grown man. The streets raised me. Ive done a couple of light bids, but I've made some moves most cats where I am from will never make. I love this era of fashion the most because I'm in my 30's and can still wear a fly pair of kicks, some hard denim, a nice fitted, a t-shirt and I'M GOOD. That will forever be my swag. I would like to thank Raekwon from Wu -Tang & Mik from Greedy Genius for gracing the cover. Mik and I met a year ago, we caught a couple of checks together but more importantly he put me up on most of the ins and outs of the design game. His resume speaks for itself, Mik was a part of every major urban brand in the 90's from Ecko to Rocawear, as well as Phat Farm. Raekwon is like family. Shots to TAREEF Supreme my brother, He and Rae are like my big brothers. The Chef wanted to do a shoot paying homage to Vince the Chin, known for being the crime boss that was ordered to hit Gotti. Do your homework fake bosses. Anyway Raekwon was apart of the biggest hip hop group ever to grace rap music. Raekwon was always, and still is fly in his own right. With a New York don and Shaolin street swag, Rae's solo debut "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" was an all around classic. He painted pictures with drug tales, flashy clothes, Gucci, Polo, "Tommy Hill fly shit", Landcruisers and Lex Jeeps banging soulful beats, and even gave us the C.R.E.A.M for dessert. Wu tang is the blueprint and is the most copied group in streetwear today. Period. Everyone with a brand worthy has paid homage to the WU. Last but not forgotten my man REZ who put it down on the layout photogrphy and web design as well as special guest editor Vise Versa on the text, we running 09. Lets get it. "MYKEL MONROE " Y.O.L.O. A.K.A. MACK "BIGGA B FOR EVER"
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