Highbrow Magazine - spike lee https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/spike-lee en Spike Lee Explores Themes of Racism, War, and Redemption in ‘Da 5 Bloods’ https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10732-spike-lee-explores-themes-racism-war-and-redemption-da-5-bloods <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 07/10/2020 - 11:50</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1bloodsfilm.jpg?itok=cjsFzQpX"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1bloodsfilm.jpg?itok=cjsFzQpX" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><em>Da 5 Bloods</em> is a Netflix film directed by Spike Lee that features four Black veterans of the Vietnam War returning to the country in the present day to find and return the remains of their fallen friend, “Stormin’ Norman.” They’re also back in Vietnam to find a cache of gold that they left buried during the war.</p> <p> </p> <p>This movie covers a lot of ground in its 154-minute runtime with themes of racism, war, greed, brotherhood, redemption and more. Despite some inconsistencies, the performances from the main cast and pacing make it a worthy watch.</p> <p> </p> <p>The main cast all put in great performances with Delroy Lindo as Paul being the standout. His character is more developed than others, and his scenes towards the end of the film make for some of the most memorable moments in movies this year. The dynamic among the lead characters makes for a convincing portrayal of veterans that have stuck together through the decades.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2bloodsfilm.jpg" style="height:600px; width:495px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>While Spike Lee can direct scenes focused on dialogue and plot development wonderfully, it’s the action scenes that cause inconsistencies in the film. The action scenes do their job, but the use of subpar special effects brings them down. The flashback scenes also use effective techniques like a different aspect ratio, heavier film grain, and darker shadows to give them an old war footage feel.</p> <p> </p> <p>It shouldn’t be surprising that a movie by Spike Lee explores themes of race and racism in a thought-provoking way. <em>Da 5 Bloods</em>  opens with war footage and speakers remarking on the historical use of Black soldiers as frontline infantry. The entire plotline about the buried gold is centered around the idea of taking the gold as a way to “stick it to the man” and support their people. Several characters remark about the injustice of Black people not having the same rights as others despite spilling their blood on the battlefield in large numbers through various wars. It’s a perspective rarely explored in war movies, and Lee does such a good job with it that it’ll be impossible to watch any old war footage or war movies the same way again.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Ulises Duenas is a contributing writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>For Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/da-5-bloods" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">da 5 bloods</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vietnam-war" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Vietnam war</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/spike-lee" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">spike lee</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/spike-lee-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">spike lee films</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/african-american-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">african american films</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/war-movies" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">war movies</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/netfilx-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">netfilx films</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Ulises Duenas</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 10 Jul 2020 15:50:50 +0000 tara 9680 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10732-spike-lee-explores-themes-racism-war-and-redemption-da-5-bloods#comments ‘The Grandmaster,’ Spike Lee’s ‘Oldboy’ Arrive on Home Video https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3786-grandmaster-spike-lee-s-oldboy-arrive-home-video <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 03/04/2014 - 09:23</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/grandmaster.jpg?itok=VNfZtrCQ"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/grandmaster.jpg?itok=VNfZtrCQ" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>It’s a good week for home video, and this year’s best picture Oscar winner is the main attraction. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Grandmaster</strong></p> <p><strong>3 stars<br /> Rated PG-13 for violence, some smoking, brief drug use and language<br /> The Weinstein Company<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD and digital download</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>In martial arts, a pupil’s legacy is important. There is an understanding that one cannot achieve greatness alone, so the success of a student has much to do with the skills of his/her instructor.</p> <p> </p> <p>In “The Grandmaster,” director Wong Kar Wai pays homage to Ip Man (also known as Yip Man), a Chinese grandmaster who trained a number of influential martial artists, most notably the deceased action star Bruce Lee. Although Lee is better remembered than his master, things are changing thanks to several recent film projects centered on Ip Man and his legacy. These include “Ip Man” and “Ip Man 2,” Hong Kong action films featuring Donnie Yen as the title character. And let us be clear, the Ip Man we see in movies is a character, not an honest depiction of the human being. This aggrandizement allows filmmakers to make him something of a martial arts superhero, a practice that has long been accepted in the genre.</p> <p> </p> <p>“The Grandmaster” begins when Ip Man (Tony Leung) is already an advanced practitioner, and the film focuses on a particular period in the development of the Chinese martial arts. Much of the early movie revolves around a contest proposed by retiring Northern grandmaster Gong Yutian (Qingxiang Wang). He announces that he has selected a successor in Northern China, but he wants an exhibition match with a worthy Southern practitioner. Ip Man is selected for the challenge. </p> <p> </p> <p>As with most martial arts movies, the plotting in “The Grandmaster” is largely subservient to the fight sequences, which are long, artful affairs featuring outstanding choreography by Yuen Wo Ping (“The Matrix,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Kung Fu Hustle”).  Although “The Grandmaster” is a kung fu movie, Wong Kar Wai treats the story much like opera or ballet. The art direction and costumes are gorgeous, and his camera drinks in the scenery, allowing even brutal fight sequences to play like high art. The visual beauty of “The Grandmaster” resulted in Oscar nominations for costume design and cinematography, but the artfulness extends beyond the camera. </p> <p> </p> <p>Even, the dialogue has a philosophical heft. Wong Kar Wai makes it clear that Ip Man is more than a warrior. He and other key players in the film live by a code of honor that distinguishes them, even when the code makes their lives more difficult.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lueng does a fine job as Ip Man, and the movie features a strong supporting cast, the most notable additional player being Ziyi Zhang, who is striking as Gong Yutian’s daughter.</p> <p> </p> <p>Because so much of “The Grandmaster” is centered on combat, there are limits to its appeal. To appreciate Wong Kar Wai’s achievement one must first appreciate the conventions and appeal of traditional martial arts films. Those who do are in for a treat.</p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include several behind-the-scenes features.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2itgirl_1.jpg" style="height:423px; width:635px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>12 Years a Slave</strong></p> <p><strong>4 stars (out of four)<br /> Rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality<br /> 20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD and digital download</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>One could find many appropriate words to describe director Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave,” but the best is “epic.”</p> <p> </p> <p>The 134-minute story about a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1800s America is more than a film. It is an experience. It is a historical drama that everyone should watch both as a reminder of our nation’s troubled past and man’s remarkable resilience. It is a movie that is both heartbreaking and life affirming. That it can be so many things is a tribute to McQueen, his extraordinary cast and to Solomon Northup, the real-life slave who lived the depicted events. </p> <p> </p> <p>At this point, “12 Years a Slave” is no secret. The 134-minute spectacle is based on Northup’s memoir, and it was an immediate critical success. Rave reviews and media attention led to nine Oscar nominations and three wins, including best picture.</p> <p> </p> <p>Some say the film is difficult to watch, and it does contain scenes of dark brutality. It is not easy, for instance, to see a man hang from a noose, his feet barely able to reach the ground and prevent his strangulation. It is difficult to watch a woman mercilessly mutilated by a whip. Viewers see both of these things in astonishing detail, but “12 Years a Slave” is not all sadism and darkness. Look beyond the horror and one can find a testament to human nature.</p> <p> </p> <p>Through all the torture and heartbreak, Solomon (portrayed passionately by Chiwetel Ejiofor) remains a free man at heart, retaining his humanity and doing his best to help other slaves, including a much-abused field hand named Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o).</p> <p> </p> <p>The film is also noteworthy in its varying depictions of slave owners. Solomon’s first master, William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), is shown as a decent man who defers to the customs of the day. The second master, Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), is best described as evil.</p> <p> </p> <p>The acting is outstanding, and Ejiofor, in particular, turns in one of the finest performances of 2013. Nyong’o won the best supporting actress Oscar for her work in the film, paving the way for a sparkling future in the cinema. Even players with relatively small parts – Brad Pitt and Paul Giamatti make appearances – imbue their characters with depth and emotion.</p> <p> </p> <p>McQueen, of course, deserves much credit for the film’s success. Although it is long, it is not excessive. The director uses his time wisely, showing viewers what they need to see, but moving on once an idea is established. This allows us to learn about life as a slave, but the material is never overworked or boring. Rather, it is epic.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include featurettes on the filmmakers and the score.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/oldboy.jpg" style="height:446px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Oldboy</strong></p> <p><strong>2½ stars<br /> Rated R for strong brutal violence, disturbing images, some graphic sexuality and nudity, and language<br /> Sony<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>The 2003 Korean thriller “Oldboy” received numerous film awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, but director Spike Lee’s Americanized version is an off-kilter affair that struggles despite stylish presentation.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lee’s “Oldboy” has reasonably strong performances, the most noteworthy coming from Josh Brolin as Joe Doucett, a self-centered, substance-abusing advertising executive. After he ruins a business deal by hitting on the girlfriend of a potential client, Joe is mysteriously kidnapped and locked in a windowless, hotel-like room. His horror grows when he realizes that his captor has no intention of freeing him and that his only contact with the outside world is a television set and the food that non-communicative attendants deliver each day. Soon, Joe learns through television news reports that his ex-wife has been brutally murdered and that he is the prime suspect. Unable to escape and vindicate himself, his 3-year-old daughter becomes an orphan.</p> <p> </p> <p>This melodramatic setup allows Brolin to take Joe through a cascade of emotions, and there is remarkable contrast between the character’s earliest incarnations and those at the end of the film. Brolin’s work is memorable, but it is also the main highlight of a project that never finds its groove. </p> <p> </p> <p>At first, Lee presents “Oldboy” as a straightforward thriller populated by realistic characters and believable events. Later, it becomes a bizarre mix of martial arts action and Shakespearean drama. Plot points that are neither fully explained nor believable accompany the change in tenor. Because of this, the once-thought-provoking thriller morphs into a lightweight, comic-book-style, revenge film.</p> <p> </p> <p>With the exception of Joe, all the characters are broad stereotypes. This includes key players portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Olsen, Michael Imperioli and Sharlto Copley.  The actors do well enough considering the inadequacies of the Mark Protosevich screenplay, but more depth would have given the film greater emotional impact.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lee’s approach may be intended to honor the original 2003 movie and the Japanese manga that inspired it. If that’s the case, his motives were honorable, but his execution poor. “Oldboy” has one foot reaching for the land of Asian action movies and the other teetering in the realm of American film noir. That’s a tough balancing act, and Lee isn’t up to the challenge. </p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include two featurettes on the making of the film.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Hours”:</strong> This drama about a father desperately trying to keep his infant daughter alive during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, will always be remembered as one of Paul Walker’s final films. The movie was written and directed by Eric Heisserer.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Girl Rising”:</strong> Documentary focused on nine girls from troubled nations who attempt to overcome severe challenges and achieve their dreams. Directed by Richard Robbins. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><em>Forrest Hartman, a contributing writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine<em>, is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a>. </em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/grandmaster" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the grandmaster</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/oldboy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">oldboy</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/spike-lee" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">spike lee</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/12-years-slave" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">12 years a slave</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/lupita-nyongo" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">lupita nyong&#039;o</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/steve-mcqueen" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Steve McQueen</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:23:12 +0000 tara 4373 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3786-grandmaster-spike-lee-s-oldboy-arrive-home-video#comments Sneakerheads: The Rise of Sneaker Culture in the U.S. https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/2119-sneakerheads-rise-sneaker-culture-us <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-features" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News &amp; Features</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 02/08/2013 - 08:38</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumsneakers%20%28Naoya%20Fuji%20Flickr%29.jpg?itok=ECb77UIp"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumsneakers%20%28Naoya%20Fuji%20Flickr%29.jpg?itok=ECb77UIp" width="480" height="321" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> “Yo, it’s Mars Blackmon here with Aladdin’s lamp!”</p> <p> Standing on a basketball court -- sporting a training jersey, thick-rimmed glasses, and a black cycling cap with a flipped-up brim -- a young Spike Lee rubs a smoking oil lamp.</p> <p> “Poof,” appearing with a tall turban wrapped around his Jerry curls, and donning a pair of curled-toe genie shoes outfitted with a Swoosh - Little Richard concedes Blackmon only one wish:</p> <p> “A million dollars?”</p> <p> “Nah -- tax problem.”</p> <p> “A new car?”</p> <p> Blackmon shakes his head, “Can’t drive.”</p> <p> “I got it!” adds Blackmon.</p> <p> “A whop bop-a-loo bop a whop bam boom!”</p> <p> Mars Blackmon magically reappears through a screen of smoke in a pair of black Air Jordan IV’s and is now able to dunk effortlessly. </p> <p> “Look mom, I can fly,” shouts the new and improved Blackmon while hanging from a rim.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Mars Blackmon, a fast-talking bike messenger from the 1986 film <em>She’s Gotta Have It,</em> played by writer, director, and sneaker enthusiast Spike Lee was the voice and pitchman in a series of black-and-white Nike commercials promoting the Air Jordans in the early 90s.</p> <p>  </p> <p> These 30-second spots represent a trend in pop culture that saw sneaker advertisements become more than just a touting of creative design and a flaunting of celebrity endorsement, but rather an affinity with the uninitiated athlete established through funky characters and colorful language.</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2mediumsneakers%20%28Michael%20Wa%20Flickr%29.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 315px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The Fathers of Ragtops</strong></p> <p> Although we owe tribute to Keds for being the first athletic shoe on the scene, the spotlight falls upon Marquis Converse and Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor…well, on their Converse All-Star line to be exact.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> “Before there was an ‘old school,’ Converse, and the game’s pioneers who played in our shoes, set the benchmarks against which others aspired to reach. Converse is The First School, the true owners of the soul of the game,” read an official statement made by Converse on InsideHoops.com, a website dedicated to basketball fans.</p> <p>  </p> <p> More than a player, Chuck Taylor was a teacher and “Ambassador of Basketball,” in the words of Converse. Throughout the 1920s, he traveled the U.S. teaching and mentoring the first professional basketball teams, and by the time the National Basketball Association was formed in 1949 the Converse All-Star had become its unofficial sneaker. </p> <p>  </p> <p> Later, the 50s and 60s brought about the greasers and rockers dressed à la James Dean and shod in the Jack Purcell tennis shoe; by the ‘70s Converse shoes had already become embedded in American pop culture and were offered in an array of colors and designs to meet demand.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Although they remain a staple in American-wear and are the go-to casual shoe, advances in design technology pushed the simply constructed canvas and rubber Converse outside of the athletic shoe market -- the final shove coming from Nike in 2003, when it bought out the bankrupt company for $305 million dollars, according to a business report published by the <em>New York Times </em>(Wayne, Leslie, July 10, 2003).</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumRUNDMC%20%28juan%20ma%20ruiz%20Flickr%29.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 450px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Kicks on the Court</strong></p> <p> Adidas, Nike, and Reebok dominated the sneaker wars of the ‘80s and ‘90s, but before them it was Pro-Keds and Puma Clyde’s that Pro-ball players sought out. Nonetheless, as impactful as these designs were, neither would be as paramount on and off the court as the Air Jordans.</p> <p>  </p> <p> In an unprecedented event, in 1984, Michael Jordan signed a $2.5 million endorsement deal with Nike during his rookie year when he had not yet reached his “superstar status” and was not considered a commodity. Even more scandalous was the $5,000 dollar fine Jordan would accumulate every game for breaking regulation and adding a little flare to his Air Jordan I’s with a red on black color scheme, paving the way for colorful basketball sneakers.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Nike wasn’t a stranger to innovation in athletic shoes either. The Air Sole technology, created by aerospace engineer Frank Rudy that included a pocket of air in the heel for cushioning and support, had been first incorporated into its Air Force One’s and later in its Air Max design, which hit the market with the Beatles song “Revolution,” sung by the group itself specifically for the commercial.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Competitors didn’t lag far behind. Around the same time Reebok introduced its Pumps featuring a standout tongue with a round orange pump that inflated the air cushion in the sole, which was supposed to increase jumping ability. Of course, they could never have reached icon status without a bit of exposure from a Pro-baller, such as DeCovan Kadell "Dee” Brown  of the Boston Celtics, who was seen pumping up his Reeboks on the court right before he took off to make his no-look dunk, along with others that won him the ’91 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The birth of Hip-Hop </strong></p> <p align="center"> <em>“I wear my Adidas when I rock the beat<br /> on stage front page every show I go<br /> it's Adidas on my feet high top or low”</em></p> <p>                                                                                                 -Run DMC<br />  </p> <p> The old-school legends of hip-hop were as much of an influence on what people wore as the Pro-ballers; artists from East to West, like Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, NWA, Ice-T, and others, formed their own style of urban street wear that centered around their shoes.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “On trains, cats would stand in front of the doors in a B-Boy (Beastie Boy) stance with their heels touching but their toes pointing as far as possible. Then, the ‘hard rocks’ would take up two seats with their legs open…the sneaker which best exemplified this bravado was the Clyde,” writes Bobbito Garcia in <em>Where’d You Get Those? New York City’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987.</em></p> <p>  </p> <p> While the Beastie Boys wore Adidas Campus with track suits, Run DMC flashed their shell-toe Superstars and rapped about it, adding personality to the sneakers -- a personality that fans loved. This tradition would be handed down from one generation of rappers to the next, as is notable with hip-hop artist Nelly and the Air Force One’s, which became largely popular off the court because of its value in urban fashion.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Sneakers for All</strong></p> <p> Even though most big brands made a name for themselves in one particular sport (Tennis had Adidas and FILA, soccer had Puma, basketball had Nike and Converse, etc.), they all conquered the athletic world and developed specialized shoes for professionals and amateurs indiscriminately.</p> <p>  </p> <p> For the less mainstream and for the up-and-coming sports there have emerged popular alternatives to cater to the needs of these enthusiasts, as well.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Since the ‘70s, Vans has become synonymous with skaters. Then, there are those who prefer to go without the extra padding, ankle support and air pockets in the sole -- these minimalists consider themselves well-served by the Vibram FiveFinger shoes. The socially conscious turn to Toms, a nascent company out of Santa Monica that gives a pair of shoes to impoverished children for every pair bought.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Rappers are no longer just walking advertisements either, but have become crucial in the development of urban fashion. Nike’s Air Yeezy’s, designed by Kanye West, for example, had a face value of $245 USD and a pre-ordered pair sold on Ebay for $90,000 in 2009, according to TMZ.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>Yolian Cerquera is a contributing writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <em><strong>Photos: Michael Wa, Juan Ma Ruiz, Naoya Fuji (Flickr, Creative Commons).</strong></em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sneakers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">sneakers</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sneakerheads" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">sneakerheads</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/spike-lee" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">spike lee</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/adidas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">adidas</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/puma" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">puma</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/air-jordans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">air jordans</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/micheal-jordans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">micheal jordans</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nike" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">nike</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">vans</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/run-dmc" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">run dmc</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/kanye-west" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">kanye west</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/air-yeezy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">air yeezy</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/rappers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">rappers</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/michael-jordan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">michael jordan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Yolian Cerquera </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Naoya Fuji--Flickr, Creative Commons</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:38:13 +0000 tara 2328 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/2119-sneakerheads-rise-sneaker-culture-us#comments