Nick Bailey Knows.

Tough Decision Made.

2009-04-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a minute. School, blogging for Sneaker Files, and my girlfriend have all pretty much been taking up my time.

Over these past few weeks, I've come to the realization that school isn't for me. It's not the fact that I'm doing bad or anything, c'mon now... I graduated high school when I was 16 years old. When school starts back up next semester, my second year of college if I kept going, I still wouldn't be 18 years old.

I'd say I'm smart enough.

I just feel that I don't need it in my life. I don't think that I need to keep going on with college; well, at least for right now. I'm going to take a break to figure some things out, and to keep moving on with some of my dreams. I already have a pretty steady base working for Sneaker Files and whatnot (I used to write for Hypebeast and Evil Monito, too).

I'm nowhere near as great as I should be as far as my writing/blogging skills, but I'll be there soon enough.

I know most of you are probably feeling the effects of these last few weeks of school, too.. with finals right around the corner, you better get your study on.

I'm gonna finish strong, and get the best grade that I can for my first, and final (as of right now) year of college...

April 10th - A Legend Was Born

2009-04-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

If April didn't have a 10th day, we wouldn't have one of the greatest emcees to ever bless the mic.

Q-Tip the Abstract.

He was definitely a necessity to the music industry, and he's still putting work in.

For those that don't know, Q-Tip was the leader of the LEGENDARY group, A Tribe Called Quest. From Midnight Marauders to The Low End Theory, Q-Tip and the rest of his team made names for themselves. Still kicking out the lyrics like he hasn't aged one second, he's definitely in my Top 10. Not in yours? Peep these songs and tell me otherwise.

Q-Tip - Gettin' Up.
Q-Tip - Move
A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour
A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation

Oh yeah...he knew the late, great Dilla! That makes him soooo much cooler.

Baer's Den - Memphis, TN

2009-04-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Here's the story on Baer's Den.

I was shopping at my local boutique, R. Sole, just hanging out like always. The two customers walk in looking for some new kicks, not really talking about anything. They ask my homie Rufus (R. Sole's manager) about some store named Baer's Den, because they were looking for some sick denim. Other than R. Sole, Macy's (lol), and another boutique named Oak Hall, I've never seen any denim spot in the city AT ALL! So, the two customers departed to Oak Hall and then came back about 30 minutes later. I see the "Baer's Den" bag, and out comes some sickkkkkk True Religions. When I say sick, I mean sickkkk. I bounce from R. Sole and head to Baer's Den...

No offense, but from the outside look of the spot, I didn't think shit would be in there. Really small place in a small shopping center. As I approach the door, I see a big fucking dog, haha! Huge man. Walk inside, I'm greeted pretty well by who I later found out was the owner (Jeremy Baer) and the huge dog (Cody). I look around, I look around...my jaw was dragging. My homie Chris almost slipped on the ground because of my drool, lol. Diesel, True Religion, Rock & Republic GALORE! Ralph Lauren also caught my eye. That's all fine and dandy, but when I took some steps upstairs...man, oh man. Simply amazing. Some of the greatest artwork that I've ever seen from local Memphis artists! Gahhh, I'm rambling. With all of this being said, the store is a pretty chill enviornment, the owner is dope, and they have a cow skin rug. Enough said. If you live in Memphis, CHECK THEM OUT! If you don't, make the trip here. It's worth it!

Baer's Denim Company
400 Perkins Extended
Memphis, TN 38117

This Is Why I Don't Have A Pet.

2009-04-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

4 kittens se batte contre une boite de C♥CA
Uploaded by _006-serie-TS_

Nike Air Yeezys Hit Nikestore.com This Morning?

2009-04-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Why wasn't I notified?

The Last Kiss.

2009-04-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the epic release of Jada's third solo release, The Last Kiss. Arguably the most underrated emcee in the game, this cd DELIVERS! If you like that old NY sound, back when it was nothing but heat, this is for you. Hell, if you like rap, CHECK THIS SHIT OUT! No bogus dance songs, no baller rap, no elementary punchlines...straight up heat, but what else would you expect from Jada? Check out one of my favorite songs from the album:

Pain & Torture

It's Been A Minute.

2009-04-07T17:56:00.001-07:00

Yeah guys. It's been a minute.
www.SneakerFiles.com has been taking up my time.
I'm a paid blogger now, woot woot for me!
It's all good now; I'll be back pretty much everyday now.. so no worries.
To start off the reunion, here's a clip from For The Love Of Ray J.

Danger: She Smashed The Homies.

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

Air Jordan 1 Premier - "Hare"

2009-03-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Jordan Brand has been kicking out nonsense for the past 2 years it seems. No real retros...only packages, fusions, and variations of beloved Jordan sneakers. It seems like JB is trying to come out strong with their latest rendition of the most famous Jordan sneaker of all time, the Air Jordan 1. Featuring the "Hare" colorway, which was made famous by Bugs Bunny on the Air Jordan 7, they are actually pretty clean. I can rock with it. I know it seems like forever ago, but I talked about some BOGUS polka dot Air Jordans. It's all good though. As long as JB can have releases like this, we're on good terms. Check 'em out on April 11th for $110.

Via Niketalk.

Mythblazers Episodes 1-3.

2009-03-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

Curren$y.
Trademark.
Weed.
What else could you ask for?
This web series is one of the funniest I've ever seen.

Mythblazers: Where They Answer The Burning Questions On Every Stoner's Mind.
Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Can You Chill Please: Air Jordan 1 Low - Polka Dot.

2009-03-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

I don't get it.

Dear Jordan Brand,
Can you please chill the FUCK out with the lame ass Jordans? It seems as if someone in the company has gone brain-dead, or at least has become a severe alcoholic, with all of these releases. The CDP's were an okay idea, but you should've known that nobody was gonna buy such packages as the 2/19's or 1/22's. Fusions... wow. The concept on paper is okay, but the turnout is as ugly as Rihanna after her bout with Chris Breezy(forgive me guys). Why can't you just stick to retroing the beloved 1-22's? (even though most of us only wear AJ1's thru 14's)..If it ain't broke don't fix it. Is it too much to ask for the company to go back to it's pre-2008 days?

Speaking for sneakerheads across the country,
Nick Bailey.

Photo Credit: SF

Much Respect: Game Brings A Disabled Kid On Stage With Him.

2009-03-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

To The Game: Good lookin' sir.

Interview With Mickey Factz.

2009-02-10T05:37:00.000-08:00

Didn't think that I'd be saying that anytime soon.

Mickey Factz is the main person that I've been wanting to hear from for a while now.
I basically just hit him up on Facebook, in hopes of a response.
To my surprise, he sent me his e-mail address the next day.

I sent off the questions, and when I received the answers, I laughed a bit.
I typed up the questions on my G1, while he answered them on his Blackberry, haha!
More people need to connect with their fans like Mickey does.

Hope you enjoy.

How long have you been interested in the whole music scene?
Since I came out the womb. I really believe I was born to make music. Thats my calling. Iono bout the scene but music in general has been an interest before anything.

Who or what influenced you to start rhyming?
Pops was rapping to me as a baby. That right there set it all into motion.

I noticed that you mention Afrika Bambaataa often. What sort of connection do you have with him?
I have a Bronx connection with him. We both grew up in the same area kinda. Me, Soundview section of the Bx. Him Bronx River. Not to mention, we both went to Stevenson High. We also are both ahead of our time.

I also see that you're affiliated with GFC. Could you give a little insight about the organization?
GFCnewyork is a company I co-founded. We specialize in branding of Artists, Clothing Lines, Actors and Actresses.

Many rappers are getting connected with streetwear brands, and you've done so with Rocksmith. How important do you feel it is for artists to branch out into other industries?
It shows groth and brand expansion by doing so. I love the fact that I'm connected with so many different industries.

What's your opinion about the way the mainstream hip-hop scene is changing? It seems as if this dance music is taking over.
Thats a good thing. Hip Hop needs to evolve not be stagnant. Hip Hop was always a dance driven genre anyway. So we're not ruining anyway in reality.

I have to ask this. What is your favorite album of all time and why?
Michael Jackson Thriller. It inspired me to be myself and not be conformed to the music industry. Plus the music is amazing.

On an average day, what goes down in your life?
Me and my Blackberry make love for about 13 hours. I write art as I travel. I take pictures and make camera's shy. I also inspire any and everybody I can.

It's a new year. Times have changed so much. We're in a recession, we have a new President, and many other things. How do you feel about it?
We're gonna go thru hard times, but I'm very hopeful. I feel we picked the best man to do the job. I'm not worried at all.

With all of the negativity in the world these days, what keeps you chill and content?
Music, Trinity, My team, The pursuit of happiness and excellence. That's it.

Last, but not least, your album is dropping this year. What can we look forward to?
Expect the unexpected...

This guy's pretty ill.
You definitely need to check out his mixtapes, along with XXL Magazine's Top 10 Freshman of 2009 issue. He made one of the covers, which was well deserved.
XXL Mag also released a mixtape featuring the 10 artists.. there you can hear some of the heat coming from Mickey, along with others such as Wale and Charles Hamilton.
Also, be on the lookout for the album later this year.

You May Remember Me...

2009-02-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone.

It's Nick Bailey here.
I decided to scrap the "Are You Serious?" blog, and start anew.
No worries, the content here will be just as satisfying.

I have been gone for a while.. a little thing known as college has been raping me (no homo).
So, here goes! Hope you enjoy.