December 2021 – Page 2

December 19, 2021

In Between Days

My love for vinyl records and 60s and 70s Japanese esthetic comes together at “In Between Days”, Florida’s first Tokyo style listening bar and craft sake house found right in St.Pete.

Located at 2340 1st Ave S, my favorite new spot in the Burg appears to be just a regular house at first glance, but once you pass the illuminated Sake Crate you are transported into a new world filled with Sake, Bites, and that warm feeling vinyl gives you.

I was pleasantly surprised by how jumping this place was on a Wednesday night. The dim lighting adds to the late night Tokyo vibe. There is table seating along the wall of the hallway but to get the full experience I would recommend sitting at the bar. With over 10 sakes available for all pallets, from dry to sweet and everything in between they got it all. I am more a sweet sake fan so I went with the seikyo takehara “Mirror Of Truth”, a mellow, honey and clove room temp sake. They also offer some craft cocktails featuring sake as well, the Matcha one is on my hit list for next visit. The bartenders are very helpful, guiding you along your sake journey.

Shareable plates are also offered at In Between Days. The Pork Bao Buns where a favorite of mine, I was able to put down two orders, and even thought about ordering a third. It would be dope to see some more street food inspired dishes or even Ramen make its way onto the menu.

Not sure how they go about picking the records or if guests can request what they want to spin, but In Between Days has a pretty sweet collection of vinyl. Jazz was mainly played the entire night but it added to that 60s and 70s Tokyo vibe I was looking for, I felt like I was in a Nikkatsu Nior film starring Joe Shishido. I am interested to see what they have as far as Hip Hop selection. Not sure if they offer this now but it would be cool to incorporate a bring your own record night, spinning some of the guests favorite tracks adding to the communal experience.

It might be low key, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Next time you are driving down 1st Ave South and you see the sake crate lit, than you know sake is pouring and records are spinning.

December 19, 2021December 19, 2021

Camping In The Boneyard

With crazy drip being given away each week, I had no choice but to pick up a few Billionaire Bones Club bones, the NFT collab project between Sebastian Coolidge and Vault813, the only NFT project dressing their holders in drip.

Despite only being active for about 3 weeks or so the BBC has already given away about 10 gifts to the token holders, and that’s even before the road map has even been announced. With Bones coming in at about .02 ETH right now, I’ve been able to stash 3 bones over at Jit Camp so far. My most recent pick up is Bones #1341. With the road map still unreleased at this point, I just dived in and began studying the project, looking for key differences to discover the rarest bones of them all before other people get their hands on them. At this point I think this is the rarest Bone I own, based on my own research.

I was able to snag Bones #72 pretty easily. This joint smoking grilled out bone with snake eyes caught my eye with his “Miami Vice” style attire. Not sure where this guy ranks in the grand scheme of things but, he was just to Trill to pass up.

The first Bone I picked up was #30. This joint smoking, eye ball eating Bone is my least favorite I own at this point but that doesn’t mean he still doesn’t hold value. At this point already owning three total I wanted to see what would happen if I tried to flip this Bone so currently have him listed at 50 ETH, since we taking it to the moon baby.

With the word scam being thrown around with other NFT projects, I know for a fact the Billionaire Bones Club is the real deal. I couldn’t be happier to be apart of such a dope project that actually builds a community and gives back to it just for supporting and collecting dope art. With the road map and website on the way, your best place to stay informed with what’s going on in the Boneyard is the discord and IG. So get on out there and get your own pile of them bones.

December 18, 2021

MaRked Jacquard

With winter in full swing, the homies at REACH are running back the “MaRked Jacquard” ski masks, this time in four different color ways.

All pushing quality over quantity, the masks are cut and sewn overseas, featuring Jacquard fabric, meaning the pattern is woven into the material. I am not this biggest fan of ski masks but a couple of these have my eye, plus I’m a sucker for anything REACH. The REACH R over the eye is a vibe for sure.

We had to kick things off with the OG black and red color way. The colors are pretty much synonymous with the brand at this point, making this one wearable with any fit. That red R is iconic.

The yellow and black mask is on some testing vibes. Rock this one with the canary off whites and an Off White belt, and your good to go. It’s cool to see REACH always dabbling with new color ways and combos.

This purple and white joint is my favorite though. Purple is my favorite color so they had me off rips with that element. In pictures the R comes off as grey, which is good for me since it’s grey gang all day. Even if it’s white I’ll still pick this one up causes it’s my fav.

This Black and Orange piece just screams Halloween vibes for me. REACH has dabbled with Orange in the past so their are plenty of archive pieces that can be mixed and matched with this one. Keep this piece stashed for spooky season.

With each release REACH is able to capture the core essence of the brand while always upping the quality and concept. Just like every releases the homies do this drop is gonna be very limited so definitely don’t sleep.

December 17, 2021December 17, 2021

The No PFP Project

With the No PFP Project, Robert Gallardo gives his take on the overhyped PFP projects that are taking over much of the NFT market at this time. This is the first anti PFP PFP project.

With everyone going bananas over Bored Apes and Crypto Punks, instantly running to their profile edit window to change their PFP to their newly purchased token, the time had finally come for someone to take a jab at the concept. Who better than the Cyber Monk himself to take up the challenge with this new 1,000 piece collection.

Each No PFP is hand made by the Grey GOAT himself, allowing the piece to hold value not only in the wallet but also in the heart. At first glance the collection might appear basic to the average person, but any collector or supporter of Gallardo will instantly see he’s right in his wheel house, bringing his playful, tongue and cheek humor to the PFP NFT craze.

With each piece going for .01 ETH right now around $30-40 before fees, I would highly suggest picking up 1 or more of these No PFPs soon before the whales start circling. I personally picked up No PFP #92 but with 900 more No PFPs to come I am sure I will have 4 or 5 by the time the collection is finished. I am so grateful that NFTs allow me a new way to collect my favorite artists new and old work, making the possibilities of both the artist and the collector endless.

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021

IN_MY_HEAD

One of my favorite creatives in the Tampa Bay scene is WillcOats. Not staying confined to the constraints of a brand, it’s more about the artistry and story being told with each drop. With his latest collection “IN_MY_HEAD” brings us into the mind of WillcOats.

The collection is made up of six different looks all featuring the “BRAINIAC” print as well as the “BRAINIAC_CAP” in each look. The ad that went along with this drop, really hit home the vibe and feeling WillcOats was going for. For me themes of paranoia and comfort are present in the work.

I feel the centerpiece item of the entire collection is the “BRAINIAC_CAP”. When have you ever seen a print show up on the top of a cap? The green cap is able to work with any look in the collection, as well as be pulled off with upcoming and past collections. The “BRAINIAC” print and WillcOats are pretty much synonymous at this point.

LOOK_001 features a crime scene tank with a “BRAINIAC” print right in the center on the chest. The blue tank and green from the cap mesh really well together. It’s that “BRAINIAC” branding for me.

The pink long sleeve featured in LOOK_002 his a nice change up from the darker color palette used in many of the other looks. With the “BRAINIAC” print taking center stage, adding some white to the pink. Would love to see a flip of this with a white long sleeve and a pink “BRAINIAC” print.

LOOK_003 is straight camo vibes. Moving out of the center, the “BRAINIAC” print makes its way to the shirt position giving room for the camo print to breathe. This is my favorite look in the entire capsule.

LOOK_004 places the “BRAINIAC” print on a Champion Xavier Hoodie. I really dig the how the print appears to be under the Xavier branding. The navy blends well with the green from the cap. Definitely a vibe.

A trio of “BRAINIAC” prints are featured on this green tee. The abundance of prints sets this piece apart from the others, being the only piece to feature more than one print. It would be dope to see this look on some pants or cords.

The final look, LOOK_006 showcases the “BRAINIAC” print on a navy blue long sleeve. Since the print is not on the front or brim of the cap it allows the other pieces to get some shine, while still drawing attention to itself in each look.

With the success of the “IN_MY_HEAD” drop as well as his involvement in the “Cowboy Magazine 2”, I am really hype to see what project WillcOats does next, hopefully with some accompanying visuals to go along with it.

December 7, 2021December 11, 2021

Mr.Bucci

A staple of the High Tolerance ENT lineup 38Bucci is cementing himself as next up in the Florida Underground Hip Hop scene, not only with his skills on the mic, but also on the canvas.

I was first put onto Bucci by my homie Raggy. Eventually I was able to catch a performance from Bucci at the Robb Bank$ show back in August. His energy and charisma set him apart from the rest of the performers at the show, playing some of his classics records like “Ela$tic” and “$moke Dope”.

I feel Bucci’s sound is the future of FLA Underground. The mesh of trap vibes with that Trill FLA esthetic, is very need in the scene. Tracks like “IDK How 2 Feel” & “Don’t Era$e” are great examples of that trill sound.

On his latest joint “No Hook Part One”, Bucci is on his story telling shit, bringing the listener into the trenches with Bucci over an atmospheric beat. The visuals for the track really brings the track together, showing that Bucci is really bout that shit.

Not being confined to just one lane Bucci also creates 1 of 1 art pieces on canvas as well as on clothing. Often dabbling in abstract themes, Bucci’s work always feels fresh and unlike his previous piece. I really dig that fact that everything is just 1 of 1 work, not confining Bucci to the constraints of a brand.

With the constant amount of pressure Bucci releases, it’s only a matter of time before he’s headlong his own FLA tours and doing full art shows or pop ups of his own pieces. It’s very rare that you meet genuinely dope people in the FLA scene but Bucci is a real one for sure.

December 7, 2021

MM..GROCERIES

A continuation of his “100 Items” NFT projects, Robert Gallardo calls back to his 2014 “Food” art show with the “100 Grocery Items” NFT drop.

From bacon to bagels, Rob hits all of the five food groups on this project. My favorite thing about all of Rob’s releases are he drops stuff that everyone can pretty much afford. Yes, there are bigger ticket projects, like the “User Interface” collection from earlier this year, but his last like 4 collections all offer tokens ranging at or under $100. We always see high profile projects like “Bored Apes” and so on but Rob be on his “Blue Collar Minter” shit.

I’ve got my eye on a few of the tokens featured in this collection. PB&J is a go to for me and being a Grape guy, especially for Smucker’s “Concord Grape Jelly”, I will more than likely be picking up that one piece.

I was just thinking the other day how dank “Jiffy” muffins used to be when I was a jit. From the blueberry to the corn they are all fire. Back in the day my pops would whip up a batch of those blueberry flavor, something about the blueberries they put in the muffins just makes them hit different. This piece is at the top of my favorites list.

The fact that this collection harkens back to Rob’s art show “Food” which was his take on various foods from the culture is what makes this collection my favorite he has done this far in his “100 Items” series. Just based on that the “Goya” and the “Beef Ramen” pieces are on my wishlist.

It’s really special to see Rob go back into the archive to mint some of his older work into NFTs for his supporters to enjoy and show off. It would be crazy to see the “10 Commandments” collection get its own drop, as well as the highly influential “Purple Children” cover arts, his collab projects with DJ Slim K make their way onto the Opensea marketplace. $GREY is the future!

December 7, 2021

Everyone That Wants A Cowboy Hoodie, Will Get A Cowboy Hoodie.

With a slew of tees and collabs under their belt this year, the good people at Cowboy By Takeo are ending the year with some minimalistic logo hoodies to get you right for winter.

The hoodies will be releasing in black, tan, and grey color ways and are available for pre order until 12/10. Cowboy usually does at least one big long sleeve drop a year. Since I missed out on last years crew neck drop, I will more than likely be pulling the trigger on this latest drop.

Since it’s Grey Gang all day, the grey hoodie is my favorite piece from the drop. The Cowboy logo takes front and center on, with another logo hit on the right wrist. That from pocket will come in clutch during them really cold days in early January.

Can’t go wrong with just a simple black hoodie. I feel the Cowboy logo hits the best on the black piece, giving off a clean look that can be rocked daily.

Mostly know for using louder colors like red and yellow it was dope to see Cowboy incorporate this tan color way into the hoodie drop. The versatility of outfit combos you could put together with the tan piece are pretty much endless, keeping it minimal but still adding in enough color to not make it dull.

With no signs of slowing down in 2022, Cowboy By Takeo constantly proves over and over again with each release that you can’t box the homies into just one lane. Big congratulations to all the success the team has seen over this past year, 2022 is only going to be bigger. “Everyone that wants Cowboy will be able to get a Cowboy”.

December 5, 2021December 5, 2021

See You In The Boneyard

Already a staple of the NFT landscape, Sebastian Coolidge & Vault 813 join forces to create the “Billionaire Bones Club” NFT collection, the only NFT collection dressing their token holders in the hottest sneakers and clothing.

Over the last few months Sebastian Coolidge has been dropping his own NFT collections such as the “CryptoDazeys” and “The Titty Box”, both of which are dope in their own right. For this project Coolidge is providing the art work for each of the “Billionaire Bone” pieces and Vault 813 will be providing the drip that is randomly given out to the token holders, bringing one of Tampa Bays dopest artists together with one of the areas most recognized boutiques. The 5,000 unique skulls that offer permanent and and ongoing awards.

What I like most about this project is not only do you get a piece of dope original artwork from Coolidge but you also will potentially get some dope sneakers or designer wear from Vault813. My favorite part of the whole NFT experience is when token holders also receive physical items or other incentives for being a holder.

Being from the Tampa Bay Area myself I am hype to see how the community and project of “Billionaire Bones Club“ continues in the future, especially with some of the high profile members that are already in the club. I have my eye on a couple of the bones, so fingers crossed on joining the club soon.

December 2, 2021

Class Started 2 Hours Ago, Oh Am I Late

Second2None connects with the inner graphic design nerd in all of us with their latest “PS Saved My Life” hats.

Second2None is one of my favorite brands out of FLA. The “Ps Saved My Life” hat comes in a black and grey color way featuring the reverse color on the brim. For some reason the hat gives me “Breaking Bad” vibes but that could just be the periodic table looking “PS“ logo.

My favorite color way has got to be the grey one. Any grey piece that Second2None drops is essential for me. I really dig the baby blue Second2None word mark on the back.

The black color way is still a vibe, the font on the hat really stands out on the black. Plus that grey brim is always the way to go.

These hats as well as some other 1 of 1 pieces are still available on the Second2None site. Don’t sleep on this release, the brand usually doesn’t restock so once they gone they gone.