As announced on Anthem magazine’s website last week, Vampire Weekend dropped a new single and video from the album Contra, “Giving Up the Gun.” While the band has been steadily crossing over (#1 on the charts), the band still hangs on to their more alternative roots. In the video, helmed by The Malloys (N.E.R.D., White Stripes, Silversun Pickups, etc.)…

Brakeless polo isn’t just for fixies. These kids take to the polo pit on BMX bikes and obviously not a care about the so-called elitism in bike polo. Obviously there’s no love loss between BMXers and Fixies, but this looks to be indication of common values. Here they take over the court and run shit.

J. Dilla is an LA institution, even though he heralded from Detroit (rock city). His fans might know him from early Tribe Called Quest, or even his contribution to neo-soul, but his champions who still tout his name and speak on the anniversary of his birth/death really seem to remembered when his skills bloomed. His last days were largely spent in Los Angeles …

Core to the Sundance festivities last month, was the first ever K-Swiss Ping Pong Challenge, where four filmmakers squared off at the net, as well as on screen. K-Swiss used the opportunity to enlist a videographer that offer a bit of Ping Pong history. Apparently the sport was born the Victorian era, when dinner was followed by clearing the table for a game with books stacked up to be used as a net.

We knew our friends at Palladium had it going on, but we didn’t know they were rocking runways… as in fashion runways. Seems that in their arsenal of canvas and rubber boots, a storied French history and hip kids, Palladium has been holding their secret weapon for next fall’s style avalanche. Seems that Neil Barrett, the famed menswear designer has collaborated…

ESPN skate coverage is usually right on the money (no pun), especially when it comes to the comings and goings of the skate kings, the folks that drive the industry and all of its innovations. Yesterday, they published a pretty timely piece, one that many other skate publications would rather avoid, about the state of the skate biz and the effects of the recession. Our boy Greg Lutzka, who is in many ways a leader in the industry (both the skills and the biz), goes on record…

Video games have come a long way, and even the iPhone app games rival anything you’d see in an arcade back in the day. So it was a matter of time before skating became a game sector of its own, and our local, Greg Lutzka is the main character of this new one called S.K.A.T.E. which is the skate version of H.O.R.S.E. You challenge the virtual Lutzka to a head-to-head game of S.K.A.T.E…

The LBC, made famous by one of world’s biggest rap stars, Snoop Dogg, has come into its own in recent years. While you might imagine a landscape of rap video icons like low-riders and gangsters in house shoes, the community of Long Beach has become a hub of innovative companies and earth-friendly neighborhoods that show pride in their streets. The downtown area is booming with nightlife and restaurants, and activities have become a calling card for the city. It’s only fitting that a bike race become part of the offering…

A film premiered at Sundance last night about an artist that couldn’t be filmed, or wouldn’t. “Exit Through the Gift Shop” is about a French shopkeeper and an amateur director that wanted to make a documentary about the prolific, and famously secretive artist named Banksy.

No, we didn’t make it to Sundance… but our associates from K-Swiss are giving us the full feed (check our Facebook) from the snow strewn streets & check back at 3.30 PMT. In the spirit of the annual celebration of indie film, K-Swiss and GenArt are getting down with some of the brightest young directors for a Ping Pong Classic. Perfect for all comers, ping pong is an old school fave that lends well to the party vibe of Park City…

Sometimes you just gotta say WTF, which is much of the spirit that is behind Rad Omen. A (seemingly) random pairing between a well-known rock frontman and a world-trotting electronic DJ, Rad Omen is what happens when creative folks just let predispositions go and just get… well, creative. Time will certainly tell the true tale behind this track and the resulting album, which we are told is being leaked entirely at some point, but for now this video and download will have to speak for them. The punchline of the video?

Soundtrack for a Revolution is the story of how music played a significant, powerful role in the Civil Rights movement. From Mahalia Jackson’s “How I Got Over” to her mentoring of the inimitable Aretha Franklin who carried the torch to the numerous artists that held steadfast during their careers so that these young instruments like The Roots, TV on the Radio and John Legend could perform all over the world.

It’s still early season and the Olympics are around the corner, but these kids beat us to the heat up. Hitting Whistler with all they’ve got, the Sandbox show us what’s up. Their new film Now You Know trailer is just a taste.

Aaron Rose has long been a force in bringing marginalized artists and creators into mainstream culture, like skate, music and film. From his work with RVCA and Nike to his Alleged gallery (RIP) and Beautiful Losers art show and documentary, Rose has been at the flashpoint of many amazing artists careers such as Phil Frost, Barry McGee, Ed Templeton and many more.

ou’ve peeped the low-tops, but as to not exclude the ladies from the high-top mix, K-Swiss is dropping a few new colorways of its Surf & Sand high top. There is an all black upper, and four Spring colorways will catch much attention going into Easter in yellow, pink, green and lavender.

Ali Love has been on the scene for a minute, as a vocalist on Chemical Brothers’ “Do It Again” and a few early singles that gave him enough shine that you can’t help but notice. There’s been buzz on his new album, but already we’re starting to get a steady stream of remixes. It’s obvious that the trainspotters and Ableton massive are on it.

As we covered recently, Kenna and Lupe Fiasco as well as a few others (Emile Hirsch, Jessica Biel, et al) are making good on their commitment to climb Kilimanjaro in the name of safe drinking water for folks that don’t have access. The starting point is about 12,000 feet in Tanzania, which is already crazy for Day 1.

It’s not our intent to report sports scores on the regular, but after a 9 game winning streak the Lakers have lost to their hometown rivals. We have nothing against the Clippers, but being natives to the city we remember when they were from San Diego, and more importantly when they were terrible. This type of talk might piss a few folks off, but being LA-based, the Lakers have continued to dominate the landscape since the 80s.

We can’t tell if this is for real or if someone is just being clever enough to capture some of the hype of “Buggyrollin”. Regardless, this is some kind of contraption that you know the kids will love. Somebody somewhere will master this new sport, and probably organize an entire movement around it.