Rio based, Brazilian design collective, Oestudio, have partnered with Nike to create the new limited edition Nike Air Royal Mid VT as part of their new ‘Com Ciência Negra’ collection. The name, in Portuguese, is a play on words meaning both ‘Black Conscience’ and ‘With Black Science’, alluding to the Afro-Brazilian culture that has inspired and informed the collection. Both the new kicks as well as the fall/winter collection were unveiled at a release party at the Oestudio store in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro on March 29th. [Read more...]
Nike x Oestudio Brazil
Zuzuka Poderosa x Sub Swara
It was way back in 2008 that I first wrote about the Brazilian born, Brooklyn-based dynamo that is Zuzuka Poderosa, on my now defunct blog, The San Francarioca. Since then, home girl has gone from strength to strength, appearing as a guest MC on Rio rap legend Marcelo D2′s new Lp, throwing the most booty-shakin-est parties in NYC as well as putting her stamp on a slew of other projects. Don’t let the pretty face fool you though; this girl is TOUGH, as evidenced by the straight fire she spits on the mic in both Portuguese and in English.
A new track she’s featured on just showed up in my inbox and it’s most definitely Freshly Serious! If you haven’t heard of  Sub Swara by now, time to take note. On the Brooklyn outfit’s new release, ‘Tambores’, Zuzuka continues her verbal assault over top rugged riddims driven by the traditional Brazilian instruments, berimbau (made from a wire and gourd and used heavily in Capoeira) and repinique (a two sided drum). This could be the year Ms. Poderosa (the name means powerful in Portuguese) takes over. Remember where you heard her first!
Check for the bonus video after the jump. [Read more...]
Puzzle Poppin’ en la Favela
Post by Tee Cardaci – Live from Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro / Classic still from ‘City of God‘
As we as a culture approach the digital saturation point, the analog and tangible are making a comeback. Ink jets and laser prints are being eschewed for movable type printing presses. Online gaming is being passed up in favor of…puzzles? Well, maybe it hasn’t reached that point yet, but there is one jig-sawed joint that caught our eye recently.
