Lets face it— Puerto Rican from the hood? Yeah, gold is pretty much a prerequisite.

Even my grandmother had some gold framed teeth. I remember I worked with a Puerto Rican dude at a metal shop who fixed the greasy machinery— while wearing multiple necklaces, bracelets, gold watch and a ring on every finger.

I’m known for my gold cleaver but that never goes over well at my kids school so I toned it down a bit.

- Double sided gold coin with my TBB logo on one side and my FRANKMATIC™ logo on the other (yeah that’s my face too.. why not?)
- Addition gold piece with my Butcher’s “B”

Big shout to my peoples over at Linx Jewelry in Venice California for the continued love.

Hit me up if you want to connect with Linx for custom jewelry

The goal is to make it look easy. The magic is in the mystery.

Being able to work with a company with so much of a heritage is truly a blessing. I’m confident in saying that Clarks is probably the industries most copied. Wallabees, Desert Boots, Weavers, Desert Treks— their design influence is in everything from high end dress shoes to skate shoes- and everything else in between.

I can go on about how the Wallabee means so to much to me. From Slick Rick to Ghostface– Especially Ghost!!!

The Weaver is Mr. Wally’s sexy cousin and shes a beauty.

Long story short– from the design to the marketing plan, I had a blast… and the cycle continues… and by that I mean I’m already working on our Spring / Summer project.

Ahh. The ever present fitted cap.

Something so classic and simple can mean the world to someone. If something means the world to me, it’s important that it’s representative of my personality and style.

I’m going to be 33 years old and that means I have been conscious of my fitted measurement for at least 20 years. My first was a San Diego Padres cap I bought in a sidewalk sale at a store called Maurice The Pants Man around my way.

My friends at Mitchell and Ness blessed me with an opportunity to put together a cap that represents me and my brand. I have had the pleasure of building a relationship with M&N while developing special projects for Concepts. The heritage and quality of the brand is something most people trust but I’m not sure people give their fitted cut and feel enough credit.

I wear New Era caps (like the rest of the world). In the passed couple of years, the New Era fit has not been my favorite. What changed? I’m not sure. Sporadic sizing and crown shapes makes it difficult to count on. Like most, I continue to hope for the best when I design caps for the shop or buy personnel caps elsewhere.

The M&N cap has surprised me and has become my favorite. Why? Well first and foremost – it fits. It fits good.

Jump on the M&N site and cop something to hide your crooked shape up. You will thank me later.

Shouts to Vic and John for the continued support and love.

Now on to my cap—

Features my “The Butcher’s Block” logo embroidery on the front

My motto on the right side panel in tonal embroidery and satin linings (not pictured)

The back embroidery lets you know that I keep it FRANKMATIC™

Will it be available? You will have to wait and see!

Las Vegas.

The city of lost wages – which explains why the local pawn shops stock Civil War paraphernalia and Picasso originals. On every flight to Vegas on Jet Blue, I usually make the most of the in flight entertainment while watching the History Channel. History buff? Maybe. I am more of a fan of reality shows based on dysfunctional family run businesses.

Pawn Stars is just that. Three generations of pawn shop politics and the occasional comic relief. While hanging with the homie Jon Buscemi, I learned that we were both fans of the show and decided to take a field trip down to the shop. Burn Rubber Rick rode shot gun to witness what happens when we are bored.

What did we learn? Lets see…

1. It was a 35 dollar cab ride there and a 17 dollar cab ride back. Same distance.
2. Gregy’s custom Gourmet pendant which is worth a pretty penny isn’t worth much in the house that “The Old Man” built.
3. The definition of random lies beneath the glass counters of a pawn shop.
4. The chewing tobacco spitting, Nascar hat wearing cowboy behind the pawn counter is a DICK.

The Goods

A line behind a velvet rope to get in

Can’t stop the profit

Apparently a ceramic double wolf head statue is worth something to someone

Jon will sniff out a pair of rare frames anywhere. He hangs out at Lasik surgery centers to collect the glasses patients won’t be needing anymore

I don’t think MLK dreamt that a bust of his head would be behind the counter at a pawn shop

Rick looks like Large Professor

Yeah Jon, I know we wasted our time.

Had a meeting with my brother Set Free and Philly Freeway the other day in my office in Cambridge. I have been putting together a passion project for a few months now and as much as I want to divulge details, it pains me to have to hold it in a little longer. All I can say is that it’s going to be groundbreaking. Freeway and Set Free are very much involved.

I can’t wait to let the world know what’s cooking but I have to wait till the food is done. Hungry?

FRANKMATIC™!

Simple enough but not as easy as it sounds. My brain is constantly moving and it affects the level of relaxation I can achieve. While I’m laying in bed my mind is racing and it doesn’t let me turn off the engine. Design something, blog something, write something, meet someone, then come home and do all those things while juggling a family. Its like walking up 10 flights of stairs with the comfort of leg weights.

Friday I was in court for a bullshit suspended license charge that had me as nervous as customers leaving the check cashing spot in the hood on the 1st of the month. I got through it though. Thanks. Fortunately I had a trip to Gloucester MA for a wedding and some much needed R&R.

Beautiful weather (and childless) had my wife and I smiling like we stole something.

Great weekend– I need more of these.

View from my hotel window

Found the local record spot

Also found the local diner

Oh yeah—- this isn’t an act for the camera. This is how she normally feels.

A couple months back, Michiya Suzuki of Red Wing Japan visited the shop to interview me and the crew about what the Red Wing Boot company means to the U.S. consumer and to us as an account. Japan has a great appreciation for American heritage and U.S. made products and it shows in the new issue of The Red Wing Book. The magazine is filled cover to cover with articles and great photos of boots and other Red Wing products.

Big thanks to Red Wing (U.S. and Japan), Michiya Suzuki & Hiroshi Morohashi for their time.

Lets face it. I love hip-hop probably more than you love your mother. I have been listening to rap music since the 3rd grade and haven’t stopped yet.

I received a surprised package from my homeboy Derek over at Manifest Worldwide which included a few designs that really hit home. These designs make clever references to some of my favorite artists. Great designs, colors and genuinely inspired by an era that continues to fuel current and future artists.

“Ghost is Back” – Ghostface Killah and the movie Ghostbusters 2 merged into this awesome parody. One of my favorites!

“When They Reminisce Over You”- The Pete Rock & CL Smooth logo featuring the title of their most popular ode to a fallen friend. One of the greatest songs in the history of hip-hop music hands down.
“The Ruler” – As in Slick Rick the Ruler or MC Ricky D or the greatest story teller of all time! He was fly as hell and taught you how to “treat em like a prostitute”. Slick Rick could be my favorite rapper of all time.

Big shouts to MANIFEST WORLDWIDE for the blessings!

With excitement I introduce the premier of the first official episode of Butcher’s Block TV.

I have started and restarted this project multiple times with the goal of presenting a quality piece that wouldn’t be bound to current events but rather a focus on timeless topics. Something less reliant on what the artist I’m interviewing is working on and more about how they are inspired to work. A presentation of their thoughts and feelings delivered to you unfiltered with no chaser.

I set out to build a platform for inspiring personalities to speak on what they believe in, feel and most importantly try to give the viewer a better understanding of where they are and came from creatively.

I hope you enjoy my first episode.

TBB TV SEASON 1 / EPISODE 1
CURT@!N$: I am Dope Boy C

Curtains is an extremely talented artist who Kanye West dubbed a “fashion genius”. His choice of garb might lead you to believe that his music should sound a certain way but don’t be fooled by his penchant for being dapper. His compositions are as diverse as his taste for fashion. Curtains delivers aggressive and insightful lyrics with a message entangled in wordplay that will have your ear to the speaker trying to catch every curve ball thrown. In this piece Dope Boy discusses how his fashion sensibilities have landed him in a unnecessary rap category and why he doesn’t believe in being labeled.

Created & Directed by Frank The Butcher
Director of Photography: Nicholas Black
Audio Technician: Paul Mighty

Music: Bamboo Child by Ryo Kawasaki

A room full of people with purpose and goals.

We’ve watched each other grow and we’ll help each other build.

Set Free, Rob G (Black Scale), Curt@!n$ (Free Word), Mega (Black Scale) at my office in Cambridge.