Life is about meeting people, connecting and making things happen. Meet some friends.

All photos by: Harris Tobey

Name: Brek.One
Game: DJ /Designer
Where: BrekOne.com / Twitter @BrekOne

Name: Johnny Cupcakes
Game: Owner of the brand Johnny Cupcakes
Where: JohnnyCupcakes.com / Twitter @JohnnyCupcakes

Name: Levi Maestro
Game: Living life and documenting it
Where: MaestroKnows.com / Twitter @MaestroKnows

Name: Stebs
Game: Video
Where: iloveqp.com / Twitter @iloveqp

Sun don’t shine if Son don’t shine

Follow me on Twitter @FranktheButcher

While I was in Philly, I couldn’t help checking out a few sneaker spots. Abakus is essentially  a consignment shop, but has a unique feel to it. Unlike most consignment shops, Abakus has a clear concept. A few blocks up 10th Street in Philly’s Chinatown, Abakus takes inspiration from a Chinese food restaurant. The front of the store is set up like a dining room while the back sports a kitchen theme, complete with a deep frier full of shoe laces, and a meat locker changing room. Definitely a cool spot so if you’re in Philly, check ‘em out. I mean, just look at all the goodies in the front case. A big thanks to co-founder of Abakus, Ky Cao who showed me around and let me take photos of the store.

Abakus

227 N. 10th Street

Philadelphia, PA. 19107

www.abakustakeout.com

215-351-7978

Here are some photos I took while at Reading Terminal Market in Philly. I was there specifically for DiNic’s, but the market itself was a great place to take a walk through. Thanks to Crisp for getting me there.

Lets try this again—

I was kind of proud of my post on a walk I took last week— But it weirdly disappeared off the blog.

Eh, who knows….

Here it is again.

My walk on one of the most miserable and cold days of the year. On second thought, maybe it was meant to be deleted…

I’ve known the Crooks for a while now and they have expanded from a street wear brand to a true lifestyle brand with multiple lines and retail locations. I was at the opening of their Melrose store a couple years back and had the opportunity to check out the new Sunset Location which is also their main office. The store is crispy clean and doubles as a gallery currently showcasing the work of legendary photographer Chi Modu’s work. Had the chance to build and shoot the shit with Emil, Chris and the rest of the crew about everything from clothing to differences between our coasts. These dudes are fam.

Cage’s “Depart from Me” tour came through Boston on Friday which features my homeboy Yak Ballz and was opened by my brother E The Real.

Yak Ballz has been touring in support of Cage’s new album and has been tearing it down rocking classics, currents and I even heard him flip a couple of instrumentals (bodied an RJD2 beat!). Yak has just put up his new site YakBallz.net where be blogs about his travels and day to day stuff. He has an upcoming EP on Def Jux called “Gas Galaxy” with the title track available for free on his site.

Guess what? Yak has a Cannon G10 too. You know what kind of conversations camera nerds have? Shutter speed, ISO settings and controlling level of flash! This camera is fuckin ill.  Above pic is a product of messing with settings I never heard of…

w Yak and Cage – Weathermen Album coming soon.

You all know Paul Mighty. Here’s the science on him— If I am considering robbing a bank, before I even verbalize it, he has a mask on waiting for me in the car. Its scary how on point he is.

My brother E The Real opened up for Yak and Cage rocking joints off of the new Nite People album. He had the crowd totally zoned into what he was doing. It was crazy! E’s is a genius but not in the weird “rain man” way. New music on the way!!

I know you know this guy!!

Sneaker Pimps came through Boston on Saturday and I had an opportunity to host with my man Dave Jeff of Phli. Big shout to Peter, Shae, Ron and the rest of the Sneaker Pimps crew for putting together a great show.  My homeboy Stalley killed it,  J Cole buried it and the Clipse resurrected it and killed it again! Shouts to my co-d Chedda who consistently holds me down.

As part of the Verizon “Text” contest, we agreed to give the winner 1 of the most exclusive Nike SB Concepts Yellow Lobsters… Game over. I wore mine that night and they’ll probably never be seen again.

Brek.One saved the night

with Chedda and Ryan of Enamel Kingdom (his artwork is insane)

Ryan gave me one of these magical and secret cards…

Thirsty?

Chedda’s choice footwear was an eye catcher… Jordan 60+.. EARLEEE

Chris and Wifey

My brother Dave Jeff of PHLI

Ian, Jeff, Dave and I

RE-UP! The Clipse

Boston’s finest

The Sneaker Pimp himself – Peter Fahey

J.Cole

Shae of Sneaker Pimps and J. Cole

NYC  by way of Ohio—- Mad Stalley!

w Ron (free agent!!!) and Stalley

w Malice of the Clipse

w Pusha of the Clipse

The Conceptettes – Tina and Natalie

and the winner is…. I actually forgot her name but she was excited to receive the Yellow Lobsters

The Prize

….I need

My XXX Vitamin Water

…and my Black Berry Curve – I beat the shit out of this. This one is only 4 months old. Look at the sides…

Worcester, MA. “The Heart of the Commonwealth”.

The 2nd largest city in New England behind Boston. Where barbed wire, the monkey wrench and Valentine cards were invented. Where I grew up in the struggle of city life. Where I raise a family and where I buried my younger brother. Over the years my city has claimed lives and given opportunities to the people that live here. It has been a hard place for many but like anywhere else the people that call Worcester home make the most of.

I never really looked at my home through the eye of a camera before. I take it for granted but have been paying more attention to it since I have the opportunity to travel.  Worcester has a history and color but It also has places where people have given up on.

Below are a few pictures of where I call home.

Worcester is made up of a lot of these….