White Collar Crime

After a year and a half in federal prison, L.T. Deaton, was ready to do something positive with his life. On the inside he learned that every prison was known for something; every prison had its own unique identity or reputation. Often a prison’s identity grew out of its geographic location or the specific physical traits of the facility. Sometimes the identity was shaped by the demographics of the prison population itself. Not surprisingly, only those on the inside knew the specific identities of each prison. But L.T. Deaton decided to change all that, and White Collar Crime was born. White Collar Crime is now an international brand sold at some of the leading boutiques in the world such as Blends, Union, Shoe Gallery, and Slam Jam.

Each piece tells a story about the prison it was themed after as you will see below.


Angola Rodeo -Angola was established in 1880 and sitting on 18,000 acres Angola Prison is the largest in the US. Inmates served their time working the fields at Angola earning it the nickname “The Farm”. Twice a year inmates were allowed to let off a little steam when they hosted their world famous rodeo.

Coleman Creative Writing – The Coleman Federal Correctional facility is actually five prisons in one. Its most famous inmate continues to be George Martorano, who has served nearly 30 years of a life-without-parol sentence; perhaps the longest sentence in US history for a first time, non-violent offense. In that time George has been a model inmate, writing several books, and teaching writing to his fellow inmates.

Pelican Bay Poker Club – The Pelican Bay facility was established in 1989 to house inmates considered too dangerous for other prisons. Its a place for serious men who play serious poker. If you can win poker at Pelican Bay, you are ready for the World Championships. Never Fold!!!

Deer Island Athletic Dept – Located in Boston Harbor, Deer Island, has a long dark history. In the 1600′s Native Americans were imprisoned there. In the 1800′s Irish immigrants were quarantined there, and in the 1900′s it became Deer Island Correctional Facility. Despite this sordid past many inmates credited their salvation to the pursuit of weightlifting, also known as “working the iron pile”.

I am looking forward to seeing more from WCC in its sophomore season. Be on the look out for more updates here on Chedda Vision.

My Pops.

Meet my dad. Frank R. Rivera

Contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t raised by wolves.

I didn’t have a picture perfect childhood but it made me the man I am today. My parents were divorced before I hit 3rd grade but my father did his best to be a constant figure in my life. Living in a neighborhood that was almost “dadless”, my friends were always interested in being around him when he came through. In 9th grade I moved in with him and so began my journey into manhood. His moral standards were always high– a very “do right” kind of guy and I believe I have a lot of that in me. His health is his top priority and at 51 looks almost too young to be my dad.

Avid reader, fitness freak, martial artist, ex marine, father and grandfather.

Life is not always easy but he has taught me that you have to stick it out.

I haven’t always been the ideal son but I can say my dad has done more than his part.

Here’s to you Pop.

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GURU FOREVER

When an artist or high profile person passes on, a fan’s way of mourning is more of an acknowledgment of what they’ve done than who they are as a person because there wasn’t a personal relationship.

Sometimes that bond made through music is more personal than a relationship with someone you knew. My life story is no more tragic than the next person from my area. A youth filled with parents divorce, city life, running the street, moving constantly, lost some friends to the pen and the other side. Music was truly my “safe place”. Mom and dad arguing was drowned out by EPMD and Gangstarr. That’s it. I could plug to a lie director test on that.

Gangstarr was and is everything to me. Guru’s voice was the reasoning of a person that was college educated, street smart and had knowledge of self— all that came through the music. It was what I gravitated to during a period where things weren’t great.

Hearing Guru passed away and the circumstances behind it truly made me sad.

He will live on in his music and through the legacy he left behind with his art.

Maybe my brother Franco will bump into him up there—

Rest in paradise.

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Keith Elam (July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010)

Kings From Queens

Run DMC and Jam Master Jay are the kings of rock and the Gods of hip-hop.

Mitchell and Ness has partnered with Japan’s FAMES on a Run DMC branded fitted cap. The cap features the legendary (and constantly bitten) Run DMC logo in raised embroidery.

Classic and a must have for any hip-hop head.

I got mine. “Why you bugginnnnn?”

Big shouts to my man Vic over at M&N. Peep his site here.

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Rest in peace JMJ.

1985.

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Michael Jeffrey Jordan

One of the greatest athletes in human history and considered THE greatest basketball player of all time.

Michael Jordan is now more recognized as a brand and logo than the global sports icon that he is. Sometimes it’s hard to filter through the sneaker re-re-re-releases in fashion colors, and failed attempts at lifestyle clothing to match, to just remember what he was (and is) in it’s purest form – simply AMAZING. MJ’s super-human ability to do with the roundball things that all others couldn’t is what made the product associated with his likeness invaluable. What he did last week against the person that was cursed with the job of guarding him made this week’s shoe drop that much more special.

Obviously that is now not the case.

I live and work in a world where I understand the value of branding and marketing. The art of presenting information and creating energy to surround a particular product (in my case) to make it attractive, interesting, valuable, irresistible and worth your hard earned nickel.

Sometimes the art of selling clouds the truth. Michael Jordan was the best. The product with his name on it (was) the best.  Plain and simple.

Mitchell & Ness presents the 25th anniversary of Jordan’s 1985 All-Star jersey,  which is quite possibly the illest jersey of all time. No fashion colors, not a hybrid of 2 classic jerseys or any other non-original modifications.

Straight up – no chaser and simply AMAZING.

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300 made.

Big Dog Punisher RIP | 10 Years gone

Big Pun. One of the greatest to ever do it.

November 10, 1971 – February 7, 2000

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Rest in Peace.

Haiti Relief Event – Recap

All I can say, on behalf of myself, Brek.One & Concepts, is thank you for the support. It was important to show people that Boston can come together for something real.

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Thanks to Kinda Dusty for help with photos.

…and some more

FOR THE PEOPLE: HELP SAVE HAITI

CHECK FLYER FOR DETAILS

Couple more donations below:

STA_PumpSt. Alfred Reebok Pump donated by Krabby — the head honcho at St. Alfreds in Chicago. Olny 31 made!!!! Thanks to Krabby and the STA crew!!!

ChesterFresnch_SignedMy homie D.A. Wallach of Chester French has sent me some signed music to the auction. D.A. is a graduate of Harvard with ties to Boston. Big shouts homie!!

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This just in!

As we proceed…..

The “FOR THE PEOPLE: HELP SAVE HAITI EVENT” official tee shirt is in!

Available at our event on Sunday night (peep flyer for details)

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Big shouts to the Hemlock Ink crew for working with me on printing our tee and donating their time, energy and resources to the cause. Thanks Guys!!!

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The Good Wood pieces have landed and look amazing!

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The Quinton caps are also in— big shouts to Brett and the Monarch / Quinton team!! Great job!

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Dr. Romanelli donated 2 tees and a very limited cap to our cause. If you are a fan of the DR.X style and craftsmanship, you better bring your ass down to the Good Life Sunday! Thanks DR!

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Got a call from Dennis of Karmaloop on behalf of himself, Greg Selkoe and the Karmaloop crew— they have went above and beyond and donated (2) $350 dollars gift certificates valid on their website and retail location on Newbury St.!! Can’t thank you guys enough!

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Quinton x FOR THE PEOPLE: SAVE HAITI EVENT

My friends at Quinton helped our FOR THE PEOPLE: SAVE HAITI EVENT by joining up on a snap back design. The cap is in the colors of the Haitian flag and features the Haitian motto “L’Union Fait La Force” (In Unity, there is strength) embroidered on the front with our event name and Brek.One’s “B-Man” logo holding a my cleaver to symbolize our partnership on the back.

This cap is limited to 24 pieces and will only be available at our event this upcoming Sunday.

Peep flyer for location and event details.

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