“Selfie” I shot in the mirrors near the elevators at our hotel. All-Star logos were everywhere.
Last weekend as part of the NBA All-Star Game festivities I had the honor of participating in several exclusive-access events as an official “Footaction Influencer.”
This select group of Houston-based writers and move-makers was introduced to some of hip hop’s biggest names, received a one-on-one consultation with NBA stylist Rachel Johnson, and attended special shopping sessions at the new adidas Originals and Brand Jordan stores.
I also hit up a handful of affairs that mixed music with ministry.
Here’s a brief recap of what I learned:
adidas Originals store grand opening at Willowbrook Mall
1. Foot Locker is for the court, Footaction is for lifestyle
Although Foot Locker and Footaction fall under the same corporate ownership umbrella, there is a differentiation between the two.
I was told that Foot Locker focuses on providing footwear, fashion, and equipment that would actually be used in an athletic competition. Footaction is more of a lifestyle brand of products that reflect the tastes of sports and hip hop fans.
This distinction best explains why I saw more microphones than basketballs throughout the weekend. Seriously, a Houstonian could have legitimately spent Thursday to Sunday simply thinking The Source Awards were in town instead of the NBA All-Star game.
Meet and greet with Houston rapper Kirko Bangz
DMC and Big Sean at the adidas Originals store opening
Hence, my Footaction-related events included meet-and-greets with and in-store appearances by rappers like Big Sean, DMC, DJ Clark Kent, Stalley, and Kirko Bangz. We were also introduced to brands like Lil Wayne’s Trukfit, Flud watches, and 9FIVE eyewear.
“Before” and “After” shots of my styling session with Rachel Johnson
2. I suck at style but like looking fly
I hate buying new clothes but love when I get the opportunity to dress well and look my best. So when I learned that we were going to receive a one-on-one consultation with NBA stylist Rachel Johnson, I was geeked.
Johnson offers professional style advice to superstars like LeBron James, Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh and Chris Paul – some of the best dressed gentlemen in all of professional sports.
NBA stylist Rachel Johnson giving me much needed fashion tips (Photo courtesy of Footaction)
During our session, she showed us three specific ensembles she selected from Footaction’s expansive product offerings, asked how I would describe my own style, and presented me with a complete coordinated outfit of my own.
Celebrity stylist Rachel Johnson reviews my options for Flud timepieces
Although my time with Johnson was limited, it was a great experience and I definitely kept her advice in the back of my mind when I went shopping for other gear later on. (Confession: My wife also helped me out there. I’m hopeless.)
“All the K.I.N.G.’s Men” brunch panel discussion about Biblical manhood with ESPN reporter Chris Broussard, Reconcile, Corey Paul, and Bizzle
3. Chris Broussard, Corey Paul, Reconcile, & Bizzle really care for the people in their community
On Saturday afternoon I stepped away from my Footaction fam (and their attractive trip to the new Brand Jordan store at Northline Mall) to attend the “All the K.I.N.G.’s Men” brunch hosted by Resurrection Houston Church and ESPN reporter Chris Broussard.
ESPN reporter Chris Broussard shared his testimony
The afternoon included testimonies, performances, and a panel discussion between pastors and members of the church, Broussard, and Houston-based Christian rappers Corey Paul, Reconcile, and Bizzle. The day’s central topic was Biblical manhood and what that looks like in communities impacted by the hip hop culture.
Ronnie “Reconcile” Lillard performed and talked about the need for positive, male mentor relationships in inner-city Houston
Before the event, Reconcile and I got into a brief conversation about his role as an inner-city mentor and his heart for the people around him. We also chopped it up about whether or not Christians involved in the hip hop movement had lost their focus and put industry before ministry.
I think that Corey Paul, Reconcile, and Bizzle are all very talented rappers who know how to put on a show and make good music. But I was more impressed by the passion they have to positively change their local neighborhoods and share the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Chris Broussard and Pastor “P.T.” Ngwolo share that zeal – all of which should inspire hope for hip hop as a whole.
My kick picks from the weekend
4. I’m a sucker for the classics (Rakim, DMC, retro J’s, Chuck Taylors, etc.)
As I look back on my experience, the things I was most excited about were those that would be considered classics.
- I jumped out of line to meet Big Sean when I saw that Darryl McDaniels (the DMC in Run DMC ) was a surprise guest at the grand opening of the adidas Originals store at Willowbrook Mall.
- I passed over the just-released, neon green Jordan XX8’s in favor of some retro-J’s (the league was celebrating MJ’s 50th birthday after all) and Chuck Taylors.
- I waited four hours at Fitzgerald’s to see the Rakim, perhaps hip hop’s G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) MC, in concert.
Meeting DMC (of Run DMC) was a big highlight of my weekend
Rakim and the Houston fans expressed mutual admiration after his show at Fitzgerald’s
I’m sure this surprises nobody who knows I’m a dude who started tuning in to hip hop culture in the mid-80’s, but anyone who followed my weekend postings on Instagram surely observed I’m a fan of rappers and fashion that remains timeless.
Rico the Lion – Big Sean’s mascot
5. Big Sean’s mascot is a lion who wears a crown of thorns
As we concluded our weekend with a shopping trip at one of Footaction’s northwest Houston locations, I noticed we were joined by someone wearing a lion costume (with a suspicious crown of thorns) and asked to take a photo with him.
As we moved into position and posed with the requisite hip hop photograph hand signals, I asked if the mascot was there to promote LeBron “King” James’ athletic clothing line. Turns out it was for Big Sean who was also making an in-store appearance.
I guess we shouldn’t expect the G.O.O.D. Music family (of which Sean is a part) to back away from the religious language and imagery any time soon.
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All in all, it was a great weekend. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and thankful that the good folks at Footaction invited me (a lone representative of the Christian hip hop community) to join them in this experience. Hopefully it will be the first of many ways we can engage and learn from one another.
My Footaction Influencer fam: Darren Griffin who writes about hip hop and fashion for StupidDope.com and SLAM online and Maddie Madd who runs the world over at SpotlightJunkie.com
Footaction’s theme for the weekend was “Own It” (as in “Own your look”).
Search Twitter or Instagram with the #OwnHouston hashtag for more photos and Tweets from our events.
Corey Paul, Chris Broussard, me, and producer Tha Kracken at the “All the K.I.N.G.’s Men” brunch
My All-Star Game day outfit honored Michael Jordan’s 50th birthday and I try to always represent Houston whenever I can
Houston rappers DJ Uncle Rob and Joshua 168 at the “All the K.I.N.G.’s Men” brunch
Wall of sneakers at the grand opening of the adidas Originals store inside of Willowbrook Mall
DJ Clark Kent entertained at the adidas Originals grand opening
Outfits coordinated by NBA stylist Rachel Johnson (Photo courtesy of Footaction)
Me and fellow Footaction Influencer DJ Baby Jae of the Kracker Nuttz crew
Perhaps the greatest MC of all time – Rakim on the mic at Fitzgerald’s
I ran into S1 (who has produced for Jay-Z, Kanye West, Braille, and Lecrae) at Fitzgerald’s after the Space City Beat Battle
Colorful adidas Originals sneakers
Me and DJ Overflow at the “All the K.I.N.G.’s Men” brunch.
I should have traded him caps to better match my outfit.
