Every year February sees the USA celebrating Black History Month. This year’s celebrations have an extra significance as 2009 not only marks the 100th anniversary of the NAACP’s (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People’s) existence but also the first with an African-American in the Oval Office.

To commemorate this very special occasion, Nike presented the very exclusive Nike Air Force 1 Black History Month 2009 to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the cause. The shoe manages to exude a sense of strength, conveyed through the symbolism of a proud history and fortified by inspired design. For starters, the colourway - featuring a black leather upper with red and green accents on the inner lining, tongue and heel - takes its cue from the African-American flag and the heel features the centennial logo of the African American culture, surrounded by 44 stars. Topped off, of course, with the iced out sole.

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The Nike Dunk Hi Supreme Spark pulls a bright and brilliant twist on its legendary forebear, the classic Dunk.

The main difference between a core Dunk and a Supreme is the Zoom Air Sole (can be seen by pulling out the insole) and the use of materials. This version sports a solid grey Safari pattern on the panel around the toe box and heel strap and super soft suede on the eyelets, the swoosh and the actual toe box.

Strong details in the shape of ballistic nylon on the mid panel and heel and the turquoise laces and heel panel make every step a statement. But what finally seals the deal would be that fully iced sole.

Come get yours at Gallery on 4th, while stocks last.

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Nike Sportswear’s latest Quickstrike release is dedicated to all those lovely ladies in their skinny jeans. Also ideal for those who love to go Emo in the dress department, the new Women’s Nike Dunk Skinny Super is sure to evoke a few… well, emotional reactions.

This shoe steals from the classic icon but features a more slender silhouette and an extended ankle/collar, giving it a much higher cut. It’s available in three tempting colourways, all with a patent leather upper sporting a gradient pattern flowing smoothly from Ice Green, Purple Chalk or Black into White, and underlined in Neutral Grey detail on the sole.

Get yours now at the Gallery on 4th.

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Three cheers for Musicatlast who has organised a celebration of the life and work of the late, great super producer and rapper, known as J Dilla to dedicated fans across the globe.

The event will take place at Kospotong, Newtown on the 7th of February to mark the third anniversary of his death at the age of 32 from a Lupus related blood disease. In his short life he established a legendary reputation as one of the greatest samplers of his time, producing hits like Janet Jackson’s You don’t know just what you got till it’s gone, Erykah Badu’s Didn’t you know?, most of Slum Village’s and Busta Rhyme’s earlier works as well as Common’s Like water for chocolate - to mention but a few.

Although he first gained fame as a producer of underground beat tapes that everybody wanted to use, he ended up rapping on his own beats, dropping classic albums like The Shining, Welcome to Detroit and the defining beat album, Donuts, produced shortly before his death. J Dilla has since been honoured in many ways, probably most notably with the J Dilla Changed My Life and Turn It Up T-shirt initiatives. Great to see our city slotting in with the energy out there.

Read more on the event by clicking here.

Read more on J Dilla by clicking here.

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