KC WONDER BLOG

A point we have always maintained is the desire to follow our own path rather than walking in the shadow of others. On the Higher Learning crew, we’ve given the traditional school crest the KC Wonder treatment. Inspired by the lyrics of one of the greatest to ever do it, this design is a display of our continued growth and willingness to further ourselves.

Nas’ 10^th studio album, Life is Good, hit the ground running. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 earlier this year and received mad props from fans and industry heads alike. Despite any recent chatter regarding the authenticity of his writing, Nas stands as a master lyricist and constant source of inspiration in the KC Wonder camp.

Peep the track that spawned the design below and head to the store to cop this crew.

‘Watch the education you’re given, ‘cause it’s really all about having street wisdom.”

Once again, the incomparable KRS-One has inspired the first design in the Scholar of the Streets winter collection. While we always champion the importance of a good book, there is no substitute for the lessons you learn on the streets – living and dealing with your day to day. We can certainly appreciate the ability to handle all the madness life throws at you on the fly and still come out winning.

The design is a straight up statement of your graduation from whichever street you’re from. We’ve even stamped it with the KC Wonder Seal of Smarts, so you that shit is official. Congratulate yourself – cop this steez in a crew neck jumper or long-sleeved tee from the online boutique.

Knowledge Reigns Supreme. Got smarts.

In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve dropped yet another quality set of pieces for you Wonderful people.

We’ve timed our SCHOLAR OF THE STREETS 2012 collection with the current southern hemisphere winter and these threads are sure to get you through those not-so-hot days and nights. Featuring dope new designs on crew neck jumpers, hoodies and long-sleeve tees, KC Wonder keeps you looking hot when the weather’s cool.

As always, we’re staying true to the KC Wonder ethos of staying smart and being conscious of our environment and our peers. We learn from living and we thank you all for helping get us to another season of style.

Peep the promo video for a sneak peek at all the designs and a shout out from the Ironman himself, Ghostface Killah.

Got smarts.

“Yes yes y’all, that booty tight y’all”.

It would be ignorant of us to dismiss sex as a mainstay topic in hip hop music. We don’t mind a bit of booty-specific subject matter, as long as it’s done right. Case in point: Kool Keith.

Active since 1984 and founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, Keith has always made it a point to write and produce for himself, as an artist, rather than catering to the crowd. Luckily, his taste is pretty ill. His unforgiving approach and tendency to think outside the box – as demonstrated in his 2001 release, ‘Yes Yes Y’all’ – is what keeps Kool Keith on high rotation worldwide.

The Yes Yes Y’all tee gets straight to the point and will keep you looking fresh, wherever your booty’s at.

“Look in the eyes, get wise, look alive”.

The KC Wonder journey has been far from easy. We’ve been hustling hard for a long time to get to where we are and we will continue to do so until we achieve our goals. There ain’t no way we would be alive today without applying our motto, GOT SMARTS, literally, on a daily basis. So we stand 100 per cent behind our Survival of the Smartest tee.

With a design incorporating fighting words from Mobb Deep’s second hit single, Survival of the Fittest, we pay tribute to our peers and idols who have achieved longevity and notoriety from being the fittest – in brainpower and willpower.

Life is beautiful but let’s face it, sometimes it’s a bitch. It takes grittiness and a sharp mind to persevere and overcome. Keep at it, ladies and gentlemen. We see you.

Inspired by a classic track, we bring you a classic tee.

There are few hip hop groups that are as outspoken as Dead Prez. Hip Hop, arguably their most popular song, is laced with the kind of politically charged, anti system edge we have come to expect and love from them. No wonder they’re a mainstay in the hip hop world and in the KC Wonder camp.

The KC Dub tee is, similarly, a no bullshit design. If Hip Hop represents our conceptual message, this tee is a true physical representation of the KC Wonder brand. No frill, no fussiness. Just smarts.

Chess, like life, is not childsplay. It’s not as black-and-white as the board you play on but is influenced by the individual players on it. It don’t matter if you’re already the king or queen on your board. Best believe there will always be someone looking to knock you out the game, so better keep your defenses up.

By no means are we a paranoid bunch. But there is no way you are getting to the top spot if you are letting your opponents take you down a few notches. It pays to keep it strategic and always stay one move ahead of your competition.

Rock the Chess tee so that even when your back is turned, people know you ain’t playin’.

Staying in line with our motto, KC Wonder champions common sense, making informed decisions and not following the rest of the pack. Being smart doesn’t make you a loser, instead you should wear your intelligence proudly – like your banner, like your slogan.

The Smarty Pants tee is our way of wearing our smarts on our chest and saluting one of our favourite hip hop lyricists.

He retired the name Mos Def late last year and now goes by the moniker Yasiin Bey, but whatever you wanna call him, there is no doubting the continued influence this Bed-Stuy bred MC has on hip hop.

Whether it be creating lyrically-complex tracks, confronting world leaders in political forums or linking up with like-minded artists on a Trayvon Martin tribute track, Bey is always at the forefront of social and political issues. He is never afraid of making is opinion known and doesn’t just talk smack – his arguments pack real punch and that’s why we keep him on rotation at KC Wonder HQ.

Declare your smartness through your words, your actions and your t-shirt!

What is the price you pay for following the system blindly? Why not question the system and carve your own path?

KC Wonder has always stood firm behind our beliefs, doing shit our way and refusing to compromise our vision for anything. The Anti-System tee is a perfect representation of this mindset; a remix of ancient symbols of regulation and systemic rule.

The inspiration behind this design was driven by Nas and Damian Marley, trailblazers in the rap and reggae realms respectively. Distant Relatives, the 2010 collaborative album, proved to be a perfect fusion between the two genres and spawned many a classic track, including Leaders.

As Nas once said, “We about taking our destiny in our own hands…this song is about leaders; not political leaders, not religious leaders, but the people like you and I.”

We are all leaders. Make your mark.

With a career spanning nearly 30 years, KRS-One is a musical pioneer, author and evangelist of the gospel of hip hop. And now, after a month on a boat, The Teacha is on Australian soil and getting set to wow hip hop fans across the country.

Evidently, we’re a sucker for a classic, so we had to revamp the popular Hip Hop Saved My Life tee. And with the uncompromising lyrics of Hip Hop Lives stuck in our heads, so was born Version 2, for the Pursuit of Knowledge Range.

No matter your opinion on the state of hip hop today, a true head can never forget the origins of the music and culture. An era of cassette tapes and boom boxes; lyrics were raw and the message was deep.

If you’re heading to a KRS One show in your city, what better way to pay respects to the man than by rockin’ the tee that was inspired by the man?

Check out this drop from the ‘Original Aboriginal’ upon his arrival in Melbourne.

Hip is the knowledge/Hop is the movement/Hip and hop is the intelligent movement/Or relevant movement/We selling the music [KRS One – Hip Hop Lives]