For the first time in footwear history, adidas created an online experience triggered by their exclusive collection of sneakers, the adidas Originals AR Game Pack. Using AR technology combined with your computer, the adidas Neighborhood will come to life, unlocking an introduction from yours truly:
I filmed this in the UK last fall and it’s finally up and rockin’ at the adidas Originals website. It’s great to be a friend of adidas – they sent me two boxes of sneakers/clothes and also took very good care of me at the shoot.
This month, adidas also partnered with GlobalGrind.com to promote the adidas Originals Neighborhood. To commemorate the collaboration, I’ll be providing four video updates to Global Grind. Here’s my first entry in that series:
That’s right – you heard it first – hit me with a tweet telling me what you’re doing to make your community better and I’ll be picking 2 of the best answers to give away a free pair of kicks or a jacket from me, adidas and globalGrind.com. Make sure to tag your tweet #RyanAdidas. You can also leave longer answers in my comments here or on my globalGrind blog entry. I’ll be reading and I look forward to hearing about how you’re doing your best to make your world better.
Yahoo has always been one of the big media channels on-line. This is a piece they commissioned. It was shot and now released in conjunction with the launch of their new campaign:
I love the fact that this piece focuses on Harlem. My ‘hood has been good to me! Shout to Mr. Ferguson at the end who said I’m on my way to being MJ. Trust me, I’m definitely aiming high and enjoying the journey. Thank you all for riding with me (especially Elliott & Casey at PhearCreative, who made this piece come to life and have always made great visual partners).
The CDs are in! The countdown is on! Thank you all for listening and riding with me:
Since the feedback from the first album presentation was so strong, I’ve decided to present the album again on November 4th at The Times Center in Manhattan. Even more exciting, I’m also compiling a documentary-style film about the inspiration behind and the making of TRANSITION. These songs are special because of the circumstances. Sharing the story will offer a lens into my mind and heart as I was writing them.
I’ve had a great rapport with my distribution company on this album cycle. Phylicia Fant, who works in the publicity department at Universal set me up with this Esquire-sponsored gig performing at Mel Debarge’s birthday party in the penthouse of the Rivington:
The great mix of people (including my buddy Todd Moscowitz) and the backdrop of the city have me thinking about moving downtown to a loft where I can do this more often! I really had a blast and would love to give private concerts of songs-in-progress before I record my next album, which will be done in a classic 70’s rock style! The song I’m performing is called “Something That I Like”. The album version features Pusha T of the Clipse. This version features a great solo from Chris Morgan, a magnificent player and an equally great guy. Shout out to Evan for capturing this on our 5D Mark II, and to Shiv for playing DJ that night!
I’ll never forget the day that I first played “Nothing” for my sister, Joy. She had stopped by my brownstone in Harlem and she immediately responded to the record by saying, “That’s a great summer song – I can already hear it playing in the Park.” Consistent with her premonition, I knew that I had to play that song live when the got the news from Ed Woods that this Summer Stage gig was confirmed:
Central Park is an amazing venue. There were more than 5,000 people who actually made it into the performance area and another few thousand that were turned away. On my way into the park, I stopped for a small group that had been denied access, just to reach out to them and let them know I appreciate their continued support. As I hit the stage, I noticed an especially excited cheering squad in the front row, and had the honor of catching up with them (Chantel, Makila, Ayeshia, and Treminka) after the show. They were kind enough to share their responses to the performance. Thank you all for expecting greatness from me. I give you my word that I will always give everything I can possibly give…and thank you Joy for speaking this into existence!
I’ve received many questions about this song, including one today while I was answering tweets from 30,000 feet on my flight to LA. “I-R-I-N-A” is the spelling of my friend Irina Shayk’s name. Google her. Before I made my James Brown inspired video, I produced and shot this “Diamond Girl” campaign with her:
I enlisted my very good friend, photographer Pieter Henket to shoot the elaborate photo story. Over the course of two shooting days about a week apart, I worked with a team of professionals and interns to shut down the 30th Street Heliport in New York City and a massive suite at the historic Pierre Hotel on 5th Avenue. I became fast friends with Iri and the song is really about the excitement of getting to know someone new that inspires you the way she did me. The lyric “I might not speak your language” in the song refers to the fact that when we were shooting, she was still learning English as she’s from Russia. You can hear her accent when she speaks in her Sports Illustrated videos. She’s an amazing girl and we’re still great friends. Here are a few photos from the story (you can click to enlarge):
I learned so much from this experience that I could write a few pages about the lessons! Hit me if you have any more questions and thanks to Brittany Hall and everyone else who’s asked about ‘I-R-I-N-A’ for inspiring this post.
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