Why, yes we did just get a shipment of Trojan condoms to use in upcoming photo shoots. We have to give a big, big thanks to Trojan. It’ll be a very safe week for everyone over here. Oh yeah, on the Magnum box, it says “Living Large.” Nice.

While it came as no surprise to many that the X-games killed the vert skating event following a meeting directly regarding it, a few people (most notably vert skaters) are not too happy about it…to the point of a proposed boycott.

This Thursday, April 10th it goes down! We haven’t had a proper release in some months so all that built up tension is guaranteed to splash [a good time] all over everyone. Grammy award winner Killer Mike will be rocking, as well as Kid Cudi. Treats and Sureshot on the whizzeels. Open Bar from 10-11. Rebel NYC 251 West 30th Street (btn 7th and 8th Ave). RSVP to rsvp@massappealmag.com. Come get some.

Dana Dunham is another talented photographer and brother in arms (?!) to Mass Appeal’s Mr. Stephen. Recently captivated by people staying strapped across America, check out some of his latest work in “Gun Series- People Who Own Guns For Different Reasons.” (more »)

In all the collabos with his counterpart in kush, Method Man, it’s pretty obvious that Redman’s got plenty of love for Staten Island. So much so, that Reggie Noble has opened a new lifestyle store in the forgotten borough, The Richmond Hood Company. The store is slangin’ sneakers, clothes, skateboards and hopefully action figures of the funk doc himself. Richmond is also putting on a raffle where the first place winner can bring home any pair of sneakers from the store, once a month, for the rest of ‘08! That means no more reason to keep rocking them scufftowns. You can sign up for the raffle HERE.

It’s funny how few people realize the importance of the fast break dunk. From high school to the pro’s I’ve seen it squandered time and time again by chumps with plenty of hops, but no finesse to finish the job properly. Lebron understood young. But before Lebron, and even before Mike, Julius Erving (Dr. J to you) was soaring gracefully through the air, using other teams’ gross misfortune as an opporunity to entertain and inspire. Pardon the poetics, but Converse also sees the light. They are re-releasing the classic Pro Leather 1976, available on April 1 for a mere $70. Check them out after the click through. (more »)

The commercials were weak and I can’t believe I sat through the half-time show, but this was easily the best Superbowl in a long, long time. If you can get off from work, the parade is tomorrow.

That Lance Stephenson is a bad, bad man. Well, at 17 I guess he’s still a boy, but the kid dropped 27 on Holy Cross yesterday, all while having sat out the entire second quarter! Plenty of people are trying to peg him as the next Lebron James, but if you ask me he’s the real life Jesus Shuttlesworth (fine spanish girlfriend and all). If you haven’t already, you need to check out bornready.tv for the webisodes of his reality show, “Born Ready.” Watch Lance’s story as it unfolds…for free! 

While most probably would’ve pegged Kobe to make a run at Wilt’s legendary record, Lebron stepped it up just before the new year and copped himself a c-note. Although Bronny took it to the streets, as opposed to the hardwood, a hundred is a hundred in my book. Homie has to be a Rick Ross fan.

Brooklyn’s Linclon High School is known for cultivating great point guards and Lance Stevenson is no exception. He is, however, 6′5 and also touted as another Lebron. This month, a documentary called Born Ready is releasing about his journey to the top. Let’s just hope he doesn’t go out like Bassy, who also had a movie.