Grey Days: New Balance History (Video)

The color Grey embodies everything that makes New Balance stand out as a brand. Grey reflects an independent approach, dedicated to quality and style.

The 2024 festivities kick off with Grey Days, a seven-minute film by new imprint American Haiku celebrating Grey’s origin as the signature New Balance color.

Shot and framed in 16mm black and white, Grey Days is a journey through New Balance history that explores the brand’s running heritage and its popularity in style subcultures from the DMV to Tokyo, through the lens of longtime enthusiasts, and features appearances by UK Rapper Dave, star defensive end Chase Young, and skateboarding legend Andrew Reynolds.

Written in collaboration between creative directors Thom Glover & Daniel Wolfe, alongside Elliott Power, director of photography Norm Li. Animation from Stray London and still photography by Samuel Bradley.

Gunna – ‘One of Wun’ (Stream)

From Apple Music:

It’s understandable if Gunna feels a bit isolated these days. For some two years now, the Georgia-bred rapper has been on the defensive—first, when he was indicted in a sweeping YSL Records RICO case and, subsequently, in the time since his release by the feds. “I’m still fighting,” he tells Apple Music. “I still got friends incarcerated, and I’m still growing, too and getting massive.” Indeed, amid the sly whispers and outright accusations levied against him in hip-hop’s court of public opinion, he nonetheless managed to maintain both his commercial viability and star status with 2023’s a Gift & a Curse. That earned him one of the biggest singles of his career in “fukumean,” which, like the rest of the album, eschewed features and put the spotlight squarely upon himself. “It’s a bittersweet moment for me,” he admits.

Nearly one year later, he returns with One of Wun, another defiant and largely solo testament to his endurance in the face of genuine adversity. Opener “collage” seems to take stock of his current situation, dismissing those who wish he’d retire or otherwise quit the rap game. From there, Gunna faces down opposition with impeccable drip while reveling in the lifestyle he’s become accustomed to, conflating matters on “whatsapp (wassam)” and the title track. From his perspective, professional jealousy and rumor-mongering are no match for his swag. “I’m wearing clothes differently now,” he says of his sartorial aesthetic, which comes up not infrequently throughout the project. “It’s not just about the name. It’s more like really where it come from or the cut of it.”

Unlike on a Gift & a Curse, a few guests do stop by to show support. Gunna and Offset go way back to the Drip Season 2 days, making their reunion on “prada dem” all the more momentous. Another repeat collaborator, Roddy Ricch comes through for “let it breathe,” a sleek and moody rebuttal to the haters.