Author: Bradley Martinez

To celebrate the launch of Nike’s latest iteration of their Next%, we sat down with photographer and keen runner, Oliver Hooson to learn about his love for running and why the Nike Next%’s are his go too!

Footpatrol: So, for those that haven’t come across your work before, could you give us a little insight into who you are and what you do?

Oliver Hooson: Part time photographer part time mood boarder curating my hobbies and interests via Instagram and other forms *sometimes commissioned* nothing really makes sense I just go with it

FP: Getting straight into why we’re here today, when and why did you get into running?

OH: About a year in to living in London roughly, the move was so good but also mad, my social life had never been better but both my mental and physical took a hit. On one hand, I was really happy and fairly active but being in a huge new creative city was overwhelming and did have its downfalls. 

Whilst it takes me away from day to day distractions, the most important thing is that it reminds me of the importance of looking after yourself.

FP: You mentioned about the fitness aspect, but a lot of brands have started to focus on the mental health side of things, with Nike introducing their Headspace guided runs, do you think it helps on a more mental health perspective?

OH: Yeah, that’s what did it for me. Initially, I knew the health benefits were amazing but the moment I became infatuated with running was the moment I realised the mental benefits. You just completely remove yourself from the daily hustle and take every weight off your shoulders, from that day’s work, no matter what the hell happened and just removing yourself from  all devices and just run. It’s a complete nirvana. 

I’d have moments where I’d just sit on the laptop, not doing anything, just procrastinating, doing mindless work but then I’d stop myself, throw on my runners, head out and I’d come back an hour later after not thinking about anything with a complete fresh mindset and smash out more in the next hour than that whole day.

FP: What about when your head says “I don’t feel like running”?

OH: I think that’s the most important time to and the time you get the most from it. I understand that running when it’s cold or raining seems stupid but in reality, that’s when you’re pushing your limits and that’s when you get back home, soak up them endorphins annd appreciate the warmth like never before. For me it’s about pushing capabilities.

FP: So, having recently started your running club, ‘Your Friendly Running Club’, what made you start that?

OH: It was a mix of good timing and good people, around the time of hackney half 2k19 I met my now good friend Mat Horrocks and we started running together, a couple of friends joined in and a year later we can call it a club! although running time is sacred theres only so many times a week I can go solo and running with the others in YFRC has helped so much with progression

FP: Back to looking at today’s choice of footwear. We’ve noticed you’ve worn a few Next%’s in your time and being someone that likes the finer details in life, is this something that drew you to towards the silhouette itself?

OH: Joking aside, I was told by a few people just how good these are and that they genuinely knock a lot of time off PB’s during races, I was skeptical, thought it was nothing more than overly keen friends and marketeers… it wasn’t propaganda nor placebo… the narrow midsole, the rocker, the carbon plate all come together to make these things PB killing machines

FP: Is there something that makes you choose these over everything else within your rotation?

OH: Well, I wouldn’t wear them as an everyday shoe as I associate these with going really hard, race days only essentially (or for the cheeky finesse on a saturday run club) I feel like they actually do give you that little bit more energy when and where you need it. 

FP: Finally, after completing in a few half marathons last year, what are your goals within running for 2020?

OH: Well, my main goal was the London marathon but sadly, that isn’t going to happen this year, but my aim is to still complete a marathon, that is my main aim between March and May if the dates line up well, I was thinking of Seoul, South Korea. So, at the moment, just training like a mad man and nailing some PB’s but mainly, the goal is to complete a -3 hour marathon. I said once I’ve done that, I’ll slow it all down but I’ve said that after every race so far. 

After the initial feeling of death, the reality is a sense of “No way did I actually  just achieve this” and wanting to explore how far I can take this journey. So yeah, the plan is to try and do a sub 3 marathon, I’d like to say I’d give up the insanity after that which is vigorous training and being anti-social but the reality is I think I’ll just keep going further and further after that…

Available in-store and online, sizes range from UK6 – UK12, priced at £240.

Whilst browsing the shelves at Footpatrol, another thing you’ll be able to discuss with us is the football.

In celebration of 25 years of one of the most iconic boots to grace the pitch, adidas bring us these special edition Predator’s that hark back to it’s origins, and the Predator Mania.

With both models bringing the past firmly into the present being built upon the base of the dominant Predator 19, a seamless blend of leather and adidas’ Primeknit are constructed on the upper whilst a layer of Boost cushioning helps distribute stud pressure.

The standout model from this recent collection is the 19+ which strips away its lacing system for a more modern approach with a knitted textile collar supporting the ankle and enabling to slip on and off with ease.

On the forefoot of both models, appear the iconic curved pads that make these instantly recognisable whilst allowing for extra grip and control with the ball.

One of the most iconic colour ways of the Mania was it’s champagne iteration. Paying tribute to that, adidas create this Cloud White version with its three black stripes and black curved pads breaking apart the clean silhouette.

Available online, sizes range from UK6 – UK12, priced between £190 – £300.

Last week we headed back down to Phonox, Brixton as part of our second take over alongside Mantra. Following the success of our first night back in October, we returned once more for an end of year special with a fresh line up of guests ready to take to the decks. 

For this special event, we welcomed the likes of DJ Tess, DJ ONEMAN and the legendary Mike Skinner for a headline set. Mantra resident, Tommy Gold finished up the line-up and showed us why he’s been the talk of the town as one of London’s most exciting DJs to watch right now.

Take a look below at the highlights from the night and keep your eyes peeled for more to come! 

Now 2019 has come to an end, over at Footpatrol we thought we would take a look back at the releases that caught our eyes the most.

The year was filled with many releases that set new trends continued to break the rules. We saw Nike and Sacai come together once again for three new iterations of their LDWaffle and Blazer, whilst with the help of CLOT and G-Dragon, Nike continued to experiment with personal customisation.

adidas celebrated the 30th anniversary of there famed ZX running series whilst bringing together both BOOST technology and Reeboks famed Instapump silhouette for what was a first, seeing two brands of such might coming together.

Take a look below to see what we picked as our stand out shoe and let us know what you would’ve chosen.

Brad – Mizuno x Footpatrol Skymedal OG
Tom – Nike Air Max 95 ‘Chinese New Year’
Wilson – Nike x CLOT Air Force One
Jimmy – Nike SB Dunk Roswell Rayguns
Matt – Nike x Cactus Plant Flea Market Vapormax
Fynn – Nike x Sacai LD Waffle
Eddie – Air Jordan 1 SB UNC Low
Val – Nike Dunk Low ‘Viotech’
Jake – Nike x PEACEMINUSONE Air Force One
Sam – Nike x Off White Dunk Low

With part 2 of the Mantra x Footpatrol party fast approaching, we sat down with South London DJ and Rinse FM regular, Steve better known as Oneman. 

Seen as one of the most exciting DJs to watch over the last decade, Oneman brings more than just the norms to his sets. After joining Rinse FM in 2006, Oneman has gone to become one of the most game shifting DJs within the UK with achievements like the first DJ to feature on Mary Anne Hobbs Radio 1 show without having released a single record in 2010. 

We sat down with Steve ahead of the Mantra event to discuss music, his early days and of course, footwear.

In celebration of our next event, we’ve teamed up with Mantra to produce a limited edition t-shirt, available on a first come first serve basis, whilst stocks last.

To RSVP, Click Here!

Footpatrol: Oneman firstly thank you for being here with us today, for people who aren’t aware of you and your music tell us a bit of your back story?

Oneman: I’m 33 years old, from Streatham in South West London. I actually started DJing when I was 14 buying Garage Records. I then started going to FWD and DMZ around 2004 that was the first time I was exposed to Dubstep Music. My approach to DJing from that point onwards was to mix the past with the new. My old Garage collection mix it with the Dubstep collection, that’s kind of the basis on what I do now. 

FP: Now looking at you as a DJ and your technical abilities. You don’t see that many DJs mixing it up between both analogue and digital dependent to their sets, most people stick with digital nowadays. Do you have a preference and is there any reason for your choice, I know you grew up DJing with vinyl but has that changed much since?

Oneman: Yeah, I will always prefer DJing on Technics 1210s with vinyl, for reasons like the plates bigger the pitch shift is bigger and it’s more comfortable. The only reason I play digital is because of an increasing amount of new music that I was exposed to online, you know it costs £50 to cut a dubplate for 1 track on each side, it’s quite expensive. These days I don’t really have a strict preference, I just wish more night clubs looked after their equipment. I’ve kind of stopped taking vinyl unless I know that the set up is going to be good. I never do vinyl at festivals for example because of all the purpose built stages. I kind of had to make the change to digital though, otherwise I would have been left behind.

FP: You are seen as one of the most exciting DJs to watch in the last decade, with a variety of music and mixing skills like no other, do you have a favourite genre you like to play? 

Oneman: I think it will always be 2 step Garage just cos of the groove. I love 4:4 and I love House and Techno, but there’s something about the brokenness of a 2 step groove that’s just exciting to mix. You can always tell when the next track is going in and it’s a bit more lively, I do like those seamless House mixes but its not really my style.

FP: You like it to be a little bit more raw in a sense.

Oneman: Yeah exactly, I like to take risks which I don’t think you hear enough. Don’t get me wrong there are DJs that do! I hear it’s a lot in the younger generations, like Tommy Gold who’s playing on Saturday at the rave. For me he’s one of the most exciting new DJs because he approaches it in that way. 

FP: I know you aren’t a man that sticks to one genre, but you’re one of the early REAL dubstep enthusiasts in the UK which is sad to say isn’t as prevalent as it once was. Being from Streatham, and only round the corner from what is known as Dubsteps birthing ground in Croydon, do you think that help shape you as a DJ or did you have other influences around you?

Oneman: It was yeah, but growing up in Streatham at like the age of 13, you’d leave the school gates and there’d be a Vauxhall Nova driving past playing Delight FM or some Pirate Station. You’d sit there and be like, ‘Yo what’s this’. In terms of influence though, within my environment, it would be Garage music. Dubstep I caught on to it around 2004, but I didn’t really hear it in the area, I was sort of introduced to it through a website called Dubplate.net. This was before MySpace and social media but was still online. Then going to FWD at Plastic People and hearing it, was a totally new experience. It’s so different from listening to Dubstep through your speaker in your bedroom, compared to a Function 1 sound system in a tiny tiny square box. It’s 2 completely different things, I wasn’t really sold on it until I went to Plastic People and heard it there. 

FP: There were some serious acts then, Skream, Loefah, Digital Mystikz, the list goes on. At one point the genre took over the world. There is one venue that I feel can’t go without mention when it comes to dubstep and that’s the Black Sheep Bar. 

Oneman: Yeah for sure, I think Plastician even had an event in there called Filthy Dub when he was Plastic Man. CroyDub was there which was SGT Pokes night from like 2005. It’s a shame it’s not there anymore it’s got a lot of history. Some of my mates from secondary school that were into breakdancing used to go there, there was some Break nights there. There was some kind of cross pollinated community spot. They even used to do metal nights there! That was their main thing.

FP: We haven’t brought you hear for dubstep though, tell us about your Hip Hop influences were there any MCs that you get excited listening to, what was it about that genre that made you want to bring it into your mixes?

Oneman: One of my mates from secondary school was obsessed with No Limit Records, which was Master P, Silkk the Shocker and then Snoop joined around when I was in year 8. I remember buying a lot of those records because it was so different. It was aggressive, south and the lyrics were about living on welfare and police kicking your door down. The first album I bought with my own money was actually DMX, ‘It’s Dark and Hell is Hot’ and he is a real schizophrenic, he’s actually got a track on his album called ‘Damien’ which is all about the voice in his head. It was real dark stuff that I got into first. In terms of my favourite MCs, I really like Steele from Smif-n-Wessun, that whole Bootcamp click from New York was more my sort of vibe that bit of Jamaican influence which being from South London made sense to me. 

The reason I started playing it in my sets was because of the invention of Serato. So when Serato came around you could have all of your music on your laptop but you could analyse all the files and see the Bpms. They used to have these things called Magic Crates where you could put the highest Bpm number and lowest Bpm number and just put everything into one folder for you. So say something was around 110Bpm or 120Bpm I would just use those crates and play with all of it. I think the first time I started playing Hip-Hop in my sets would be in the Boiler Room sessions . 

FP: Hip Hop’s origins when it comes to DJing stems back to Grandmaster Flash and his idea of marking the vinyl. When it comes to mixing have you ever tried scratching? 

Oneman: Na, I’ve never tried scratching, but one thing that’s always been important to me with things like Hip-Hop, even Reggae and Dub is that it’s all about the timing. I like all my mixes and transitions to be in time with the whole track. So if its got a 3 bar intro, I got to do some math in my head real quick and figure out when there’s going to be 3 bars at the end of a 16, to then mix with the last track to make sure the first 3 bars drop in time. Stuff like that is not mixing straight like with Dance music, it’s a whole different technical aspect of DJing.

FP: UK and US MCs who’d you like?

Oneman: I’ve said the US ones. UK I gotta say Jhest man, word play king. I’ve not heard anyone else use vocabulary and reference points like he has in the UK. Roots Manuva, he’s probably the best in my opinion. 

FP: Even when he doesn’t rap, and he does spoken word its mental.

Oneman: Yeah and he’s from Stockwell. The video for Witness the Fitness was filmed in a primary school opposite to my primary school in Streatham. I connect with his music a lot, there’s that tune called ‘Strange Behaviour’ where he walks into PJ Patels in Stockwell and grabs a Dragon Stout out the fridge and he puts a bunch of pennies on the table. The guy in the shops then there like ‘what you doing with all these pennies, I aint taking this.’. The Roots comes in with ‘He’s far from happy with my method of pay, I shrug my shoulders, I’m like what can you say? It’s money, ain’t it? I ain’t begging you jack. And in the mood I’m in, I might just give you a slap’. You see that kind of stuff, I love it!

Roots and Jhest for me are the classic UK MCs. In terms of the New School, I really like Active from Harlem Spartans, DigDat but with a lot of this new kind of drill stuff, I feel a kind of responsibility not to play too much of the really violent stuff. It’s about basically killing people on other estates, I get it music should never be censored but I’m also very aware when I am playing it. 

FP: On the topic of Drill in terms of flow and lyrics. The RZA said with his methodology in producing the tracks for Wu-Tang, was if you want to produce the music that we produce and you speed it up everyone is excited and feeding off the energy. But, when you start to slow the lyrics down with the same lyrical content, that’s when people begin to listen and think about what is being said, then it sticks.

Oneman: That’s a good point man!

FP: Yeah if you think about it, Drill is quite slow in terms of the bars and have quite short cadences. 

Oneman: Yeah and the beats are like 140Bpm, you’re right, it’s true. 

FP: Moving away from music, tell us about your sneaker game what’s the one shoe Oneman must wear at all times or do you have a rotation you work around?

Oneman: I like quite plain shoes if im honest, all white leather Airmax 90s, Reebok workouts both that off white coloured one and plain white. I love the 30th Anniversary Airmax 90s! At the moment I have a pair of Ghost Racer I wear quite a bit, basically I wear only Nike and Workout lows. 

Nikes one of them brands that in the culture I grew up in and London in general is embedded in the culture. 

FP: Have you got a favourite pair?

Oneman: I do, I have them but I’ve never worn them. The Nike Airmax 95 Lux with the Italian leather but the original ones like the ones Supreme recently did. I’ve got the OG and I’ve never worn them I’m too scared to. They’ve even still got the nipples on the soles that haven’t even touched the road. I’ve always called them my Funeral shoe, when I die they’ll be box fresh on my feet in my grave. 

FP: Quickly back to music! Top 3 DJs of the year go!?

Oneman: Eclair Fifi, Jonny Rock and Black Loops. 

FP: Oneman, again thank you for coming down to speak to us before you go, whats 2020 looking like for Oneman?

Oneman: Other than my holiday to India, You’re gonna have to wait and see!

Young and extremely fast growing publication WAVE Magazine are no strangers when it comes to celebrity front covers or avant garde editorials. Founded by Alexa Venus and Savannah Blake, the pair have taken the industry by storm with their bi-annual publication highlighting fresh new talent, fashion and lifestyle.

To celebrate the release of WAVE Magazines Issue 004, we headed down to Laylow in West London to co-host a night to remember with a host of DJs and artists creating the WAVE needed to carry the vibe throughout the evening. 

The evening brought together a host of performances from acts such as Bossy LDN, Josh Brnes and many more.

In addition we also collaborated with WAVE to produce a limited edition t-shirt exclusive to the event. 

For the next instalment of Frequent Players Guest mix we bring to you DJ Tess.

We asked Tess to spend some time with us and take to the decks in preparation for part 2 of Footpatrol x Mantra’s night at Phonox, Brixton. Collaborating with people such as Logan and Femme Culture Label, Tess has an individual sound like no other ranging from Dancehall to Bass music. 

Since moving to London Tess has made a name for herself within the music scene and has no intentions of slowing down, producing her own individualistic tracks and mixes across London and Europe. 

Before she laid down her mix, we asked Tess to sit with us to talk more about herself and how she got to where she is now.

Footpatrol: Tell us about a bit about your journey, how did Tess become DJ Tess?

DJ Tess: So, the journey started when I was a kid, I used to mess around with my sisters cassettes and CD’s, and then growing up I started buying dedicated music magazines and listening to more music. When I was 17 I learnt to play the drums meanwhile, I was going clubbing and I was collecting the mixtapes that where been given away at parties. I remember that I was particularly fascinated by the transition between songs and by the ability of the dj to drive you somewhere with their selection. I decided to do my first mixes starting with a free dj software and ending buying a pair of turntables after 2 months.

FP: You have a really diverse way of implementing multiple genres into your mixes which is refreshing to hear these days. How would you describe your sound to those who aren’t familiar with your music?

DJ Tess: Thank you. In my mixes I try to lead the listener into different states of mind and feelings closer to mine. The music that I listen to gives me a lot of different emotions, so I tend to create mixes that can be felt and that also don’t necessarily stick to a specific genre but more to a similar mood. Regarding music genres I represent these music pathways with UK bass music,with grime, dancehall influences and techno.

FP: Where and/or how do you draw your inspiration from when curating a mix or working on production?

DJ Tess: I get inspired by concrete things that happen in my life or abstract such as self reflections, discussions with people and then I try to translate them into music, as well as the pursuit to create a specific sound that is often influenced by my state of mind and mood. Sometimes I also take inspiration from songs that I like.

FP: Being from Italy, what made you want to come over to the UK? Italy is known for having such a huge music scene, is there much difference between there and here?

DJ Tess: Definitely, the very first need was experiencing the music scene and breathing the culture of the music that I was in love with. Other reasons are to have more artistic opportunities and to improve my English. I agree that in Italy there is a huge community around the electronic music and is crawling with talented musicians. But the main difference is that in the UK is easier to find more varied music genre and almost every big or small scenes tend to speak about social and political issues. Meanwhile in Italy, seems that those topics are not of interest for artists or taking a position is not so common,  the smaller underground scene is quite often not in the same city so is still an internet community sometimes

FP: It’s not uncommon that once you get into the music industry the influences that you have around you can sometimes help shape your own style. Do you think that is the case for yourself?

DJ Tess: Absolutely yes. I had my own style from before but I have to recognize that going out to listen some artists that I admire, playing in London radio stations, clubs and keep constantly meeting so many talented and inspiring musicians has shaped my style in a darker and more creative way. I would say also that has given me the ability to be less attached to the musical dojo rules and to dare more.

FP: Bringing it back to something we like to ask our Frequent Players artists. Has there been any producers or DJs who have caught your eye this year you’re excited to hear more form in 2020?

DJ Tess: Oh, there are so many lol. I’m very excited to hear the first official release of AGOSTINO who is a visual artist and musician that I collaborate with on my side project Mala Femmina. Very shortly we are making pieces inspired by our Southern Italian music tradition. I’m also looking forward to hear new music from Nan Kolè, Ehua and Violet, I’ve literally played every tune from them this year and also, I can’t wait for the new Deena Abdelwahed’s album to drop early in 2020.

FP: Well Tess, thank you for spending some time with us. Before you go though, is there anything on the way  from DJ Tess that people should start getting excited about?

DJ Tess: Of course! The Mantra X Footpatrol party which I’m playing on the 28th at Phonox in Brixton and definitely some more music to come out in 2020. The first one on the way is my collaborative EP with Nan Kolè out very soon. Thank you guys for inviting me over for a good chat and a mix, Peace!

Straying away from experimenting with existing models and their colour-ways, adidas and YEEZY finally bring the 700 V3 to life. What is easily the most experimental model from the YEEZY line up and moves the 700 line in a new direction.

The YEEZY 700 V3 ‘Azael’ features an upper composed of monofilament engineered mesh with an RPU overlay which adds subtle hints towards the recently dropped 380 ‘Alien’, especially at night when its glow in the dark properties are exposed.

The bootie construction provides a snug fit while the tongue features reflectivity that emits light in darkness. The PU encapsulated EVA midsole provides comfort and durability, and the herringbone rubber outsole offers unique design cues and improved traction.

To enter the IN-STORE raffle, CLICK HERE!

To enter the ONLINE raffle, CLICK HERE!

To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on. Online raffle winners will have their win sent out to their PAYPAL registered address. In-store raffle winners will be required to collect their win on specific dates given to the winners. On collection, they will need to bring proof of ID.

Pour s’inscrire, vous devez remplir les conditions ci-dessus. IL NE S’AGIT PAS D’UNE INSCRIPTION EN MAGASIN. Les gagnants de la raffle en ligne recevront leur paire à l’adresse postale qu’ils ont renseigné sur leur compte PAYPAL. Les gagnants de la raffle en magasin devront venir récupérer leur paire aux dates indiquées. Pour récupérer leur paire, les gagnants devront présenter une PIÈCE D’IDENTITÉ VALIDE (Permis de conduire, carte d’identité, passeport).

The Air Jordan III is one of a handful of models that is heralded as a timeless classic amongst the signature Air Jordan collection. Designed by Tinker Hatfield in 1988, the silhouette became an instant hit with its exposed air bag – for the first time – and the addition of elephant print.

What Michael Jordan did whilst wearing the shoe is what made the Air Jordan III a favoured and iconic model. With MJ’s second slam dunk contest win, this time wearing AJ III White Cements, came an inspiring and memorable image of flight. And with it, another icon is born — the Jumpman. Here, and with the help of his MVP nomination and a certain Mars Blackmon, Michael Jordan and his sleek footwear are shuttled to fame.

Over the years, the Air Jordan III has seen many colourways from OG to updated iterations and Jordan Brand are back with yet another, bordering on the wild side of things.

Whilst Tinker Hatfield elevated the trend of putting animal-inspired prints on footwear, this latest release epitomises the idea. With multiple animals represented and a faux-fur texture applied to the upper, this Animal Instinct edition of the AJIII takes that legacy to a whole new level. Sat on top of a black and white midsole, This edition also marks a rare appearance of a gum rubber bottom applied to an AJIII.

The Air Jordan III ‘Animal Instinct’ is now SOLD OUT.

Leading up to the end of another year, Converse have brought the Taiwanese boutique Invincible and the Japanese clothing brand that is quickly becoming a must have, Wacko Maria. This three-headed collaboration have taken to Converse’s most iconic silhouette, the Chuck Taylor 70 High and Low. Dressed in an all over print, both shoes speak perfectly to all the brands involved.

Since they arrived on the scene, Wacko Maria have become known for their exaggerated prints and this is clearly something that is brought to the forefront for their latest collaboration with Converse. Having previously collaborated on a leopard print Chuck Taylor back in 2018, these latest iterations come to no surprise that prints have been looked at once again.

Both play more on the theme of that first collaboration and look towards a leopard print style. The high brings together a series desert hues in a blend of yellows and browns whilst the low focuses more for a forest theme with more traditional camouflage colours of deep forest greens and browns.

Both will be launching in-store and online on Thursday 19^th December (Available online from 08:00AM), sizes range from UK4 – UK12, priced between £80 – £90.