Black Liquid Speaks...

suc·cess
 
 /səkˈsɛs/[suhk-ses] 
–noun
1.the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
2.the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. 

—Synonyms
achievement, fame, triumph.

WRONG!  A year ago, two years ago, five minutes ago, I couldn't tell you anymore than I know now about success' definition.  To me, to put it long, success is the journey.  "A series of small breaks" as Criss Angel put it. Sure, fame, acclaim, free stuff, women, the right to refer to yourself in the third person, that's all cool, but respect, like the journey, takes time. It must be earned.  My greatest successes have been my innumerable failures, the times where it really seemed like there was nothing else to lose.  Those moments are what have made me work harder.  I don't care about what I've got or what I'm going to get.  I expect nothing.  The only thing I can control is effort.  The only thing I want to be is free.  That is what I have pursued every night until the sun comes up, that is what every shirt Grape presses in the wee hours of the night represents,  that is why we are working together. So you're probably wondering, what is this "free" we speak of? I'll let you know when we get there.....

WOFTD

NEW STOCKISTS FOR GRAPE!!!

Every journey is a collection of steps. 100% Fresh has allowed you to see the steps Grape has taken throughout our own saga so far. You have seen the shuffles, the stumbles, the long strides and the wild leaps through which the story of our growth has been told.

Grape is proud to announce the newest addition to our stockist page and a major new step in that journey:

Katra Gala

2225 W. Main St. Richmond VA 23220

(804) 359-6996

Located on West Main Street in the Fan District of Richmond, Katra Gala has spent the last 9 years spreading its roots deep into the streets of Virginia's capital city. Not content with merely providing the finest glass tobacco accessories in the city, Katra Gala has long offered a wide selection of truly inspiring garments, from organic fabrics and local brands, to streetwear legends like MethodsNYC (owned and operated by Richmond native Dave Gee). But it's not just their taste for fashion or the original artwork by local Graffiti artists on the shop's walls that attracted us to Katra Gala (though the walls are DOPE). We here at Grape like to think our dedication to quality and positivity comes across in any interaction we may share. What we KNOW, however, is that when you interact with anyone at Katra Gala their dedication to these same principles comes across strong and clear. Impossible to wish for a more friendly or helpful staff, their pursuit of positivity and art does not end at the walls of the store itself. For years Katra has supported local artists and the local scene with information readily available to anyone and everyone that enters their shop.

Stop by, ask at the counter for information on new Grape events, and, if you're moved to, make a purchase.Know that if you do you are buying from good, positive people whom Grape are proud to know and work with.

Black Liquid IS OUR NEWEST SPONSORED ARTIST

Time and time again we meet strangers. A quick handshake, exchange names and pleasantries and, all to often, quickly go about your own business. The other person slides easily out of your mind, usually without leaving more than the faintest trace to indicate their passing.  It's rare that this pattern is broken. It's rarer still when you encounter someone who consistently blesses you with uplifting and thought provoking ideas as easily, and it often seems as regularly, as they breathe. 

We are excited to announce Grape's newest sponsored artist: Black Liquid.

Often touted as a power in the Richmond area, Black Liquid extends his influence across multiple independent RVA radio stations, makes music as often as cattle graze, and still finds the time to spill insight into every handshake and encounter.
His rhymes are dope, his delivery is doper, and his uncanny ability to spit truth with force makes him a perfect fit with the Grape family. Watch out for huge waves as Black Liquid sinks deep into your subconscious.  He'll have Grape with him as he does.

DOWNLOAD HIS NEWEST MIXTAPE HERE:

Black Liquid - This is Hip Hop

www.facebook.com/BlackLiq

www.reverbnation.com/BlackLiq

www.twitter.com/BlackLiq

Footage from our Spring Collection debut event at The Camel and The Canal Club, plus Baltimore footage networking at the PedX instore pre-game promoting Duck Down recording artist Skyzoo's newest project. We linked with InkBoy The Don for an interview with DMV Jams, and then over to VVC Radio to show support for him and his movement. Big shout out to Slapdash, DoethePaperboy, Garth at PedX, InkBoy The Don and the whole VVC Radio crew for showing great hospitality.

Filmed, Edited and Directed by Ty Evans
Featuring Pierce and Chris Brunner (filmed at age 12)

Grape's Bordeaux 7 Colorway

CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW!!!

Watch for Grape to drop exclusive colorways that will match the biggest sneaker drops of the year. No more than 25 hand-printed pieces will surface for each limited edition t-shirt.

Live The Good Life.

Love The Good Life.

WE ARE EVERYWHERE: April 8-13, 2011

***** CLICK HERE OR ON THE PIC ABOVE TO SEE ALL OF GRAPE'S PICTURES *****

Friday, April 8th

 DoethePaperboy and Against Grace performed and shot scenes for the "Monday" video.

Saturday, April 9th 

SHHO hosts a free performance by Nitty Scott MC, Paris Jones and RVA's  Sleaze.

      Element Lounge welcoming party for Suburban District's Octavion X.

     WRIR sit-in with the legendary Black Liquid.

Sunday, April 10th 

Slapdash Presents: No Cool Points For Dying

Wednesday, April 13th

Slapdash Presents: Cain McCoy's 24th Annual Birfday Bash

Word.

CLICK THE ABOVE PIC OR LINK TO SEE 

GRAPE'S PICTURES FROM THESE EVENTS

Promisses x Grape Cloth

Grape has tried to plot a course different than most streetwear brands by embracing Positivity as more than just an outlook or way of thinking. We believe that true Positivity  requires action.  Because of this we have been truly fortunate to work with many truly great people, each trying desperately to improve the world we live in with the talents they have.

Promisses is one group of such people.  Their mission to provided gently used Prom Dresses for underprivileged youth is one that Grape totally supports.  All too often we can forget that the world is full of people who lack to basic financial means to truly live the good life.  Our shirts are meant to reflect the inner self of those that wear them.  This means of expression, the freedom to feel you look good and to express your optimism and hope in what you wear, should never be denied a to a child because of the class level they where born into.  Self esteem  is for everyone.

Recently Promisses contacted us to tell us about a pilot program at John Marshell High School which they are involved in with along with Camp DIVA.  The purpose of this program, Prom Camp, is to teach etiquette to girls who come from homes where they may never have learned such things. 

While Grape doesn't design Prom Dresses (yet) we jumped at the chance to help with this worthy program in anyway we could and will be providing shirts as door prizes to help motivate young women to attend.

Why are we telling you this? Did we really just tell you all that just to point out that we are giving shirts to a charity? No. You are as much a part of Grape as we are. Get out there. Help.  If we can inspire one person to take action, to help solve the problems of their community, we will have done our part. Special thanks go to Davia Archer for making this all possible.

Click here to learn more about Promisses !

Contact:

Davia Archer  

Freelance PR, Event Management, & Design

804.306.6527

Malice Book Signing @ The Pizza Shop

It's not a common occurrence that someone in the Hip Hop community reaches out to the public to express personal change on behalf of a higher power - especially when their career was kick started by cleverly glorifying the crack cocaine hustle.
Malice, of Virginia Beach rap duo The Clipse, decided to make a difference. He had the hand of God alter his thoughts and with that transformation he felt the need to write and publish a book, "Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind & Naked", showing the parallels of his life and the word of The Bible.


Upon being questioned about his motives for releasing his thoughts on paper, this is what he said:
"I'm proud of this...because...it's geared towards the youth [25 and younger]. But even if you're 40 [and] still acting like you're 25 may you be inspired as well. I want to let the youth know that it's okay to be unique and original. While it's so very easy to conform to our surroundings, I'm going to suggest you boldly make your mark." [Shout out to HipHopDX.com for the quote].


On March 24, 2011, Malice and The Pizza Shop, Petersburg's only Streetwear & Skateboard boutique, teamed up to bring the youth of Central Virginia out for a book signing and meet-and-greet. Recently humbled by his newly acquired outlook on life, Malice shook hands with his admirers and fans and spent hours writing personalized messages inside of book covers.


Grape is ridiculously lucky to call The Pizza Shop our home and we rushed at the opportunity to spread our brand to someone who is traveling the same path towards positivity as we are. Play Cloths has been a major influence on our grind and our design aesthetic, and we felt the need to convey that to Malice as sincerely as possible.


He was extremely appreciative of our admiration for his work ethic and, as we were lucky enough to shake hands, onlookers called us out as being Grape affiliated.
He then remarked that he had heard of Grape Cloth and told us to keep doing our thing.


Word.

Click to buy Malice's uplifting book, "Wretched, Pitiful, Blind, Naked and Poor"

@Malice757

Click to shop The Pizza Shop Online Store

@The_Pizza_Shop

9 E. Bank St.
Petersburg, VA 23803

Sweet and Sour Cypher 2 - The Source Magazine

$5 Music Video : "Sweet N Sour Cypher 1" Audra The Rapper from simon kim on Vimeo.

March 17, 2011 Pt. 2

Grape sponsors Official Freeze's album release party.

Download the album here: A Cold Winter: The Reintroduction