From the perspective of most outsiders, Bun B is a pretty intimidating dude. One half of legendary rap duo UGK (RIP Pimp C), originator of the “trill” movement, yearly Gumball 3000 participant, and owner of more exclusive sneakers than you’ll probably ever see in your lifetime, it’s easy to see how some might be afraid to approach him. That said, those of us who personally know Bun know that he’s one of the nicest, chillest, most down-to-earth heads you could ever meet. An avid footwear and clothing collector, he and Nick Tershay became friends about four years ago at a sneaker summit event in his hometown of Houston, Texas. These days when he isn’t constantly traveling for appearances and events, Bun’s been putting a lot of focus on one of his other biggest passions: food. And since he’s the epitome of someone living the Diamond Life, it was only right that we had him submit his top five Diamond Life restaurant picks. From the best spot to get fatty toro at 3 a.m. to a bar where you’re likely to spot Miuccia Prada in Venice, he’s got you covered.
I’ve had the chance to go to Hakkasan in New York, Miami, and Las Vegas—but none of them top the experience at Hakkasan London, which if I’m not mistaken is the original. They have the biggest and best menu, and as far as favorite dishes go, it’s a no brainer: crispy duck salad. Well there’s a lot of good places to eat proper sushi in New York, but there’s not a lot of places to eat proper sushi at 3 a.m., and that’s where Blue Ribbon on Sullivan comes in. Most of the Blue Ribbon locations stay open late—that one stays open the latest—and there’s nothing more refreshing than walking out of a club pissy drunk and then going somewhere and ordering fatty toro. Most people tend to go to the Nobu’s—I like Matsuhisa. It’s a smaller-style restaurant of the chain, but it still has a very expensive menu. I was first taken to this place by Travis Barker and Skinhead Rob, and I cant think of a better place to eat in LA—there’s always somebody there to see.
Favorite dish-wise: the bento box dessert. It’s basically just their homemade ice cream with Nobu’s version of a molten chocolate cake, and you can’t beat it. There’s a Cipriani called Harry’s Bar from the canal, off Venice. I actually ate there during Gumball 3000, 2011. We were invited to dinner by Maia Norman (Damien Hirst’s ex-wife) and first of all the location was amazing, right on the canal. I actually met Miuccia Prada while I was there. And the go-to dish there was squid linguine with squid ink sauce. Uchi is a Japanese fusion restaurant—I can’t begin to explain how refined this food is, how much time and effort they put into changing up the menu, and always having fresh options for people to eat. The service is immaculate, the setting is perfect, and the food is exquisite. For Uchi I would definitely recommend people go omakase. YFN Lucci Live in Mobile, AL Where To Cop: AJ 6 GS 'Hyper Jade', Air Max Collection, and more This Week's Heat: AJ 6 GS 'Hyper Jade', Air Max Collection, and more
City Gear Town Center at Cobb Mall in Kennesaw, GA Rihanna x Puma Fenty Bow Collection Air Jordan 6 Retro 'Alternate '91' Where To Cop: AJ 8 'Alternate', AJ 12 Low 'Playoff', and more This Week's Heat: AJ 8 'Alternate', AJ 12 Low 'Playoff', and more 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend This Week's Heat: AJ 6 'Gotta Shine', AJ 13 'White/True Red', and more All Star Sneaker Summit Where To Cop: AJ 6 'Gotta Shine', AJ 13 'White/True Red', and more Nike AF1 Sports Luxury This Week's Heat: AJ 1 'BHM', AJ 1 Girls' 'Valentine's Day', and more City Gear Online Yeezy Boost 350 Release Info Where to Cop: Adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2, AJ 1 'BHM', and moreWhere you’ll find the rarest sneakers of them all. As far as traveling around the world and capturing the most elaborate, over-the-top, and never-before-seen personal archives go, we’ve covered some pretty good ground. But there’s one thing we’ve learned in the process: when it comes to sneaker collectors, there are some sneaky ways they get their hands on limited runs.
Like getting hooked up with dealers who scour major sneaker hubs for the rarest pairs, or traveling to cities for annual trade shows where sneakerheads unite to trade, sell and buy the most prized kicks. And so, we rounded up the cities that are true havens feeding into the $55 billion sneaker market. Have you heard of the H-Town Sneaker Summit? Neither had we, until now. But if you’re worth your weight in sneakers, you’ve likely been, because it’s the ~biggest~ sneaker show in the world, drawing in international vendors and names like A$AP Rocky and Chamillionaire, plus upwards of tens of thousands of sneakerheads who shop and display the rarest kinds. Kicks Hawaii, founded by Ian Ginoza, is one of the most internationally-lauded sneaker shops, which draws in sneakerheads visiting from around the world. Just to hammer in Honolulu’s status, the DunkXChange trade show is held twice a year here. Is it just us, or does this not surprise you in the slightest? Because let’s be real, Japan has spawned some of the most recognizable and original sartorial movements, and shaped entire fashion subcultures (uh, Harajuku), so the fact that Tokyo is a breeding ground for sneakerheads is no shocker.
Also, BAPE was born here. If we’re getting all history-lesson right now: NYC was the birthing ground of hip-hop after all. Which is probably why Sneaker Con takes place here every year, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art dedicated an entire exhibition to the history of sneaker culture. And where else can you wear sneakers to a fancy dinner, club, and, well, everywhere? We’re not sure what solidifies a sneakerhead city’s status, but we’re pretty sure being the home country of two of the biggest athletic brands, Adidas and Puma, might have something to do with it. Now it’s also home to Germany’s sneaker mecca, Berlin's Solebox, and the city also hosts the Bread & Butter sneaker and streetwear show annually.Houston native Bun B is representing the city in the best way possible with the Super Bowl in town. The UGK legend teamed up with New Era to release a limited edition collection of H-town themed lids just in time for the big game. READ: Bun B Assists Houston Residents In Wake Of Devastating Flooding
, as well as in-store at The Galleria Mall location in Houston, TX. You can clearly see the Bun B influence in all four designs that sync up with the Houston professional sports team logos. The hats retail for $34.99 and can be picked up here! — New Era Cap (@NewEraCap) February 1, 2017 VIBE caught up with the 43-year-0ld prior to Thursday night’s (Feb. 2) New Era launch event in Houston to speak about how the hat collaboration came about, his dream halftime performance, Skip Bayless, the Grammys and more. Petition Is Calling For The Migos To Perform At The Super Bowl VIBE: Talk to me a little about the New Era collaboration. Bun B: Now come 2017 we have the Super Bowl in Houston, Texas and now you have New Era working with the NFL as well as the MLB and the NBA, so it was the perfect time and place to bring this all back together and create a new collection that could include other sports besides the Astros. Did you have full creative control with designing the hats?
So what happens is New Era comes in with their design team and they let me know all the logos and different things that are available. Also the areas of the hat you could put things at. From that point on, it’s up to me on what I wanna do. What is the inspiration behind the designs? I kind’ve just take my cue from personal things that are cool to me when I’m buying a hat. You know, take a look at what’s available and make sure you don’t do something that somebody’s already done. Again, it’s all about finding your own little space while creating a hat you would want to wear. These are going to be for sale online and in stores as well? , they go on sale Feb. 3 and if you’re in Houston you could come to the Lids store in The Galleria Mall, they will be available until they sell out. The hats are $34.99. What’s next for you musically? I’m in a new direction and place in life, I think that’s going to reflect heavily in the music that I’m making.
Not in the sense that I’m gonna make music that won’t connect with people that I have before. But I think for people that have been following me and supporters of my music for the last 25 years, I’m probably in a different place than 25 years ago. So I want to make sure that I’m still leading those people in the right direction in this part of life. You got your heart versus your mind. You wanna see the young Dirty Birds take it all the way, but your mind tells you it’s going to be very hard to beat the Patriots’ system. I got a friend on each team. My friend Elandon Roberts plays for the Patriots and my friend Jonathan Babineaux plays for the Falcons and I don’t want to put them in a difficult spot. I got two dogs in this race, so I’m going to sit back and watch. How did you like being on UNDISPUTED with Skip Bayless? It was great, Skip has always opened the door for me, whether it was on First Take and now with UNDISPUTED, he likes people that aren’t afraid to debate and opinionated people.
I don’t mind conversing and I don’t let him get under my skin. What ever he gives you, you just got to give it back. Do you take his hot-takes on the show seriously? I know certain things he feels deadly serious about, maybe every now and then they talk about a topic for entertainment value, but when he seems adamant and pounding the desk, he means that. Doesn’t mean he’s right. I give him credit for sticking to his guns. What did you think of the LeVeon Bell diss track about Skip Bayless? I gave him a C. It wasn’t great, that’s not his wheelhouse. Good thing for him to get some sh*t off his chest. You have to really go in the studio and record over and over. The lyrics are there, but there’s just a level of familiarity you kind of have in the studio, where it rolls off your tongue a certain way, you know. Dead or alive, who would you want to see perform during halftime of the Super Bowl? Probably Michael Jackson with Tupac and Pimp C. Do you have any opinion on the Grammy Award nominations for 2017?