Wednesday's Notes from MAGIC

I hovered around South Hall, the epicenter of the Hip-Hop clothing world this week. Here are some notes and observations.

• The Originators is, according to the company’s line, “committed to the education of the early years of Hip-Hop, honoring the DJs, MCs, writers, and B-boys that helped pave the way for a culture.” CEO and founder Adam Bach got a master’s in film directing from the American Film Institute, but decided that cinema wasn’t the only way to tell stories about old school Hip-Hop icons. “I decided to tell these guys’ stories on T-shirts,” he said. Best selling shirts are one that pays homage to Taki 183, one of the earliest graffiti writers; “Just Hip-Hop,” a take off on Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign; “In Hip-Hop We Trust” and “I’m an MC, Not a Rapper.” The Originators, which lists its retail locations at its Web site, www.theoriginators.com, has also recently introduced skateboard decks with its designs.

• Nelly had a press conference to announce new Apple Bottoms bags, clothes and lingerie, the newest addition to the line. He St. Louis rapper described Apple Bottoms as “trying to cater to women with excessive curves.” Right. He also said he’s at work on a new album, slated for a September release.

• Hip-Hop’s pioneers are on full display at MAGIC. From Grandmaster Caz and Busy Bee rockin’ impromptu rhymes outside the Sedgwick & Cedar booth to Saturday’s The Source Soundstage mini-concert featuring Big Daddy Kane, Nice-n-Smooth, Dana Dane, MC Lyte and others, old school isn’t fading into obscurity.

• Hip-Hop Weekly, the magazine that former Source owners Ray “Benzino” Scott and Dave Mays started, has a large area set up outside the South Hall. Scott and Mays were nowhere in sight.

- Slav

Slav Kandyba writes Hip Hop Files.