Okayplayer 10 Year Anniversary T-Shirt Line
As we entered our 10th Year as Okayplayer.com, we thought, what better than to spend the WHOLE year celebrating our 10th Year Web-i-versary? From it’s meager beginnings in ?uestlove‘s bedroom to the Media Empire it is today, Okayplayer has survived the “internet boom” and subsequent crash, and is still standing, 10 years down the road, as the only Urban Left-of-Center web destination where music lovers regularly come together, interact directly with musicians they admire, and talk about music they love.
This is why, for our Spring ’09 t-shirt line, we decided to commemorate each year, dating back to the inception of OKP, with it’s own, unique tee. Each t-shirt represents something monumental from that year, from 1999 through 2009, some unique moment that Okayplayer strongly identifies with. This t-shirt line is a like a walk through the Okayplayer timeline, whether it’s a record that made monumental impact, or a festival that was the talk of the year. Perhaps an artist simply had a banner year and was the dominant point of discussion on our (in)famous message boards. We had to choose carefully, and therefore have honored only a few of the many amazing, talented artists that make our community as special as it is.
Things Fall Apart – 1999
Some say this album was where it REALLY all began. The Roots 1st Grammy win. The album that broke Erykah Badu. Things Fall Apart was and is a classic record. ’99 was also the year that Okayplayer.com hit the web. Celebrate with us.
Voodoo – 2000
Our own OKP spin on the Voodoo album. We know you still spin this record on those romantic evenings for two. This is the album that made D into a legend, and refined ?uesto as a producer. ’00 was definitely the year of Voodoo.
Black Lily – 2001
OKP’s tribute to the Black Lily, the jam session focused on showcasing new and emerging female talent. 2001 was a particularly big year for Black Lily. So many legends rocked the stage, from Erykah to Jill, Jaguar Wright to Jazmine Sullivan, and many more. Big up ladies!
**CONTEST!!!**2002
We decided to leave one year “open” so that we could launch a special CONTEST right here on OKP! Whoever creates the best design to commemorate the spirit of 2002 for Okayplayer will have their design made into an official OKP T-SHIRT in our Spring ’09 line! More details on this contest can be found right here.
Analoguegirl – 2003
Anyone familiar with The Lesson is familiar with Analoguegirl, Erykah Badu‘s on-line persona. ’03 was the year of Worldwide Underground, and we honor Ms. Badu with this tee, a play on the artwork from her album. Better keep checking the boards, Analoguegirl still posts up in there often.
Dangerous – 2004
Mos Def was back in full effect in ’04 with The New Danger. Always an important part of the OKP community, we had to honor Mos with our own “Andy Warholish” take on his album art.
Danger Doom – 2005
’05 was the birth of The Mouse X The Mask, with Danger Doom. Who knew the Danger Mouse and MF Doom collabo would be one of the most important records of the year, and dominate discussions on the boards? Here’s our OKP tribute to DD.
Wings – 2006
What else is there to say except that the presence of the G.O.A.T. producer, J Dilla, is sorely missed. His legacy will never be forgotten, and his sounds soar everytime they are spun. $10.00 from each t-shirt purchase will go directly to Ma Dukes. Jay Dee lives on!
BKMC – 2007
OKP wouldn’t be the special place is today without the participation of Brooklyn’s own Talib Kweli. From Blackstar to his solo projects, Kweli defines Brooklyn, and the Okayplayer community. Always inspired, Kweli rocked ’07 with his album, Ear Drum.
Renaissance Man – 2008
Although he wasn’t an “official” part of the OKP community until 2008, Q-Tip helped define what Okayplayer was all about, even from way back in his Tribe days, long before we hit the web. Tip represents the truest hip-hop; amazing, thoughtful lyricism, sick beats, and a real love for the art of it all. This tee honors Q-Tip with a mash up of Tribe-like art with his ’08 themed album Renaissance.
10 Year Anniversary – 2009
What more can we say, we’re 10 years old, WHA-HOO!!
?uesto Sig 10 Year
This special edition of the standard ?uestlove Sig tee was drawn by the mighty Afro himself. It’s ?uestlove on his beloved drum kit. A new version of an old fave.
OKP’s Spring ’09 t-shirts are ON PRE-SALE NOW in the OkayStore!
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