Radcollector’s Tim Brodhagen sat down with the most hustling music lifestyle photogapher of our time, Village Slum’s Mel D Cole to talk about how he got to where he’s at and the stories behind three of his all time favorite photographs: Diddy, ?uestlove, and Kid Cudi.

Trouble Andrew took it to another level with his “Album Leak” party for “Dreams of a Trouble Man” at Don Hills in NYC. Featuring performances by Rocky Business, Telli from Ninjasonik, Johnny Nelson, Boy n Girl and more, as well as stripper poles, a rainbow coalition of gorgeous girls, and most of the downtown massive, the party was crunk rock to the fullest. Check out four sets of photos by Mel D. Cole on Village Slum.

If you haven’t yet, get over to Highsnobiety and read the Mel D. Cole interview by our own Peter Williams. If you don’t know Mel, get to know him, he’s one of the raddest in the game, and he’s got a new collabo with etnies to prove it.

Not to belabor the point, but the Burton Cinco de Mayo jumpoff was really something special. If you haven’t yet, you gotta peep the photos by Mel D Cole on Village Slum. This should be the blueprint for all shred parties. Hit up Gallery One, Two, and Three for some amazing shots.

Mel D Cole just received the only shipment of his super limited collabo shoe with etnies so we should start seeing them on the streets soon. Word is Common, whose Electric Circus album art inspired Mel’s design, was already spotted rocking a pair. Get at Mel on Twitter to try to get one.

Last night was the release party of Mel D. Cole’s Village Slum x etnies collabo at the etnies showroom in SoHo. The night was straight up crazy with major heads coming out to support the shoe and tee project. With Wajeed supplying the beats and dude likes Freeway and Black Thought mixing through the crowd, the night only got iller when The Money Making Jam Boys performed a live set. Check out some shots of the madness after the jump.

After showing you the footbed art of the Village Slum x etnies collabo, now we bring you a preview of the t-shirt in the pack. Radcollector editor in chief Tim Brodhagen aka Timbo J Baggins had the honor of being included in the t graphic. A special prize for the first person that can identify him. A look at the logo treatment and the full list of participants after the jump.

etnies has a hot collab set to drop on April 22 with iconographic hip hop photographer Mel D Cole and his Village Slum photo site. The shoe is still under wraps but Cole previewed the footbed today via Twitter. There is also a t-shirt in the pack with a montage of faces that Cole has photographed over the years. Stay tuned for a closer look.

Trouble Andrew kicked off the release of his self titled Virgin records debut yesterday with live shows on Matt Pinfield’s radio show, then Sirius Satellite Radio, then the Burton SoHo store, then the Myspace Secret Show with Lily Allen and Matt and Kim, and finally at the Frank151 official release party at Santos Party House with Stunnaman, Hollywood Holt, Team Facelift, Jofo and more. The Village Slum has an ill gallery from the night here.