Internets:

I've known Dallas for about a decade, but we only ever met in person once while he was on tour with SneakerCon, and he came to Cleveland. years prior, we were both fans of Byron Crawford's work and became fans of each other over the Internet, back when he was Billy Sunday in the comment sections of the hip-hop blogs..  We texted intermittently -- not often enough. He was an amazing writer-- curious and insightful--prepared to stand boldly on whatever he wrote, no matter what the mores of the moment, which gained my respect. This to say, he was every bit the Jokester Griot and leaned into that role with no apology. He wore the weight of cultural touchstone with class and a great deal of humility. His fashion sense and understanding of the role of aspirational apparel in hip-hop culture was unmatched. He didn't just wear clothes, he understood WHY and what they signified.  He had a whole book in him that I begged him to write.

We commiserated when Reggie passed on and he was there for me when my wife left us. When he got married to Susan I knew he was well-matched and I was happy beyond words, and wished for him the love I had known for too short a time.  He appeared on my podcast "Conversation for Adults" during the pandemic, and a he was an amazing guest-- a good time was had by all. I checked on him and his wife fairly often, but not enough. We promised to Coffee the next time I was in the city. We never got that chance. He was a true pioneer of the Black Age of Wireless -- an iconoclast, big thinker, and tastemaker: a real, flesh and blood influencer before it was a hustle.  He moved us all. He moves me still (pause).

Dallas Penn is immortal. #itdontstop

My condolences to Dallas Penn’s family.

The first time (and only time) I met Dallas was in 2012(?) in Atlanta at A3C, during a panel discussion he was a part of with The Combat Jack Show (RIP) and guest starring Maseo from De La Soul. 

He was very nice and we got a chance to shake hands on the sidewalk.

My level of respect for him has remained consistent and has not wavered.

My condolences to Dallas's family. I've known of Dallas for what seems like a lifetime but we became friends maybe in 2008 or so... I had a pretty hefty Polo Sport collection that were all in XL or XXL and being that I no longer wanted to wear clothes that fit me like I was an unofficial member of Dipset, I had two options.

Sell my collection and risk it getting consumed by someone who did not truly understand the significance of these pieces...

Or give them to someone who would truly understand them and treasure them with care.

It may have seemed weird to give such a collection away for free, especially to someone you only know of via social media but it made so much sense to me and felt like the only true option.

I messaged Dallas like "hey man, I know this may sound weird but I have a nice Polo Sport collection that I want to give you rather than sell it because I know you understand the importance of them."

He messaged me back and we decided to meet one day after work. I'd be lying if I say I remember where I met him but he came downstairs, I showed him what was in the trunk. He said "Oh man, you really do have some serious pieces. Let me buy you something to eat."

We went and I ate a burger and fries and some local spot, don't remember the name but I remember feeling like I knew Dallas my. whole life. We had the same experiences, the same passions, the same compass. I told him the importance of groups like Public Enemy, and how Chuck D filled a void left my an absent father. He listened with intent and was very curious to learn more about my life. I was glad to share.

He would tell stories about his own childhood that were similar to mine. We understood each other.

A bond was born.

We would just check in with each other randomly. Catch a Knicks game, go to Stadium Goods, maybe catch a movie premier. Random stuff over a span of 15+ years. I'd text him things that reminded me of my childhood and had to see if he had a similar memory. He usually did.

He used to send me these stories written out on paper, in a box. wrapped with some Dallas Penn wrapping paper. I read them, told them I thought they were dope and he needs to publish them. He told me "Man, just knowing you read them is good enough for me." He would include little toys in each package. A red race car or a Megatro figure. He was 1:1

All I can say is a little piece of my heart is gone, I can never look at field boots or foamposites the same way without Dallas being in the physical.

But you live on forever in my mind.

Love You, DP! 

Dallas Penn (www.dallaspenn.com) writes:

"Rap music is so often contextualized next to professional wrestling. Mostly because the blood and beefs are faked and the rampant steroid use. I never found myself interested in women's wrestling and I think that sentiment rings true for people listening to rap music in 2008. Rap music has shifted culturally from embodying art to representing sport, and not even graceful sports either. Most rap music nowadays grunts and bumps its head into the wall. Rightfully so too since most fans say they listen to rap in order NOT to have to think."

Sit with the Mothers who have lost sons at the hands of wanna be thug life, gangsta, shitheads.

Nuff said. Peace, Ernie

I met Dallas very briefly when he attended my husband’s memorial service. I knew he was a special man because Susan, my daughter’s close friend, chose him.

Who could ever imagine that I would be writing this memory so soon after my own loss. Dallas looked so full of life with an expectation of many more years.

RIP, Dallas.

J'ai decouvert Dallas sur youtube, la passion de ce gars etait fantastique. Il m'as donné envie de m'interreser un peu plus a la culture. 

Merci Dallas. Repose en paix. One love!!! Paris, France is in the building, for the worldwide "internet" icon.

My condolence goes to his family and loved one. 

Inna lillah wa inna ilayhi raaji'uun.