Universidad, which means University in spanish, stands for the search for knowledge. Whether it be in an organized institution or daily everyday struggle, school is in session for us all and Rice and Beans wants to serve up that lesson. Our own family on the shirt, showing the youth is the future and that higher education starts from the day you are born into this world, plus there's a lot adults can learn from the youth of today. Thanks to Iris for the photos. Limited series entitled "Universidad" from La Mano Fria's Rice and Beans clothing brand, available here.

Thanks to all our supporters in Japan and worldwide, getting your energy and emails makes us work more. The first wave of shirts are gone. Hope you felt the time and quality put into these garments. We have more coming for the end of Spring. And thanks to all the haters too, your energy is turned to positive and makes us work more. Rice and Beans is one of the various Beta Bodega Colaition projects we have to spread our message along with records, cds, books, exhibitions, etc. Unlike our label band shirts which are cheaper to make, Rice and Beans cost more because they are manufactured, altered, printed and packaged in Japan, which is our only option. Its our way of infiltrating and infecting certain fashionable groups or scenes of people with our message. Whether they "get it" or someone who sees them on the street wearing the shirt "gets it" thats not for us to know, what we do know is if we don't try then we will know the outcome which is no one will be exposed to the message. This is a group or scene you might not be down with and thats ok, because if we had our way, we'd transmit our message via everything from vitamins, alarm clocks or cooking pans for your kitchen and reach everyone eventually. But for now we'll stick to what we feel we know best. Also we make short runs of these garments which ofcourse makes the cost go up. Some people uninformed to the reality of running and maintaining an independent business assume because the shirts are expensive we must making tons of money. But its quite the opposite as in retail shops in Japan make most of the profit as they generally mark things up at 60% of the wholesale price for these limited items. And lastly, yes, we use photos of ourselves, family, crew and friends in real life situations because we have no money or interest in hiring models. And yes, all our websites promote the clothing brand since we have no money to promote anywhere else (fancy magazine ads and so forth). We'd invite you to put a banner of our products on your website to help us. And the day that we are making lots of money, you should be glad, because it means we can produce more forms of media to spread our messsage. Being part of the underground is not sitting around whining, assuming and gossiping about who's "not keeping it real". Underground is working and dedicating your life to preserving some movement, message, way of think thinking or expression that is not accepted by the masses because it contrary to what the system wants you to accept. This system ranges from music industry to to the military industrial complex, which we see today, overseas (army) and in your neighborhood (police). For over 10 years, this is what Beta Bodega Coalition & Rice and Beans (shirts) have attempted to stand for, the underground. So dear haters, in the future don't hide your frustration, deep, dark feelings inside and talk shit with your boys, we invite you to unleash and set free the bitch in you and drop us an email (just click the link at the bottom of this website) and we'll happily address your hate directly. Much love!