GOAT NFL quarterback Russell Wilson has one hell of a wellness budget.
If there is one thing that 2020 has taught us, it is that health should always be our priority. From our minds, bodies, and spirit it is apparent that these three things go hand in hand essentially affecting the things we do on a day-to-day basis.
As the coronavirus numbers continue to escalate, creatives and athletes have been doing what they can to stay inspired. While everyday life can serve as inspiration towards that creativity, the pandemic has haltered this outlet as living conditions change.
As a result, wellness has been a vital aspect of feeding one’s creative process. With the NFL season in full swing, superstar quarterback Russell Wilson has proven that you simply cannot put a price tag on wellness.
Russell Wilson doesn’t put a price tag on wellness.
Being one of the most naturally gifted athletes in sports today is simply not enough for him as he’s gone the extra mile to condition himself. On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Russell Wilson was invited to talk about one of the key aspects of his top-notch performance this season.
Attributing his workout regimen as one of the reasons, Wilson spoke about the team effort that goes into his routine in regards to his recovery. Russell Wilson followed up by mentioning the fact that he puts aside $1 Million budget for a full-time performance and wellness team.
Consisting of two hyperbaric chambers, a full-time trainer, physical therapist, and two chefs, it is safe to say that Wilson plays no games when it comes to his overall wellness.
Considering the fact many do not share the same financial portfolio as Russell Wilson, it is important to find what works for you. In this time where we are being confronted by so much information and anticipation at once, recovery is a must for our mental stability.
Despite his physical superiority, Russell Wilson has an understanding of the many factors outside of the NFL that will contribute to his success. This same notion of good overall wellness and fitness is applicable to creatives who feel like their creativity may have hit a wall.
Whether it be yoga, therapy, or meditation, it is pivotal for creatives at large to find what works. Also, a wellness regimen that will keep their minds, creativity, bodies, and spirits in a state of stability. The mind simply cannot create organically when it is under stress, and in this moment of unrest, the pressure is a normal occurrence.
The fact is that you can’t put a price tag on wellness and health because when it comes to creativity there is so much more than the gift itself.
If you are not putting yourself in the position to be creatively prosperous, the gift can easily become a curse.
Born in Maryland and raised in Gwinnett, GA, the internet comedian has emerged over the past few years as a comedic star who is committed to making the world laugh.
Known primarily for his hilarious skits on Instagram impersonating almost everyone from frat boys to hip-hop artists, Druski refuses to limit himself.
Druski has conent for days!
Druski Compilation Video
Although the comedian has made content for a couple of years now, 2020 has been a standout year for the internet comedian…
As a result of coronavirus putting the world indoors, the internet comedian has made this an opportunity to keep people entertained.
Utilizing his Instagram to its entirety, Druski’s live videos and Instagram live stories are a highly favored aspect of his comedic repertoire. From his diverse skits, it is clear that he has been exposed to many different cultures over time.
Druski’s quick cameo in Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later” video
As Druski’s content continues to grow, he has capitalized on his success in many ways including his YouTube Channel DruskiTV which has already gained over 40k+ subscribers.
With his highly coveted merch 4Lifers, the internet comedian continues to prove that he is a comedian with many facets to his creativity. The merch has since been supported by celebrities like Drake, Jack Harlow, Quavo, Odell Beckham Jr., and many more.
With the upward trajectory of Druski’s career, the comedian’s fame has reached a new level following his cameo in Drake’s “Laugh Now, Cry Later” video.
While Druski’s bright future is apparent, his journey to becoming a comedian took time to be as clear as it is today…
The glo-up
Growing up on the north side of Gwinnett put Druski in contact with many different types of people and cultures. As a result, he gained a diverse cultural perspective giving Druski many different angles for his content.
Subconsciously soaking in what made up the material for his sketches, Druski fully embraced all aspects of his environmental upbringing.
While comedy had not been Druski’s initial professional plan, he had always been inspired by comedy legends like Kevin Hart, Mike Epps, and Dave Chappelle.
With his original aspirations to be a sportscaster, Druski took the academic route to pursue this passion.
Knowing that he wanted to be a part of the entertainment business, the aspiring creative had not fully contemplated all of his possibilities. Ironically enough, his classes for sportscasting revealed Druski’s gift for comedy.
Constantly encouraged by his classmates to pursue comedy, Druski began to study motivational videos of comedy legends. Gradually, Druski believed that being a comedian was his true calling.
As Druski realized that university did not feel right for him, he dropped out to fully pursue his career as a comedian.
Upon his decision, Druski would embark on a journey into the unknown that many creatives who’ve pursued a dream can relate to. Despite the bumps in the road that Druski encountered, he refused to give up.
The unshakeable confidence that Druski behind his gift would turn out to be the most crucial quality that led to his success.
Although dropping out of school is not a piece of advice that should be taken lightly, it was something that the internet comedian felt he had to do.
On the path to achieving a dream, uncertainty will always be looming, but the difference between that dream being fulfilled is whether or not you truly believe in it yourself.
He remained consistent with his craft and as a result, will continue to ascend…
In many ways, I feel as though Druski represents yet another version of the modern-day story of a creatives rises to glory. By following his heart and putting in the work to establish himself as a comedian to be taken seriously, he has built himself into a sensation.
With the multifaceted nature of Druski’s talent, there is no telling where his career will take him next. What do you think of Druski’s come up over the years? What does his rise in comedy say about the genre overall?
Check out more of Druski’s comedy on his YouTube, IG, or Tik Tok for the inspo!
In the midst of all the great music and artists that have emerged this year, Rochester, NY’s ISHMAEL fka Ishmael Raps has made his mark by continuing to prove why small city kids are up next.
With the release of his singles “Peace”, “Maria”, and “365”, ISH has made it clear that he intends to go above and beyond his origins as a rap artist displaying not only his lyrical prowess but vocality as well.
A post shared by ISHMAEL fka RAPS (@sickishmael) on Sep 1, 2020 at 12:10pm PDT
A year of self-reflection
Tactically ISHMAEL has used 2020 as a year of self-reflection. He’s taken pride in improving his craft on all aspects of his artistry.
In doing so, ISHMAEL’s efforts ultimately landed him the opportunity to collaborate with music legends like Grammy award-winning producer and songwriter Paul Epworth, as well as, legendary producer Mike Dean for his debut album Voyager that released in early September.
Accompanied by a star-studded feature list of artists like Vince Staples, Jay Electronica,Ty Dolla $ign, and Lianne La Havas to name a few, ISHMAEL’s performance was a standout component of the project.
On records like “Mars & Venus”, “Hyperspace”, “Binaural Trip”, and “Space Inc.”, ISH showcases his ability to intersect between various genres.
As the most frequently featured artist on the project, ISHMAEL held his own with the likes of Vince Staples, Elle Yaya, and Bibi Bourelly. On each track, he showed why his versatile skill set makes him one of the more exciting rising artists in music today.
One small city kid’s musical journey
I connected with the Rochester native for an in-depth interview. During our conversation, I was able to gain insight on ISHMAEL’s creativity. We discussed ISHMAEL’s solo work, his collaborative experience with Paul Epworth, his hometown and his journey to becoming the artist he is today.
A post shared by ISHMAEL fka RAPS (@sickishmael) on Sep 10, 2018 at 12:59pm PDT
In light of the negativity that has clouded this year, ISHMAEL used 2020 to advocate for his city. All while maintaining a routine to utilize his creativity.
ISHMAEL holds it down for Rochester
Recording music plays a large role in his daily schedule. Still, a balance of activities outside of music keep ISHMAEL mentally grounded.
A post shared by ISHMAEL fka RAPS (@sickishmael) on May 30, 2020 at 3:22pm PDT
ISH had embarked on his musical journey early in his life. He divulged into a childhood anecdote about the role his music teacher played. Especially, in evoking his aspirations to make music at nine-years-old.
His teacher presented the possibility for students to make the best song using classroom instruments. The grand prize? A feature on the radio. ISHMAEL saw this as his time to shine.
Despite the teacher’s CAP about the connection with the radio station, the challenge sparked the inspiration in ISH to continue making music.
Seeing his cousins make music and their own videos, ISHMAEL was driven to stay focused. Back then, he would work tirelessly on his craft. ISHMAEL further explained how his upbringing motivates him to strive for excellence in his music.
“First, of course, it [music] brings me joy, I think that’s why every artist should make art. Second, I want to continue to raise up my community and inspire my family.”
ISHMAEL
The rapper continued, “I’m from Rochester, NY. Upstate, in general, there’s not a lot of representation for us in the music industry. Live shows don’t really happen where I’m from. If I can be that person to shed the light so my city can get more opportunities then I’m all for it. That’s why I always scream ‘Small city kids up next’ because I really stand by that.”
Being an artist from a small city, ISHMAEL has used Rochester’s lack of representation in the music industry as a motivational edge for him to go as hard as he can with his music.
While it has been a trend in Hip-Hop for small city rappers to forget where they’re from, ISH fully embodies his roots with the intention of opening more doors for future artists who come out of his city.
By helping to build the musical structure within Rochester, ISHMAEL is hoping to establish a feeling of encouragement for artists in the city.
A post shared by ISHMAEL fka RAPS (@sickishmael) on Sep 4, 2018 at 4:46pm PDT
Alongside his recording schedule, ISHMAEL used this year to continue experimenting with his sound. When speaking about his musical evolution ISH referred to a new sound that he’s had on the back burner since 2013..
In retrospect, the creation of this sound prompted ISHMAEL to drop “raps” from the end of his stage name.
A new sound
ISHMAEL felt that the former name was limited to the essence of his artistry. And he did not want his music to be defined by his raps. In hopes of debuting the new sound this year, ISHMAEL made a decision.
He wanted his music to provide the energizing feeling that songs like “Bimmer Music” and “Focused” provided to offset 2020’s draining reality.
While the anticipation for ISHMAEL’s new sound remains, the Rochester native did not leave his fans empty-handed. He released three heavy hitting singles including “Peace” which was accompanied by a music video that was released in March.
Working with legendary producer Switch and HBTL’s Ness, the creative energy brought ISHMAEL to new heights. In explaining the driving forces that inspired the records, ISHMAEL’s words revealed his careful and thoughtful approach to music.
For ISH Peace was interesting, he recorded the song while locked in a studio in LA, for a month. “I was locked in the studio for a month at this place called Bad Romantic every day… There was something about the day I made Peace…,” said the Rochester native.
He continued, “I heard the beat and I felt like nothing was going how it was supposed to. So I went back to the crib, threw on a hoodie, some sweatpants, and really took it to where it needed to go.”
It was time for ISH to lock-in. “I think the other thing with Peace is that I wanted to show my producer Switch what time it was. He sent me seven beats and I wanted to rap over all of them and Peace was the first one.”
“I wanted to set the tone for other people I work with in the future and my fans. There was a lot of energy that went into that record.”
ISHMAEL
As far as the other singles, “Maria”, was produced by ISH’s boy Ness. He’s from Rochester as well. Growing up, the two went to basketball camp together and when Ness sent over a beat pack it was game over.
ISHMAEL said the first thing he sent back was Maria which was the first record where he experimented with his voice. ISH went on to shout Ness out for unlocking that creativity in him for the record.
“With “365”, my homie Novella who I grew up with as well said ‘I got this beat pack from this South African producer, I think this beat will suit you’ he plays me the record and I instantly go in,” said ISHMAEL.
A post shared by ISHMAEL fka RAPS (@sickishmael) on Sep 24, 2020 at 10:27am PDT
He continued, “It started out with mumbles because that’s how I get the melody out, sat on it for a day and I eventually threw words on it after.”
365 Lyric Video
With these records coming from a place of meditation and childhood connection, ISHMAEL channeled his introspective energy towards the execution of the music video for “Peace”.
Conceptualized and Co-directed by ISHMAEL himself, the video details a therapy session where ISH reflects back on his days growing up in Rochester to move past his experienced trauma. In the video ISHMAEL depicts the process that initiated his transformation from Ishmael Raps to ISHMAEL.
In comparison to ISHMAEL’s visuals for Bimmer Music that released in 2017, the video for Peace serves as a representation of how far ISHMAEL has come as an artist. ISH further expressed the importance of visual content in relation to his music and as a result will continue direct videos for records to come.
BIMMER MUSIC Video
Pushing the music forward
Reflecting back on artists that have influenced him along the way, ISHMAEL attributes his influences to his name change and how the diversity in his music taste growing up helped craft his multifaceted sound.
Mentioning artists like Prince, D’angelo and Sid Vicious whose vibrant persona’s guided them to make groundbreaking music, ISHMAEL believes that artists like them are to be credited for pushing music forward.
ISH explained that a key aspect in their success was a collective desire to make music for self-fulfillment. ISHMAEL felt like it ultimately created the most relatable music as artists leave greater room for progression.
“ Fans come in and they can appreciate it or not, I feel like there was something unstoppable about certain artists up until the 2010’s I guess.”
ISHMAEL
That drip is important, tho
One thing that these artists have in common is their vibrant styles of dress that assist their personalities both in and out of the recording booth.
With fashion being a big part of ISHMAEL’s artistic expression he feels as though his dynamic sense of style is contributive towards the confidence he brings to his music.
For ISH, his style of dress is simply another form of expression that allows him to engage in dialogue that transcends verbally speaking.
A post shared by ISHMAEL fka RAPS (@sickishmael) on Oct 3, 2020 at 11:49am PDT
Transitioning towards ISHMAEL’s work with Paul Epworth on his album Voyager, ISH went into detail about how the album’s creative process allowed him to step outside of his comfort zone.
Describing how the collaboration came to fruition, ISHMAEL reflected back to 2018 after performing at Orange County’s Day N Night festival. ISH would receive the news shortly after being woken up by his manager who let him know of Epworth’s desire to collaborate.
While this claim was met with a visceral reaction of uncertainty from ISHMAEL, he eventually put that aside to connect with Paul Epworth.
A post shared by ISHMAEL fka RAPS (@sickishmael) on Sep 19, 2020 at 12:52pm PDT
During their conversation, the Grammy award-winning musician declared ISH as the missing link to his album. As Epworth explained the concept of the album, ISH was challenged to push himself artistically in a way that he had never been before.
Upon flying out to London to work with Epworth and Mike Dean on the album, ISHMAEL recalls a special feeling that was present during the sessions that brought him to new heights.
Working on writing techniques and lyrical cadences with Epworth, ISHMAEL commented on how the process drove him to constantly find ways to improve the delivery of his lyrics regardless of its perceived completion.
Detailing the countless hours working on reference tracks and songs like “Space inc.” and “Mars & Venus”, ISHMAEL likens the strong connection that he made with the music on Voyager to that of his own album.
Mars And Venus Visualizer
ISHMAEL is up for any challenge
Overall, ISHMAEL’s recording experience for Voyager was a special moment in the Rochester artist’s career. Not only for its collaborative nature but the growth that it brought him as an artist. ISHMAEL spoke adamantly about what this process taught him as an artist.
For fans who have known ISHMAEL from his beginning as Ishmael Raps, they would know that collaboration was uncommon.
ISHMAEL never opposed the idea. He has always challenged himself to do everything in his music. From the need for a rap verse to melodic vocals, ISH drove himself to do everything.
“ This is the first time I actually got to collaborate with people and I loved it because I learned so much from other people. ‘Space Inc.’ was already made when we brought it to Mike Dean but he added the synths on top of it, layering drums, and brought it to life even more. It shows you to go back and listen to your songs more, don’t be afraid to listen more. ”
ISHMAEL
Gaining momentum from the Voyager experience, ISHMAEL has no signs of slowing down mentioning that more visuals were on the horizon as well as an upcoming solo project.
Personally, I believe the versatility of ISHMAEL’s sound has all the components to take him to the next level. Aside from making dope music, speaking to ISHMAEL revealed the purity in his intentions behind the creativity of his music.
When it comes to Rochester rapper ISHMAEL, dynamic, and limitless are words that can be used to define his music. As ISH continues to release, I am confident that the world of music will feel the same way.
I want to give a big shoutout to Rob and Nidgel who helped bring this interview from an idea to reality and of course ISHMAEL for being authentically transparent throughout the conversation.
Fans should be on the lookout for new music from the Rochester native, but in the meantime, make sure to stream his singles “365”, “Maria”, and “Peace”.
When it comes to the melting pot that is American culture and what makes it the phenomenon that it is today, it would be remiss not to mention the contributions of the subcultures that have decorated our society over time.
Considering the niche fashion trends that were adopted by the masses and the music scenes that have ultimately taken over the industry like Hip-Hop and Punk Rock, subculture sits at the core of American culture’s most fruitful movements.
Despite this knowledge, many subcultures have had to deal with the growing pains of acceptance as they faced scrutiny from the closed-minded perspective of the media and others who refused to see the good.
Movements like graffiti art, breakdance, and hip-Hop have created communities with the intention of bringing people together through art forms and self-expression.
As the negative perception of these art forms gradually subsided, they have cemented themselves at the root of our cultures’ rich essence.
Amongst the many great subcultures that were birthed from America’s culturally exuberant cities, there lies a movement that has transitioned into a global phenomenon coming from one of society’s earliest pastimes: Bikes.
If you are from cities like NY, LA, PHI, BAL, ATL, NRK, or tapped in with their inescapable presence on social media then you have heard of the phrase #BIKELIFE.
From the massive ride outs of 2,000 plus bikers unifying through the city streets to the freestyle tricks performed on BMX and dirt bikes in traffic, #BikeLife has established itself as a movement that is for the people, by the people.
Not to mention the fat tire fad. It seems like all the youngins are hitting bikesmarts.com for the latest info on affordable drops.
Figureheads of the community like Artbmx, Bike Life Maine and the highly revered RRDblocks. to name a few, are ambassadors for the movement.
They have also worked together in representing #BikeLife in a positive light on social media. They’ve not only created opportunities for kids in their communities but they’ve also given back to them as well.
It is apparent that the #BikeLife movement is deeper than a pair of wheels and pegs.
There are countless videos on social media of young children crying tears of joy after receiving a bike during one of Dblocks’ massive giveaways. There’s also the joy on people’s faces during ride outs.
While groundwork continues to be set for the legacy of #BikeLife, the prevalence of bike culture within Hip-Hop has contributed heavily to its popularity.
Whether it’s Travis Scott and Meek Mill depicting dirt bike ride outs in their music videos or A$AP Ferg’s capsule release for Redline’s limited edition RL 275 bike, hip-hop music is an integral part of #BikeLife’s cultural progression.
Tapping into pioneer bike life brand JT Racing
In seeking out more knowledge as to what makes the bike life movement so special and authentically catered to bringing the people together, I was able to connect with Founder and COO of ELP Brands Luin Frazier on their acquiring of BMX heritage brand JT Racing.
During our discussion, he gave some insight into the history of JT Racing, what the brand intends to contribute to bike life, where he sees the future of the movement heading and everything in between.
While speaking about the events that led to Luin’s intrigue to represent JT Racing he mentioned the enticing nature of the brand’s long-standing 50-year heritage.
Frazier opened up about how his residence in New York City sparked the inspiration of rebranding JT Racing to align with the current climate of bike life today in relation to the merch as well as the overall brand.
Seeing first hand what the bike life scene in NYC has become, evoked nostalgic emotions that motivated Luin to do all that he could to push the culture forward.
The BMX apparel brand is connected with modern-day consumers within bike life. Still, the brand has vowed to remain true to the foundation on which JT Racing was founded on.
As the movement has transcended its identification as a subculture into a global phenomenon, the values upheld within #BikeLife have remained the same.
In regards to the brand, Luin believes that part of what makes JT Racing what it is today is the fact that the values which define the brand are similar to that of the movement.
“It is truly about being young at heart. It’s truly about being a disrupter and it’s truly about being an originator.”
Luin Frazier
“One of our brand mottos is ‘Salute the Originators’ because we believe that there is always something over the next ridge. Someone’s gotta be the first to climb it to see what’s over there and say that we’re gonna do things differently by not sticking to the status quo.”
Look at the origins of JT Racing going back to 1969. It was founded by John and Rita Gregory in Southern California. They were selling socks out of their van.
“Back then they started doing pink socks and if you think about the late ’60s early ’70s, men weren’t really wearing pink like that but they (John and Rita) were so blinded by doing things their own way,” said Frazier.
He continued, “They took that same energy of being young at heart and creatives conquering new challenges to heart.”
“That’s the DNA that founded the company. Guess what, that’s the same DNA you’re seeing now.”
Luin frazier
JT Racing shakes up the BMX culture
Thinking of the DNA that has made the culture into what it is today, the evolution that has taken place within the movement is apparent. Although the essence of bike life does not completely uphold the traditional nature of race tracks and bike trails.
The spirited passion for the craft is shared amongst generations. This has been a contributing factor in the cohesion between the older generations of #BikeLife culture and the new age riders who have taken the torch to new heights.
The movement continues to grow and new bike riders begin their journey into the culture. Luin explained how the large embracive #BikeLife community on social media is a signification as to why future participants should not feel discouraged to partake in the culture.
With bike life being as global as it is today, simply typing the hashtag into Instagram or Twitter could instantly connect you with the community not only in your immediate vicinity but also all over the world.
There’s a #BikeLife community out there
Despite the inclusivity that bike life has fostered over time, the movement still has critics inside and outside of the bike culture that are not as open to the evolution of the trend.
In regards to the dirt bike community, few motocross purists and others have critiqued the street dirt bikers for the safety hazards that their actions could potentially cause.
Frazier addressed these claims and mentioned onlookers should take the lack of accessibility to an official motocross track into account.
Simply put, the difference in expression should not take away from the purity of spirit of those who take their dirt bikes to the streets.
“What we don’t see on the surface but do see when pulling back the layers is a community. There’s something there that is bringing people together of all races, nationalities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.”
Luin Frazier
“The common thread that they have is the same spirit and a love for riding their bikes. In terms of the street motor guys, a lot of them don’t have a track to race their bikes on so they do it in a way that fits their environment,” said Frazier.
He continued, “They’re riding the same bikes and wearing the same equipment so they’re still supporting the industry but they are expressing their love and passion points in a different way.
“Instead of playing football, basketball, or at home playing video games, they’ve decided to ride their bikes and who am I to say do it this way versus that way.”
“It’s all about celebrating your spirit of individuality and being groundbreaking which you can see on the BMX side as well as the street motor side of things.”
Luin Frazier
It’s all about perspective, fam…
Regardless of one’s perspective of the movement you simply cannot pass judgment on the culture until you have gone in-depth to capture all that it is truly about.
It is this sentiment that reveals the importance of people like RRDblocks who have dedicated themselves to showcasing the purity of the culture on social media through spreading his love and joy for bike life to the masses. Luin proceeded to shed light on the relationship that JT Racing has fostered with Dblocks and what his presence has meant to the brand.
Frazier reminisced, “Dblocks is truly one of the most unique individuals that I have ever met in my life… We came in contact a little over a year ago and we sat down at Harlem Tavern on 116th & 8th avenue for a conversation.”
He continued, “We wanted to work with him but I needed to figure out who he was as a person. Once you realize who he is and what he’s about it’s absolutely incredible.”
“He is an individual that grew up in Harlem and his passion point and God-given gift is his ability and joy for riding his bicycle… There are millions of bicycles all over the world and all this young man has said is ‘I’m gonna ride my bike’ but as he’s doing that he’s bringing a community with him…”
Luin Frazier
Dblocks does a lot of charitable work that we see on IG whether it’s SantaBlocks where he rides around the city in lower-income neighborhoods giving not only bikes but also JT Racing gear.
“What we also don’t see is that whenever he is flown across the country to make an appearance, he’s personally paying for others to come out and join him,” said Frazier.
With the sincere energy that people like Dblocks bring to bike life, newfound doors will continue to open for the movement and those who aspire to move the culture forward.
Through his love for bikes, Dblocks is living proof that following your passion can lead you to unimaginable heights when you continue to feed it.
As the ascension of bike life into mainstream culture continues to unfold before the public eye, brands outside of BMX and motocross have begun to see how they can monetize off of the movement.
With brands like Supreme and Cactus Plant Flea Market collaborating with the likes of Fox Racing and Alpinestars, the question comes to mind as to how other brands will infiltrate the movement as well.
Although there have been several documentaries to surface highlighting aspects of the bike life movement, HBO’s upcoming movie Charm City Kings represents a major benchmark for bike life as the film intimately depicts bike culture in Baltimore, MD.
Thinking about where JT Racing will be in the next 5-10 years regarding the bike life movement at large, Luin Frazier is set on cementing the brand’s stature within action sports apparel on a global scale.
Considering the strong 50 year heritage that JT Racing has created for themselves, their rebrand in the past year is allowing them to grow alongside the consumers of the #BikeLife movement whose sights are set on pushing the culture forward.
Luin went on to explain that the brand’s ultimate goal is upholding as well as progressing the movement forward whether it be through their apparel or social media content.
In all the work that he has done with JT Racing and bike life, Luin has expressed his gratitude for the movement as it has reinforced the value of maintaining a youthful spirit.
As the everyday responsibilities increase in light of growing older, veterans within the bike world inspire Luin is inspired because they continue to tap into their youthfulness by riding their bike.
In regards to all the ground that bike life has covered in spreading its message of unity around the world, Luin hopes to see a day where the stigmas and connotations of large ride outs are debunked.
“I would like for communities, both the residents and the governing bodies, the mayors, police officers, city commissioners, and fire departments to do a better job of embracing this bike life movement… “
Luin Frazier
Frazier recalled, “Last year, I believe the governor of either Patterson or Newark, NJ invited Dblocks to do a ride out and I thought that was incredible. In many cities, in California, kids will ride their bikes alongside police officers because they embrace the culture of skateboarding, dirt bikes, and BMX. That’s a part of the DNA in that state.”
In many other states and cities across the country, this is not necessarily the case so when you get a group of 50-100 kids, many of them African American or Hispanic, getting together to ride a bike there becomes a negative connotation,” Frazier continued.
“I think at a time where our country is so divided, I would love to see the municipalities embrace this and go to someone like Dblocks to say ‘how can we help’? How can we tear down the misconceptions and barriers to allow you and your friends to ride your bikes freely through our cities without being harassed because they think you’re in a gang?”
Luin Frazier
“I would love to start getting engaged with the municipalities by creating ride-outs that include the police and have our councilmen and women joining these ride-outs with these individuals who are good citizens of their community.”
In the midst of all the divisive imagery that continues to get pushed in the face of the public on a daily basis, it is movements like #BikeLife that serve as the light within the dark that brings humanity further from the hate.
Through the simple affinity of riding a bike, you can become a part of a community that is filled with genuine love and passion. By riding a bike, this movement has inspired millions across the globe of all ages to unify with one another to share that joy for the sport.
I want to thank Luin Frazier for taking the time to speak with me about JT Racing and his contributions to #BikeLife. Most importantly the work being done is helping to inspire the old and future generations of tomorrow by showing the possibilities that can emerge from coming together as people.
In a time where women continue to dominate the genre of hip-hop, Midgeville, Georgia native PAP Chanel is looking to contribute to the cloth while building upon the camaraderie amongst females within the rap community.
Coming off of her versatile (P)retty (A)nd (P)aid mixtape that was released early September, PAP Chanel has cemented herself as an artist who will not be defined by the origins of her title as a rapper.
Following The Definition of PAP EP, released in 2018, The Pretty and Paid tape consists of seven new tracks. All diverse in sound highlighting PAP Chanel’s artistic progression between projects.
The recent release of the video for her standout track “2 Way Street,” which features Memphis superstar rapper Blac Youngsta, has accompanied the release of her visuals for the outro track from the EP Wonderful. PAP Chanel is making it clear to the rap community that her voice is here to stay.
A conversation with PAP Chanel…
Last week I had the opportunity to speak with PAP Chanel about her recent mixtape release and future endeavors.
The Georgia rapper gave me some insights on her many motivations behind making music. As well as her influences growing up and what goes into her process in the midst of creating a project.
While the events of 2020 have been mentally and creatively stifling for many, PAP Chanel feels as though this moment in time has motivated her to work even harder. It gives her time to hit the ground running by doing what she can to continue recording music, evolving, and experimenting with her craft.
PAP Chanel expressed that her work ethic during this time was not only for the sake of her personal improvement. But also to continue to feed her beloved fanbase.
Along with sharpening her musical talents, networking has been a focal point for PAP Chanel. As she continues to ascend within the music industry, she has found herself collaborating with the likes of legendary artists such as T.I. and Trina.
When discussing the origins of her rap name, PAP Chanel went into detail. She explained that the acronym PAP (Pretty And Paid) was more than a name for herself, but a concept deeply rooted in its representation.
Coming up with the concept in middle school as a group for her female peers, PAP Chanel set out to use the acronym as a way to empower herself and the young women of her class.
Women empowerment
To this day, the sentiment remains the same, taking on a more magnified significance as PAP Chanel has established herself in an industry that has been historically male-dominated.
“My main objective when it comes to Pretty And Paid is to let women know that we should wear our confidence like we wear our weave and we should have our foot down about everything and demand our work. When I first made Pretty And Paid I was in the 7th Grade, I felt like everything, not just music was dominated by males so I wanted to come up with a group for females… I just wanted to let women know that it is ok to be confident, demand your worth and to be themselves.”
It was clear that PAP Chanel knew at a young age that she would have to be her biggest fan. The immense confidence that she brings to her music has brought to light the more work and faith she put into her craft, the more fruits she would ultimately receive from her labor.
In doing so, PAP Chanel has used creativity to her advantage on the Pretty And Paid mixtape as the versatility on the project is prominent throughout. From the diversity in her lyrical cadences to the production, there is not a single record that sounds like the other throughout the mixtape.
PAP Chanel on shaping her sound…
In regards to what contributed to the experimentation of different sounds on the project, PAP Chanel attributed this to her love for artists as a music listener growing up who have had different cadences and rhyme schemes in their arsenal.
Citing legendary artists like Foxy Brown, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Nicki Minaj, PAP Chanel details that the key factors that made her fall in love with their music was the manner in which they use their wittines and lyrical versatility.
With the knowledge that music would be the route for her, PAP Chanel prioritized the ability to utilize all of her musical talents by establishing fluidity in her artistry outside of rhyming.
This was displayed in many ways on the mixtape as PAP Chanel’s vocal abilities were made present on tracks like “Nobody” and “Country Girl.” She went on to express the fact that singing was her first love when it came to music and would be a skill of hers that she plans to continue to polish overtime.
When it comes to the different elements of her music, it is apparent that PAP Chanel possesses a progressive mindset as the Pretty and Paid mixtape shows a vast amount of growth from The Definition of PAP EP.
Growing as an artist…
Describing the process of what took place during that growth over time, Chanel spoke on how the EP was utilizing the sound that essentially introduced her name to the masses while the tape was the project that allowed her to let loose artistically and exhibit all aspects of her artistic capabilities.
“At the time where I first made The Definition of PAP, my whole objective was to let people know that there was a new girl in town and wasn’t really thinking that it would go big. So when I dropped the EP till now there’s a big difference and when you listen to it (the EP), I kind of had this one sound. Pretty And Paid showed how versatile I could be and I felt like this was the project where a lot of people wanted to know more about who I am.”
PAP Chanel
PAP Chanel went on to divulge the aspect that made her happiest about the project is that most of the songs were recorded in October and December of last year.
Furthermore, she expressed that she has not completely concluded the creation of the Pretty and Paid as she assured that a deluxe edition of the EP was on its way shortly.
Reflecting on her days freestyling in high school back in Milledgeville, Georgia where she grew up, PAP Chanel has acknowledged how far she’s come and shown the determination to push her music further.
To her, making it from Milledgeville has influenced her drive to work tirelessly towards her music. Given the limited amount of opportunity that comes to people from her hometown, PAP Chanel has taken the responsibility to be the light that shines out of her city who can pave a trail for others to follow.
In consideration of the musical impact that women have been making over the years, collaboration amongst female artists in rap is a topic that PAP Chanel has been very passionate about.
Female collaboration
Besides the great music that has come from female collaboration in hip-hop, PAP Chanel is looking towards the bigger picture of what this collective unification could mean for women not only regarding music but in the world at large as she feels it will continue to open doors for women.
“I wanna work with female artists because once we get together and show people that we can work with each other and not be against each other, it’s gonna open up way more doors for females period. The fact that Nicki Minaj and Megan made a song last year, so many women blew up after that. I feel like these dudes out here are getting scared because they’re seeing that we can work together. And we’re showing that there can be more than just one female artist on a pedestal.”
PAP Chanel
Naming Nicki Minaj, an artist she has adored growing up, and Memphis, Tennessee rapper Jucee Fruit as collaborators she would like to work with in the future, PAP Chanel is committed to striving towards bringing women together in hip-hop.
Going forward, PAP Chanel has no plans halting the pressure she has been applying this year with plans of adding to the visual portion on the original Pretty And Paid EP tracklist as well as a video for a song from the Deluxe EP.
From listening to her music to speaking with her, PAP Chanel is an extremely talented artist with the mature mindset and good intentions that will lead to her substantial longevity in Hip-Hop.
I want to thank PAP Chanel and her team for taking the time to make the interview possible. Go stream Pretty And Paid EP available on all streaming platforms and be on the lookout for new music from PAP Chanel soon!
Peep PAP Chanel’s newest video to the track 2 “Way Street” ft. Blac Youngsta:
After 15+ years in the rap game with countless hits and anthems to cement his stature within the genre, Grammy-nominated Houston, Texas legend Paul Wall is in no rush to take his foot off of the gas pedal with the release of his full-length LP Subculture on Friday, Oct.2.
Given the fact that this will be his third project to be released this year alongside two strong musical performances on Mind over Matter and Slab Talk with Lil Keke, it is clear that the veteran rapper is still in elite rap shape.
Taking a step outside of the comfort of his home studio in H-Town, Paul Wall has made the conscious decision to join forces with Red Bull as the entirety of the 11-track LP was created at Red Bull Music Studios.
Connecting with a variety of producers, writers, and other collaborators resulted in a series of studio sessions like no other as the People’s Champ described the collaboration as, “The most locked in I’ve ever been at the studio.”
On Monday, September 28, I got the chance to have a conversation with Paul Wall in preparation for the album release to talk about his collaborative experience with Red Bull as well as his evolution as an artist and person over the years.
In the midst of the world’s current state, the Houston rapper has made the effort in maintaining a positive mindset, connecting with his family as well as himself. Paul Wall’s ability to do so has ultimately culminated in his highly consistent year of music.
The process of Paul Wall
With the convenience of his home studio Wall has been able to cultivate a constant recording schedule that he has utilized to his advantage to continuously hone his craft and develop his skills from newly discovered flows to rhyme schemes.
While discussing the nature of the high volume in which Paul Wall has released music this year, he attributed his work ethic to his established weekly schedule and heightened focus to upkeep the routine.
Paul Wall managed to reach a place in his recordings where he had enough recorded music for the potential to release 2-3 more projects on top of the bodies of work that have already come out this year.
Although the possibility of being able to break open the vault appeared appealing to Paul Wall for the sake of his fans, the rapper remains to be cognizant of the strategic process that comes with the release of every album.
@rayscorruptedmind
Aside from the contributions of these factors to the music, Wall expounded on the responsibility he has to himself as an artist to continue to excel in his penmanship regardless of the acclaim and attributes he has received over the years.
“In the last 5 years I’ve had one goal and that’s for me to master the art… To really do research when I’m recording songs, put the work in, focus my brain and be the best me I can possibly be when I’m creating the music.
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It hasn’t been on the release rollout, radio or social media promotion for songs, it’s been solely on me making the art and it’s a variety because I got a lot of different colors that I can choose from if I’m painting a picture you know, a lot of colors on my pallet.
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Some people don’t like when I use the natural colors and want me to use pastel colors, some people only want me to paint in black & white. So finding my footing on that of what I’m passionate about making at the moment and what other people want to hear.”
– Paul Wall
In upholding his respect for the craft of hip-hop and staying true to his roots as an underground artist, Paul Wall remains fully motivated to build upon his discography of continuing to carry out the full potential of his career from what was once a childhood dream.
The adamant hunger for progression that Paul Wall possessed for his craft was brought to the sessions of Red Bull Music Studios that would result in the immense productivity which birthed the Subculture LP.
Why recording Subculture was different
While speaking on the collaboration with Red Bull Studios in relation to his familiar method of recording music, Paul Wall described it as an entirely new and unique experience due to the fact that he was able to lock in and focus on the music being made with an amplified degree of concentration.
Where his normal routine of making music within his home studio has a higher possibility of being sidetracked by different aspects and responsibilities in his life, the situation with Red Bull allowed him to completely dedicate all of his time to making music.
On top of this, the talented group of music professionals from producers, engineers, writers, and vocalists who were collaborating with him during the process sparked even more motivation for Paul Wall to match the energy of the rest of the team to create the best music possible.
The Houston rapper further mentioned that while the original plan going into the Red Bull experience was intended for them to make three songs, the alignment of their collective frequencies during the process drove them to complete an entire project.
To him, the totality of the experience served as a testament to how far he has come as an artist when reflecting on where he was recording music as a 17-year-old until now that highlights his continuous progression which is his main priority over anything regarding the music.
“I’m really proud of the work that we’ve been putting out lately because seeing how far I’ve come personally from when I was recording music at 17, I’m continuing to progress and I’m happy about that. Sometimes it’s not always about getting better in the sense of climbing the charts, but getting better personally.
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It serves as motivation for me because I intend to have this as my career until I can’t do it anymore. If you see somebody like Tom Brady or Drew Brees who’s been professional for a long time continue to get better it’s a good feeling so I’m proud of that.”
– Paul Wall
The possible future of a collaboration with Red Bull is an idea that Paul Wall expressed he would be welcome to carry out labeling himself a certified Red Bull advocate both with the music as well as the energy drink itself.
Given this fact, Wall felt like the partnership between himself and Red Bull was an authentic connection that was long overdue. When discussing some of the music on Subculture Paul Wall went into detail about some of his favorite tracks that were made during this process and what they meant to him personally.
Diving into the music, past and present
Track #5 entitled “Real One” was the first of the favorites that he expounded on as he claimed it to be one of the more personal songs on the albums. On the record, Paul Wall goes in-depth on how important being a good role model for his children as well as his fans are to him through leading by example and being transparent.
The Houston rapper went on to speak about “Iceman” (Track #3) being the song that was the most fun to make during the process. Stemming back to 2005 on the hit single “Grillz” with Nelly, Paul Wall claimed that he had been waiting to make the song since declaring himself the Iceman in his verse on the Grammy-nominated record.
As Paul Wall’s critically acclaimed People’s Champ album recently turned 15 years old this year, he’s looked back on his career with contentment as the project has aged well within his discography over the years while continuing to maintain his hip-hop integrity considering the plethora of musical trends that have passed through the genre.
Reflecting on his process of recording People’s Champ in comparison to Subculture, he channeled the same amount of focus with the exception of the heightened leg work due to the constant travel from city to city.
As far as the music, Paul Wall claims that those who were fans of the People’s Champ will definitely enjoy the music on Subculture describing the project as well-rounded in regards to the production as well as the lyrical content.
In consideration of maintaining the Houston roots in his music and his everyday being, Paul Wall continues to carry the essence of the culture he grew up on and embraces how it has evolved musically over time.
The legacy of Houston hip-hop
At this point in his career, Paul Wall explained how important it is that the torch which upkeeps Houston’s rich culture remains lit regardless of who carries it in regards to the unique nature of the city and state at large.
For this reason, the People’s Champ went on to discuss why he holds such a strong affinity for the local artists within hip-hop that have used their talents to go global while embodying their region and the significance that these kinds of artists have in contributing to the melting pot that is hip-hop culture today.
“For me, my favorite artists have always been local. Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z are one of the most global artists there are but everything about them is as local as it gets. When you think of Long Beach you think of Snoop and when you think of Brooklyn you think of Jay-Z.
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It’s the same thing with some of m other favorite artists like Gucci Mane and T.I. who are Atlanta as it gets or some of my favorite East Coast artists like Sean Price (R.I.P) or Notorious B.I.G are as Brownsville and Bed-Stuy as it gets.
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It’s funny because when you come from a local style to a major label they’ll try to globalize you and wash off that local identity so you can crossover even though the local aspect is what makes them unique.”
– Paul Wall
Paul Wall went further into detail about having the privilege to see how the music within Houston has evolved over the years and the waves that it has gone through sonically.
Explaining how the era of music production that was prevalent in Houston before his time in hip-hop was more centered around live instrumentation, Paul Wall pointed out how producers today have used these origins as inspiration to build off of through sampling. As time went on and the production eventually became progressively computerized.
Acknowledging that the foundation of Houston’s sound has been set, he went on to discuss how the influence is clearly present in some of H-Town’s finest artists today who have summoned elements from classic sounds like Screw music while performing an updated twist on it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt6cEdvguVE/
Embracing the new generation
Pointing to the works of Mike Dean with Travis Scott and many other Houston artists like Sauce Walka and The Sauce Factory, Maxo Kream, Tobe Nwigwe, and many others, he glorified that manner in which they have individually found ways to implement elements of that OG Houston sound to their new school cadences.
The new generation of artists coming out of Houston has been an inspiration for Paul Wall to continue to step out of his comfort zone and experiment with his sound while maintaining the essence of his iconic rap cadence.
“I see the influence still being there as the Houston sound continues to evolve and I’m proud to see that we’re not limited to one single lane, we have a lot of different roads on the Houston map.
You see that with Mike Dean still when he’s producing for Travis Scott, he’s bringing the same production style from when he was working with Scarface and the Geto Boys in that era but he’s evolved with it.
It’s like space-age ancestry where Mike Dean is a prime example of combining the old era with the new generation while keeping it up to date.
There’s also others like Sauce Walka and The Sauce Factory with their whole movement is a new era where the sound is very different but you can hear a lot of the Houston culture all throughout their music.
I’m like the unofficial member of the Houston rapper fan club so to see so many different styles I’m a fan of all of it. Tobe Nwigwe, Sauce Walka, Lizzo, she’s so global with it but when I hear her I can hear the Houston influence in her tone as well.
Megan Thee Stallion she’s so different from each of the people that I named but she’s so Houston. Travis Scott, Maxo Kream, Don Tolliver, Normani, she’s singing in a different type of way but I can tell that she’s from Houston.
I’m inspired to see this because it makes me want to be a part of that, I want to do a song with Maxo Kream, Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Sauce Walka, Tobe Nwigwe in their styles where it’s still me but I’m venturing into their worlds.”
At this point in his career, it is clear that Paul Wall is still inspired and energized to continue to prove himself as an artist while making music that he is proud of.
As the release of Subculture LP is upon us, it will be exciting to see how the People’s Champ uses the momentum from the creation of this cohesive process for future albums and possible collaborations.
Considering his excitement for the new era of artists within Houston, it will be encouraging to see the bridging of that gap between generations culminate in numerous collaborations.
In the era of hip-hop that we are currently in, the communication and acknowledgment between the old and new generations are as important as it has ever been.
@jbajsel
With legendary artists like Paul Wall making the effort to remain tapped in with the current music scene, I believe that the next coming years of music and the decade will be rewarded by a special brand of music.
I want to take this time to give a huge shoutout to Paul Wall and his team for their efforts that were made to set up our conversation and for Paul Wall’s openness throughout.
There’s a reason why he’s been dubbed the People’s Champ. Make sure to go and stream Subculture LP available on all streaming platforms.
Here is a link to the episode of Paul Wall’s Red Bull Studio Sessions released today in conjunction with the album: https://youtu.be/nlrJEG7KAPA
In a time where the collective societal consciousness is being met with immense hate, South Central, California artist Duckwrth has sought out to combat this by painting a story of love with his album SuperGood.
Released on August 21st as his official full-length debut with Republic Records, Duckwrth put together nothing short of an experience with this album.
Duckwrth’s Supergood
His 2019 project, The Falling Man, conceptualized the downfall of a man refusing to accept love into his life. Following this, Duckwrth’s SuperGood serves as the antithesis of that. It details the story of a man who falls in love with a woman. And the process in which he casts aside his ego allowing himself to do so.
The collaborations proved to be a strong point on the album with features from Jean Deaux, Kian, Julia Romana, Earthgang, Kyle Dion, Alex Mali, Radio Ahlee and Bayli.
Although the feature list is rather extensive, I felt that the chemistry between Duckwrth and his collaborators was prevalent as the features were incredibly cohesive and did not overshadow the totality of the project.
The tracks
The opening track “New Love Song” sets the tone for the rest of the album. It consists of funk-influenced production throughout the project with feel-good tracks to make you dance.
Within this love story, Duckwrth goes in-depth on the stresses that correlate in the process of attaining and maintaining financial independence on the track “Money Dance” featuring Jean Deaux.
Duckworth also divulges on being entirely authentic regarding the manner in which he carries himself in his music. As well as his everyday being on his track “Did U Notice?” featuring Julia Romana.
Furthermore, Duckwrth highlights his perseverance through the uncertainty that arose along the way of his journey to becoming the artist that he is today. As well as finding joy in the simple things of life from taking care of his plants, arriving to events on time. And encouraging his friends on the concluding track “Find A Way.”
Personally, this was one of my favorite songs on the project for its triumphant tone. Also, Duckwrth’s transparency in regards to the aspects of his life that truly feed his spirit.
Songs such as “Quick,” “Too Bad,” “Super Bounce,” “World On Wheels,” “Super Good” and “Say What U Mean” were also standout records. They thoroughly displayed the diversity of Duckwrth as an artist with the stellar production to assist his unique vocal range.
Overall, SuperGood is a really fun album that I highly recommend listening to if you haven’t. It is clear that Duckwrth was in a healthy state in the process of making the album as his good vibes were exuberant throughout the album from top to bottom.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFIpHOynXrH/
°1824 press conference
On Monday, September 21, I had the chance to attend Universal Music Group’s press conference for Duckwrth’s SuperGood album.
Hosted by °1824, Duckwrth expounded on the process of making SuperGood. He explained his musical influences that have contributed to his eclectic sound. And gave some insight into his personal upbringing and the factors that make him who he is as a person.
In particular, he spoke about the ways Gospel music has played an influential role in the funk sound that is present in his musical cadence. Duckwrth also spoke about how he takes pride in his image as a healthy artist within hip-hop. And how he hopes to debunk the necessity of fulfilling a rockstar lifestyle as a rapper.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFlH2XgHWxL/
At the press conference, I was fortunate enough to ask Duckwrth a couple of questions. Specifically, regarding the authenticity in his music and what his music has revealed about himself. This was an incredibly engaging way to hear more about Duckwrth’s Supergood.
KultureHub Interview
Here’s what he had to say…
KH: Can you talk a bit about your track “Did U Notice?” In particular, you had a line, “No gold on my teeth, my chain is all plastic, you know I want to flex on ten, but I suck at gymnastics.”
How important to you is maintaining your authenticity both in your music and appearance?
Duckwrth: I think it’s moreso a personal thing, everybody has to abide by this but for me, I’m a creative overall. So I feel like anything that I touch creatively I feel like I can excel in. Not to say boastfully, but I truly feel that art and creativity is in my DNA.
If I’m gonna be doing music, I kind of want to show a healthy artist. You see so many times that the most genius artists are f*cking insane, egotistical, drug abusers, or physically abusive to their spouse. It’s a whole rockstar lifestyle and eventually, that ends up being their demise.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE3qt4UH3ET/
I really don’t f*ck with that image. And I feel like there’s a way to portray a healthy artist and that’s through just being true to yourself.
I feel like that’s how you make the best music and that’s the music that lasts for a long time, it’s the music that becomes people’s favorite albums and a lot of music today is like fast food just like fashion, but I feel like the artists that stay true to themselves that speak with conviction are the ones that resonate.
If I’m gonna be a rapper I want to be as authentic as I possibly can. I remember this story from when I was little in church, this lady put her hand on my shoulder and said “you’re anointed, there’s a calling on your life” and that always stuck with me.
I’m not particularly Christian but I do know that there is something that I’m supposed to do with my life and that is to be helping people. Once again going back to being a rapper, being as authentic as possible, I think that will help people and culture just to see an authentic character.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFVexTon8yT/
Personal growth in Supergood
KH: What’s something new you learned about yourself both as an artist and person during the process of making this?
Duckwrth: I learned that I’m only as strong as the people around me. This album was very much a collective creation so it’s like a lot of times I wouldn’t be able to arrange a certain phrasing and then I’ll have my homie Julia Romana in the studio with me. And she’ll come up with a better arrangement, give it to me and then I’ll put some swang on it.
Even when it comes to production, I don’t produce but if I hear something then I’ll tell them to play that progression and they can translate what I’m talking about.
The writers, producers and even the engineers, who usually don’t say anything because they want to keep their job, will tell me if something sucks. Like I said, it was very much of a collective creation and I’m only as strong as those around me.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE5EbHYHQsO/
The final verdict
Aside from the album, I think that artists like Duckwrth are extremely important to not only hip-hop but to music in general. They highlight the multifaceted nature that lies within hip-hop as a genre.
To not shed light on the different kinds of hip-hop artists would be a misrepresentation of the very quality that makes the genre so special.
I want to give a shoutout to °1824 for the opportunity to get some more insight on one of the better musical projects to come out this year. And to Duckwrth for his transparency during the press conference as well as his music.
What did you think of Duckwrth’s SuperGood? Where does it fall in his discography for you? Check it out for yourself below.
2021 is looking like the year of the Puma takeover.
If you have been paying attention to the landscape within fashion regarding lifestyle, sports and footwear, you would have recognized the substantial resurgence that Puma has made recently.
Puma takeover
Over the past few years, Puma has reclaimed its spot in the conversation among the top brands today. Harkening back to the impact that Puma made in the year 2018, it was clear that the brand set out to infiltrate the market from multiple angles to generate the attention of the public. And with this short- and long-term strategy, the brand was primed for a Puma takeover.
This excitement came on the heels of Puma’s acquisition of hip-hop legend Nipsey Hussle. Nipsey brought his highly revered TMC brand to Puma’s lifestyle department.
Puma Basketball
Then there was the recruitment of Jay-Z as head of the relaunch of Puma’s Basketball division.
Since then, Puma Basketball has begun assembling its empire. The brand has signed DeAndre Ayton, Skylar Diggins, projected NBA draft lottery pick LaMelo Ball and even J. Cole.
Puma has a deeply-rooted history within New York and hip-hop at large. With sneaker models like the Puma Clyde, Suede, GV Special and Roma, these signings remain true to the brands legacy.
Looking deeper into the work Puma has done, it is apparent that while the brand is striving to propel the innovation of its footwear in creating new models like the Puma Clyde Hardwood, it has also put an emphasis on championing its classic models.
Puma resurgence
It is this sentiment that can be attributed to the success that Puma has achieved in marketing its revitalization. A revitalization that, with one of the biggest stars in the world, is primed to begin the biggest stage of the Puma takeover.
Recently, Puma has cemented a new massive deal with Paris Saint-Germain superstar forward Neymar Jr. This comes after his 15-year partnership with Nike. The announcement was made on the Puma website, simply stating “THE KING IS BACK,” welcoming Neymar into the family.
While this signing may come as a surprise to some, Neymar made his motivations clear behind joining team Puma. Especially following his statement to sport the Puma KING boot, one of soccer’s most historically significant cleats of all time.
In wearing this classic boot on the field rather than using Puma’s newer models or perhaps beginning his own signature line of cleats, Neymar’s intentions reside in carrying the torch.
And placing himself in the circle of legendary soccer athletes that have made history in the KING such as Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona. In Neymar’s individual announcement on Twitter, he had this to say about the signing and what wearing the Puma King means to him:
“I grew up watching videos of great football legends such as Pele, Cruyff, Matthaus, Eusebio and Maradona … These were the kings of the pitch, the kings of my sport. And they had something in common — a love of the game, a drive to be the best version of themselves and a spirit that unites all.”
Neymar concluded, “It’s not always about being the best or the greatest, but instead, to inspire future generations. That is exactly what I have dreamt of for myself, to give all of me to football because football has given me everything I have. I want to do it my way, using my gift.”
In signing a player of Neymar’s caliber as the poster child in rejuvenating such a substantial piece of soccer history in the KING, Puma has made the perfect chess move in its journey to regaining supremacy within sportswear altogether.
Strategic collaborations
On top of the headway that Puma has been making throughout the year, one of its most notable aspects is the assertive effort that the brand has put towards collaborating with designer brands.
There have been numerous collaborations released by Puma this year including highly favored brands like Rhude, Von Dutch, The Hundreds (very under rated in my opinion), and most recently KidSuper.
In light of these partnerships, it is possible that Puma has become a hot spot for collaboration, presenting itself as a company that is enjoyable to work with.
Furthermore, the diversity in the product being released is telling of the fact that Puma is welcoming when it comes to giving designers the creative freedom in the midst of collaboration. Prime examples of a high-functioning company… ready for a Puma takeover.
A conversation with KidSuper
We reached out to the founder of KidSuper, Colm Dillane. He expressed his satisfaction and gratitude towards Puma for the leeway that the brand gave his creative team throughout the process of the collaboration. He had this to say:
KH: Being a New York designer and working with a brand like Puma that has a rich history in the city of NY… what did this collaboration mean to you?
KidSuper: This collaboration meant the world to me. Because it was my first time working with a brand that was going to do a global collaboration outside of NY. It’s in the Taiwan Puma store as well as Indonesia, Russia, Canada, all of Europe… it’s everywhere!
For me, what was important was to do this global collab but make it feel true to NY, and that’s why the models are all my soccer team, each item features my artwork adding the KidSuper element to it, and the release has a cartoon with it.
The whole point was to try and make it feel authentic while using Puma’s ability to make it huge. The cartoon features Usain Bolt, Hector Bellerine, Westside Gunn, Action Bronson and there’s a soccer cleat coming too… New York and Puma come together.
Original content
KidSuper: People are always saying “collaborating with corporate people is so difficult” but I think that within each of these companies there are great people that are trying to do great things, so you just have to be convincing enough to let them do your idea.
Luckily for us, we got to work with some awesome people at Puma that really believed in the vision and the idea so we were capable of doing anything we wanted. If you look at the shoes, all of the uppers are custom and the only thing that isn’t is the soles.
All of the promo was our ideas as well. The amount of life goals I have checked off because of this Puma collab is amazing. From a full global campaign to a cleat to a billboard, cartoon and a soccer field so shoutout to Puma… And now they have Neymar? WOOO!
Judging by the traction that Puma has made in the past couple of years leading into 2020, we are headed for the Puma takeover.
The brand is positioning itself to be a dominant force in the eyes of the public throughout the decade.
Today it seems as though the brand is on the right path to achieving everything it has set out to. Puma has consistently been in media headlines for the progressive movements it has been making over time.
What do you make of Puma’s resurgence in recent years? Do you see any longevity in the collaborative relationships they have established thus far?
Recently Jordan Brand has announced its upcoming sneaker release with Houston Rockets superstar Russell Westbrook as a collaboration with Converse entitled the “Why Not?” x Converse Pack.
The multi-sneaker release is set to feature an Air Jordan 16 with a Chuck 70, two of which Westbrook has expressed as being his favorite sneakers models. It should also be noted that the Chuck 70 has been one of Westbrook’s go-to sneakers in his infamous tunnel outfits throughout the NBA season pre and post-bubble.
The details on the shoes draw from many of Westbrook’s inspirations as it features embroidered chains on the upper of both sneakers.
The design’s multi-faceted inspiration is influenced by Westbrook’s gritty play on the court, his love for leather jackets as well as chain nets that have historically been found on basketball courts within inner-city neighborhoods across America.
Jordan Brand x Converse
The sentiment that lies within the details of the sneakers’ design remains on-brand with Westbrook’s clothing line Honor The Gift, which was established in 2016. Serving as a representation of the hard work, resilience, and ambition of inner-city kids who strive for greatness to achieve their dreams regardless of the hardships they are faced with.
A unique aspect of the release is the inclusion of a Converse sneaker considering the fact that Westbrook is signed as a Jordan Brand athlete.
Jordan Brand x Converse
Of course, this is justified as the Jordan brand is under Nike’s umbrella, but this leaves a lot to question about the future of sneaker collaborations with JB athletes on sneaker models that aren’t strictly performance-based.
Russell Westbrook’s Jordan Why Not? X Converse pack is set to release on SNKRS and select sneaker retailers on October 2nd. What do you make of this release?
Jordan Brand x Converse
Do you think this pack will mark a new chapter for basketball athletes regarding lifestyle sneaker collaborations?
