The first of a series of short posts in which I present to you particularly inspiring characters. The first is Jeff Staple, the founder and head of Staple Design. Starting his career at the infamous Rawkus Records working on some of the best Hip Hop projects ever to be released, with some of the most influential characters in the game, he got off to a flying start. since his Rawkus days, he’s gone on to create an agency, brand and the retail and exhibition space Reed, all of the highest distinction earning him esteemed praise. Having worked and collaborated with Nike alongside a host of other projects, Jeff has become a legendary figurehead of streetwear culture and an admirable man. The words he bestows in these interview pieces with Brand RMX are truly inspiring.
San Francisco streetwear brand Upper Playground interviewed legendary San Francisco street cat, Filmore Slim. I need not explain too much about Filmore Slim, as the interview is incredible. Darondo in the previous post is a well known Bay-area friend of Slim’s and that is probably the reason behind the pimp rumors Darondo refutes.
Once again Pharrell crops up, he’s an interesting guy, and I stated when I posted about him and Kaws that he grates on me. No denying his intellect and cultural worth though.
I don’t want to say too much about this interview, I think you should all just watch it and enjoy. 9th Wonder is incredibly captivating, his depth of knowledge, his eloquence, and his overall persona just makes me want to listen to the insightful knowledge he bestows on all things Hip Hop. As he breaks down to Maurice in the interview, he’s currently lecturing a University class on Sampling in Hip Hop, I studied a little bit of Musicology as a wild course in the States and thoroughly enjoyed it. My limited technical musical knowledge hindered me somewhat, but I wrote on Hip Hop music, culture, vernacular and the like and found it thoroughly enjoyable. What I would give to hear and take part in a 9th Wonder class!
This is dope! Discussing early first studio sessions with Nas and shows with Biggie, talking about Biggie, naked in a hotel room, eating KFC! Pinched this from Fatlace.
This is a really great interview with Southern rap legend Yo Gotti†, the Ballers Eve guys hooked up with Gotti while he was handling some label business in New York. Ballers Eve have a radio show on East Village Radio, easily one of the biggest radio stations in the World in terms of quality music and eclectic coverage. Yo Gotti has been around for quite some time, coming out of Memphis, he’s been hustling the music game for a while, but has been grinding in the streets for a whole lot longer. His stories of large scale drug deals mixed with Southern ostentation and street lingo over some of the hardest beats you’re gonna hear, it’s set for a great journey into the world of a Country hustler. Gotti is garnering major support at the moment and a lot of interest has been coming his way, especially post Clipse feature and with being on that Kay Slay joint, a broader Northern listener is now starting to appreciate Gotti. I wish more people in the UK would take the time to watch out for guys like Gotti and the whole Southern movement. But as our playlists tend to be dictated to by whatever is big on the likes of Hot 97 et al., it takes all that bit longer for London to latch on.
Check out some classic Yo Gotti footage after the jump.
Michael of A Continuous Lean. catches up with James Wilson of Secret Forts. Two of my truly favorite blogs which although give a fantastic insight into Americana and fashion on the other side of the pond have made me learn two important things; one about myself and one about objects, be them functional products or fashion. Firstly, they’ve made me realize that History, and more importantly the documentation of things, what we use and how we use them is incredibly important, I wish that I had kept care of some items and also wish I owned more of my Grandfathers possessions. And secondly they’ve taught me to not settle for second best, that fleeting acquisition, of which I’m famed for, my wardrobe and draws are testament to that, isn’t the best way. Classic items, timeless classics, things to last a life time.
The album’s been leaked. It’s in the shops to buy as of tomorrow. Only Built 4 Cuban Link: Part II is a hip Hop masterpiece. A record hotly anticipated, delivering on all levels. When Jay-Z proclaimed the death of Auto-Tune perhaps this is what he had in mind. For the diehard Wu fan’s and Hip Hop fanatics the World over, Rae is back, carrying Hip Hop to a plateau of the highest level, Raekwon has restored the faith of the disenfranchised and reaffirmed what the stalwarts have been championing.
With the second Reset event set to happen tomorrow at Nike’s 1948 store in London’s Shoreditch, The Shape of Things to Come catches up with AC of rising brand ALLCAPS. Alex’s approach to clothing and art is particularly interesting, in Easter he showcased his line inspired by Charles Dickens’ Hard Times novel, and at 20 years old, he is one of the bright young talents driving London’s burgeoning street inspired creative scene. AC is one of the key individuals pioneering British Street Culture and the inclusion of his brand at Reset is testament to the success of the brand over the last couple of years.
Included in the interview is an exclusive look at the mood boards AC has created, offering an entry point into the creative process of ALLCAPS, an insight which is rarely exposed to the public with clothing brands.
Ansel Adams noted that “photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art.” One such photographer driving this notion is Zach Wolfe. Quietly going about his business and producing some of the best Hip Hop documentation since Joe Conzo, Wolfe’s work is timeless, something to be treasured and truly admired.
In June I contacted Zach, and over the course of several emails throughout July he kindly answered my questions below.
No Comments