Nav and Trav Are Champions

As soon as I finished writing my previous post (see below), I gave Travis Scott's latest album Astroworld a proper spin, and I must say, it's truly one of the best projects released so far in 2018.  Kylie Jenner's baby daddy's winning streak continues as he is featured on the new scorching single from NAV.

Rightfully titled "Champion," the celebratory chune is from the XO rapper/producer's debut album Reckless. Its visual, directed by fellow XO member Amir "Cash" Esmailian, finds the two multitalented acts living splendidly in Hawaii with their all star crew.

Check out the clip below:

Stop Trying To Be God

Travis Scott wasted no time to unleash the cinematic clip for his Astroworld cut "Stop Trying To Be God."  Truth be told, I haven't heard the Houston emcee's latest offering yet, but from the sound of the aforementioned song, it seems promising.

As soon as my ears picked up on Cudi's heavenly hums, I knew this particular track would be awesome.  Also featuring James Blake, Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey and the legendary Stevie Wonder on harmonica, the mellow tune is all about Scott's budding god complex. 

Directed by Dave Meyers, the song's accompanying visual showcases a plethora of biblical imagery.  Check out the madness below:

It Is What It Is

The homie Diggy has just unleashed his first official single in a whopping six years!  A few articles ago, I mentioned that the multitalented 23-year-old rapper was gearing up to deliver some brand new sounds and he absolutely stayed true to his words.

Titled "It Is What It Is," (I bet you said that in your Drake voice), the uplifting track is minimalistic perfection featuring only a choir and violins.  When a lyricist is spitting fiery bars with a positive message an elaborate beat is optional.

Check out the tune's captivating visual below:

Got Friends

"All of my b*tches got friends!"  Fellas, you already know our hearts rejoice whenever we hear those words come out of a beautiful woman's mouth!  Well, Goldlink and R&B megastar Miguel made a song out of that statement to commemorate all of the baddies of the world and their fine ass cliques.

Aptly titled "Got Friends," the feel-good single is the very first track from the DMV spitter since he released his debut album At What Cost in 2017.  No one knows if this song is spearheading a new project campaign for Goldlink but it sure bangs.  The collaborative tune dropped right before the summer started, yet is still potent as we're slowly moving into the cool weather.  Just goes to show that good music is timeless.

Check out the scorcher below:

Get In Line (BAPE Edition)

Last Saturday, eager fans, parents and resellers alike stood up for hours on SoHo's Green street to get their beastly hands on the new items from BAPE's latest collaboration with adidas originals.  The homie Racks Hogan was in attendance with Complex to document the madness that ensued.

Pardon my bluntness, but I'm surprised BAPE still has crazy lines!  I'm not going to lie, though, the pieces from this particular release are fire.  Thank goodness I don't have to deal with the commotion anymore--don't get me wrong, I loved chopping it up with all of you, it's just that after eight hours of constant chatter, a brother gets tiyad! (had to break out the patois to fully express my emotion.)

In any case, I'm still in these lavish, cobblestone streets!  My new FRNDY LMRN stickers are posted throughout the beloved area so if you see one tag me on the gram.

For now, check out the humorous clip below:

Potato Salad

A huge smile creeped across my face when I heard the beat used in A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator's new freestyle, oddly titled "Potato Salad." 

Most of you reading this article might be too young to remember, but the riveting instrumental is also found on legendary R&B singer Monica's 2003 hit "Knock Knock."  Reworked by Missy Elliot and Kanye West, the beat dates all the way back to 1976 as it initially appeared on The Masqueraders' single, "It's A Terrible Thing To Waste Your Love."

It's always great when rappers flex their knowledge of music beyond Hip Hop (specifically classic R&B jams).  Furthermore, the juxtaposition of braggadocious lyrics over a soothing sample is the perfect recipe for an eargasmic tune! 

Serving as a teaser for their rumored collaborative WANG$AP album, the visual for the Rap duo's surprise chune appears in a new AWGE 3 DVD.  While we patiently wait for that project to surface, check out the flossy clip below:

Marcato

Damn!  It's been a while hasn't it?  I'm really glad to be back writing for FRNDY LMRN.  I wanted to hold off on releasing this article because I knew all of the big things that were ahead for the person I'm going to write about.  I wanted to incorporate everything for you guys in this article, so here we finally are.  Please allow me to introduce my longtime friend and latest interviewee, Marcato.

Meet Prince Nasir Dean, better known by his stage name, Marcato.  Nas is a budding music producer based out of Miami, Florida.  We have known each other since we were about six years old through our mothers.  We spent our adolescent years running the streets of Atlanta.  When Nas moved to New York in 2011, it was a huge change for the both of us.  A few years later, he relocated back to Miami and has been living bi-coastal ever since.  

Growing up, Nas was always involved in the music industry.  His father is the super successful music producer Swizz Beatz, so of course his musical influence is apparent.  Over the past few years, Nasir developed his musical passion and is currently on the journey of becoming a staple in the music business.  What I admire most about Nas is his relentless grind and passion to make it on his own.

Nas has gained tons of success in the last few months.  He received several hit placements with various recording artists throughout the nation!  Furthermore, Nas produced his first hit on IDK's latest single, "Star."  At the end of June, Nasir came to Atlanta to develop his music with several heavy hitters in the industry such as Lil Yachty, Trippie Redd, Rick Ross, Kodie Shane, Gwen Bunn, Black Metaphor and more.  Recently, Nas joined the A&R team at Epic Records!  I can truly say that as both a friend and his publicist, he is only going to the top from here.

While Nas visited Atlanta in June, we sat down to discuss life and his future.  Check out our conversation below:

JULIEN:  What's the origin of your stage name Marcato? 

NASIR:  The origin of my stage name stems from my self-development and self-discovery.  Marcato is a musical instruction indicating a note, chord or passage to be played louder than the surrounding music.  That's what I feel my music represents.

JULIEN:  What genre of music do you consider your work to fall in?

NASIR:  My sound fits in the Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, and Pop genres the best.

JULIEN:  Who influences you the most musically?

NASIR:  Michael Jackson, Jimmy Hendrix, André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, J. Cole and Pierre Dutour influence and inspire me the most.

JULIEN:  When did your interest for music initially come about?

NASIR:  I first realized that I was interested in potentially pursuing a career in music when my dad gifted me my first beat machine for my 10th birthday. I didn't know what to do with it at first though.

JULIEN:  Have you ever felt any type of pressure to do music due to your father and step-mother's great amount of success?

NASIR:  No, never.  Truthfully, I feel as if I was born to do this regardless.

JULIEN:  Could you briefly describe your music-making process?

NASIR:  My first step in the process of composing music is constructing the melody, percussions then finally the 808's.  Other than that, a good amount of the process is mental preparation—thinking positively.

JULIEN:  What environment do you produce music the best in?

NASIR:  Everyone's different, but for me, I prefer to produce music in the nighttime and ironically at school.

JULIEN:  How has your sound evolved since you first began producing?

NASIR:  Over time I have unlocked many new abilities by introducing myself to new techniques through focus.  It usually comes naturally when I'm working on my craft alone in the solitude of my quiet time.

JULIEN:  What is your biggest challenge musically?

NASIR:  Currently, music theory is my biggest challenge.  It can be overwhelming to completely grasp.

JULIEN:  Do you ever get stuck?

NASIR:  All the time!  I can't imagine there being any artist who doesn't get stuck.

JULIEN:  How do you get your creative juices flowing when that occurs?

NASIR:  If I get stuck during the daytime hours, I shelf the idea for the night.  I work best at night and try to have a positive day with great vibes and energy.  Usually the outcome at night reflects the energy I put out during that day.

JULIEN:  Which artists would you like to collaborate with? and why?

NASIR:  I would like to work with J. Cole and Travis Scott because their records inspire me.  I listen to them repeatedly to decipher and understand what it is that I like about their particular song.  Music should make you think!  It's going to happen when the time is right.

JULIEN:  What are your favorite songs out right now?

NASIR:  Right now, my two favorite songs are "Kevin's Heart" by J. Cole and "Mo Bamba" by Sheck Wes.

JULIEN:  What is your favorite album of all time? 

NASIR:  It would definitely have to be Metallica's Master of Puppets album.  I listened to it at a very young age—It truly helped develop the love of music I have now.

co-JULIEN:  What is the ultimate direction that you wish to go in musically?

NASIR:  I want to become a music aficionado and leader of the next generation's musical youth prospects.

JULIEN:  Can fans expect an EP from you anytime soon?

NASIR:  Yes!  One is currently in the making, but in the meantime, check out IDK's latest song "Star," co-produced by myself.

JULIEN:  What goals do you want to accomplish within this upcoming year?

NASIR:  I would like to develop my own record label.  I am going to be under Sylvia Rhone at Epic Records, which is huge for me!  I have an amazing lineup of creatives that I'm working closely with.  I am eager to explore and develop the projects.

JULIEN:  In five years, where do you see yourself?

NASIR:  In five years, I see myself in Corsica, France with Scarlett Johansson leading my companies to its highest pinnacle and beyond.

JULIEN:  When it comes to success, how do you define it?

NASIR:  To me, success embodies the inspiration for all generations.  My musical expressions create freedom of the soul from my artistic expression.  That is success.

JULIEN:  What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?

NASIR:  The best advice I ever received was from my mother Nichole.  She always reminds me to keep an open mind.

Written by Sir Julien George

Photographed by We Own The City

For any inquiries regarding Nasir Dean, feel free to visit Notemarcato.com or email 13th@notemarcato.com.

Mr. Postman

At first glance, one would automatically assume that Farren Allen is a self-centered and obnoxious pretty boy, but in reality he's actually one of the most down to earth individuals you could ever encounter.

I met the humble 26-year-old family man in 2013 through our great mutual friends, Jovan and Julio.  Prior to meeting Farren, I saw various photos of him subtly flexing on Instagram so I was aware of his stylish ways.  It's his personality I was unsure about.  Fortunately, after just one brief conversation with him on the second floor of BAPE, I instantly knew we would become good homies.

A month ago, while I was shooting the promotional video for my "Le Petit Prince" T-shirt in SoHo (peep it on my gram), I bumped into the fashion-forward father with his equally swagged out wife and daughter on Crosby street.  So much has changed in both of our lives since we last saw each other three years ago.  We spoke for a few minutes, but there was so much more to discuss.  Consequently, I asked him if he would like to continue our convo on my #FrendyOriginals platform and here we are!

Check out the transcript of our dialogue below:

FRENDY:  How was your workday, G?

FARREN:  My day was good!  I'm just always thankful for it.  After a holiday, work is usually hectic, but I kind of just rolled with it.

FRENDY:  I feel you.  Being grateful is always key—that's how all the blessings come around.  We really need to practice gratitude daily.  How's the fam?

FARREN:  Yessir—I'm very big on being thankful.  It's important to take a second to see how far we've come.  You eventually learn to be thankful for work, the day and the people involved in it. Yes, the family is good.

FRENDY:  Man, that's great to hear.  It's crazy how long we've known each other.  I knew you since you had them dreads flourishing in these streets!

FARREN:  Yeah man, it's been about 5-6 years!  That's a long time.  And you were around as I found myself as a man. Before the little buzz (no bragging).  So definitely humble beginnings.  You always had kind words and you were still the man then: "Frendy From BAPE."

FRENDY:  *Laughs* Appreciate you.  So fill me in, around the time we first met, were you in school or just working?

FARREN:   Yes, I was working at Pink (Victoria's Secret) doing their visuals.  During that time I was also attending BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College).

FRENDY:  Grinding!  Were you studying anything in particular at BMCC?

FARREN:  Well, I was leaning towards being a teacher at the time.  *Laughs*  Believe it, man!  But I was unsure.  So I was just kind of going with the flow—I wasn't sure about school.

FRENDY:  I totally understand.  Your gut feeling can never steer you wrong.  What made you so unsure about becoming a teacher?

FARREN:  *Laughs*  Man, just going to school and remembering the experience.  I was asking myself: "do I really want to put up with that?"  The answer later turned out to be "hell nah."

FRENDY:  *Laughs*  You ain't never lied!  My mom is actually a teacher so I give her all the credit in the world for putting up with that.  Did you complete your two years at BMCC?

FARREN:  *Laughs*  Shout out to moms.  And yeah, I did get my associates degree!  Honestly, I felt like I wasted my time because right after high school I went away to a school called UTI, but my dad ran into some trouble and I had to leave.  So all those loans I eventually got stuck with.

FRENDY:  Oh wow, where is UTI located?

FARREN:  Exton, Pennsylvania.

FRENDY:  Damn, I ain't never heard of that place in my entire life *Laughs*.  How long did you stay in that school?

FARREN:  It's an Amish town—It was bad there, man.  I stayed there for one year.

FRENDY:  You may not have seen it then, but I'm sure you learned a lot from just being there.  What did you end up doing after graduating BMCC?  Were you still working at Victoria's Secret?

FARREN:  Well, I thought things would have changed, but it [my degree] was just a piece of paper.  Not that I'm against school, I just thought it would have changed things.  Life just kept going like nothing.

FRENDY:  Did you stop working at VS?

FARREN:  No, I stayed there.  But of course in New York, well in any hood matter of fact, you want to make real money so I dipped in and out of the street life.  Nothing hardcore—I'm not a dude of that nature—but I carried little B.S drugs around.  Little drop offs.

FRENDY:   When did you stop doing these little drop offs?

FARREN:  Well, that went on for about 6-7 years.  I stopped right after my friend Richard got killed.  Different reason for his death, but I woke up and wanted to differ.

FRENDY:  My condolences.  The death of a loved one is the most potent wake up call.  Damn, I really had no clue you even remotely dealt with the street life.

FARREN:  Thank you, indeed it is.  And it was nothing major, it was just fast money.  Pick up, drop off.  Don't dare think I was in these streets like that  *Laughs*.  It was a sad time then.  As a younger dude, I was saying I need these designer [clothes] and whatever else I thought I needed—I wasn't trying to ask my pops.

FRENDY:  What did you do to get extra cash after that?

FARREN:  Well, I stopped once I started making money at the post office, which is around the same time my boy died.  It ended up working out in time for me!

FRENDY:  That's amazing.  Was it a long process to get the post office job?

FARREN:  Well, before that time I been quit VS and was working at AG Jeans on Greene street in Soho.  It was just some part time gig, not good enough money.  God was on my side because it usually takes a very long time to get hired by the post office—It only took me three weeks.  The following week my girl told me she was pregnant.

FRENDY:  Divine timing!  It takes a whole lot of heart to make money the legit route, rather than doing nonsense for easy bread.  Why did you choose the post office?  Was it a random pick?

FARREN:  Yes, man.  Perfect timing!  And it wasn't a random pick.  I have a dear friend of mine named Idenial who told me about it and convinced me to work there.

FRENDY:  What's a regular day like for you working for the US Postal Service?

FARREN:  I drive the trucks.  My route is on the west side of 42nd street.  It's pretty quiet and calm back there.  I deliver to Kristaps Porzingis and also Lance Thomas of the New York Knicks.  That's the pretty cool part.  There's lots of other perks, but overall it's calm.  It's just the source of income.

As a matter of fact!  Frendy my man, I'm going to hit you with a bomb.  Around the time I met you, I was actually homeless so your kind words of always telling me I'm dope and you feel like I'm going to do something great helped me tremendously.  You gave me words of encouragement and you never knew.

FRENDY:  That's crazy!  I'm glad I was able to have those deep convos with you. I always make sure to spread the good word, especially to the cats I know who are destined to do great things.  As a matter of fact, we all have greatness in us.  It's just that I can tell who is actually going to pursue what they really love to do in life and be dope at it.  It can be in the arts or whatever, you know—it's my gift I guess.

FARREN:  Yeah, man.  You're a good dude.  Always had the good words to help me get through things.

FRENDY:  I'm glad you told me that—It's all about authenticity.  Also, you never know who you're going to inspire with your truth.  Just like the kind words I said that helped you so much, you never know how your story will impact the readers.  If you don't mind me asking, what caused you and your pops to be homeless?

FARREN:  We lived in a basement and it didn't have a back door.  It's illegal to live in a place like that so the fire department came and told us we had to leave with the clothes on our backs.  At the time, my dad used his checks to pay rent, all the money went down the drain.

FRENDY:  Wow, was your mother around as well?

FARREN:  Well, I came to America from Guyana when I was 11 to live with my dad.  My mom is back in Guyana.

FRENDY:  Damn, that's another piece of information I didn't know!  I came to New York when I was seven.  Do you still keep in touch with mom dukes?

FARREN:  Yessir!  We are very close.

FRENDY:  That's great to hear!  When you got kicked out the basement did you have any thoughts of going back to Guyana with your dad?  Or that wasn't even the case at all?

FARREN:  No.  Not even a thought!  You know coming from a third world country—being homeless here is still living better than you would at your home country to a certain degree.  Over here in the states, there are more opportunities, 

FRENDY:  Yes, most def.  There was an article that covered you and your father's ordeal.  The Red Cross came to the rescue, am I right?

FARREN:  Yeah, they placed us in a hotel for about four days.  Then things got real!  The whole time in the hotel I'm saying this isn't so bad.  After the fourth day, we went to pick a shelter to live in.  Thank God the one we got into was on top of a YMCA.  It was like private rooms, just a bed and a closet.  I brought over my TV.  The room was about 28-35 feet.  There was a big bathroom downstairs with a shower and toilet.  Since I was so well-mannered, the YMCA gave me free access to everything.  There was a pool, a basketball court and a computer room.  It turned out kind of cool.  At times I forgot where I was.

To be honest, I buried this information for years because I was embarrassed.  I eventually learned to embrace it all.

FRENDY:  Were you working at PINK throughout the time living in the shelter?

FARREN:  Yeah, I was.  I had to work because money had to come in some kind of way.  Plus, I also felt embarrassed.  I felt like I had to maintain an image but working at Pink wasn't going to cut it.  That's where other things came into the picture.

FRENDY:  Totally understandable.  I'm glad everything is working out for you right now.  Sheesh, you have an entire family of your own!  When did you know your wife was the one?

FARREN:  Yes, I do.  But man!  a mutual friend introduced us.  She knew of me before I knew her because, of like, social media and dating other females.  When I met Destinie, everything was there.  I was just so curious about her and was simply impressed overall with her.

Being without a mother for so long, I lacked in showing emotions and she showed me (still is) how to love.  She's able to provide me with something that I've been missing for so long.  As weird as it may sound, she "babies" me *Laughs*.  She makes me feel like a man, but also like a kid being loved, if that makes sense.  I was raised by my dad so it was very emotionless.  Des filled that role I was missing for a while and that's how I knew she was the one.  It wasn't all sunshine, but we made it work!

FRENDY:  Beautiful.  How long were you guys dating before you popped the big question?

FARREN:  It was a year into our relationship.  Everything was going good—I wanted to show her that I was serious.  She knew my reputation for being with a bunch of girls.  Well, she gave me that label.  Even though I was like that, I wasn't a messy guy.  I always tried to make sure I kept a good name anywhere I went.  With a certain look, people tend to label you, but I wanted to be serious this time around and actually give the relationship an honest try.

I didn't propose all extra.  It was during a simple meet up in SoHo.  We were talking about clothes and buying vintage band tees and I popped out the ring!

FRENDY:  Too smooth, my man.  A year is relatively such a short time to realize your partner is "the one," but love is one powerful drug!  Especially when it's real.  Speaking of fashion, I see that your wife is really into it.  Can you tell me a bit more about her venture into the field?

FARREN:  Yessir! Love is beautiful.  When you feel it, you just know.  My wife started blogging.  She has a huge fashion sense.  She actually styles me sometimes.   This woman lives for fashion!  Her hobby is looking at clothes all day, I've never seen that amount of dedication to clothes in my life.

She eventually got into reselling designer threads, reworking vintage pieces and wholesale women clothing.  Her business has reached new levels!  Super proud of her.  From the early days I told her she would blow up and things are certainly heading towards that direction.

FRENDY:  It's a match made in heaven because you're so stylish yourself.  What are some of your favorite brands right now?

FARREN:  Yeah, man.  Because now I get styled by her, I don't have to think too much *Laughs*.  Nah man, seriously she's a beautiful individual.  Teaching me things every single day.  The fashion is a bonus for me.

Honestly, these days I've changed; I don't want to be so loud.  Most of the times you see me I'm in trousers or sweats with a vintage T-shirt.  Of course, I'm always wearing something heavy on the feet.  I really don't have a favorite brand, but I can say that I have tons of Saint Laurent in my closet.

FRENDY:  Would you ever consider getting into the modeling business?

FARREN:  I really don't think so because I love being behind the scenes.  I really love being low-key so it's honestly up in the air.

FRENDY:  I feel you.  Hey, at least you can live vicariously through your daughter being in the spotlight.  She's adorable, plus the gram loves her! *Laughs*.

FARREN:  Yessir! Thank you, man.  The people always show love to her, and whenever we're out, she is waving and blowing everyone kisses *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  That's hilarious.  She's a star!

FARREN:  "She get it from her mama!" *Laughs*.  I always thank God for her being a happy baby—She's always so joyful and it helps me get away from any worries I have.  With my past experiences, I'm always thinking about something.  Having a family is a great escape. I also have a chocolate labrador, her name is Heather.  She's great company too!

FRENDY:  A True blessing.  You're a young man with a stable income and an amazing family.  What else do you want to accomplish in life?

FARREN:  The next step is to move to New Jersey and get a house.  Before I moved to New York, I lived in Bloomfield, New Jersey for one year.  I did my freshman year at Bloomfield high school.  The school programs there are way better than New York's.  In the city, kids are forced to grow up really fast—there's 15 year olds taking the train to school alone.  They grow up and see so much in a fast pace.  I want all my kids to enjoy being a kid as long as possible because I didn't. 

Diggy Is Back

Not too long ago, I bumped into the lil' homie Diggy Simmons right in front of SoHo's Crosby Street Hotel.  It was such a pleasant surprise because I haven't spoken to him in years since I stopped working at the BAPE store.  We caught up for a few minutes, but my main concern was his music: "When are you dropping some new joints?"  I asked.  Fortunately, he told me to expect some jams in the coming months.

Fast forward to now, and here he is with a new verse out of the blue!  The young rapper turned actor-model hopped on Atlanta native KEY!'s bouncy tune "Dig it," which actually references Diggy's appearances on his legendary dad's MTV reality television show, Run's House.

Listen to Diggy's scorching bars below:

R.A.N. (Official Music Video)

If you ever find yourself in a little jam with a shorty that you're trying to holla at, just play this new record from Miguel for some extra motivation to seal the deal!

Titled "R.A.N." (an acronym for 'Real Ass N*gga'), the confident-boosting tune is found on the soundtrack for legendary music video director Director X's SUPERFLY remake, which is currently in theaters.

Its visual finds the "Coffee" crooner on some Bonnie and Clyde ish with his old lady.  Being the real n*gga that he is, Miguel takes all the smoke in order to keep his woman out of harm's way.

Check out the Lesean Harris-directed clip below:

Rocky and Skepta Praises The Lord

It's only right that I present this right after the epic interview with my VLONE-affiliated buddy Ryan Mulry.  I like to keep everything cohesive, you know?  In any case, ASAP Rocky has finally unveiled the much anticipated visual for his Testing album standout cut, "Praise The Lord (Da Shine)," featuring the grimiest of emcees himself, Skepta.

The trippy, split-screen and building bouncing visual finds the two rap comrades in their respective hoods, as they exchange fiery bars on the"Shutdown" spitter-produced banger (I'm talking about Skepta, if you didn't know).

Check it out below:

Monsieur Mulry

Aw man!  It feels so good to be writing these Original Stories again.  I took a little break to gather my thoughts on the direction of the series.  Although we live in a digital age where content is consumed like fast food, I wanted to allow (sort of forced, honestly) you guys to fully digest and enjoy the existing tales of the talented individuals I am blessed to know.  Quality over quantity is my strategy.

With that said, allow me to present my latest interviewee, Ryan Mulry aka Monsieur Mulry.  As you may have guessed, Ryan and I met at my old office in BAPE (yes, I'm talking about the second floor of the shop).  In A$AP Rocky's single "A$AP Forever," the self-proclaimed PMF proudly boasted he had "Goyard by the sack," but I can personally attest that Ryan had it by the boatloads about a decade before the bags were a much sought-out accessory in the Rap world.

The New Jersey-native and I clicked instantly simply because we share the same, chill vibes.  As fashionable as he was (and still is), he didn't have any sense of entitlement or cockiness and treated those around him with absolute respect.  It was all love whenever he stopped by to cop our latest threads, but we never actually kicked it outside of the shop.  This is why it's such a pleasure to finally have a sit-down with him after all these years to find out more about his life beyond the lavish aesthetics.

Check out our dialogue below:

FRENDY:  Ryan, the man!  Thanks for taking the time to chat.  It's been a minute since we actually saw or spoke to each other so I'm excited to know what you've been up to.

RYAN:  What's up Frendy!  It's an honor to have this discussion with you so many years later.  So much has happened for both of us—I think we are two examples of people really living what we do and look forward to talking about that.

FRENDY:  Amen!  It's all about authenticity at the end of the day.  So, let's get right to it—how'd you afford all that Goyard back in the day? *Laughs*.  Nah, I'm just playing.  What initially drew you to the French trunk and leather goods luxury brand?

RYAN:  *Laughs*.  That's always peoples first thought like, "How did you afford this or that?"  *Laughs*.  I could lie to you and front like I worked hard for all my pieces, but the truth is that I was just really blessed to work at Barneys New York during the time I did.  I got a huge discount, not to mention the fact that Goyard used to be about 50% price of what it is today, so it was easier to purchase—yet still very expensive.  

It was always more [pricey] than Louis Vuitton, which is why some people immediately saw it as an elitist brand based off that alone.  One day I was having a discussion with Lupe Fiasco about it and I believe he was an example of that mentality.  His exact words to me were, "it's an elitist thing."  While that may be true, I never looked at it like that.  To me, it was the fact of how the canvas was printed and the materials being used that really captured me.  Mixed with the fact that people didn't really know what it was back then—I was in love!  I prefer things that are under-the-radar and don't draw too much attention for my everyday uniform.  A subtle stunt, rather than everything all in your face.  Less is more, you know?

FRENDY:  Beautifully said!  I totally agree.  Furthermore, once you deeply know that "you're the shit," you can rock virtually anything and it's praised by the masses.  It's energy more than anything, but that's for another story.  Oh ok, so you actually worked for the brand.  Were you at its New York store location or corporate offices?

RYAN:  It's funny you mention energy—I'm a firm believer of manifestation and the powers we all hold within ourselves.  Confidence is definitely key.  Style is subjective and really boils down to what makes you feel good personally.  As far as Goyard, I did indeed work for the brand.  The corporate offices in New York are actually located above the store within the townhouse.

The Goyard home in New York is truly beautiful and one of a kind.  I am grateful I got to open that to the public and be a part of the experience.  All love for all my Goyard family in France, they have showed me love from day one when I just had a cardholder and a dream *Laughs*.  Now I'm on to new projects with business partners I was fortunate enough to meet during my time with the brand.  I have to say Goyard has been very good to me for the 10 years it has been involved in my life—it has done nothing but attract like minded friends and family.  Interestingly enough, the brand has shaped a major part of my life and I couldn't be more grateful for it.  Shout out Goyard man!

FRENDY:  Damn, that's whats up!  It must be nice to be appreciated by such a huge brand *Laughs*.  Let's take it back a bit before all the fashion happenings.  Earlier you mentioned that you grew up in New Jersey.  Where exactly?

RYAN:  *Laughs*  Yeah for sure!  I am extremely grateful for that, but I also worked hard to earn it.  I know you can say the same for one of many people's dream company as well!  In a way, BAPE and Goyard both share the same mysterious beginnings.  Definitely two cult brands—severely different spectrums, but both have undeniable similarities in the culture of the companies.

I did grow up in New Jersey, another thing I'm grateful for.  My father is fully Irish, catholic born and raised in the Bronx.  My mother was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia.  The two met in North Jersey at work and the rest is history *Laughs*.  We lived about 25 miles outside of Manhattan so getting to the city was very easy for me via public transportation.  I never really connected to the town I grew up in and felt like the city gave me an escape out of the differences I felt in High School.  I connected with people who cared about art and fashion through my Saturday Live classes at FIT.  I would take the bus on Saturday mornings to attend my weekend school there. It was there I learned how to screen print—my life changed after that!

FRENDY:  That's awesome!  Many kids in HS wouldn't even think about changing their environment for some new inspiration.  They would rather wallow in their own sorrow of not being able to fit in.  Did you actually end up attending FIT to obtain your Bachelor's degree?  

RYAN:  Not even wallow, but I would just say accept things.  A lot of people would rather accept what's happening instead of making a change.  It's hard for people to go through times of discomfort so many choose to avoid it.  I prefer to explore and go outside, rather than remain in a box.

I ended up moving to Chicago to attend Columbia College for a year before I got accepted and transferred to FIT.  I was happy to be in New York, but it wasn't the right place for me at the time so I ended up transferring to Parsons.  I think Parsons was the best place for me to be, I met some of my best friends there and truly feel I learned a lot about my environment in the creative career world.  I ended up dropping out of Parsons because I felt like I got everything I needed at the time and had to move on to the next venture.

FRENDY:  What's the most important lesson you learned at Parsons?

RYAN:  I learned so much there it's hard to say the most important thing, but if I really look back as a whole, my time spent at Parsons helped me continue going after my dreams.  I met like minded people that turned into my actual network.  The people I met are more valuable than any actual courses I took while studying there.

FRENDY:  Hey, as the old saying goes: your network is your net worth.  When were you initially conscious of your fashion sense?  Did your parents put you on to brands at an early age?

RYAN:  Yeah man, the saying is definitely true.  I have learned you're only as strong as your weakest link.  My parents didn't really put me on to brands, but my mom and her whole family gave me style for sure.  My aunt was really the one into European designers and really knew how to shop.  My aunt Vera is the flyest, [she] always had dope Chanel pieces, good Gucci *Laughs*.  The best part, though, was that she knew how to get things when they were on sale or at outlets, and the real come ups she would always find.  I learned that from her and my mom.

I really got into those things around my sophomore year when I could start saving for little sunglasses and small pieces, from places like Century 21 or the D&G store in Short Hills *Laughs*.  That was D&G, not to be confused with main line Dolce at that time.  I definitely was stretching for the sale D&G tees!!  I truly found my style in HS toward senior year when I probably first met you at BAPE.  It was before I was a regular customer.  I really started to mix street, everyday style with denim and found my way.  After I moved to New York, I started working at Barneys and I met one of my best friends and soulmates, Sheena.  She put me on to Rick Owens and that changed my life for real!  It was over *Laughs*.  From then on, there was never another designer that I could eat so effortlessly and feel so comfortable in.

I love mixing Rick classics with my own tees, VLONE, M65 jeans with Rick leather!  That's one of my favorite outfits.  Anything made by Hedi Slimane to me is collectible.  My Rick clothes are more wearable for everyday, but I like to archive any boots and piece of clothes from jackets to denim that Hedi has made—he was the first designer for me, before Rick even, back in his Dior days.  I couldn't afford anything and didn't know how to get the pieces at the time, but I would stare at his Dior boots in Saks [Fith Avenue] and dream of owning a pair.  He was the defining style for me and truly made wardrobes, uniforms, timeless pieces in the most incredible fits.

But yeah man, I have always been into fashion as a young kid, I was wearing Rage Against The Machine or Beastie Boys shirts.  Always in some band shirts—Nirvana for sure.  That was like first through eight grade forever.  I started dying my hair blue in the sixth grade and was wearing ball chain necklaces back then even, which is a huge trend today *Laughs*.   A lot of the things I was doing then I still do today.  So in terms of style, you could say I always had that, I was always, even at a young age, aware of that.  I started gaining knowledge of the fashion greats and just getting to know the world in general as I got older.  I think style is something you're born with.

FRENDY:  You're absolutely right!  A lot of your style choices back then are still prevalent today.  It just goes to show that you dressed according to your innate feelings, rather then following the herd.  Speaking of VLONE, I know that you're close with the ASAP Mob, especially ASAP Bari.  How did that friendship come about?

RYAN:  *Laughs*  Yeah, I have love for the entire mob and will always be grateful for them showing me love as well.  I am very proud of all of them and how far they have truly come.  You can really look at each individual member and see them doing things that really inspire today's culture, in terms of fashion, music and overall style.  They are true leaders and I am extremely grateful to have been around their energy.  I have Bari to thank for that, of course.  He's like a brother to me and I couldn't be more proud of VLONE and everything it has accomplished thus far.

I really met them all in 2012 at Venice Beach after Coachella on some universal planning shit *Laughs*.  Bari and I just clicked over some style and ideas that people didn't really embrace like us at that time, and the rest is history.  I live in Harlem and have a home today because of him, I'm grateful to say the least.  Shout out to Sheena as well, she gave me a home in the East Village when I didn't have my own place.  I have been blessed to have the best people come to me and go from friends to family.  I have a lot friends, but family are the ones I truly live for and love to death.  Shout out to Alex, Shaun and Ashley as well.

FRENDY:  Real friends make the world go 'round.  The universe works in wondrous ways for real—I know all about that *Laughs*.

RYAN:  Yeah, real friends and family indeed!

FRENDY:  You said that Bari and yourself instantly clicked due to having similar taste in style.  What was your first fashion talk with him?

RYAN:  Honestly, I couldn't tell you what that was exactly, but I could tell you our mutual love of Ksubi brought us together.  Another brand I learned about at Barneys.  Ksubi, in my eyes, was the best denim company era.  They had the most amazing skinny jeans that were the best fits and washes you could find.  No one was really making skinny jeans like Ksubi.  Not even close!

FRENDY:  Yeah, some of my boys from down under knew the guys behind the brand—they definitely had the denim game on lock!  I saw some BTS photos of you, Bari and Rocky at the VLONE Paris fashion show.  Were you helping them out with their presentation?

RYAN:  I was lucky enough to be the assistant stylist to Bari who was the director and head stylist.  That was a dream come true—fuck everybody, we put on a fashion show in Paris!  Men's Fashion Week!  The day prior was a Kim Jones LV show, Rick show, etc. and none of those drew excitement or fresh energy the way "Black History" did, that was the genius title of the show.  The name itself is self explanatory, it is powerful and is in fact now a monumental piece of history.  

That really meant alot for me.  I didn't do that show for Instagram, I didn't go to Paris so we could take pictures with people.  Everyone wants to see me post on Instagram and all that.  We went there to put on the best possible show we could and make history.  That's the difference between me and a lot of people in today's world.  Shout out to Du, my partner-in-crime that week for real. He is one of a kind.  Shout out to Brick and BStroy as well.  Du was on that trip with me.  He too could give a fuck about Instagram or what anyone is thinking.  We were there to do our job, and at the end of the day we did an amazing one!  People want to criticize, this and that, but none of us graduated Central Saint Martins, none of us worked for any major fashion houses or came from fashion families.  We're just kids with a dream that couldn't be told "no."  That's what we went to Paris to show the world.  I think the mission was accomplished, but of course there's much more work to be done *Smiles*.

FRENDY:  Shout out to you and the entire mob for pulling that off.  What were your duties as Bari's assistant stylist for the show?

RYAN:  Shout out to the mob always, but big ups to Bari for that!  His genius is still unfolding and I look forward to watching the story continue just as the world is watching Virgil for now.  My duties were a little bit of everything really, from just making sure Bari was good to making sure the clothes were organized, steamed, getting shot for our mood boards and everything.  I just did everything I could.  It was like, "ok, you see that needs to get pinned just do that," or "pass that to the atelier for finishing."  Perhaps just organizing looks into categories and playing with the clothes to find the best outcomes.  It was really about feeling the mood and making the world of VLONE come to life.  It was about putting our whole energy on the runway and showing that through incredible garments.  Few people have ever got to look at how well the garments actually are, but don't be surprised when I tell you some of the factories crafting your favorite Balenciaga in Italy, or say N(N) in Japan, all had a hand in manufacturing some of the VLONE pieces.

FRENDY:  Damn, that was dope of Bari to bring you along.  It's a true testament of how much he trusts you and your work ethic.

RYAN:  Exactly!  Not even just about the trust part, but the loyalty—that's real to me.  I was there before Paris and I'll be there after.  For life, regardless!  To find real people is so few and far between and that's why we must cherish those that cherish and love us as well.  It's important to be your friends fan and not just the people who are popping.  Support your homies the same way you would support Beyoncé and the support will come back tenfold from your family.  People are quick to support major celebs but they might not be quick to support their best friend who may be lesser known.  You see a lot of people just trying to come up in all the wrong ways, and that never interested me.  I am always in everything I've invested in mentally and emotionally for the long haul.

FRENDY:  Amen!  Most people won't even support their "homies."  It's truly a shame.  Are you currently working n the fashion industry?

RYAN:  It is a shame, but if your people don't support you, those aren't your people!  I am lucky enough to be working on things I enjoy and really love.  Recently, I was working on Prada campaigns with one of my best friends Ashley, [whom] I mentioned earlier.  Working with your best friends is highly underrated.  You grow up being told that you will have to work with people you don't like, which sometimes may be true, but if you do it right, that doesn't have to be the case always.  Anyway, Ashley is a producer and has had me on as her assistant to some of the biggest artists like Karl Temper, Pat McGrath, Guido Palau.  Iconic photographers like Patrick Demarchelier and Steven Meisel.  This past week, I felt so fortunate to work on a shoot with Fabien Baron and the widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell.  That energy was incredible.  Real world visionaries and changers.  That's inspiring to me.  I couldn't be more grateful for the people she's brought me around and the world she has showed me.  I can't express my gratitude enough!

I have my passion project with my Goyard brother from Paris Pierre Tzenkoff, the mastermind himself.  We are bringing something to the world of cannabis that only we could.  Check it out at Devambez.com and soon in fine cannabis retailers throughout the U.S.  I am also working on my own ongoing concept project titled, "11:11."  I want to focus on wellness and expanding the knowledge of how important our well being is.  Physically as well as mentally, and how we can harbor that well being through meditation and self care.  Those are things that are really on my mind and what I'm trying to work on.

FRENDY:  A man of many hats, that's what's up!  What do you think abut the mélange of streetwear and luxury that's taking place in fashion right now?

RYAN:  That's a great question.  When I worked at Goyard, I had to wear a suit and I couldn't stand it.  They gave me a uniform that was made of polyester but I used to wear my own Dior suit because I didn't like the fabric of our uniforms.  To me, it was very poorly made and cheap fabrics couldn't empower me to promote expensive products.  If you want to feel a certain way, you will usually dress to that occasion.  I love the saying about how you have to dress the part to be it, or however that saying goes.  I find it very true.  If you want people to look at you a certain way it's easily attainable through the way you dress.  The same is said for our personal feelings.  We can dress they way we feel or the way we dress.  I think a lot of people are interested in living a life that involves luxury culture and finer goods, higher standard of living than previous generations.  A natural evolution if you will.  In that evolution, we have decided to be comfortable and to dress in our comforts.  We have taken casual garments and changed them into high end uniforms.

Customizing the idea of high end to match what makes us feel good empowers us personally.  So I feel like it's a good thing.  It's modern.  It's real.  There is something to be said for a beautiful bespoke suit from Savile Row, of course, but I don't really feel comfortable in a suit.  I want to wear fabrics that move and make sense for running around the city or going to the gym.  Just as much as those fabrics make sense in casual settings, I want them to transfer me into whatever I see fit, maybe that's the Mercer [hotel] for dinner, or the juice press in Equinox.  But whatever's the location, I think the one constant factor remains that we desire to dress nicely in both scenarios to feel comfortable and confident.  To me, the mix truly represents our way of living in the city, running around daily and maintaining our sense of style within that comfort.

FRENDY:  Equally great answer.  Thank goodness comfortability is in!  You've always been surfing your own wave when it comes to fashion.  Which brands are currently on your radar?

RYAN:  Thank God is right!  Vans checkerboard slip ons are my favorite shoes of all time.  I wear those every year.  My favorite is still Rick, honestly, and I pair his pants with tees I make generally or my V tees and anything from M65 gives me.  He is probably my biggest inspiration forever! Since I've moved to the city he has been inspiring me, I knew he would be special.  He was in Japanese Vogue at a young age and he has put me in Vogue for my very first time with M65!

My brands are definitely consistent, man.  I love Hermès, Rick Owens, I still wear my Saint Laurent, but nothing new, only from Hedi *Laughs*.  I really like classic pieces that will last forever, like anything from Dries [Van Noten] is incredible or Prada is always classic but fun.  I don't buy pieces constantly, but the things I will shell out on usually are pieces that I will wear for years to come.  I don't like to buy into trends that I won't keep in my closer forever.  I did buy the Triple S sneaker, but that was a moment in time *Laughs*.  I really think in 20 years I will show my child that sneaker like it's a sculpture.  Just because it is, in fact, a sculpture.  The Italian version of the shoe weighs more than many sculptures I've seen.  It truly is a workout shoe *Laughs*.

But besides that, I like hippie culture and vintage shops in San Francisco, stuff like Patagonia or Pendleton, North Face—things that are utility based and actually make sense.  clothes that do their job.  For instance,  a jacket that actually keeps you or your clothing underneath dry.  Weather appropriate garments are important and I appreciate designers that take those technicalities into consideration.  I like things that make sense, but still look good and are made well.

FRENDY:  Man, this conversation is so dope that I don't want it to end.  We'll definitely have to do a part 2.  But before I go, I have to know who would you want to work with in the industry (dead or alive)?  And why?

RYAN:  Man, this is a great conversation and good vibes with you always!  Positive energy.  You're an authentic person and I'm glad we were able to meet so long ago and collaborate, finally.  A first of many to come.  I can't wait to see all the things you have to bring to the table through your writing and exploring.  Never stop creating and exploring!

I am grateful to have worked around a lot of people and companies that are my top choices, but If I could choose someone dead or alive, it would have to be Andy Warhol.  I would love to exchange energy with him and have his knowledge of art coming to commerce.  Turning art into money.  He was good at turning art into money, but also good at turning objects into art.  I really find that concept very modern and mesmerizing even today.  I think that is groundbreaking to have that mentality during his years so I would love to experience that.

It's a Go for H.E.R and Rapsody

I'm not going to hold you, I found out about this incredible song from listening to the latest episode of Joe Budden's uber entertaining eponymous podcast.  If you're not familiar with the program (I'm judging you if you aren't btw), after Joe and his two close close buds are done bantering about the latest trending topics, they each play their "sleepers," which is basically a potent song that the public may not be up on yet.

I was certainly not aware of Rory's pick titled "Go," the soulful new single from British super-producer Alex Da Kid featuring the heavenly vocals of H.E.R. and the hard-hitting bars of Grammy nominated female rapper Rapsody.  This jam is so good I had no other choice but to share it with y'all. 

Check it out below:

The Rick Owens x Barneys Burger

Food lovers and fashionistas rejoice!  The Rick Owens x Barneys New York burger has arrived.  What I just wrote seems like a soundbite from Zoolander, but it is absolutely true.  

The famed designer linked up with the head chef of Barneys signature restaurant and made the fast-food favorite to coincide with his "Subhuman Inhuman Superhuman" retrospective at the luxury department store.  The exhibition takes a look back at Rick's illustrious 24-year career in the industry.  Why did the Paris-based designer decide to make a cheeseburger out of all things?  Well, before the Goth god relocated to the City of Love, he ate a burger daily from his local restaurant in LA. Hey, maybe all this time he stayed in shape just to not feel guilty about consistenly indulging in scrumptious sandwiches.

The OwensBurger is only available for a few more days at the upscale cafe chain Freds Downtown at Barneys, which is located in Chelsea.  You're probably thinking, "Damn, how much are these joints?!?"  Fortunately, the burger is a mere $28 (sounds type crazy, but at least it isn't as pricey as his alligator leather jackets).

Check it out and let me know your thoughts below!

Dapper Dan: Forever Fresh

Dapper Dan is the epitome of a fashion pioneer, but many of today's youth may not be aware of his profound impact in the realm of Hip Hop style.  Fortunately, American media and content company Mass Appeal recently had a brief, yet informative sit-down with the Harlem legend to have a discussion about the formation of his famous uptown boutique, clientele, and even who he liked dressing the most.

Check out the clip below:

Man Don't Dance

"We can vibe, but man don't dance!"  British Comedian/Rapper Big Shaq has returned to the air waves just in time to provide a new summer banger, ironically titled "Man Don't Dance."

Shaq, who in reality is English funnyman Michael Dapaah, is now a bonafide music star due to his surprising, breakout mega-hit "Mans Not Hot." He hopes to hit the ball out the park with this new jam, and I honestly feel that he might do so.  Big Shaq's latest track features a similar flow to the aformentioned single, but with more potent lyrics and a plethora of jokes.

Check out the single for yourself below:

Human Made Spring/Summer 18

Commemorating the release of Nigo's Human Made Spring/Summer '18 collection in stores, a lookbook is now available showcasing how to precisely put together killer fits using its threads.

Focused on perfecting heritage Americana, the BAPE founder's latest pieces include graphic tees and garments with very subtle detailing (including seams and buttons from aged mills that have been preserved in Japan).  My favorite item from the collection is Human Made's Peacock Aloha top featuring hand-drawn artwork.  That joint is smooth and extremely suitable for the calm summer nights in NYC (or any popping' city, really).  

Check out the rest of the apparel below.  Furthermore, you can cop the entire collection here.

For The Love of Fashion

If you're looking for love and have exceptional taste in fashion, then Helmut Lang has the perfect offering, handpicked for your liking.  Founded by Austrian Designer Helmut Lang, the eponymous label has recently launched its alluring Pre-Fall 2018 collection, featuring 12 real life singles who are all ready to stylishly mingle.

Ranging from Bartender to Nurse Practitioner, the amateur models cannot be seen wearing any of the brand's latest offerings (well, technically only from the shoulders up) as their headshots are stylized to mock late '80s and early '90s dating shows.  Hey, at least we all have a chance to get to know who they are (haha).  Shout out to the homie Cherie Camacho for her feature (never knew she was into True Crime podcasts, interesting).  Check out some of the other "contestants" below:

"I've always been super obsessed with the unique verbiage that goes with personal ads," says Ava Nirui, Lang's digital editor, to Vogue. "I recently had a realization that I'm constantly matchmaking friends and thought it would be fun to invite these friends (and friends of friends) to be a part of the Helmut Lang community, while potentially helping them find love in their lives."

Don't get too caught up in romance because Helmut Lang's new threads are absolutely fire. One of my favorite pieces is their Panel Neck Bomber, as worn by John above.

Shop the new collection here. Oh, and email LOVE@HELMUTLANG.com with the name of your desired boo to potentially link up with them (peep @helmutlang on Instagram for the full range of ads). Good luck!

Aries (YuGo) Part 2 Music Video

It's a shame that I just started listening to Mike WiLL Made-It's Ransom 2 album.  Released on March 24th of last year, the super producer's debut project contains a slew of undeniable hits featuring his Ear Drummer Records crew members and many of today's brightest Hip Hop stars. 

One of my favorite cuts from the album, "Aries (Yugo)," co-starring Pharrell Williams and Station Wagon P was remixed a few months ago. Its added star-studded cast (Rae Sremmurd, Big Sean and Quavo) totally enhances the potency of the song. I'm all about the track's motivating aspect, "just be that n*gga with the bag/so when they say: 'who is that?'/oh, that's the n*gga with the bag/they be like: 'who that rolling past?'/oh, that's that n*gga with the bag," Skateboard P sings on the hook.

Check out the scorching visual for "Aries (YuGo) Part 2" (literally, though, it was shot in the desert) below:

Russ Thinks You're A Sore Loser

Russ is back at it again with his self-empowering ways by releasing a fiery, finger-pointing new track called, "Sore Losers."

By the song's title alone, you can already infer that the multi-talented spitter (oh, you didn't know he produces, mixes, masters and writes all his records?) isn't backing down from any new age rapper who wants all the smoke!

"A lof of kids are poppin' xans and sippin' lean now/A lot of rappers using Instagram to teach how," the New Jersey bred rapper says in the mellow tune. "A lot of kids Od'ed that you don't read 'bout/Cause they don't follow rappers, they just follow fiends now/But I'm the bad guy for callin' it out/I come in clutch with the truth, y'all stalling' it out/I only get in trouble when I say the truth/Which means you gettin' fed lies every day, you fools."

The 5 minutes and 16 seconds track contains no chorus, yet is still intriguing due to Russ' hard-hitting bars on Hip Hop's current roster of gimmicky, drug-promoting players.  Similar to the single's chill vibes, its accompanying visual is pretty raw as it features Russ kicking it with a couple of day ones in a lavish living-room-turned-recording-studio.

Check out the Edgar Esteves-directed clip below: