Soy's Sauce

This platform is all about shedding light on individuals who are thriving in their respective fields. I take massive pride in having such an impeccable knack for showcasing exceptional talent who aren’t necessarily absorbed by the “masses” yet and my next interviewee is no exception. Allow me to introduce, Isiah Pointer. 

Isiah aka “Soy” and I met during my later years at NIGO’s former SoHo workshop through mutual friends. His infectious smile and positive demeanor was always on full display each time we saw each other. So it wasn’t such a shocker when I eventually discovered he was actually hired at BAPE one year after I departed in 2015. Since working at the once coveted shop, Soy has evolved into a multi-faceted entrepreneur who is steadily making his mark in the fashion and music realm. 

I recently sat down with the 33-year-old hustler to discuss his roots in Harlem, two-year stint at 91 Green Street, Hip Hop and the inspiration behind his fledgling label, Faux Friends. Enjoy our conversation below:

FRENDY: Soy, what’s good? It’s such a pleasure having this conversation with you. The vibes were always high whenever we saw each other in the city.

SOY: Frendy! What’s the word, my man? I appreciate the opportunity—it’s an honor. The vibes were super high, man. It’s like we belonged to a special tribe *Laughs*.

FRENDY: Facts! I know you’re an Uptown cat. Where exactly in Harlem are you from?

SOY: I’m from 151st & 8th Ave. 

FRENDY: Harlem is a mecca in itself.  Full of lively personalities, fashion, sprinkled with drug paraphernalia—and a dash of danger. How was your experience growing up there?

SOY: You literally described it! It was exciting, dangerous, fun, and it made me who I am today. Especially the summertime in Harlem. It's one of those mystical experiences, so to speak. The icee man, ice cups with liquor, the flyest girls, that New York energy. Neighborhood cookouts were something EVERYONE looked forward to, but sometimes they can get a bit dangerous after dark.  That's when your spidey senses had to be on point.

FRENDY:  How’d you get your nickname “Soy”? And what’s your real name by the way?

SOY: My real name is Isiah.  Soy comes from soy sauce. When I first moved to my neighborhood no one knew my name, and while playing the dozens (cutting ass for those who don’t know), my boy Keonte was like: “you black as hell, fucc hot sauce this nigga is soy sauce”.  Also, add to the fact I actually played basketball the name stucc.  Everyone started calling me and introducing me as “Soy Sauce,” and then “Sauce” got dropped because there was too many syllables to pronounce on the go *Laughs*. 

Young Soy

FRENDY:  That’s a great origin story. You know photographer extraordinaire Sincere aka “The New Nyer” himself who I also had the pleasure of interviewing.  He lives in LA now, but how’d you two become friends?

SOY:  That's my brother right there and one of my biggest supporters. I’ve known Sin for about 10+ years and I can’t remember how we met exactly, but I’m sure it was at an event when the current culture was at its infancy. This was back when Downtown was like untapped potential *Laughs*.  Like bacc when Santos was craccin, Alife was at the top of their game, Atmos was a staple Uptown! Yeah, bacc in those days *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  Nostalgia ultra right there. Have you ever mingled with fellow Harlem reps Rocky and his A$AP cohorts?

SOY:  Once upon a time, when everything didn’t involve social politics and acts for attention.  Yeah, we all ran around together. I went to middle school with Bari & Rocky, and I met the rest of the crew at different times. I kind of stepped away from the Mob when I realized the lengths people would go just to say they were affiliated, and I didn’t want to be known as just another member of A$AP.

Soy, Bari and Friend

FRENDY:  I totally understand, you have to do what’s right for you. I remember when the Mob would stop by BAPE before they blew up. Always good talks with them on the second floor—R.I.P Yams and Josh. How were you introduced to the SoHo section of NYC?

SOY:  My boy Nice, and my boy 2nice. Nice and his team used to throw these Contemporary fashions shows at the Affina ballroom across the street from Madison Square Garden. He conducted them around NYFW and the infamous FNO (Fashion Night Out) events. Hanging out with these guys I was introduced to an entirely new crowd of people and culture.

Being from the hood, in those times, the SoHo area was taboo. If it wasn't for those guys I don’t know when or if I would have ventured into those areas. I was so fascinated and fixated on my neighborhood and the streets, SoHo/Downtown was the furthest thing in my mind *Laughs*. But when I learned there’s more to life, more to the world than just my blocc, oh boy! The moon was the limit.

SoHo during Fashion Night Out

FRENDY:  What was your first impression when you actually visited the area?

SOY:  It was nothing like everyone made it seem. Being from the hood everyone associated “the village” with SoHo. The way people spoke about it was as if there were aliens walking around in patent leather body suits with whips and chains. Homophobia was raging! IT WAS NOTHING OF THE SORT…I found it to be a safe haven. I was able to explore the things I was interested in but lacked in my neighborhood. I found that I was into fashion, and not just on a surface level. I was interested in how things were made, how they were designed and how I could actually make my own garments. It sparked the creativity inside of me. On my blocc I was just Soy, but in Soho I was Soy, the creative.

FRENDY:  My father introduced me to the area when I was a youngin’ and I never looked back.  A lot has changed over the years in the SoHo scene.  What are some of your favorite spots there? Shit, are they even still around?

SOY:  Some of my favorite spots were Alife, the OG BAPE store, Stussy, The Hundreds…just to name a few. Shout to the Privilege family! They’ve always shown me an abundance of love. They were the first and only store to carry FF® (Faux Friends). They are still going strong, putting on for the community.

FRENDY:  You were hired at BAPE one year after I left.  What was the temperature of the shop when you got there in 2016?

SOY:  I want to say it was cooling down in the sense of it becoming more corporate—especially with NIGO selling the brand to the Chinese company, I.T. Like the allure of what BAPE was dying out to me. You (Frendy) were literally the last of that era. Then when I got there, Brandley and Kev were holding on and kind of passed the torch in a sense.  But by then, it was less about community and more about the corporation and sales driven-atmosphere.

Original BAPE store on 91 Green Street

FRENDY:  When did you initially find out about NIGO’s brainchild?

SOY:  I want to say when I was 15 or 16, so 2005-06. That was around the time NIGO & BAPE burst onto the Hip Hop scene. I would see the BAPE camo [print] on certain celebrities but I didn’t know what brand it was until Pharrell started pumping NIGO. That was when it all came together.

FRENDY:  Were you able to connect with many of the high-profile clientele that stopped by the shop?

SOY:  Yeah, I connected with a few.  One of my favorites was Jadakiss. Super down to earth, he became one of my clients I would personally shop for during my time at BAPE.

Jadakiss and Soy

FRENDY:  What made you leave the store after two years?

SOY: We parted ways *Laughs*. I was too hood for them, man. Me and Matt (General Manager) had some words, I didn’t necessarily like the way they handled certain things and I voiced my opinion. That resulted in my termination…but at the same time I was putting more energy into FF® so I felt my time had run its course anyway.

FRENDY:  Everything works out for the highest good, my G. “Faux Friends” is a pretty interesting name for a clothing line. Was it inspired by tragedy in your friend group?

SOY:  I mean, at the time I was dealing with issues with some friends and also figuring out my life at that point. But the name came about when I was coolin’ with my man Bobby on my balcony when I was living in the Bronx. We were talking about fashion, music and tattoos. He then mentioned he wanted to get “faux” tattooed. I asked what it meant and he said “fake in french.”  At that moment my mind started to turn; faux-leather; fake leather; faux friends; fake friends! The rest is history.

So I’ll say it was inspired but not directly tied to any relationships at the time.  It was more so the underlying connection that EVERYTHING is FAKE or rather not as it seems.

FRENDY:  I dig it. What’s the correlation between the brand’s name and its ethos?

SOY: How many people do you associate with under the label of “friends,” but they don’t know much about you? Or rather how many times do you hear people name drop just for their personal gain to, let’s say, get into an exclusive party or get next to another person? You may think that person is a friend but they may just be an associate or just another person trying to “get on.” 

Nothing is what it seems nowadays, as if nothing is meant for what it was designed for, if that makes sense. Everyone damn near talks the same, dresses the same, goes to the same places etc. FF® disrupts that.  It’s an ode to the way things were and how things could be.

FRENDY:  I love your brand’s marketing as it takes cues from legendary streetwear brands. What would you say sets your line apart from other rising labels?

SOY:  I feel what sets us apart is knowing about the past, being present in the moment but also looking toward the future. I feel a lot of brands don’t take the time to develop the story or build that brand identity. They just make a dope piece, get it on a person of stature and make a quicc bucc. I started FF® in 2013. We’re coming up on 10 years and I’m still learning the ins, outs and nuances of the game. I’m focused on longevity and legacy not Instagram likes and followers.

FRENDY: What are some of your favorite Faux Friends pieces? And why?

SOY: Wow!  That’s a tough one. I’ll say my first FF® logo tee (the first tee I ever made). The Shaq tee, it was the first t-shirt that got attention outside my immediate audience, though it caught on like a year or two after I made it. Privilege in Japan carried it and sold out EVERYTIME it hit the racks—don’t tell Shaq *Laughs*.

Another favorite were the Dice jeans I made. It was hard denim with big dice embroidered down both legs. The details of the jeans always makes me smile because I’m a kid who went to school for auto-mechanics, supporting myself in an industry I have no experience in. I taught myself everything I know, no type of handouts or help. I’m fuccin’ proud of myself, man!

FRENDY: Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Not only do you have a clothing line, you also basically provide services for other upcoming labels that factories can offer (i.e screen printing, embroidery etc.).  What inspired the business move?

SOY:  I had the idea. I had the brand. What I didn’t have was the funds to get bulks of clothing made of every design I came up with. I didn’t even have the money to get small amounts made so I found a way to print up shirts myself. That was fine and dandy until I realized I needed money to fund what I was doing. One of my friends asked if I only print for myself or did I print for others as well and I immediately took the job. Right after, I realized there was an abundance of up and coming brands and businesses that either like myself didn’t have the funds to gets bulks of clothing made or simply didn’t know how to even go about getting merchandise made. So I figured I could turn what I was doing into a business to help others, as well as a fund FF®. That is when CANAL STREET YACHT CLUB LLC aka CANAL ST PRINTING was born.

Soy in his studio

FRENDY:  “Faux Friends” was founded in 2013 and you left BAPE in 2018. Is it safe to say you’ve learned a thing or two about the fashion game from your experience working at the coveted shop?

SOY:  HELL YEAH! I learned how, if done right, you can have a huge impact on the culture you inhabit. I learned about how the business works and how important relationships are, wether they’re “real” or “ faux” *Laughs*. But yeah, I learned a lot working there I don’t regret anything, it was an awesome experience.

FRENDY:  In my opinion, BAPE is a university.  You started rapping at the tender age of 13. What propelled you to do so?

SOY:  Music is in my blood. My grandfather dabbled in Jazz, his half brother was Ray Charles. My grandmother was a singer. My mother, my older sister and brother also sing. Music was all around me growing up, and Rap yoked me up by the collar. It allowed me to express myself in a way I wasn't allowed to at home. I grew up a Jehovah’s Witness, so rapping was definitely frowned upon *Laughs*. Especially what I was rapping about even at 13. I remember my mom found one of my composition notebooks and she looked so disappointed *Laughs* .

FRENDY: That’s funny *Laughs*. But damn, that’s crazy your grandpa was Ray Charles' half-brother. Who were your musical inspirations when you initially began rapping?

SOY:  Yeah, it was weird how I found out. Growing up we always referred to him as “uncle Ray” when he was talked about. It wasn't until they were reading the obituary at my grandfather's funeral that I made the connection when they mentioned the relatives he was leaving behind. 

Early on I was inspired by the greats: JAY Z, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye, Mos Def etc. I wasn't only inspired by their music but also their lifestyles. JAY Z making the transition to mogul, Lupe being a skater, his interest in fashion and anime.  I ain’t gotta explain Kanye *Laughs*. 

FRENDY:  How would you describe your rapping style?

SOY:  Underground Hip Hop.

FRENDY:  Are you currently working on any new tunes? And where can people hear what you’ve got out right now?

SOY: I stepped away from making music to focus on the brand and getting it to a point where I don’t actively have to be involved every minute of the day. I am currently working on my third tape…I don’t even have a date in mind. People can find me on iTunes, Spotify etc.

FRENDY:  Why do you think music and fashion go hand in hand?

SOY: Fashion and music go hand and hand because they move the human spirit, they both evoke emotion. In our world I don’t think they exist without each other. I’ve never been to a fashion show without music, and I’ve never been to a concert with naked musicians. 

OMO III: Safe Haven

It is my absolute honor to present the third and final installment from my On My Own merch series. This exclusive piece takes shape in the form of an organic french terry pullover hoodie, which features my freshly dressed animated character and the infamous BAPE couch that was on my “second floor office” at Nigo’s former SoHo workshop. 

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, the hoodie’s artwork is self-explanatory to the thousands of patrons who have visited me during my time at the iconic BAPE store on Green Street. A ‘Safe Haven’ is defined as a place where someone goes to be safe from danger or attack.  It would be extreme of me to say the individuals that specifically came upstairs to see me were looking for refuge.  However, I must admit they always felt much more at ease after our intimate conversations. 

There’s truly nothing better in the world than inspiring someone to be their highest, happiest self. I feel blessed to have played a small role in the lives of individuals who have felt touched by my words or simple acts of kindness. I love y’all.

Shop HERE.

OMO Frendy

There’s really nothing to explain here. The FRNDY LMRN “OMO” T-shirt is for all of my supporters—especially those from my BAPE days.

Head over to the shop to own a piece of history!

Peedi Party

In Pop Smoke’s menacing yet hypnotizing hood anthem “Christopher Walking,” the late east coast rapper savagely questioned the street cred of his ops. Well, one person that certainly isn’t afraid of “going outside” is none other than Peedi. No, I’m not talking about the former Roc-A-Fella records emcee Peedi Crakk (que linda ma!), but like the legendary Philly spitter, the Brooklyn bred hustler is running amok through his respective state like it’s his own property. 

Name any percolating event that’s going down in the greater areas of NYC and Peedi, aka Peedi Piff, is most likely the person that’ll welcome you to the party. Peedi and I initially met at Nigo’s former SoHo hotspot more than 10 years ago where he would frequently slide through with his crew. Believe it or not, we had our first conversation about a month before I eventually dipped from the store in 2015.

Peedi is a massive socialite who is constantly attending the biggest parties so I wanted to check up on him to see how he’s coping with this unbearable quarantine lockdown. Since he’s constantly on the move, this is the perfect time to catch him while he’s literally forced to remain still.

Check out the transcript of our conversation below as we talk about his upbringing, party hopping and future endeavors.

FRENDY: What’s good homie! Is your name really Peedi or is it just an alias?

PEEDI: Alias.  I no longer use my actual name, everyone uses “Peedi” now. So it’s rare to hear any other name. 

FRENDY:  How did you even get that moniker?

PEEDI: Through a close friend of mine. I used to work at his father’s store. He said I look like Peedi Crakk one day and it carried on over into high school. 

FRENDY: Really? *Laughs*. I don’t see the resemblance at all—maybe it was because y’all had similar styles back in the day. If you don’t mind me asking, what is your real name?

PEEDI:  That's a secret *Laughs*.  I’m in the process of getting it changed legally as we speak. 

FRENDY: I respect that.  It’s dope that we’re both BK boys. What’s your background though?

PEEDI:  Mostly Jamaican background. I’ve heard I have Dominican in there somewhere though.  I haven’t met that side, so I stick strictly to Jamaican. 

FRENDY: Nice. I’m Haitian but I’m pretty mixed as well. Have you ever been to Jamaica?

PEEDI: Crazy, I haven’t *Laughs*.  Not as an adult at least. I used to have a fear of traveling alone and I would get asked to go by myself. I wasn’t down for that though *Laughs*. 

FRENDY:  That’s pretty funny *Laughs*.  How was your experience growing up in Brooklyn?

PEEDI: Different.  Growing up there was really aggressive for me. I started off in East Flatbush and bounced around through Canarsie. I loved it though!  Its high energy, fast pace. I got sent to live in Queens midway through school by my mom. She said it would be better living wise for me growing up. 

FRENDY: I totally agree with you on that. I moved to the East New York area of BK when I was seven—and let's just say it wasn’t sweet *Laughs*. Tough areas build character for sure though. Which part of Queens did you migrate to?

PEEDI:  Rosedale, Queens. I think at the age of 10. Prominently Haitian neighborhood. Real quiet—complete opposite of where I was in Brooklyn. That’s where I learned to speak Creole. Not fluently, just enough though. Haitian parents hate speaking English for too long *Laughs*. 

FRENDY: Ayy!  You’re an honorary Haitian then. I’m guessing you didn’t have to worry too much about getting into trouble there. How was High School like for you?

PEEDI:  High School was different from what I expected it to be. A lot of it was violent, mostly due to the crowd I was around. I went to Martin Van Buren. Queens wasn’t as crazy as Brooklyn to me. They for sure carried their fair share though. 

During my sophomore year in High school, I started going to the Bape store after 9th period to catch a pair of kicks. One of my closest friends was gang affiliated in high school.  A lot of the people I met at first were in gangs. Good people (some), the stigma still carries. By the time I got to my senior year I was in school by myself. At first it started out as a group of us that didn’t necessarily know each other in junior high. We just gravitated towards each other due to being at the same place. 

FRENDY:  As they say, “birds of a feather flock together.” I’m glad you didn’t end up in any serious jam. And yeah, I do remember you coming to the shop with a bunch of fly guys back in the day. I could tell y’all were “up to no good,” but still cool people though *Laughs*. Are you still close with the old crew?

PEEDI: Yeah, I think you are referring to when I would come there after high school. I used to go more frequent before then. I met those guys towards my senior year and transitioned into a new group of people to surround myself with. I still speak to them though.

FRENDY:  Besides the fact that you were the only one left in HS, What inspired you to kick it with a new group of cats that wasn’t as “troublesome” as before?

PEEDI:  I was focused on income always and... females. So that was huge and I got with like minded people.  We started to throw events together. 

FRENDY: Financial abundance and beautiful women, name a better duo? I like where your head's at.  Would you say that your new set of friends introduce you to the party scene?

PEEDI:  Yeah, exactly. And they did for sure!  They had me sneaking out of the house on school nights to go to “18 for girls, 21 for guys” college parties. Then I would sneak back home to shower, and go straight to school. 

FRENDY:  Was your partying interfering with school? As far as keeping up with HW and projects due?

PEEDI:  Not really.  Senior year I kind of breezed on through. I only had 4 classes and lunch so I was out before noon. I was being lazy that year. I passed everything though.   By that time I was over school and on a different type of time mentally. 

FRENDY: It was time to turn up and get it! How was your relationship with your parents during that period? Did they instill that go-getter attitude as a youngin’?

PEEDI:  No, most of the things I know have been self taught. 

FRENDY: Interesting. Well, that just shows you were aware enough to know where you wanted to be in life (no Donell Jones).  How often were you partying senior year in High School? Did you carry on the tradition throughout College?

PEEDI:  Not much.  A Thursday here and there. When I graduated I started throwing my own. 

FRENDY:  Nice, so freshman year of college you started throwing your own events. Do you remember your very first one? Were you nervous about the turn out? 

PEEDI:  Yeah, the first one we were more anxious than nervous. We knew people would come; we didn’t expect it to have as big a turnout as it did. 

FRENDY:  Pleasant surprises are the best.  Did you throw the event in Queens or the city?

PEEDI:  [In] Long Island at a place called Rapture Lounge at the time.

FRENDY:  Let’s run it back a little. So during the latter years of High School you started heading out to Bape. Was that your first introduction to Soho or were you aware of the glamorous downtown area before?

PEEDI:  I’ve been to Soho before that in high school.  We would go walking around looking for garments.

FRENDY: I must admit, you were fresher than most since I saw you the very first time at Bape. We never had a full blown conversation but I felt the cool vibes. Soho has changed so much, from the stores all the way down to the type of individuals that kick it over there. What do you miss most about the area?

PEEDI:  Man a lot—Bar 89 for one . So much has changed in fashion and social media. I believe it was only MySpace and Facebook back then. I miss going to SoHo and eating at Wendy’s over by Broadway, I miss Atrium. There’s a bunch of experiences that have been taken away changing the aesthetics of the vibes of soho. Running into random people. 

I miss the old Bape squad, a lot of them went to Old Westbury. So I met them there, a few of my partners went there so that college was like a hub for us.  We spent a lot of “Thirsty Thursdays” at Old Westbury. Attending a few of their parties. A lot of our core came from there. I had to use that college back when you had to go to college to be on Facebook.  Now I’m just in and out of Soho.  I spend most of my leisure time in the LES. 

FRENDY: I hear you.  Which college did you attend? Or did you decide to skip it altogether?

PEEDI: I didn’t have the at home support it took to get to college. Long story. I tried York [and] they owned my pockets. I was too popular by then to focus so I stopped going. 

FRENDY: Trust me, I know exactly what you mean. I couldn’t finish school [Brooklyn College] because of financial reasons. The only thing that matters is one’s motivation to succeed and persistence. All things are possible when there’s belief. When did you first realize that you could utilize your popularity into a business opportunity?

PEEDI:  Out of high school.  That’s the first thing I used social media for. That’s why people knew me. 

FRENDY: What did you usually post? Your outfits or just the events you attended? Were you strategic about them…

PEEDI: I only promoted our flyers. There’s always a formula you use especially when something is good.

FRENDY:  That's a fact. You hardly post on Instagram now. What caused you to suddenly shift it to mystery mode?

PEEDI:  The content on the internet [is] flooded with garbage. Lies. The internet just got nasty....I also noticed when people miss you they pay attention to you more. You can overflow people with your thoughts, opinion, style etc. if you give it to them in increments, it hits harder. It’s like when you are always with your family vs when you’ve been away from them for a while, the love that is shown is different. People appreciate you more when you are not as accessible.

FRENDY: What do you consider as nasty *Laughs* ? 

PEEDI:  Just an overflow of nothing going on. Borderline porn in some cases.  Not knocking it, I just don’t want my sauce mixed in with that.

FRENDY:  Although you aren’t posting as much, those who personally know you are aware of your infamous party hopping.  How many events do you go to on a given night?

PEEDI:  Not even sure, it can vary honestly. I’ve had nights I’ve gone to three events and four clubs, and even done after parties. I started drinking red bull with whatever I drank after a while to keep up.

FRENDY:  What is your most memorable party thus far?

PEEDI: I would say between Kevin Durant's birthday party of 2019 and Rihanna’s Fenty after party Fashion Week the same year.  Both [were] crazy!

FRENDY: Sounds bananas, for sure. How do you get into these exclusive shindigs?

PEEDI:  Knowing where it’s at.  Whether it be through email, friend, or word of mouth. A lot of the time I know the people at the door through networking or they remember me from my past when I’ve thrown events. I connect with many different people. I've done so many different jobs and been in different situations in life.

FRENDY:  How are you dealing with all of the social distancing that’s going on right now in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

PEEDI:  It’s calming.  It’s also slowing money—especially for those seeking new employment and other business ventures. I rather us be safe, but I am also ready for it to be over and continue on with our lives.  We are due for an intervention. 

FRENDY:  Facts! Speaking of money, how does one go about actually making money from throwing events? The amount of tickets sold or profit from the bar?

PEEDI:  It just depends on what you negotiate like my man Lenny S. says *Laughs*.  There’s always a contract involved.  You negotiate it. 

FRENDY: Diddy is notoriously known for throwing the most popping parties on planet earth. Has he influenced you at all in the way that you run your business?

PEEDI: Not at all. I have noticed how he host his events and seen similarities in the way I conduct myself when people are around people.  The live energy. Honestly, the party thing occurred because we were capitalizing on our popularity. The use of the women we had around us. 

FRENDY: I feel you. Effortlessly doing what you do best to make ends meet. Are you still throwing parties with your core group of friends or are you now working with marketing agencies?

PEEDI:  Right now, I’m aiming to get into film. Everyone has their own thing going on. I am hoping to curate my own events in the near future with some brands I have created relationships with. 

FRENDY: Producing films or actually acting in them?

PEEDI:  Mostly producing them. This first project I will play a role in it. I like off screen titles. One thing I’ve learned from back then the attention from people is a lot and can be overwhelming so I’m aiming for behind the scenes. 

FRENDY: Some people crave attention, but don’t know how to act when it's sizzling under the microscope. 2020 started off a bit shaky. What are you doing to remain focused during these trying times?

PEEDI: Man!  Honestly, the world is shaken the way I see it. We both have grown up and, I mean, if you look back at how vast the world has changed and the ups and downs. This will be corrected. 

I am always creating mentally. Keeping myself sharp. A guy I met recently that works for Disney said something to me that stuck. He said to never not keep your mind busy. Even if it’s not your field. Get it on a platform and create. Once you do that it’s evidence to show to companies. So I am mindful of what I put out. I joke a lot that helps me too. I know what I want. Also I have done a lot so remaining focused isn’t even a task. When I’m out I’m usually working a room. One thing I’ve noticed in the entertainment field [is that] a familiar face will always be in 1st place.

The General

Whenever I was asked about my work experience at BAPE in past interviews, I always made sure to mention that I got the job after my third attempt. Heck, I even briefly spoke of the Busy Workshop employee who actually took interest in my resume, which eventually was passed on to the higher-ups. With the creation of this #FrendyOriginals series, I thought it was the perfect time to further reveal the major players who aided me in landing a coveted spot at the shop. It is my absolute pleasure to finally introduce the man who hired me at the stand-out SoHo establishment: the former Ape General himself, Michael Vincent.

My BAPE NYC interview was easier than MJ playing a one-on-one basketball game against Stevie Wonder (no disrespect). For starters, I knew everything about the Japanese luxury streetwear brand. Secondly, Mike and Zuki—NIGO’s right-hand man and former BAPE NYC general manager—were extremely chill so there was no pressure causing me to get out of character. Truth be told, Michael was the person who assigned me to work on the second floor. Mike worked at the shop since its opening in December of 2004. He later resigned in 2007 to pursue his entrepreneurial endeavors.

I recently sat down with the seasoned creative merchandiser to discuss his BAPE beginnings, love of streetwear, and find out what he’s currently doing in the corporate retail industry. Check out our conversation below:

FRENDY: This is the first time we’re having a full on conversation in years. Crazy how life comes back around.

MICHAEL: Hey, Frendy. What’s good?! Yes, it’s been a while indeed. A lot has happened since the BAPE days—crazy to think that it’s been over 10 years now.

FRENDY: You want to know something crazier? I think you interviewed me for the job on this exact month in 2006? *Laughs*.

MICHAEL: Yes, I remember—it was hoodie season and we were building up the team for the holiday shopping rush. BAPE mania was still prevalent in the city. I’ll never forget when you walked down to the office for the interview. You had on a huge leather jacket, red shirt, black trousers, some pointy loafers. And back then, you had dreads—definitely not something you forget.

FRENDY: Swag *Laughs*. I can't believe you still remember that! Yeah, I had my signature braids back then. And for sure, I was definitely dressed like I was heading to the club—I had no other choice but to go all out because this was the job I always dreamed of getting. What did you honestly think of me before we spoke?

MICHAEL: To be honest, I had a stack of resumes. We were shuffling through them the previous week. I was looking for someone that was unique. Your resume actually fell from the batch because I think you had attached a modeling photo. Seriously, I was like ‘WTF?! Who does this? You know what? Get him in here! Let me give him five minutes to make a case.’ From there you came in and answered all the questions, and I thought you would bring a good vibe to the team so we pulled the trigger.

FRENDY: Holy! *Laughs* I totally forgot I attached my photo to the resume. Honestly, I gave my third resume at the shop after leaving an interview with Abercrombie & Fitch. I was tired of working at the NBA Store on Fifth avenue at the time, and I was trying my best to get another gig. After my failed attempt to work at A&F, I decided to go downtown and try my luck at BAPE again—I had nothing to lose. Thank god I made that last minute decision.

MICHAEL: Yeah. I guess after that day you became the longest tenured employee at BAPE US.

FRENDY: Amazing. How exactly did you land the manager position at BAPE US when it first opened? I could imagine there were so many applicants for that gig.

MICHAEL: I actually didn’t apply for the manager position. I was actually on my way to medical school—I was only looking for a summer job at that point, and I had known the shop’s manager. I was brought in to do only sales. I was able to go from sales to floor manager, then make it back to the office for a short period of time.

In retrospect, a summer job in a brand that I truly enjoyed has become a career in fashion retail—I haven’t looked back since.

FRENDY: Wow. It all makes sense now. I took a look at your resume online, and it showed that you graduated from Rutgers University with a Biological Sciences degree. What captivated you to remain in the fashion retail industry?

MICHAEL: I’ve always been into the whole streetwear scene before I got to BAPE in 2004. I grew up like any other kid watching Michael Jordan and tried to be like him, rocking all the Air Jordans—actually, the sneaker that really got me into the biz was the Air Max 1. But that’s another story in itself. To make a long story short, MJ and his kicks got me ingrained into the culture of music, fashion, etc. I just fell in love with everything that had to do with it. During college, my roommate and I were actually resellers—that’s how I met the manager at BAPE back then because they were buying Nike SBs from us. So before that I’d say the entrepreneurial spirit was already in me and the intrigue of the fashion retail business had started.

When I was at BAPE, all of those just fused seamlessly. I wanted to learn more about business— not just the hype aspect of the retail game, but the operational efficiency and product design aspect of it. So what exactly captivated me? I’d say a love for everything that impacts the culture, and the desire to understand it in a 360 degree perspective.

FRENDY: Who are you referring to when you mentioned “they” were buying Nike SBs from you and your roommate? You meant the entire BAPE crew, or just the manager there at the time?

MICHAEL: I’d say a majority of the crew.

FRENDY: Damn, that must mean you had major heat to sell to the very first staff of the BAPE US. What got you into sneaker selling?

MICHAEL: During the early 2000s, it was all about retro Js and Nike SBs. It was peaking at that time so we were able to get our hands on all the heat. What got me into sneaker selling? Easy: so I could cop the next fresh pair. As a college student in a ramen noodle diet—I had to figure out how to cover tuition and the kicks.

FRENDY: I feel you. Were you camping out for shoes, or simply ordering them online?

MICHAEL: Mostly camp outs or [ I ] made deals with shop owners for some backdoor deals. Camping out was actually another reason that got me really into the fashion retail business. I remember camping out for BAPE Superstars at the Adidas Originals store on Wooster Street back then. It was brick outside. And I must have been number 10 on the line—they only had 6 pairs on sale! After that moment I said ‘fuck it! I’m not doing this shit anymore.’ *Laughs*

FRENDY: Rutgers [University] is located in New Jersey. Are you originally from there? I’m asking because you’re a trooper if you constantly commuted all the way from Jersey for some kicks in the city.

MICHAEL: Back then, yes. We drove in from New Brunswick for that sneaker camp out I spoke about earlier. When I wasn’t in school, I was living in Jersey City, which was a quick train ride to the New York.

FRENDY: I got you. Your infatuation with the fashion retail industry grew to monstrous proportions after landing the job at BAPE. What did your parents think when they found out you weren’t going to med school? Were they disappointed?

MICHAEL: Definitely disappointed! I don’t blame them though…If I was them I would be disappointed too. I think the fear and disappointed feelings eventually dissipated as they saw me climb up the ladder. Also, they knew I was able to afford to put a roof over my head. I know that their disappointment was just their way of protecting me, but I also knew I had to pursue what I really wanted to. And hopefully the dollars eventually rolls in.

FRENDY: Since you already knew the manager at the shop, did you even have to go through an interview process to get the job? Who was he?

MICHAEL: His name was Martin. I had to go through an interview—it was super chill and laid back. I think I started a week after the interview.

FRENDY: What was going through your mind on the first day working at the shop?

MICHAEL: I think the normal feelings you’d get when starting a new job: nervous. Making sure I don’t fuck up *Laughs*. There was also a feeling of like you were a member of an exclusive club.

Wait a minute, I actually remember the first time I fucked up. It was maybe only after one month, I screwed up royally behind the register. Not sure exactly what happened, but the customer basically paid a $1000 short—I had to chase them down to get the rest of the money *Laughs*.

FRENDY: Damn! Were you able to track the customer down?

MICHAEL: Yes. I got the money—and still had a job.

FRENDY: What are some of your favorite moments from working there? Did NIGO stop by often?

MICHAEL: I had a bunch of moments, and definitely a lot of memories from the shop. I was able to meet a lot of influential people through BAPE that are still in contact with or doing business with me. My favorite moments were going to Japan. Being able to see the new products, and placing the orders for the next season. Seeing where the brand originated, and meeting the core group behind the brand in Japan.

NIGO would drop by the shop often in the beginning—usually when there are events like the MTV Video Music Awards happening.

FRENDY: Truth be told, I was really inspired to land the job at BAPE after I saw NIGO and Pharrell looking fresh as hell in their respective gear on the red carpet of the 2006 VMA awards in NYC.  I believed they stopped by the shop before they went over to Madison Square Garden where the ceremony was held. I didn’t know how I was going to get a job at BAPE, but I was extremely determined to *Laughs*.  Incredible things happen when you dream big.

MICHAEL: Dream big. High rewards. The brand definitely help launch my career in the correct path. Having the experience working at BAPE has helped me help run other companies and start my own business endeavors. Those early years definitely laid out the foundation to what I am doing now.

FRENDY: What was the real reason behind your departure?  Was it because you wanted to expand your company at the time, Mike23?

MICHAEL: Yes, that’s one of the main reasons. I wanted to continue my own personal and professional growth. I had a opportunity to expand my knowledge outside of just running the store, or doing the seasonal buys. It was a chance for me to take everything I’ve learned up to that point and take my own spin to it.

FRENDY: Can you tell me a little bit about the company?

MICHAEL: MIKE23 was a brand that was a tribute to Michael Jordan. The idea was of MIKE23 was conceived by Scott Nelson. Scott and I saw a void in the market that wasn’t being filled by any other brands. A majority of people back then wore Jordans, but didn't really wear the Nike gear that went with it that much. So we went out and created the brand with a lifestyle perspective. We made everything from clothing to sneakers, and even some furniture. We actually had help from another fellow BAPE alumni, Mike A.

FRENDY: Shout out to Mike A.  He’s such a great guy.  What caused the company’s demise in just one year?

MICHAEL: The brand was going well. Nike sent [a] C&D. Nike is more lenient these days. But I probably can’t talk much about the details of that part.

FRENDY: I totally understand.  After that occurred, did you somewhat regret leaving your stable position at BAPE US?

MICHAEL: No, I had no regrets—I was perfectly fine with my decision. Growing and my knowledge was more important for me. I’d only go back if I can have a significant contribution to the brand. And as long as you are relying on someone’s signature for a bi-weekly check there is no such thing as a stable position.

FRENDY: That’s a fact!  What were your next steps after MIKE23?

MICHAEL: I definitely had the entrepreneurial drive. I’ve been watching people succeed with their own brand or retail shops. I knew that in the long run that’s where I wanted to be. I also had to humble myself—I knew that I had to continue my fashion retail education.

BAPE and MIKE23 was all streetwear and hype. I wanted to get down to gritty side of retail. I really wanted to understand the store operations side and buying side of things so I ended up in Training Camp. After that experience I saw the shift to E-Commerce so I went on to work for a startup called JackThreads. Unfortunately JackThreads folded after a few years so I decided to run my own business.

FRENDY: I do actually remember seeing you at Training Camp one time *Laughs*. Your determination to be successful in the retail industry is commendable.  Life has a way of humbling us down, which inadvertently enables us to freely learn whatever that is needed to level up. Congrats on your new business venture! Are you running a new shop?

MICHAEL: Yes. In Indonesia to be exact. There's a growing population of highly active youth who are really into the sneaker/streetwear scene. So [by] expanding ‘Invincible’ into Jakarta, I’m going to be bringing brands and tiers of footwear that's never been available to the country. After almost a decade in this industry, I think giving back everything that I've learned to not just a community but a whole different region was just the next stage in my career.

FRENDY: Such a powerful move.  Life is all about giving back and you’re doing just that with your passion. When is ‘Invincible’ scheduled to open in Indonesia?

MICHAEL: End of October or Early November. We’re in the middle of construction and receiving merchandise so probably won’t know until another week or two.

FRENDY: Definitely keep me updated with that information.   Do you think there’s a huge difference in the streetwear/sneaker industry today compared to when you first got in the game during the early 2000s?

MICHAEL: Yes, its beyond huge! From the consumer side and business side of things. Major corporations after BAPE started to cater more to the streetwear scene or lifestyle side of things. Streetwear has become a business. Roles have reversed. Big fashion houses are now doing street looks and selling for luxury prices. From a consumer point of view social media has changed personal individuality, the resell game, the way brands communicate to their target audience, and most importantly, the speed at which info spreads: trends surge and die at a faster clip.

FRENDY: What are you thoughts on the uprise of “merch” gear in the industry as a whole? As you can see, more musicians are conjuring up their on line.

MICHAEL: I have no problem with it. If done creatively it can be a good thing. I think Kanye first started the trend back in 2013, and probably peaked in 2016. To me it's just another trend that’s executed properly by a few artists who have interactive pop ups that gets the crowd excited. But as more and more people made their own merch, the novelty of it died down fast. And some of the limited products created more hype for the next artists to do it due to their resale value. But it was only a matter of time just like any trend to get ripped off by the likes of Zara and H&M.

Image via Lipstick Alley

FRENDY: Speaking of trends, what are your favorite sneakers on the market right now?

MICHAEL: Personally, I like What Nike is doing with the React line for now and what’s coming out in the next few seasons. I always got a pair of AJ 1’s around. I like how Adidas is pushing the envelope with 4D outsoles. Dude I like a lot of sneakers *Laughs*. Might be biased here, but the ‘Invincible’ 4D. The go to right now.

FRENDY: I asked you that question on purpose *Laughs*.  How many pairs of kicks do you even own?  You’re Instagram basically serves as your shoe flex platform.

MICHAEL: I own enough let's put it that way. I honestly don’t know. Being in this industry has its perks. So things add up easily. Let’s just say I got a warehouse. I probably got Wu Tang Dunks in there back from when I worked at Training Camp. Kanye BAPES and NERD Bapestas. A ton of samples that's been gifted or projects that I’ve worked on. And things that go back to mid to late 80’s.

FRENDY: Is it safe to say you’re still in the reselling game?

MICHAEL: Yes of course. Now I’m buying things directly from the source itself and flipping it in my own shops or establishments that I’ve worked for. That “resell” mentality that I developed has helped me succeed in the corporate level and on my own personal endeavors.

FRENDY: What a story!  Mike, I have to say I’m incredibly proud of you for manifesting your dreams into reality.  Do you have any advice for anyone out there who’s stuck in finding what their own passion is?

MICHAEL: This may sound cheesy, but you got to follow your soul. People say follow your heart. But you got to dig deeper into yourself. Do it for the passion and the “why” you are doing it and never lose sight of that. And most importantly, do what you believe is right.

The Rage

Aww man, it's always great to hear Cudi back at it again spitting potent bars on atmospheric beats.  Although Scott's latest tune titled, "The Rage," is found on the soundtrack of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's latest movie Rampage, it could easily be a bonus track in any of his iconic albums.

The single, produced by Ben Billions and Kid Cudi's longtime buddy and collaborator Dot Da Genius, samples the legendary alternative rock group The Smashing Pumpkins' classic 1995 track, "Bullet With Butterfly Wings."  If Cudi plans to drop more songs like this in the near future, his next project is sure to be one for the ages!  

Check out his latest groove via Spotify below: