A Boogie Caught A "Body"

The Bronx’s lyrical bomber A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie recently linked up with fellow boogie down artist Cash Cobain to deliver a wavy new tune in the form of “Body.”

Its accompanying music video, directed by Phil Meyer, mirrors the song’s chill-yet-tantalizing vibes showcasing the two artists on a poppin’ night in NYC, which ultimately leads up to them longing for a sensual one-on-one sesh with a special shorty. 

“Body” is found on A Boogie’s latest album Better Off Alone. Released earlier this month, the star-studded project features Mariah The Scientist, Fridayy, Future, Lil Durk, and Young Thug, in addition to the aforementioned collab, across 21 tracks.

Shout out to my guy Dave and his partner-in-crime Vince of 4G for styling A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie with the Chrome Hearts drip which is seen throughout the visual. If you haven’t done so, check out my interview with him HERE.

Lord Adarius

What’s good, everyone? I am extremely happy to release my final Original Story of 2023 featuring the forever-stylish Adarius Patton.  It’s not too often you meet someone with a name like Adarius nowadays, but this is simply an indication of the type of individual he truly is: very rare. 

The 31-year-old New York native and I have known each other for more than a decade. Despite having only one short conversation in person throughout the years, our mutual respect for each other has remained stronger than Gervonta Davis’ vicious left hook. 

Aesthetically, Adarius fits the bill of someone who works in fashion or somewhere within the entertainment industry. However, beyond the flashy threads and tats you’ll discover an F.I.T graduate who is spiritually rooted with a deep passion for inspiring those around him.

I recently sat down with Adarius to discuss his come up in NYC, working for Dior, worldwide travels and everything else in between. Enjoy!

FRENDY:  Adarius, this has been a long time in the making.  I remember almost a decade ago while I was walking on Broadway, you stopped me and stated that we were going to work together one day.  Here you are now with a feature on my site—I love full circle moments.

ADARIUS:  Facts!  I always reference the conversation we had that time.  It sticks with me till this day—definitely a full circle moment. 

FRENDY:  How are you?  I know you’re a busy man, globetrottin’ and what not.

ADARIUS:  I’m doing good, bruv.  [I’m] just working like crazy on so many things. Currently at Dior working with different clients. Outside of that, working on my YouTube channel, getting ready to move to London in 2025. I’m also building my own brand. 

FRENDY:  I’m genuinely happy for you.  We’ll definitely talk about your excursions and work-related happenings later on. Are you originally from New York City?

ADARIUS:  Yes! Brooklyn—Flatbush to be exact. But I also spent some time growing up in Florida.  So I’ve seen all types of crazy shit.  These last 11 years I’ve been in the Bronx which is so different from Brooklyn. It’s like I have a piece of home from all over. 

Young Adarius

FRENDY:  I spent some time living in Flatbush as well during my high school years.  For some reason, I always thought you were a Harlem cat.  Where was your favorite place to live?

ADARIUS:  Honestly, it has to be Brooklyn. It’s so rich in culture and history that it can’t be touched. I have some family in Canarsie so it’s always nice to be on that side of the parks. Plus, you can’t beat all the greatness that comes from BK.

Pop Smoke mural in Canarsie, Brooklyn

FRENDY:  Oh, most definitely.  I don’t know exactly when we first spoke but I was always aware of your presence in the SoHo area.  How’d you discover the Downtown scene?

ADARIUS:  Growing up I was always hanging out with older cousins and friends so they were always speaking on the Downtown scene. However, it was truly my uncle who put me on. He was a booster/hustler so he was always selling clothes out his trunk or in the neighborhood. He was the first person to introduce me to luxury and streetwear. I remember Von Dutch, ENYCE and Baby Milo like it was yesterday. 

FRENDY:  Shout out to your uncle, for real. My dad put me on to SoHo and I never looked back since. What were your favorite spots to hit up there?

ADARIUS:  West Broadway where the old BBC/Ice Cream store used to be. Right next to G-Shock.  If you're a student of fashion you know that area like the back of your hand. Everyone that was somebody always posted up in that area. It was the place to be—especially during Fashion’s Night Out. Also, my old stomping ground Opening Ceremony on Howard St, BAPE, & VFiles when it was VFiles. 

FRENDY:  That last line was funny *Laughs*. I feel you though.  Do you think SoHo has changed drastically post pandemic?

ADARIUS:  100%! I feel like SoHo has turned into the new forty-deuce. It’s like Times Square on crack! It just doesn’t seem genuine anymore from streetwear to the people posted on the streets. It’s like everyone is looking to be seen rather than to create. 

FRENDY:  I’m sure there are many people who share the same sentiment.  How often do you go back to soak up inspiration that only SoHo could offer?

ADARIUS:  Honestly, not often.  I sometimes try avoiding SoHo because it’s too overwhelming. If I do go, I’m checking in on my homies who are still working in the area or popping through to see what newness that are in the boutiques. I find myself going more to the Lower East Side [of Manhattan] for pieces now or just copping pieces from places I travel to. 

Katz’s Deli in the LES (Getty Images)

FRENDY:  You worked at the legendary Opening Ceremony store from 2017-2020. How was your experience there?

ADARIUS:  I miss it! Looking back now it’s a blessing to say I was able to be a part of that [establishment]. It was a hell of an experience from being able to meet so many creatives, work with so many brands that are major now, meet celebrities on a personal tip, and connect with the community.  There’s no better feeling than connecting with creatives and picking their brain. 

First floor of OC in SoHo

FRENDY:  Trust me, I totally understand where you’re coming from.  According to LinkedIn, you were a sales leader at the shop in 2018. I know it must have been tough to persuade customers into copping fire pieces when there are other equally stylish and knowledgeable sales associates on the floor. How’d you make yourself stand out?

ADARIUS:  My tactic was always to be myself. I’m a very personable person so I wasn’t trying hard to sell the brand, but more so focusing on getting to know the client. You can say that helped me majorly in my time there because so many stylists and celebrities appreciated that. They wanted a disconnect from the industry.  A sense of familiarity and normality.

FRENDY:  What do you miss most about OC?

ADARIUS:  I miss the people, the partnerships with the brands, the newness in clothes, and just being excited about the state of the industry. Now, I feel like New York in a sense has resorted to other places for inspiration. I miss when we used to be the source for it all.

Adarius w/ former Opening Ceremony coworkers

FRENDY:  About a week ago, Kai Cenat, the number one streamer in the world, gave you props on your style while he was rating his viewers outfits from Instagram.  Rapper, Lil Yatchy, was there and he showed you major love as well.  When did your love of fashion come about?

ADARIUS:  As a yute! I was always inspired by what I saw on TV, film, music and the streets. I looked up to people like Lenny Kravitz, Andre 3000, Pharrell, Johnny Depp and Taz Arnold.  Daring individuals who didn’t care what people thought and wore what they love. For me, fashion is art.  It’s an expression.  It’s a feeling.  It's a way of being.  Fashion creates character!

YouTube Thumbnail of Kai Cenat’s video

FRENDY:  How would you describe your style?

ADARIUS:  I remember when people used to ask me this question and I never had a definite answer. But now I feel as though the way to describe it is I see myself more as a chameleon. I don’t have a set look or sense of style because I do everything. My style is always evolving and changing. One day I’m inspired by Marlon Brando, and the next day I can be looking at a Gordon Parks picture and get influenced by that. 

Marlon Brando

FRENDY:  Are you big on designer pieces or do you prefer digging up thrifted gems?

ADARIUS:  I’m truly “Mr.Thrifty Nifty!”  That’s the nickname I’ve given myself because that’s all I’ve known throughout my life. Yes, I can buy designer clothes but I would rather not. It’s an incredible feeling when you can find gems around the world and wear them. It’s like clothes that are thrifted have a story to them. It’s rich in originality! 

FRENDY:  What’s one staple piece everyone should have in their closet?

ADARIUS:  Most definitely a nice coat. Whether it’s an overcoat or down jacket, I feel like it can make an outfit. I’m a sucker for outerwear. 

Adarius wearing a dope overcoat in Paris

FRENDY:  You received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.  How did that achievement aid in landing a job in the Fashion industry right out of college?

ADARIUS:  It took some time—especially graduating college in 2019 and then COVID happening. However, when the opportunity came about I was excited!  More so to create and open doors for other black and brown kids trying to enter the fashion industry. I think it’s important for us to be in places such as Dior, or wherever, to shake things up and let people know we are worthy and we belong here. We are the ones setting the precedent for fashion and what’s being heavily marketed so why can’t we be a part of it? 

FRENDY:  I totally agree.  Where did you intern during your senior year at F.I.T?

ADARIUS:  I didn’t get an opportunity to intern because I was working full time and going to school full time. I had limited time on my hands. But I feel like OC was like an internship for me. It taught me a lot about the industry, how it operates and what to expect of it. 

FRENDY:  What is your current role at Christian Dior?

ADARIUS:  Dior Sales Ambassador. I work at the 5th Ave location where I cater to new and old existing clients. Making sure I create the ultimate client experience that will keep clients coming back. Whether it’s taking clients to shows in Paris or Egypt, booking appointments to see the archive in Paris, down to having dinners at Cipriani.

Dior 5th Ave store

FRENDY:  Blessings.  What is your dream job?

ADARIUS:  My dream job is entrepreneurship!  I want to have my own creative agency, my own clothing brand, and be able to travel the world and document it for the world to see. 

FRENDY:  Your IG handle, @vacationboii, describes your life precisely. How often do you travel a year? It seems like every other month or so you’re in a new hideout spot somewhere in the world.

ADARIUS:  Yes, indeed *Laughs*.  I love traveling. It soothes my soul. I travel probably eight to nine times throughout the year. I already have next year planned and sketched in. It’s crazy because people are like, “Damn every week you go somewhere new. I can't keep up!” Traveling is such an experience that it sticks with you for a lifetime. 

FRENDY:  What are the top three places you’ve visited thus far?

ADARIUS:  Hands down Cape Town is one of my favorite spots. It’s beautiful to see Africa in a different light than what's depicted on TV.  London because it’s just fire. Lastly, Faro, Portugal because it’s low-key and peaceful. Looking forward to my trip to Japan for 3 weeks at the top of 2024. I know that will soon become part of my top three vacation spots. 

Adarius horse-riding in Portugal

FRENDY:  How important is it for you to take these yearly trips?

ADARIUS:  It is really important because for me it creates this urge to do better, be better, and live better. Moreover, it helps in creating. So much inspiration comes from traveling and seeing what’s out there. 

FRENDY:  You’re out here looking brolic. I have a feeling you’re in the gym as much as I am. What keeps you motivated on your fitness journey?

ADARIUS:  Staying healthy and living long. My family deals with health issues so I wanted to be ahead of the game and beat the odds. Plus, a lot of people don’t know I used to be 240 pounds, which is low-key traumatizing, so I can’t go back to that.  I feel like for people who have lost a significant amount of weight, the old you always stays in the back of your mind. You do whatever you can to not go back to something that wasn’t so pleasant. 

FRENDY:  What advice would you give to anyone who is struggling with inconsistent training habits?

ADARIUS:  Stay focused, dedicated, and motivated. Just know you will persevere, you just have to keep going and remain optimistic. Sometimes we are hard on ourselves more than others and that can knock us off our tracks. However, if you continuously breathe positivity into your life things will happen the way you designed it. 

Adarius in London

FRENDY:  What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned this year?

ADARIUS:  That the journey of living life is ongoing. It’s a never ending journey—you're going to learn something new everyday. You just have to be patient and know that things will happen on God's time. Regardless of your beliefs or mantras just be patient and manifest. Everything happens the way it is supposed to happen. 

FRENDY:  Taking a page from Ray J’s book, if you had only one wish that could be granted, what would it be?

ADARIUS:  I like this question *Laughs*. Ummmm…if I was young my answer would’ve been to teleport *Laughs*.  But now, I would say it’s to live out every dream that I’ve dreamt of. That’s to travel the world more, create projects for the world to see, and even produce music. Low-key, as a yute I always had the dream of doing something with music. I haven’t touched a studio but always been in love with music and wanted to be a part of it somehow.

FRENDY:  With your mindset, anything is possible.

ADARIUS:  Thank you, G! Anything is possible for us all. Also, big ups to you as well. I always admired your work ethic and relentlessness. When I said I told everyone about the conversation we had on the street that one day I was deadass. Your words stuck with me till this day. I remember you saying, “You're going to be somebody one day, just know you can’t do everything on your own, you have to have a team around you to help build.” Those words stuck and still ring an alarm to my soul.

CAN I LYV?

I know you’re probably thinking: “Damn, Frendy really posed a question as a title for his Original Story.” Well, why not? Everything I do is pretty much unconventional and my next guest totally shares the same sentiment about herself. Ladies, gents—and those who don’t subscribe to the binary—allow me to present the uniquely wonderful Lyv Riley. 

What makes Lyv so special? There are too many attributes to name.  Whether it’s her natural beauty, spiritualistic nature or old soul swagger, the California native can illuminate the darkest of rooms with her ethereal presence. Not only a burgeoning model, clothing brand owner and writer, Lyv is, more importantly, a proud mother of one who is doing all she can to remain at peace in La La Land.

Check out my insightful conversation with Ms. Riley as we discuss her upbringing, life as a 26-year-old mother, staying out of the mix and future goals.

FRENDY: Lyv, my goodness! I’ve known you for almost a decade now and, I must say, your growth is truly amazing to behold. How are you feeling nowadays?

LYV: Frendy! You’ve always been so supportive. [I] can’t believe it’s been that long. I’m feeling grateful, busy, but rested.

FRENDY: It’s my pleasure—you really deserve everything that’s coming for you.  Recently, I listened to your conversation on the “here now” podcast, and at the end you mentioned that you do not talk a lot—especially to people you don’t know. I feel like this interview will shed a much needed light on the totality of who you really are.

LYV: *Laughs*  Yes, I don’t. I’m a very private person! I’m particular about who I speak to and what I give my energy to.

FRENDY: Your intuition is so intact that you hit me up about having a conversation literally right before I messaged you about participating in my #FrendyOriginals series *Laughs*. I’m very impressed and honored.  How important is it for someone to follow their gut feeling?

LYV: So intact! I do that often *Laughs*. Thank you! It is so important to follow that first instinct you get. You have to trust yourself before anything. I think when you have a strong connection to God and yourself, you’re unstoppable. You can’t let anyone or anything get in the way of what your body, mind and soul are telling you—it’s divine guidance.

FRENDY: I really couldn’t have agreed with you any more.  I know you’re of Dominican descent.  Were you born in the Dominican Republic?

LYV: My grandmother on my dad’s side came to LA from the DR when she was just 14-years-old on her own. You know how that goes I’m sure. She just made a life here for herself, and for that I’m grateful. Or else I wouldn’t be here. 

FRENDY: Wow, that’s dope. This is the first time I’m hearing someone migrated directly from the Dominican Republic to Los Angeles. Usually, the people I know automatically move to the East Coast (New York or Miami).  Have you lived in California all of your life? If so, which part?

LYV: Right! A lot of other family members migrated to Brooklyn, New York. My great grandfather sent her to California and here I am *Laughs*. I have. All my life. I grew up in Long Beach.

FRENDY: Ay, the LBC!  Going back to the podcast you were on last month, you mentioned that at the tender age of seven you were all alone in a bedroom asking yourself if God was real because your life was in shambles.  Do you mind elaborating on that?  What was your childhood experience like?

LYV: Whew! I grew up in an emotionally dysfunctional household and being a child, especially a girl, I was very sensitive to everything around me. I believe that’s why I am so intuitive now because I watched everyone so closely, walking on eggshells. I felt I was subconsciously trying to hold everyone together and I would just break down sometimes. You learn a lot when you have to just observe and not speak to avoid conflict.

FRENDY: At times, traumatic experiences really boost up our spiritual nature.  Were you a part of the popular crowd in high school?

LYV: Oh man. I mean I’m sure anyone reading this that went to school with me would say yes. And I was, but I didn’t ever feel fully accepted. To be honest, I didn’t care to be. I was homeschooled for a while and only went to traditional HS for about two and a half years, something like that. My experience wasn’t great.

FRENDY: Really, why wasn’t it great?  Too many people hating on you for no reason?

LYV: For sure! I had a few fights *Laughs*. But really, I’ve had a challenging life, and at that time, I was going through so much. School and friends were honestly the least of my concern. I moved around so much so I didn’t get the full experience. I'm also not too much of a social butterfly! I didn’t care about being there *Laughs*.

FRENDY: Did you go to college?

LYV: Twice! And dropped out. Then I went to beauty school and got my Esthetician license in 2016.

FRENDY: *Laughs* Yes, I do remember that stage in your life when you were an Esthetician.  What inspired you to step into the modeling scene at the age of 18?

LYV: Well, growing up my mom always took me to castings, but I was so quiet and my mom wasn’t the nicest, most supportive parent so I never got any jobs *Laughs*. As I got older though I felt like I thought it was something I had to do. Something that was for me because it was pushed on me. So I went for it and I’m doing all the things that little shy girl would’ve never thought she could do.

FRENDY: That’s astonishing.  It’s similar to my story because as a kid from Haiti living in NYC, I was shy as sh*t.  I’m more than sure my former classmates are looking at me now like, “Frendy really glowed up” *Laughs*.  How’s your relationship with your mom now?

LYV: I don’t have one with her. My life is more peaceful that way.

FRENDY: I respect that.  Do you remember your very first modeling gig?

LYV: Ahhhh, yes. It was for my friend Drew Byrd’s brand 40s & Shorties! I had just turned 18-years-old. He really introduced me to the LA scene I guess you could say. Love that guy. 

Photographed by Anthony Freeman

FRENDY: You began your modeling career as a freelancer. How did you go about finding castings back then?

LYV: Honestly. Instagram! You know how they used to have those curly hair pages? Or just pages dedicated to beautiful women. That’s how I got all my followers, and from there brands and photographers would just reach out to me. So weird but that’s how it happened. Twitter too! 

FRENDY: When you’ve got “it”, you’ve got it!  In February 2021 you were officially signed as a model. Which agency are you with?

LYV: Yes, I’m signed with OPC (Other Peoples Children). Some agents there left from Ford models and decided to do their own thing. And they’re cool! [I] Love them.

Photographed by Other Peoples Children

FRENDY: Independence at its finest.  What are some of your favorite clothing brands that you’ve worked with thus far?

LYV: Probably all my friends I’ve ever shot for. I love supporting and working with my friends. One specifically, Synth. My friend Ryan’s brand.

Photographed by Simone Niamani Thompson/Playboy

FRENDY: You’ve been featured in a few music videos as well. Do you prefer doing those gigs over photoshoots?

LYV: Absolutely!  100% I want to act more so music videos have been that next door opening for me. 

FRENDY: I love acting as well—I’m ready to get back in the game.  Were you enrolled in any acting classes?

LYV: You should! And no, zero *Laughs*.  But I will soon. I think my life experiences serve as enough practice *Laughs*.

FRENDY: *Laughs* You’re right. Other than modeling, what are your other passions in life?  I saw that you are starting a clothing brand, tell me more about that.

LYV: It’s been a process! Arc Et Eros is something my best friend and I are doing together. She’s more of baggy jeans and sneakers [type] while I’m the dresses and heels kind of girl so we’re just meshing that together. Also, writing. That’s my first love and hopefully when the time is right everyone can read what I’ve put down. It’s all very personal and a little traumatic so I'm holding it close until I’m ready.

FRENDY: How do you remain grounded in the midst of a heavy workflow?

LYV: I keep a spiritual routine, and lately I’m big on rest and patience. Sometimes you do have to sit back and let the universe do its thing with the work you’ve already done. Trying to control every little thing can make what you’re doing ten times harder than it has to be. Believe that everything is going to flow to you and land in its perfect place at the perfect time.

Photographed by Anthony Freeman

FRENDY: It is done unto you as you believe. What does being Spiritual mean to you?

LYV: Being in tune with Self and your ancestors at the deepest, most vulnerable level. 

FRENDY: You’ve been traveling heavily in the last six months. What’s your favorite place that you’ve visited thus far?

LYV: Heavily *Laughs*.  I wish I had more time to, but I love Ghana and I absolutely love St. Maarten. I felt so at home and the food in St. Maarten *chefs kiss*.   That is the place I want to buy a house and live in forever. When I’m done working my ass off.

Photographed by @notmrblue

FRENDY: The first thing that popped up when I googled your name was a picture of you and an ex who is a very well-known singer in the music industry. How has your experience been in finding meaningful relationships, especially in the LA scene?

LYV: Frendyyyy *Laughs*.  It’s difficult. As hell.  [I] Don’t even know what to say, but this industry and this life isn’t for the weak-hearted. I feel that this generation in general can be so toxic, and there’s that one percent of us in it trying to find someone to lean on and trust. But we all have walls up in one way or another. Got to find someone you can break down those walls with and when you don't let them go.

FRENDY: *Laughs* I knew you'd love that question.  Are you currently dating?

LYV: I am. I’m in love. Keeping this close to me and for me—for as long as I can.

FRENDY: Congrats!  What are the characteristics of your ideal romantic partner?

LYV: Thank you! I don’t know—I really enjoy the simple little things. It’s the kind gestures, acts of service that I love. I’m a mom and I’ve been doing a lot on my own for a long time so I appreciate it when someone just wants to do everything for me to make my days easier. That’s romantic to me *Laughs*.

FRENDY: Throughout the years you’ve cut your hair, let it grow and cut it back again.  Is there a significance behind the chops?

LYV: Jesus!  Me and my hair—we’ve been through some things *Laughs*. The first time I cut it all off I was 14-years-old, I went through a tough time. Then again after I had my daughter (postpartum depression), and from there it’s been up and down. More recently, I shaved it all off because I felt I wanted to have a fresh start. 

A lot of it tied into my mom and her image of me and what she wanted me to be. I started questioning if I even knew myself for real or was I just who my mom raised me as. I think that’s something everyone should ask themselves. It was a mind f*ck to me. Because who would I be without the influence of my mother or anyone who had parts in raising me? And I found that answer. 

Photographed by Anthony Freeman

FRENDY: You have a beautiful daughter named Phoenyx and she literally is the spitting image of you when you were a little girl.  How has your life changed since her birth?  Btw, she was born just two days after me!

LYV: Thank you so much, my little Virgo. My life gained more meaning. I’ve always questioned life and what we’re doing here but she really made me start doing the footwork. Following my soul purpose and she has taught me to never settle. No matter how badly it may hurt to let something go, there’s far more rewarding things on the other side once you do. Growth. Being born again & again. Never being afraid to try something new. 

FRENDY: Phoenyx is modeling already!  From your Instagram stories it's apparent that she has an outgoing personality. Is there a slight chance of her getting into acting?

LYV: She is super outgoing. Possibly, if she wants to! But she tells me she wants to be a painter so I’m watering that dream of hers right now. I don’t ever want to push anything on her. I always ask if she wants to do something first before I just throw her into it.

FRENDY: Is there any advice you’ll like to give to all of the young mothers out there that you wish you received?

LYV: Love yourself. Put yourself first. If you’re not happy, your child isn’t happy. A lot of the time we like to think we have to hyper focus on if we’re doing things the right way, but just focus on you. In doing that you teach your kids to do the same and then others know how to treat them. So give yourself all the love. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better so you can show up fully for your child. 

FRENDY: The inspiration behind your daughter’s name derived from Kanye West’s song and short film, “Runaway”. He’s one of your favorite artists. Who are the other musicians you admire?

LYV: Yes! I love Jay Z, Amy Winehouse, Tupac, and Jimi Hendrix. I could go on & on. But their stories and the talent that comes out of them so effortlessly is beautiful. I love when I can relate to an artist's personal life story, not just their music.

FRENDY: What can we expect from you for the remainder of 2022?

LYV: I like to keep my mystique *Laughs*. So just watch! But so much work. Only good things ❤️

ALAUNI IN NYC

There’s a humorous meme circulating online that states “gorgeous gorgeous” girls have arguably the most unpronounceable names. I don’t know about all of that, but I must admit, many of the beautiful women—inwardly and outwardly—I came across have at least one “A” in their first names.  Case in point, Alauni Greig. To avoid any mispronunciation, the 24-year-old beauty specifically wrote how to actually say it via her Instagram bio: “ah law knee.” 

Now, Alauni is not just a pretty face. The LSU alumni is also steadily rising in the business marketing food chain.  After graduating from college in 2019, Alauni moved to the Big Apple where she abruptly landed an internship at Live Nation, which is the leading American global entertainment company that promotes, operates and manages ticket sales for live entertainment in the US and internationally.  If that isn't impressive enough, Ms. Greig left her internship at Live Nation for a position at publishing company Galison & Madpup, worked there for almost two years, got promoted in the process, departed and then went back to Live Nation as a full-time associate manager in their solution development department.  Woah! It’s safe to say that this St. Thomas-born baddie is on a mission.

I sat down with Alauni to further discuss her flourishing career, growing up in the Virgin Islands, life in the concrete jungle, and everything else in between. Check out our insightful conversation below:

FRENDY: Alauni, what’s going on? We’ve been following each other for some time on Instagram so it’s such a pleasure to finally have this sitdown. Btw, I recently found out we were born 10 days apart—big Virgo energy going on right now!

ALAUNI: Hey! I know, it’s about time we had this time together. Love the Virgo energy—I knew you had good vibes!

FRENDY:  Thank you, thank you!  On the gram you made sure your followers knew how to properly say your name.  Is it that hard for strangers to say it in person? *Laughs*

ALAUNI: You wouldn’t believe how many people just flat out try to avoid saying my name out loud when they meet me for the first time. I’ve gotten so many different pronunciations I decided to take it into my own hands and make sure people knew how to say it so they would no longer have an excuse to not to. I love my name and feel like the least people could do is learn to say it right. *Laughs*

FRENDY: Damn! I feel you—I’ve heard everything from Friendly to Fendi.  So I know exactly what you’re talking about. We don’t play around when it comes to our names. Let’s take it back real quick, what’s your fondest memory of living in St. Thomas?

ALAUNI: Oh, we’re going way back! I have nothing but good memories of living there.  I think my fondest memories are just of being surrounded by family. I have a lot of family there still and I miss being so close to them. But I do get to go back pretty often and be with them—we pick back up right where we left off. It’s like nothing has changed.

FRENDY:  That’s awesome. How old were you when you left?

ALAUNI: I was six when we moved to the United States.

FRENDY: Wow, I moved to the US when I was seven from Haiti.  Was there a main motive behind the migration?  Was it for the wide range of opportunities that the states provided?

ALAUNI: Wow, I didn’t know you were from Haiti! It was definitely for the wide range of opportunities—specifically better education opportunities. I didn’t understand why we were moving at the time, but now I appreciate the sacrifice my parents made to give my sisters and I better opportunities every single day.

FRENDY: Yup! Port-au-Prince, to be exact.  Did you experience a major culture shock when you moved to the US from the Virgin Islands?

ALAUNI: I honestly didn’t as much as my sisters likely did. I think my younger sis and I had it easy while it was a bigger adjustment for my older siblings since they had time to develop their character and culture more.

FRENDY:  Totally understandable.  Even though I came here when I was seven, I definitely felt like a fish out of water *Laughs*.  My first language was French so you know I was getting picked on by some of the kids in elementary school. I had to take extra classes just to get my English up to par. Growing pains for sure—but it was all worth it.  Builds character.

ALAUNI: I’d like to kindly say, f**k those kids. *Laughs*

FRENDY: *Laughs* My younger self just gave you a huge hug.  Speaking of your sisters, how many do you have?

ALAUNI: Three sisters! Two older, one younger and the best part? We all have names that start with “A”. We’re all pretty close in age so I’m sure you can imagine the chaos in my house growing up.

FRENDY: Y’all are the “A-Team” for real. How’d your dad deal with all of the estrogen in the house?

ALAUNI: I have no idea how he did it but he deserves a prize for all of the stress we put him through *Laughs*.  My mom deserves one too, but she might have been contributing to his stress also.

FRENDY: *Laughs*  That’s hilarious.  How was your experience at LSU?  I know they have a huge sports culture.

ALAUNI: I had a great time at LSU! The culture and the community there was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. The school itself was great. I loved the communications school and all of the classes I took there. I also really loved game days in Death Valley. I’m not a sports girl but I turn into a whole different person when I see LSU playing.

FRENDY: When you’re around high octane energy, you have no choice but to get in on all of the excitement.  Why did you choose to go to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for school?  Was it your first choice?

ALAUNI: It was one of my top choices. LSU has a great mass communication program, which is what I was looking for, and I also really wanted a change in environment. Going to the South and living in Louisiana (where I had never been before) was the culture shock I needed to kind of open my eyes up. It also didn’t hurt that I got a great scholarship to go there. *Laughs*

FRENDY:  That’s a fact.  You majored in mass communication and double minored in sports studies and business administration.  Was there a slight chance of you becoming a sports agent? *Laughs*

ALAUNI: *Laughs* I thought about it for a second, and then I realized that sports is just not for me. So I have a bunch of sports knowledge just stored in my brain for no reason.

FRENDY: Why did you even think about it in the first place? What triggered the interest?

ALAUNI: It was being in such a sports-centric atmosphere. LSU (obviously) is known for their athletics programs, and I think I saw how much attention they got—I wanted a little slice of it *Laughs*. I quickly realized that it was not my scene when my sports studies minor required me to take a jogging class. Yes…a jogging class.

FRENDY: *Laughs* A jogging class? Wow, I think we broke a record in all of my years interviewing people. I’ve never had anyone mention anything about a college course that required them to jog.  I’m guessing you’re not much of a jogger?

ALAUNI: I really wish I was, but sadly, no. I am trying to get into running though—don’t ask me about how that’s going.

FRENDY:  I won’t—I’m a StairMaster guy myself.  What was your impression of NYC when you moved here right before the pandemic? 

ALAUNI: I moved here in May 2019 right after graduating college to be an intern at Live Nation. When I first got here I was so unbelievably nervous and intimidated by everything—the city, the people, even the train *Laughs*. But I’m glad I had a minute to adjust and figure sh*t out before the pandemic hit.

FRENDY: Not the train *Laughs*.  Which area of the city did you initially move to?

ALAUNI: I was in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

FRENDY:  Nice calm vibes there—depending on where you stayed.  Are you living in Manhattan now?

ALAUNI: Definitely didn’t have calm vibes where I was *Laughs*. Yes, I’m in Manhattan now living downtown and I’ve loved it so far.

FRENDY:  Was it hard getting accustomed to the fast paced lifestyle of the concrete jungle?

ALAUNI: No, actually. I think I picked it up pretty fast. By the time I was about to graduate, I was ready to get out of the slow moving south and into a quicker paced lifestyle—so I jumped right into it.

FRENDY:  Right after interning for Live Nation you worked for a company called Galison & Madpup, which is known for partnering with artist foundations to create puzzles, games, home decors, desk accessories, etc.  Since you worked there in the midst of the pandemic, how was business?  Booming, I bet because everyone was home.

ALAUNI: You’re absolutely right, business was insane during quarantine! It was a big test for my work abilities, that was my first “real” job and working throughout the pandemic was really tough.

FRENDY:  What was your most stressful moment there? And how’d you get through it?

ALAUNI: My most stressful moment was keeping up with the customer demand during quarantine. Our product demand was at an all time high and, obviously during that time, there were a bunch of supply chain issues so it was really stressful trying to communicate with customers that were already on edge with all that was going on in the world at that time. Thankfully, I was back home in Maryland and around my family at the time, they were such an amazing support system, and my team at Galison was unbelievable. They were feeling the same stress and we all came together to figure the best ways to get past it. 

FRENDY: I’m glad you guys thugged it out.  Did you leave Galison by choice?

ALAUNI: Yes, it was a really tough decision! A member of my current team at Live Nation reached out to me about an open position that she believed would be good for me, and once I did my research I was sold and applied. Thankfully, I got the position with an amazing company and team. I’m really happy to be back with Live Nation and love the work that I’m doing.

FRENDY:  I’m surprised you weren’t hired by Live Nation right after your internship with them.  What are your duties there now as an associate manager?

ALAUNI: That’s what I had hoped for, but life is crazy and everything happens—or doesn’t happen—for a reason. As an associate manager on the marketing team, I help come up with creative ways for brands to integrate themselves into live music culture. So for example, when you see your favorite brand at a music festival or venue, my team works to come up with “the way in” for the brand.

FRENDY: Sounds like a wavy gig for sure!  Congrats on getting the position—you deserved it.  I see that the company is already promoting upcoming festivals like, When We Were Young and The Smoker’s Club.  How excited are you to see that live events are making a comeback?

ALAUNI: Thank you! I can’t even put into words how excited I am. We got a little taste of it last year during the fall, but nothing will compare to this festival season. People are so eager to get back to live music experiences—myself included. I can’t wait to experience the vibe of listening to your favorite artist surrounded by fellow fans again.

FRENDY:  I peeped that you absolutely love checking out art galleries on your off days.  What’s your favorite exhibition thus far?

ALAUNI: One of my favorite activities! Hmm…I think my favorite so far was the Andy Warhol: Revelation exhibit that I went to at the Brooklyn Museum recently. I went with my roommate/best friend Kayla and we had an amazing time just enjoying Warhol’s work, and seeing new pieces that we hadn’t seen before.

FRENDY:  Yes, I was just about to mention Kayla. How’d you guys meet?

ALAUNI: Kayla and I have actually known each other forever. We went to middle and high school together, and just so happened to be moving to NYC around the same time and have lived with each other ever since.

FRENDY: Synchronicity at its finest.  Kayla is a great photographer—how dope is it to bounce off of her artistic vibe?

ALAUNI: She’s so talented—I’m her biggest fan! It’s amazing having her creativity so close by. She’s such an amazing asset to have around, not only for my career development but for my personal development too. 10/10 recommend getting yourself a Kayla.

FRENDY: Indeed!  We all need a ride or die in our squad.  What else do you do for fun in the city?

ALAUNI: Just overall explore! This summer I made it a mission to see parts of the city I hadn’t been able to before and get out of my comfort zone. I haven’t been that great about doing it recently since it’s so cold out, but I’m ready for spring time so I can start on my little adventures again.

FRENDY:  Since you’re not originally from New York, is it difficult for you to make new friends? Especially during the covid restrictions.

ALAUNI: I can’t lie, it was definitely hard in the beginning. I am so grateful to have had Kayla with me because she was also in the same boat of not really knowing anyone here. But, in 2021 when things opened up more I flourished socially and made so many new friends in the city. I can thank social media for that! I consider all of my internet friends my real friends at this point. *Laughs*

FRENDY: *Laughs* Sometimes internet friends are the ones that look out in real life. How are the fellas treating you in New York?

ALAUNI: No comment. *Laughs*

FRENDY: *Laughs* Fair enough.  Are you dating often?  Also, do you have a particular type?

ALAUNI: I wouldn’t say “often,” but I am dating here and there. I think the type is men who won’t traumatize me. And apparently that’s a big ask.

FRENDY: What do you mean by traumatize? *Laughs*

ALAUNI: Anything that I will potentially have to talk with a therapist about. *Laughs*

FRENDY:  What’s the best way a guy can capture your attention while walking down a crowded SoHo street?

ALAUNI: By saying something kind and not commenting on my outward appearance. It’s the little things—like when someone tells me to have a nice day, that’ll get my attention.

FRENDY:  What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2022?

ALAUNI: Tough question that I haven’t even asked myself! I hope to build my following on social media and be able to work with the brands that I admire. I would love to try out influencing and creating content that breaks through and doesn’t just clutter the feed.

KIM POSSIBLE

“Wazzup, wazzup, wattaaap!” Listen, if you don’t know where that quote came from then your childhood was totally messed up. Anyway, I’m back in action and decided to revive my Original Stories series for your reading enjoyment. This time around, I aim to deliver exclusive interviews with some of the most sophisticated women in the game. Allow me to present my special first guest, Kimberlyanne Mendoza.

Kim and I met while we were patiently standing in line to enter a botched Hypebeast event in 2017. (Approximately two years after I left BAPE). Let’s put it this way: the shindig was like an oversold flight where they invited more people than the venue could even handle. As you guessed, we weren’t able to get in—at least it was great seeing Kim. As a matter of fact, she reminded me that we were already connected via LinkedIn! 

The New Jersey-bred, social media maven is balling to the squeaks of her own high-end sneaks in a male dominated arena.  Kim has worked for MTV, Complex, and is now a social strategist at Nike.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention she has a fledgling clothing line, aptly titled, Girls Who Dress Like Boys.

I sat down with the Filipina polymath to get a glimpse of what it’s like in her wondrous universe.  Check out our conversation below:

FRENDY:  What’s going on, Kim? I really appreciate you for taking the time to have this talk.

KIM:  Hey! Of course.

FRENDY:  The last time I saw you in person was when we bumped into each other about five years ago trying to get inside a Hypebeast event. It’s crazy how fast time flew by!  So much has changed in the world since then.

KIM:  Wow! That’s right, I totally forgot we met trying to get into their office. Pretty sure I was in the process of interviewing with them back then. I also ran into Michèle Lamy that same day. Super random! *Laughs*

FRENDY: *Laughs* That’s crazy. Interviewing with them—meaning a job interview?

KIM:  Yes, it was for a random social media position at Hypebeast—nothing crazy. I just wanted to find another gig outside of Beauty since that was the field I was currently in, and wanted out.  I actually ended up at [MTV] TRL after someone in HR reached out for their re-launch which was pretty sick.

FRENDY:  Everything happens for a reason.  We may not know why during the questionable events, but later on in life the answers reveal themselves. I’m definitely going to discuss all of your endeavors in a bit.  Let’s get to the nitty-gritty now though: what did you say to Michèle Lamy when you ran into her? *Laughs*

KIM:  *Laughs*  Actually, I stood around and contemplated if I should approach her. She walked past me, then turned back around and walked past me again for the second time. In my mind, I was like, should I say something or should I not? She then came back around a third time and I thought, whatever let me just say something to her. 

I didn’t want to come off like one of those people who are all in your face asking for photos so I politely said, “hi Michèle, I’m a huge fan of you and your work. You and Rick [Owens] are a huge inspiration.”  She said “thank you,” and kept it moving. I’m very happy that I had a chance to briefly speak to her face to face—I didn’t think I would ever meet her. 

FRENDY:  It’s funny because now we can hardly notice any public figures freely walking around in the streets since everyone is wearing face masks. How has this pandemic way of living changed your mindstate?

KIM: The pandemic was a blessing in disguise for me. Weirdly, it has challenged me to be creative in more ways than I already am. It has also pushed me to put in 1000% more time and effort in projects that I’ve been working on, and also try new things out.  I learned that the power of the internet is real!  A ton of small businesses benefited from it during this time period in terms of support. 

FRENDY: Absolutely. Were you born and raised in New York?

KIM:  I’m not. I'm actually from New Jersey--born and raised! Right now, I reside in Newark.

FRENDY:  Jersey in the house! Was it hard for you to go to the city often as a kid? Or were you able to get constant rides to enjoy all the festivities that were taking place in the Big Apple?

KIM:  It wasn’t hard at all.  I was always in the city! I went to college and interned there so I was in NYC daily. I was a heavy concert goer *Laughs*.  Not a huge party animal, but [I] loved the music and fashion scene there. 

FRENDY:  Which college did you attend? Also, what was your major?

KIM:  I went to LIM College and I majored in Marketing with a concentration in Social Media/Fashion Photography and Design.

FRENDY:  I know that you previously worked for MTV and Complex.  What was your position at those major broadcasting companies?

KIM:  I was a social media coordinator at MTV and at Complex I was a social media manager.  I’ve been in social media my entire career basically.  Besides in my early days when I was at Karmaloop, XXL, Jack Threads and Burberry.  I was still testing the waters at that point in time.

FRENDY:  Your resume is extensive—much respect!  For those who are not aware, what are the duties of a social media coordinator? I’m sure it’s more than just merely posting content on a company’s Instagram page.

KIM:  Social media is a crazy job!  You’re on [call] 24/7 and you do way more than just post. In my experience, I was doing all the photography, producing, directing, editing, photoshopping, interviewing.  The list can go on and on. There’s usually a role for everything I just mentioned, but with social it comes with the territory.

FRENDY:  I know students are usually hired at a company they interned for right before graduating college.  Was that the case for you?

KIM:  I wouldn’t say that’s the case—it really depends if the company is hiring.  My last internship was at Nickelodeon and they were trying to get a head count on their team to hire me. I’m not one to wait around so during that period I started applying to multiple jobs.  I wasn’t being picky because I knew I was just starting out.  Eventually, after a few interviews, I nailed one down with a company I wasn’t too fond of.  Hey, it’s a job at the end of the day. 

FRENDY:  What propelled your move to Nike?

KIM:  Nike reached out to me regarding a social role on their team.  I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to work for the company since they’re Portland based and I reside on the East Coast. I've always been a fan of the brand, and a huge sneaker lover. So I took the interview, got the role, and luckily for the pandemic it ended up being remote.

FRENDY: Let’s say the pandemic didn’t happen.  Would you have moved to Nike’s headquarters in Portland?

KIM:  I wouldn’t have.  And to be honest, I most likely would have asked if I could work out of the NYC office. I only say this because I love living near the city and having access to it because a lot of the things I do for my personal endeavors require me to be in and out of there. 

FRENDY: “Won’t he do it, yes he does” ::Kanye Voice::  What are the key lessons learned from your previous jobs that stuck with you?

KIM: One thing I learned is that a job doesn’t define who you are. I feel like a lot of times people tend to think their job defines who they are and link it to their identity—that shouldn’t be the case. 

FRENDY:  I totally agree.  Although you’re working in the media field, your love for fashion never faltered.  When did it begin?

KIM:  My love for fashion started at a very young age. I can’t say how young but I remember being a child. I had these paper cut out dolls that you would rip out of these books, and they would come with outfits you can interchange. I remember not liking any of them so I would get some paper then trace the dolls in order to get an accurate measurement to draw new outfits for them. I would say that’s when it all started. I always knew at a very young age that I wanted to make clothes.

FRENDY:  *Laughs* Such devotion at a young age. Passion is the key to everything in life and it’s so good you found yours early on.  What are your favorite brands at the moment?

KIM:  I would have to say Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Aimé Leon Dore and, of course, Off White.  I never thought I would say Louis Vuitton, but since Virgil [Abloh] stepped in, I must say they have some amazing designs. Balenciaga has had some really dope pieces.  I’m really loving their oversized looks—I’m biased and love oversized/baggy clothing. Aimé because I love the creative route they are taking.  Very clean, minimal, and such a great aesthetic.  I’m also a sucker for athleisure though.  

FRENDY:  How would you describe your style?

KIM:  I have a range of styles, but it mainly consists of all black clothing with interesting cuts and fabrics. When I say all black—I mean it. My entire closet consists of all black clothing. I don’t remember the last time I wore color, and when I do it’s mainly on my sneakers. I really love a baggy fit paired with some Nikes or Jordans which is the usual fit for me.

FRENDY:  What kicks are currently in your rotation?

KIM:  It would probably be my Off-White x Nike pine green dunks, Aleali May x Air Jordan “Fortune” 14s and, throwing a curveball here, the Uggs x Stampd collaboration which I mainly wear to walk my dogs.

FRENDY:  That’s a curve ball for sure *Laughs*.  What is the purpose of your brand, Girls Who Dress Like Boys?  Obviously the name explains a lot, but is there a deeper meaning behind the moniker?

KIM:  *Laughs*  Right, but I had to be honest!  The purpose of the brand is to create a community and space for women who love sneakers, streetwear and sportswear. It's a brand and community that breaks gender norms. Women love our stuff but so do the men. It’s funny because a lot of girls will message us saying their boyfriend stole their hoodie or jacket, which we all know is usually the opposite. I also get DMs about how they can relate to the brand name and how in a lot of ways the brand spoke to them. 

FRENDY: There’s nothing greater than hearing positive feedback from supporters.  Is GWDLB only offering merchandise?  Or are you also planning on doing much more with the label such as curating events, etc?

KIM:  Yes, for sure!  We plan on doing much more than just merchandise. I have a ton of ideas and my team (consisting of 2 people) keep me level-headed because I really reach for the stars. It’s a gift and a curse *Laughs*.  There has been talks about curating events and much more but we’re being mindful of the pandemic.  Hopefully when the time is right you’ll see more of that side from us!

FRENDY:  Looking forward to it all.  On January 4th, 2018 you shared an Instagram post stating: “Start A Movement.”  Was that the moment you decided to embark on this new creative venture?

KIM:  Woah, you really dug around! I always knew GWDLB was going to be something much more than a brand. I wrote that because I wanted to inspire others to start their own projects, side hustle or whatever you want to call it. There’s a lot of room for people in this world to do dope things, and if we can help facilitate that then we're here to support.

FRENDY:  Thank you, thank you.  I put my heart into this and I really love what you’re doing—I had to come correct.  In your opinion,  what is it about menswear/streetwear that intrigues women all around the globe?

KIM:  I would say as women we can wear anything, and I don’t think just because something is made for a man it should only be worn by men. There’s something really intriguing about women putting on men’s clothing and feeling confident in it. Now, streetwear is a very male dominated area. I think when it comes to that, women tend to gravitate towards it because there is a lack of representation of them there.

Clothing is clothing to me. Anyone can wear whatever it is they want. Whether it be women wearing men's clothing or vice versa. It really doesn’t matter as long as you’re confident and happy in whatever article of clothing that is.

FRENDY: At the end of the day, it’s what’s in you not on you.  Back in 2016, you had a minimalist clothing brand titled Arevalo && Company.  Are you still working on it?

KIM:  Yes, I still work on the brand with my fiance.  However, my main focus has shifted to GWDLB. There's momentum there and crafting a brand is a ton of work!  I had to learn to prioritize so I don’t stretch myself too thin.  With that being said, there are a few new pieces for Arevalo that are currently in the works so you can look out for that in the near future.

FRENDY:  Bet!  Behind every great woman there is an equally great man.  I love the relationship you have with your best friend/fiance John Vincent.  Was it love at first sight?

KIM:  *Laughs*  Oh God, the relationship questions!  We were and still are best friends—I've known him since the seventh grade. We spoke to each other all the time and were around each other a lot. High School hit, and next thing you know we’re in a full blown relationship.  So yes, kind of love at first sight.

FRENDY: Jeeez! Since the seventh grade.  I saw that John was recently named the youngest vice president of Columbia Records.  Where were you guys when the news broke out?

KIM:  *Laughs*  We were home hanging out—it was exciting!  Our families saw him on TFC, which is a Filipino news channel in the Philippines and he was all over it. I’m genuinely happy for him since he’s born and raised there. It’s a huge accomplishment especially since there is a lack of Filipino representation in the music industry.

FRENDY:  Shout out to my dude [OVO] Niko one time. Congrats to him! You’re of Filipino descent as well right?

KIM:  Yes, I’m Filipina.  A lot of people think otherwise *Laughs*.  I’m born and raised here in the United States, but lived and went to school in the Philippines from the age of five through seven.

FRENDY:  Awesome!  I was born in Haiti and moved to NYC when I was seven-years-old. One more relationship question *Laughs* : how supportive is your fiance when it comes to your personal endeavors?

KIM:  He’s very supportive in everything I do and continuously pushes me to do more with my talents. Low key he’s like my manager *Laughs*.  He helps me on the business side of things, and I can always go to him for his advice or opinion on anything that I’m working on. 

FRENDY:  In 2018, you put me on to rapper Coi Leray before she really blew up.  How’d you get involved with her music career at such an early stage?

KIM:  Coi! I love her.  One of my best friends, D'anthony, actually manages her.  One night he brought her to our apartment to vibe out.  We all knew she was a star from that day alone. The team was very small when she was starting out.  Since I have a photography background, I was able to help out on a few shoots by taking BTS photos of them. The rest is history clearly because look at her now *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  Are you still in contact with her team?

KIM:  Yes, I'm still in contact with her manager since he’s a close friend. He's usually out in Los Angeles, but when he’s around we’ll grab dinner and catch up.

FRENDY:  How do you balance your work and romantic life?

KIM:  It’s really not hard. We do dinners often and make sure to take trips every couple of months—nothing crazy. When couples say they can’t balance work and their romantic life I really don’t understand how. It’s not that difficult. Anyone can find the time to dedicate to their significant other. The real question is if they want to or not.

FRENDY:  Bars.  What advice would you give to young women who are trying to dip their toes in the media/fashion world?  Especially during this unique covid situation.

KIM: I would say: use social media to your advantage. If you’re interested in fashion, post about fashion, and showcase your work. Companies aren’t just looking at your resume nowadays. They also take your social media account into consideration—especially during these times when the majority is remote.

Keenan

Out of the many people I’ve met during my eight years at Bape, Keenan Christian Lam is on the top 10 list of the most genuine and humble individuals I’ve had the pleasure of becoming friends with. 

The 27-year-old businessman and I were introduced to each other by our mutual friend Zachary Littman who frequently visited me at Nigo’s former NYC workshop. I established a great rapport with Zach so when he brought Keenan to my “second floor lair” we instantly clicked. Lam and I hardly kicked it outside of my old workplace, but kept in touch through social media. One major nugget I dug from my observation of him on Instagram was his undeniable love for food! 

A few months ago at my new gig, a familiar voice called out my name while I was monitoring the TSA line. I turned around, and to my pleasant surprise saw that it was the Colgate smiling epicure himself! Fortunately, foot traffic was minimal so we were able to talk for a few minutes and even caught a quick flick together. Prior to our impromptu reunion I haven’t seen Keenan in four years. 

Aside from acknowledging Lam’s exquisite taste in food, I didn’t know anything else about him. I was more than sure though that his backstory would be intriguing. I decided to hit him up and inquired about his participation in my #FrendyOriginals interview series. We didn’t have a chance to fully catch up when I saw him at JFK airport so this is the perfect chance to properly gain insight about his past.

Without further ado, indulge in my phenomenal sitdown with Keenan below as we discussed his upbringing, knack for cooking, maneuvers in the restaurant industry and involvement with KITH.

FRENDY:  How are you, Keenan? Man, we have come a long way since we first met nearly eight years ago.

KEENAN:  Frendy! Really good to hear from you, thanks for reaching out. Glad to hear you’re doing well. Just maintaining, you know?  The world is in a crazy place right now.

FRENDY:  The pleasure is all mine! Yeah, for sure—it’s nothing like we’ve ever seen on earth. I truly believe everything happens for the highest good though. This “downtime” allows us to really cherish life and appreciate our loved ones so much deeper. 

KEENAN:  I couldn’t agree more. We all need a good reset on life every now and then. We’re in the middle of two pandemics and I also agree everything happens for a reason. I’m speechless to a degree, but also confident that we’ll move forward as humans for the better.

FRENDY:  That’s a fact! We originally planned to start our conversation yesterday, but you were caught up with work. It’s good that you’re still shaking and moving during this time! If you don’t mind me asking, what was going down?

KEENAN:  Apologies about that—yeah, some things came up. I had to bring my pops to see a doctor in the city (all’s well, just a check up. Not Covid-19 related). Work wise, getting a jump on opening our KITH SoHo shop. The facade with the Nelson Mandela quote was beginning to be taken down in preparation for opening.

FRENDY:  I’m glad to hear your dad is all good. And man, you don’t know how proud I am of you and your movements with KITH. We’ll definitely get to all of that a little later on. I don’t think I ever asked but where are you from? I know Zach introduced us at Bape while you guys attended school in the city.

KEENAN:  Appreciate that man, regarding my pops and myself. I’m just trying to make moves with my head down. I’m originally from New York, born and raised. I grew up in Manhattan till I was three, then moved to Long Island and attended CUNY John Jay (shouts CUNY!). Moved to the city for school and that’s where I met Zach. Our dorm was split between a few schools. He went to LIM. We actually didn’t meet in the dorm but on a club line *Laughs*.  

FRENDY:  That’s hilarious *Laughs*. So wait, you guys didn’t even go to the same school? Wow, it felt like you guys knew each other for a while because the comradery was so strong. By the way, which club were y’all going to?

KEENAN:  *Laughs* Nah, we didn’t know each other. Couldn’t remember [which club] for the life of me *Laughs*, but I’m sure it was some college-promoted wack one. Man, we always talk about coincidence.  Zach and I had a bunch of mutual friends prior to meeting. We noticed each other when we got back to the same dorm. I don’t really remember having any dialogue with him until one day we were in the study room and I saw his “WHAT WOULD HOVA DO?” sticker on his laptop.  That’s when I said what's up.  

FRENDY: It’s a beautiful thing when the culture (I really don’t like saying that word) brings people together. What year did you guys initially meet?

KEENAN:  Agreed—any fan of HOV is a friend of mine! We met in the fall of 2011.

FRENDY:  Zach is such an awesome guy so when he introduced you to me it was no surprise that we got along so well. I think we met in 2012...I’m not sure.

KEENAN:  Yeah. Our semester started in the Fall of 2011, so we probably didn’t start hanging out for real until the following year. 2012 sounds right. 

Zach really was the best person/friend for me to meet in college. He was super passionate about the culture—about the energy that was coming out of SoHo. He literally dragged me around *Laughs*. Without him I for sure would not have been acclimated to Manhattan the way I did.

FRENDY: We all need a ‘Zach’ in our lives.  Are you guys still in touch?

KEENAN: That is a big fact. A homie that really takes time to understand you, appreciates your passion as well. Though he’s more technically versed in fashion and I with food, we always exchange our thoughts and teach each other the nuances of each world. We speak all the time. I’ve been smoking his ass in Call of Duty! *Laughs*.  Just kidding, that kid is a gaming beast. I’m still a super novice. 

FRENDY:  *Laughs* It’s all good, I was a big gamer myself (mostly played sports games though).  I’m sure you’ll smoke me in COD. When you moved to Long Island at the age of three, you hardly came back to roam the city during your adolescent years?

KEENAN:  I was returning frequently, mostly on weekends for Chinese school and seeing my family for Dim Sum (Cantonese style Brunch) almost every weekend until high school. My family’s restaurant is located in Chinatown so I only really hung out there. 

FRENDY:  Damn, you’ve been eating good all your life! Oh ok, I understand. I’m guessing you really never had the time to personally check out NYC hotspots since you were always in and out.

KEENAN:  I have a love/hate relationship when people say “eating good” *Laughs*.  It inherently means that someone is eating better than you—but I believe everyone should be able to eat well! (figuratively and literally) Everyone should have the skill to cook up and create. 

Yeah, my parents were really my only means to get in and out of the city so I never ventured outside of Chinatown as a kid. Saturday mornings meant waking up early, hit Chinatown for class, Dim Sum right after and then back to Long Island. This went on until I was about 13-14.

FRENDY: You made a great point! Everyone should be able to eat well. Nice, I’m hardly in Long Island—how was it like growing up there? Had a lot of friends?

KEENAN:  Yeah, man. I’m a firm believer that wholesome great food should be accessible to everyone. When I started to work in the industry I realized how simple good food should really be. 

Long Island was the goal for my immigrant parents. They came to this country at a young age and were raised in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens and wanted better for their children. I feel super blessed to have had the comfort of living in the suburbs. It was my “norm” but as I grew up, I started to recognize the disparity of living there and the rest of the world. I grew up with mostly White and Persian Jewish kids. I was one of maybe 10 Asian kids in my elementary school. I Have a small circle of friends that I still talk to. One thing’s for sure, I learned A LOT about the Jewish culture. Somewhat learned to appreciate it on a high level though I was not a member of the society.  

FRENDY:  My parents and I are immigrants as well so I know exactly what you’re talking about. We came to this country for much greater opportunities. It’s amazing how your parents built such a strong foundation for you and your siblings from scratch!  I know you had a few Asian kids at your elementary school, but did you ever feel like the odd man out around your peers?

KEENAN:  Absolutely—I consumed a lot of Western culture growing up so I really wanted to fit in but I never could because of: 1. Not being White 2. I wasn’t religious. So I couldn’t fit in with White Christian/Catholics kids either. There’s a deeper sense of guilt and lack of belonging when you’re born into something you can’t change. I.e; if you suck at basketball and didn’t make it on the Varsity team, that is something you can work on, you know? You can drive yourself to be better. But I’m sure you know just as well. I couldn’t change the fact that I wasn’t White or religious. I didn’t belong in this community that was so heavily run by which church, temple or synagogue you went to. I also wasn’t close to many of the Asian kids either because a good amount of them were immigrants themselves too so we didn’t have much to connect on. I must admit that I am guilty of not trying to pull the others up with me. My parents knew how to speak English.  A lot of theirs did not.  

FRENDY:  I totally understand. Don’t feel guilty—you were young trying to figure things out *Laughs*. Which high school did you go to?

KEENAN: Yeah, bro. Adolescence—confusing times right? *Laughs*. I Went to Great Neck North High School. 

FRENDY: Very! A lot of the people that knew me back then can’t even fathom how much I’ve grown. I was a super shy kid...plus I only knew how to speak French. How was your experience at Great Neck North High? Did you feel more at ease in your surroundings?

KEENAN: I do remember reading about your upbringing. Never underestimate the potential of people who have less resources than you. If there is a will, there is a way! They don’t know about Frendy’s acting career! 

I was def more at ease as I grew up. Everyone’s just basically fucking around in high school so your immediate social circle was all everyone cared about. 

FRENDY:  Thank you, my brother.  Let’s fast forward a bit. So I’ve been glued to your Instagram stories and posts showcasing the incredible food you cook up. It gets my mouth drooling every...single…time. When did your love for whipping up delicious meals come about? Was it during your HS years or later on?

KEENAN: *Laughs* I’m glad, man! I’ve always been around food via my parents. I learned to value food as a means to make ends meet since my father was in the industry. Better food meant better business. Of course my grandparents were always cooking up so I was able to get my hands dirty and build technique. I truly was always trying to cook since I could remember. 

FRENDY:  That’s absolutely incredible. Do you remember the very first dish you ever cooked?

KEENAN: *Laughs* I think the first thing I was proud of was this curry chicken salad wrap I made as a kid *Laughs*. Shouts Costco rotisserie chicken yo!

FRENDY:  Jheez! I could use some of that right now. You stated earlier that you attended John Jay college, and from what I remember it’s a criminal justice school. Why didn’t you attend a culinary institution instead?

KEENAN:  To be straight up, I didn’t have great grades. I wanted to attend CUNY Baruch, but I went to John Jay first for 2 years then transferred. I always wanted to attend culinary school, but the cost of it was pretty jarring. I figured I would just watch a ton of YouTube [cooking videos] and practice at home. I worked throughout college in the restaurant scene so I considered my jobs to be my technical training. And hey, I was getting paid for it too! *Laughs*

FRENDY:  When there’s a will, there’s a way *Laughs*. That’s crazy, I can’t imagine you without having great grades. You’re such an impeccable “mover” in my eyes. It goes to show, just because you excel in class doesn’t mean you can thrive in the school of hard knocks. When did you begin your foray in the restaurant industry? 

KEENAN: I appreciate that—I’m far from where I want to be. I’m just trying to continue navigating the industry. I was fortunate enough to work in my dad's restaurant beginning at 13. I bussed tables and learned to do some bookkeeping on the back end. From there, my first job out of the family business was at Hakkasan NYC between 2012 - 2015. I really cut my teeth there.

FRENDY:  Hakkasan NYC is top notch. How was the interview process to get in there? Did you have to showcase your cooking skills?

KEENAN: It was interesting. They needed someone who could speak both Cantonese and English, but most importantly, understood the food. I was applying for a kitchen expeditor position so I was expected to liaise between the Chinese speaking kitchen and English speaking staff. I didn’t have to show any technical skill, just good understanding of kitchen operations.

FRENDY: Wow, shout out to your parents for enrolling you in Chinese school at a young age. I'm telling you, success is honestly designed. We all need a BIG vision in order to really live life to the fullest. So, from 2012-2015 you were working at Hakkasan. Was school even on your mind during that time? 

KEENAN: I’ll be honest, I am super grateful to be bilingual. I'm not completely fluent, but it's enough to get me by. Anything is possible. My father drilled me as a kid, constantly telling us how he came from nothing. Picking up pennies on Madison St in the Lower East Side/Chinatown as a nine-year-old kid from China, not knowing a lick of English…knowledge is power. I never wanted to do that you know? I knew I couldn't fall back on the family business. I knew it was there, but it’s an artificial net. That's why I was gunning to transfer to Baruch where I wanted to attend business school.

FRENDY: Respect for not taking the “safe” route. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with going into the family business.  However, you wanted to stand on your own two.

KEENAN: Yeah, I definitely wanted to have a sense of pride in my craft. 

FRENDY: Why’d you leave Hakkasan in 2015? I’m sure you had a great run!

KEENAN: It was a great run. For the first two years, we earned a one Michelin star rating. We were at the peak of our game, but then the brand pivoted towards nightclubs and hotels. I felt the passion wasn't there anymore with the team. We didn't earn any stars after year three. I also wanted to graduate from the environment. I still love the brand though—I think they're the best in class for elevated Cantonese dining in NYC.

FRENDY: I love your integrity. What did you end up doing after leaving? With Hakkasan on your resume, was it super easy to get another fine dining gig?

KEENAN: I left Hakkasan to help my father out for a little bit, then I was fortunate enough to land a management position with French boulangerie, Maison Kayser, in 2015. I wanted to learn a different cuisine. My good friend and colleague Dennis Apreza that worked at Hakkasan moved there and put me on. From there, I learned how to operate in a French run company. I Learned a ton about the culture! I was there for eight months, then got the call from RF!

FRENDY:  The power of allies, man. Incredible. How did Ronnie get to know about all of the moves you were making in the restaurant scene? Did you send your resume out to him first?

KEENAN:  Yeah, man. I really believe in the principal of keeping your circle tight—it’s important to put your people on. I believe in Karma too. This really has stayed true with me even now at Kith. Our brand name derives from “KITH and KIN” which is old English for “Friends and Family”. As well as the #JustUS slogan. Ronnie actually had someone internally reach out to me, I was recruited. I believe in fate somewhat…I wasn’t told by the recruiter who the client was. I actually never answer those emails. I just leave them in my inbox as a gauge to see what my potential is. But for some weird reason I was compelled to answer this one. I think I was sick of waking up at 4am to open the bakery *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  That’s right out of a movie! Again, nothing is a coincidence. There is a higher power guiding us to our bliss. We just have to calm our minds and let go! Most importantly, listen to our intuition—it never fails us. We’re all human, so of course the ride gets a bit bumpy from time to time, but we learn to appreciate the journey along the way. 

KEENAN:  No doubt. Yes, I am super grateful for everything. From the luck, the believers and the bosses. 

FRENDY:  I went on YouTube to do some research on KITH Treats and the very first video that popped up was from Insider featuring you! I didn’t even know you were KITH Treat’s General Manager. Congrats!

KEENAN: *Laughs* Yeah, that was from the days of our Nike x KITH pop-up. We partnered with Nike and Snarkitecture to build an experiential space with a footwear floor, customizable tee shirt station, and of course KITH Treats. 

FRENDY:  Were you initially hired by Ronnie to be the General Manager of his brainchild’s Treats department?

KEENAN: I was first hired to be the General Manager of KITH Treats Brooklyn. I say that loosely because at the time (2016), there was only one Treats door with five employees including myself. I was fortunate enough to be part of the company during one of many growth stages. Within the first two years we grew to four doors, including one in Japan. We had also partnered with other brands to do some pretty neat pop ups. You came to visit the one on Greene St that was a partnership with thriving sports blog, Bleacher Report. 

FRENDY:  Yeah, man. I remember that day vividly.  I appreciated the hospitality for real—met some cool people. What are some of your duties as General Manager?

KEENAN:  Of course, I wanted to show you the same level of hospitality you showed me when we met at the Bape store. I was running the shop’s day-to-day ops. Basically hiring, buying, menu development and a bit of business development. My main role was to roll out the concepts and experiences that HQ was creating. 

FRENDY:  Awesome, and that’s with no marketing courses! You said “was running,” are you still KITH Treats’ GM?

KEENAN:  I think it was my passion and interest in the culture that helped me understand the business side of things. We were creating experiences—and my interest in the sneaker and fashion world definitely helped. Shouts to Zach for making connections like you and giving me a lens into this “underground” world that was known as “hype culture.” I'm now the Director of Operations for KITH Treats. I’m still hands on with the retail doors as well. I like to keep myself planted into each level of the business.

FRENDY:  My man! All deserved. When asked in a 2017 Complex video interview: “what is the most important thing for a new member of the KITH team to know, in terms of working with Ronnie Fieg?”, Ronnie stated: “work ethic on a 1,000 and no matter what your job title will be, you’re going to be wearing many many hats. Expect many things to get thrown at you and you got to be resilient.”  How often do you deal with situations that may seem “unfixable”?

KEENAN:  I know exactly which interview you’re talking about. It’s the one with RF and Noah from Complex. Love that one. Everything is fixable. As mentioned before, something my pops instilled in me is, “If there is a will, there is a way”. 

Everything is new territory for us. If it wasn’t, we wouldn't be in the business of creating or trying to shift the culture. The level of work ethic and resilience is really just the ability to see situations through from point a to point b—and being able to understand the scenario. How you’re able to be a player or “mover” and influence that particular moment you’re dealing with. Learning the game. It takes work, but it is not impossible. You don’t know what you don’t know, but you have to be willing to learn. RF always told me: “shut up and be a sponge.” That is something that will live with me forever.  

FRENDY:  I remember the day Ronnie came through to the shop and then immediately proceeded to feel the quality of one of our latest releases. Knowing how meticulous he is, how hands on is he with everything from KITH’s apparel to cereal bar?

KEENAN: Ronnie is someone who is able to succeed off his intuition. He’s still very hands on—the entire brand is built off his vision and feel. He’s doing as much as he can while growing the brand and bringing us to new places. All the projects still pass through him from design, materials, roll out and campaigns. I, to this day, still run a majority of the business by him. I think at this point he’s built a team that he can trust to share the same vision and values as he does which helps with expediting projects. 

FRENDY:  Awesome. I know you guys are cooking up tons of new heat for the fans. Speaking of cooking—I mean, that’s what we’ve been talking about throughout our conversation—what are your top 3 favorite restaurants in NYC? And Why?

KEENAN:  *Laughs* Oh man...give me a second here.  In no particular order:

1. Tetsu: Brainchild of Chef Masa Takayama from 3 Michelin Star Sushi restaurant Masa in the Time Warner building. There is this beautiful open Kitchen with counter seating which is super engaging. The drinks are phenomenal. Service is on point, Shouts to my homie Ailin Yang the AGM! (need to confirm if she’s still there). It's a really comfortable environment with the perfect balance of privacy and engagement from the Kitchen.

2. Au Cheval: Their burger is to die for. It’s the same burger from 4 Charles. The basement has this really cool underground vibe, which is a good precursor to the main event in the dining room. Great sound system in there too. 

3. Hop Sing: Chinatown spot, unfortunately I think they're still closed due to Covid-19 but that is my Grandparents’ favorite spot. Really good home style Cantonese cooking. They’re famous for their whole poached chicken in this sweet vinegar and chili sauce. The service is really what makes it for me. No gimmicks, you chat with the servers about how their family is doing more than what their menu recommendation is. True family style.

4. Raku: They have two locations I think. One in the East Village and one near NYU. Their Niku Udon is out of this world. Made with an in-house udon noodle. Most restaurants buy their noodles from vendors but when you do it in house, you really get to control the bounce and flavor. The Niku udon broth is made with braised beef tendon and brisket. It’s the best broth in NYC hands down.

5. Frenchette: This spot has one of the best wine programs in the city. Some really fantastic natural organic wines. Their grilled Turbot is fire. Their whole fish is perfect to share family style. Something about the way French cuisine balances “not pretty” produce and refining them to be super elegant.

FRENDY:  I’ll have to check those spots out. Did Anthony Bourdain play a major role in your life as a foodie?

KEENAN:  Absolutely. I really wish I was able to meet him and be graced by his energy. He was the first guy to showcase Chinese food on a mainstream level. There's an episode where he goes to visit Chinatown’s Hop Kee with my mom’s childhood/elementary school friend Chef, Chris Cheung, who owns East Wind in Brooklyn. To see a White person appreciate Cantonese cooking proved that things that I once was embarrassed of eating in the cafeteria of my school had the potential for mass appeal. He gave me and minorities like myself hope and a sense of pride. Truly a legend. Rest in peace Tone.

FRENDY:  What advice would you give someone who wants to get into the restaurant business, but has no plugs in the industry?

KEENAN:  I feel like I’m not qualified to answer *Laughs*. Food is an amorphous idea. There is always a market for what you want to create. Be true and create what is dear to you, but do your homework and learn about the fundamentals. Like any other business, the restaurant industry is about showcasing products in your own lens. The exciting aspect of it for me is that food is always tied to culture so it's important to pay homage to its origins—but more importantly understand how these techniques and melds of flavor came to be. This will help anyone navigate and direct their business’ story with integrity. Then it will never feel like work. It should feel like constant storytelling, not work. The hours are gruesome. The energy is toxic. But you must love it.

Sneek Peek

In his late 2010 hit “6 Foot 7 Foot ,” Lil Wayne famously proclaimed, “real Gs move in silence like lasagna,” and my next interviewee really took that to heart. Like Weezy, Brooklyn native Sonny Martinez’s actions speak so much louder than words. As a matter of fact, he hardly writes captions for his Instagram posts because the visuals alone are undeniably eye-catching.  Whether he’s showcasing high-end threads, his all-inclusive vacation settings or midnight adventures, Martinez simply leaves a suitable emoji under the flicks/vids so viewers can fully bask in their lavish content.

Sonny aka “Sneek” and I became friends from his habitual shopping sprees at Nigo’s former SoHo workshop. The humble businessman’s friendly nature was truly refreshing, and it was always a pleasure talking to him about all things fashion on the second floor. I haven’t seen or spoken to Sonny in a few years so I decided to catch up with him during this plandemic (yes, I spelled it right).  Furthermore, this opportunity will give me a chance to know more about the inner workings of a man with such flashy exterior. 

Enjoy my insightful sitdown with Sonny below as I provide a “sneek” peek into his fascinating life.

FRENDY: What’s good, homie? Thanks for your time. We’ve known each other for about 8 years now and it’s great to see there’s no love lost.

SNEEK:  For sure.  I think Bape was just such an influential part in my love for art and fashion.  You being there just cemented that relationship. 

FRENDY:  Well said.  Which part of Brooklyn are you from?

SNEEK:  I was Born at Lutheran hospital and raised in Park Slope when it was known as “Park Slope Dope.”  Not the hipster hotspot it is now *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  *Laughs* I love Park Slope. That area of Brooklyn actually holds a very special place in my heart. My first love went to Bishop Ford HS...after class we used to kick it at the surrounding pizza shops.  Good times. How is it now?

SNEEK:  Unrecognizable. It's all brand new condos and pre-k centers, mixed with thrift stores and bars. I remember being on 5th Ave after school, running into Bobbys Sportswear and Jean Stop to see all the exclusive sneakers you wouldn’t find at Foot Locker. A lot of great memories.

FRENDY:  That’s awesome. Speaking of sportswear, your style is on point. When did your love for fashion come about? Did your parents school you?

SNEEK:  Nah man quite the opposite *Laughs*. I grew up an only child to a single parent so there was no money for clothes or kicks— just the essentials. I remember my first “name brand” sneaker (not Payless or Fabco) was a New Balance, and that was because of their considerate price points. 

I would say my love started with Hip Hop culture and 90s media. I remember watching Michael Jordan, Will Smith, the Wayans brothers, and just always examining and admiring their style.

FRENDY:  The power of love coupled with imagination can transform any situation. In your case, the inspirations you took in gave you something to look forward to. As far as being able to cop whatever you wanted in the future. Did you ever get frustrated about not being able to wear what you really wanted back then?

SNEEK:  Not at all. Luckily, social media wasn't a thing for our generation so what you had was what you needed and it stopped there. The artistic side of me always wanted more but I would express that in drawing, coloring, etc. I was the cliche 90s only child raised in front of the TV. I’ve always excelled academically, but my true passion has always been the arts.

FRENDY:  Which HS did you attend?

SNEEK:  John Dewey HS by Coney Island.

FRENDY:  That’s crazy, I went to Lafayette HS. I was on the basketball and volleyball  team—we played against y’all often.

SNEEK:  God bless you, bro *Laughs*.  Lafayette was rough.

FRENDY:  Bruh! Who you telling? The night before my first day of school, I couldn’t sleep at all. I eventually realized it wasn’t as bad as I thought. A lot of the Asian kids had it bad there though.  Ever paid us a visit?

SNEEK:  Lafayette was on the D train line right? 25th Ave stop?

FRENDY:  Yeah.  I think so.

SNEEK:  Well, I haven’t been to Lafayette, but the kids from there would visit me and my pockets on the train ride home *Laughs*. Luckily, it was never anything serious.

FRENDY:  Aww, man *Laughs*. Truth be told, I’m such a disciplined person now because I played organized sports there. It kept me away from trouble. You learn a lot by being in a group of goal-oriented individuals. How was it like in Dewey?

SNEEK:  Dewey was amazing to me—I loved it. We were an “electoral” school where you saw your counselor and built your schedule like a college so it set us up for success. I also loved how I was able to learn about so many cultures while being there. We had it all from the Chinese community to the Italian, the Russian, Latino, goth/emo, the skateboarders, you name it we had it.

FRENDY:  Just like Lafayette.  Were you studying a specific subject at Dewey? Like a mini major before heading off to college?

SNEEK:  I attribute that to Brooklyn—particularly Coney Island. All the communities are blocks apart so we’re forced to just learn and interact with each other.  That’s why so many creatives come from here and are so diverse and successful.

I was always art obsessed. The requirement for art electives was two quarters, half the scholastic year. By the time I graduated I had taken an art class for all four years straight. And from there I went to Kingsborough College to study Graphic Design and Illustration.

FRENDY:  My brother actually graduated from Kingsborough studying graphic design as well. What was the determining factor that ultimately made you major in Graphic Design? I know you always had a love for art, but some people would back out of it because of job security etc. You know, some would rather go the  “safer” route.

SNEEK:  I grew up poor so I didn’t really think that far ahead *Laughs*. I just wanted to do something I was happy doing. Sadly, art education is very expensive—the term “starving artist,” isn't farfetched. Art has remained my passion which I feed when I can while I found a career in retail.  And unlike some, I actually enjoy it.

FRENDY:  We’ll definitely dive into your career in a second.  Kingsborough is a two-year school. Which college did you attend after graduating?

SNEEK:  None because of finances. I had no desire to take a loan and be indebted. I actually had a pretty successful career in retail from a young age and I was happy with that. I still learn on my own through different mediums and outlets.  I had friends in SVA [The School of Visual Arts] and Parsons just slammed with crazy debts from tuition.  I made the decision to just avoid that.

FRENDY:  Smart move! Our lives are pretty similar. I wasn’t able to graduate from Brooklyn College because of finances. We both made a way for ourselves through determination. When did you start embarking in the world of retail? During HS?

SNEEK:  Yeah, my first retail job was Foot Locker at 16, and then Bloomingdale’s at 19.  Both definitely fueled my love for sneakers and clothes that much more. Till this day probably my two favorite jobs I’ve held outside of my current job with StockX.

FRENDY:  You must have been pretty hyped to work at a sneaker shop at such a young age! I bet Foot Locker was the first place you applied after receiving your work papers *Laughs*.

SNEEK: *Laughs* Man, it felt surreal just being around all the things I loved and having the means now to acquire them. I learned so much there that built me into the man I am today and I am forever grateful.

FRENDY:  What were some of the lessons you learned at Foot Locker?

SNEEK:  At Foot Locker I was the only Latino there *Laughs*. My coworkers were all Chinese and my managers were Russian and Italian. My co-workers were already heavy into what we all know now as reselling. Reselling has always been huge in the Chinese community even before options like the internet and consignment shops. They also put me on to all things in the culture which was already a passion of mine because of art and pop culture.

FRENDY:  What inspired you to get a gig at Bloomingdale’s? Did you want to dive deeper into fashion?

SNEEK:  At 18, I was already an avid shopper going around the city daily.  When I didn’t have work I’d visit Bloomingdale’s, Barneys, Bape, Stussy, Kid Robot, Supreme etc. I decided to apply with a “what if?” mentality and they actually reached back. It was bittersweet leaving Foot Locker, but it definitely was an amazing experience.

FRENDY:  No risk, no gain! Congrats on that feat. Was it hard for you to get adjusted working at an establishment that didn’t mainly sell kicks? 

SNEEK:  It was easy—I was already a customer and I had love for the culture. It’s funny because I was hired to work in Women’s Shoes and it was actually a blessing. It was the easiest sales, the best commission in the entire store, and it taught me a lot about an area of fashion I was completely ignorant to. At 19, I knew the difference between a Mary Jane and a Stiletto.  Not many men can say that *Laughs*. 

FRENDY:  *Laughs* sheesh. I don't even know the difference. How long did you work at Bloomingdale’s?

SNEEK:  I was with them for two years at the flagship on 59th. An amazing experience at such a young age. I just learned so much about fashion, business, women *Laughs*, everything. Definitely a huge part of who I am now.

FRENDY: Fashion and women...say no more *Laughs*.  When we became friends at Bape, you were still at Bloomingdale’s? 

SNEEK: We definitely were because I was known for all Bape everything at that time. I’m sure you know a good friend of mine, Jordan, creator of the forum BapeTalk2. A huge staple for Bape fans since news wasn't as easy to find as it is today. 

Jordan worked with me at Bloomingdale’s and sold me my Bape duffle I’ve used in all my travels. He worked downstairs in Menswear. I would go see him everyday just to talk about Bape and Streetwear. Great friends till this day.

FRENDY: It’s a small world...especially in the Streetwear industry. Was Nigo’s former Workshop your introduction to the SoHo area?

SNEEK: Not even to be honest. You have to remember I didn't grow up with much so the Bape price points weren't even in my peripheral *Laughs*. I started out small time buying 501s at OMG and graphic tees at Yellow Rat Bastard. Supreme and Stussy were the more affordable options, but I would go to Union here and there and splurge on some Ice Cream and BBC. We both know though once I was making decent money, you couldn't keep me out of Bape *Laughs*. 

FRENDY:  That’s a fact *Laughs*. So I’m guessing your nickname “Sneek,” derived from your everlasting love for kicks?

SNEEK:  For sure. Being Latino and growing up in Brooklyn, Hip Hop culture was just a part of our everyday lives. Having a tag name was a must *Laughs*. I remember watching Wild Style and seeing the legends talking about how they got their names, the things to consider, and it just came so natural. I’ve been lucky enough that it hasn't been copycatted too much *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  We all know you have tons of kicks. What’s in your top five rotation right now?

SNEEK: Due to COVID-19 my Prada slides are currently one through five *Laughs*. I have a pretty deep collection because I do like the general releases as much as the hyped ones. If I had to pick five though I’ll go with the Jordan 5 Off-White, Nike Dunk High City Attack 1999, LV Trainer Sneaker Boot (the ones that look like the Jordan 3s), Jordan 4 Cool Grey (too good, match with everything and amazing quality), and lastly the CPFM AF1 white/white, the perfect summer shoe.

FRENDY: That’s an all star lineup right there. Earlier you mentioned working at StockX. What exactly do you do there?

SNEEK: I am the Lead of the Streetwear department, so basically everything we trade that isn't sneakers comes through my team.

FRENDY:  Wow, that’s a great look!  It’s well deserved. How’d you land such a crazy gig like that?

SNEEK: Good friends, man. My boy Chico Dusty (aliases only *Laughs*) had been there for some time and felt like the opportunity was a good fit for me. Till this day I thank him because it has truly been a blessing.

FRENDY:  This is just a testament that energy never lies, man. Impossible is nothing when you remain yourself and get things done in an efficient manner. The dots will connect themselves.  How long have you been working at StockX?

SNEEK: This July makes a year.

FRENDY: Nice. What are some of the things you’ve learned so far from being at such a profitable organization?

SNEEK: At the end of the day, the company is still technically a startup with less than five years in. It's dope to watch something grow right in front of you to new levels. It also feels good to know that I’m doing something with a passion that's been in me from day one. And I’m sure it's evident to my peers and my team.

FRENDY:  What are your views on the current state of Streetwear?

SNEEK: I love the current state of Streetwear. I love that I see so many new and old faces just reinventing the wheel everyday. To make something as simple as a graphic t-shirt feel new and refreshing in 2020 is a true skill.  And even if it doesn't fit your personal taste, you still have to recognize the effort.

FRENDY: Since we’re talking about graphic tees, I’m really digging what you’re doing with your clothing line, Save Mankind. Can you tell me more about the brand? What was the inspiration behind it?

SNEEK: For sure, and thank you for the compliment. Save Mankind was an idea I had in 2013 for a lifestyle brand with humanity and community as the inspiration. My end goal is a making a brand that makes you feel as good about the message as you do about the piece. It hasn't been easy as I’ve managed a lot on my own. Plenty of trial and error and money lost.  But it's something I'm confident in and I have no intentions of giving up.

FRENDY:  It’ll all be worth it in the end—trust!   You’ve extended your personal brand with a podcast as well. I checked out some episodes of “Ight So Boom,” and it was hilarious. Just you and your boys kicking it...very natural. 

SNEEK: Thank you, bro. We started in February of 2018, and just like the clothing line, it's been a lot of trial and error. Thankfully, we have a great team between myself, Jae Yannick (the host), Tony Whiteman (the OG), and Travis Whiteman (the human bot). I think what makes us special is how we are just genuine fans and consumers of the culture. We are not on a payroll, we don’t get plugged or seeded product. We are just four friends who like to roast each other while trying to figure out what we need and what we hate *Laughs*.

FRENDY: *Laughs* The best formulas are always the simplest. I couldn’t end this interview without talking about your favorite emcee in the entire universe, Lil’ Wayne. What do you resonate most with him?

SNEEK: Oh man,  where do I start? *Laughs*.  It started super early, I want to say 99-00. This is the corniest thing I'm going to admit but I lowkey follow the zodiac pretty closely, and Wayne being only a couple years older than me (birthday three days after mine), I just felt a connection. The one thing I want people to take from this question is how important Lil Wayne has been not only to rap but to fashion and Streetwear. 

He gets clowned a lot now for his eccentric style, but he has by far the most iconic Bape photoshoots and videos. I would even dare to say “Hustler Muzik,” is where Bape became a household name. Sure Pharrell, Cassidy, Curren$y all wore it first but Wayne did it best. I could go on, but I don't want to bore anyone.

FRENDY: This is a silly question: so what’d you think of “Mr. Me Too,” by Clipse? *Laughs*

SNEEK: As a true Wayne fan it was comical because if you follow Wayne, you know he doesn't care about anyone's opinion.  So to make a song about his choice in clothes is pure comedy.  As a fan of Pharrell and Clipse,  it was just an amazing song with a great music video. 

In that whole drama the only people that lost out were the fans because of the great music we were denied. On his mixtapes he has two records produced by Pharrell that even today would be hits, but they never saw the light of day due to...clothes?

FRENDY: I feel you on that.  I really do admire Wayne for having such a “I don’t give a fuck about what you think of me,” attitude.  It’s really one of the keys to success—remaining true to yourself. 

SNEEK: If you want to be original, just be you. They can copy it all but there will always be only one you.

FRENDY: That’s a fact!  With all of the amazing things you’ve got going on, what’s up next?

SNEEK: Continuing the clothing, the podcast, and just keep building my personal brand and portfolio. I’ve been lucky enough to have partnerships with brands like Hat Club and create relationships with people like Dennis Todisco (creator of @Outfitgrid) and @Hidden.ny on Instagram. I just want to keep creating, inspiring and just be genuinely happy.

Gassed Up

The homie Dayne Carter has taken the phrase “no days off,” to an entirely new level as he’s been consistently pumping out potent content throughout this extended quarantine. In addition to his fiery #BedroomBars series on Instagram, “Mr. Carter,” took it upon himself to release the music video for his latest sonic offering, “Gassed Up.”

Directed by A1vision, the visual finds Dayne holding his own in a world that seemingly undermines his raw talent. “Revenge of the most slept on / thought that we would fall off, always knew we would get on,” he emphatically raps on the song’s first verse. Despite all the hate, Dayne never falters on the road to glory. 

Enjoy the clip for “Gassed Up,” below: 

P.S  If you haven’t read my incredible Original Story on Dayne, click here.

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.

Mr. Carter

“Hey, Mr. Carter tell me where have you been?/ Cause they’ve been asking/ They’ve been searching/ They’ve been wondering why.” Man, Lil Wayne was extremely reluctant to reveal his exact whereabouts on Tha Carter III’s JAY-Z-assisted hit “Mr. Carter.” But at least we were reassured that they didn’t skip a beat despite already earning secured spots on Hip Hop’s Mount Rushmore. Rising spitter Dayne Carter not only shares the same surname as these two master wordsmiths, he also mirrors their killer work ethic that’ll hopefully propel him to goat level status in the rap game and beyond.

The New Jersey native and I met through David Biral and Denzel Baptiste, better known as the Grammy-nominated DJ/Production duo, Take A Daytrip (insert their infamous tagline here). I’ve known the brilliant maestros for years. David and I became great friends when he was in HS. While living in Vermont, Dave and his awesome dad would frequently visit me at BAPE where we would chop it up about music, fashion and life in general. As a matter of fact, he was the mastermind behind my Facebook artist page *Laughs*. When Dave attended NYU, he introduced me to Denz and the rest is history. I honestly didn’t speak much to Dayne the first time we met in Soho, but his vibrant energy alone indicated how much of a genuine person he was.

Months after our initial meeting, I surprisingly bumped into Dayne at a Daytrip party in Brooklyn—Kinfolk, to be exact. We practically hung out the entire night and I was blown away by our conversation. Apart from being a budding rapper, Dayne revealed that he worked full time at the integrated marketing agency, The Robot Company , that is co-founded by Maverick Carter and Paul Rivera. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of other artists who are making ends meet by working a 9 to 5. The only difference is how many of them can actually say they love it while they’re continuously pursuing their heart’s passion?

Upon hearing just a fraction of his story, I immediately told Dayne that I would love to continue our conversation on the #FrendyOriginals platform. One year later, here we are! Check out my long-awaited sitdown with the hustler that is Mr. Carter below:

FRENDY: What’s good, D? I’m glad we’re finally able to have this talk. First off, how many people have ever asked if you’re actually related to Weezy or Jay? *Laughs*

DAYNE: What up, Frendy! *Laughs*. I used to get that all the time when I was younger! My first rap name was Lil Dayne but nope, no relation. Carter is a strong last name though!

FRENDY: You already know I had to break the ice with a little joke. My conversations always start with laughter—it’s good for the soul. In any case, you started working as an intern at The Robot Company since its inception in 2014. How did that come about?

DAYNE: Great question! I have a cousin who always had a career path I admired. She was heavily involved in music and did some A&R work on the side. I was getting ready to graduate and had no clue what I wanted to do. I called her to get some advice on how she got to where she was. She said she’d look out in case anything came up. 

One thing led to another, and she mentioned she had a mentor [PR] who was starting his own company. No background on the company or what they do, but it was a dope opportunity that involved music and sports. Almost 6 years later, and I’m still here. I love it. 

FRENDY: That is absolutely incredible. It was written!  We’ll def talk more about your schooling in a bit. I checked out your LinkedIn profile and it stated that you are the company’s Talent & Influence Manager.  What does the role entail?

DAYNE: It’s a new role that I’ve been in for the past few months. Basically, I help to identify talent and create unique opportunities that connect them with brands. A lot of times, the approach can be very one-sided and transactional. Our goal is to create partnerships and moments that are mutually beneficial.

FRENDY: And I'm sure you’re doing a great job at it.  It’s funny how you’re working with talent on the corporate side of things while you’re one yourself. Are you ever tripped out by that?

DAYNE: *Laughs* I appreciate that! I don’t view myself as talent, but it’s helpful having a lot of friends that do dope things due to my interests. Since I make music, I happen to know a lot of creative people. I understand their mindset, and find that I’m more approachable than someone who might not come from their world. It brings the guard down and allows for a more meaningful relationship.

FRENDY: Speaking of meaningful relationships, last week I peeped your Instagram story showcasing how proud you were of your dad for his latest career move. How close are you with your parents?

DAYNE: Very close! We talk all the time, and our relationship continues to grow as I get older. It’s amazing to watch them pursue their passions. I want to be just as supportive to them, as they have always been to me.

It’s funny, man. A lot of my friends who do music viewed their parents as obstacles. I did a show at Pianos earlier this year, and my parents were front row rapping every song word for word. My dad is always bumping my music in the car, and my mom has my songs on her gym playlist. Every time I perform, they invite their friends. Sometimes when friends can’t make a show, their parents show up with mine.

FRENDY: Aww, man *Laughs*.  Did they cultivate your love of music?

DAYNE: I’d say so. I don’t think it was done intentionally, but they’d always play music at the house. They like a lot of soul and r&b. My dad loves Jazz music. He also plays the drums in church every Sunday still. One of the first songs my mom told me I loved as a baby was LL Cool J’s, “Doing It Well.” I loved the melody and always sang along to it on the radio, so she bought the record. However, she didn’t realize the radio version was completely different than the explicit so it didn’t last long at the crib *Laughs*.

FRENDY: We’re not even done talking and I already feel that this is my funniest interview yet *Laughs*.  Where are you from originally?

DAYNE: I feel like I’m from both NY and NJ equally. I was born in Queens, NY and lived there for 10 years. Then I really grew up in Hillsborough, NJ where my family still lives. But I went to college in NY and have been living here since. I’m always back and forth between the two.

FRENDY: How difficult was the adjustment moving from Queens to Jersey?

DAYNE: It wasn’t difficult at all aside from leaving friends. Two very different areas though. Hillsborough is what it sounds like: very suburban and a lot of farmland. It’s a beautiful place to grow up.

FRENDY: Do you have any siblings?

DAYNE: I have two older siblings. My brother’s name is Austin. My sister’s name is Ashley.

FRENDY: Nice, I see what your parents did with the letter A.  Do you speak to them often?

DAYNE: We’re close. We might not speak as often as we should, but when we do it’s like we haven’t lost any time. 

FRENDY: How important is it for you to forge your own path in the music scene?

DAYNE: It’s always been my mindset, and the process is more satisfying that way. I have friends that are killing it in music, and it’s motivating to see. I never want to be viewed solely as someone's cosign. I want longevity, so I’m trying to pave my own lane. 

FRENDY: Earlier you mentioned that you weren’t sure which direction to go after graduating college. Which one did you attend? and what was your major?

DAYNE: I went to Fordham University and majored in communications and new media studies. After graduation, I always used to feel like working towards a separate career and pursuing music was conflicting. Obviously, you have less time to dedicate towards it, but it’s allowed me to move smarter. I’ve learned a lot of things that most artists rely on other people to do or figure out for them through my job. It’s made me more self sufficient and better at managing my time. I haven’t released anything in a while, because I’ve got a few things I’m excited about in the future.

FRENDY: I was thoroughly impressed with your 2018 project, Roadtrip.  In its intro you stated that “you’ve been at it since the 6th grade.” What inspired you to start rapping at such a young age?

DAYNE: Ahh, man—that’s love! Thanks so much for giving it a listen and glad you enjoyed it. I’ve always been an outgoing person, but it takes a while for me to open up and have deep conversations with a lot of people. Music has always been an outlet where I enjoy being introverted and gathering my thoughts.

In high school, I didn’t really party much so I spent a lot of time in my basement writing and fell in love with the process. Recently, I’ve been waking up at 6am and writing for a few hours before work at a studio in SoHo. Nobody books sessions at 6am so the space is always open.

FRENDY: Was there any particular reason why you chose “Roadtrip” as the title for your album?

DAYNE: One meaning is the literal journey back and forth between NY and NJ. The deeper meaning is as humans, we tend to get complacent when we stay within the same environment for too long. Roadtrip is my journey in trying to break those comfort zones by exploring new surroundings and finding reassurance in what’s unknown. A topic I feel like we can all relate to.

FRENDY: One of my favorite tracks off the project is “Never Home,” feat Austin Charles. When did you leave your hometown to pursue your dream as a rapper?

DAYNE: Thank you! That and “Introvert” were my two personal favorites. Austin is a close friend from Hillsborough with a similar story to mine so it felt like the perfect song to have him on. My family is still there, but I haven’t really fully lived there since high school. College was the first conscious decision where I was like, “Where can I get an education but also pursue music?” That was a reason I picked my school [Fordham] having access to the city. Just knowing there is always something going on at all times meant more opportunity.

FRENDY: I always gave Cudi so much props for leaving Cleveland with nothing to make it big here in NYC. He went through so many hurdles but never gave up on his dreams. Fortunately, you are able to focus on your bigger picture without the hassle of scrambling around for bread.  Are there any downsides though working full time in the corporate world while pursuing a rap career?

DAYNE: Cudi is dope! For me it was J. Cole’s journey that inspired me. It definitely has its pros and cons. The culture in music is a lot of late night sessions. It’s not conducive when you wake up at 6am. Nobody wants to collaborate at 6am either. Also, you have to be careful with what you say. Sometimes you come up with something witty, but it might not be received well when you’re representing a larger company. I’d definitely be an ill ghost writer though *Laughs *.

FRENDY: Get them checks!  What’s your weekly schedule looking like? Are you able to hit up the studio after work?

DAYNE: It varies depending on what’s going on. There are office hours, but if there’s a big project you’re kind of always on. I’ve become a morning music person though, because I can better control my schedule. But if someone wants to work late, I’ll definitely make it work. But if I’m just writing myself, I prefer mornings.

FRENDY: Smart man. Your very first headlining show in NYC took place late last year.  How was that experience for you? Were you nervous at all?

DAYNE: It was amazing! We finished school, so it’s not as convenient for my friends to come out late on a weekday. People have real responsibilities, and I understand that. I’m not the guy to text everyone and blow up social media begging people to pull up. I was definitely nervous that the show could be empty. The fact that over 200 people came out to see me was a blessing. It’s dope to have that type of support system. It makes you want to go harder.

FRENDY: Nothing tops genuine support, for real. How do you go about booking shows? 

DAYNE: *Laughs* It’s a funny process. Since I work in marketing, I’ve had a lot of experience in writing proposals. I have an alias “manager” account that I’ll use to reach out to promoters and venues. Most of the time, they never want to hear directly from an artist, so I’ll speak in third person.

FRENDY: Talk about a double shift *Laughs*.  Who would you love to collaborate with musically?

DAYNE: I’m down to work with anyone who has a story to tell and is in it for the right reasons. The dream collaboration would be J. Cole! He’s been my favorite artist since I was a teen.

FRENDY: What are the motivations behind your relentless grind?

DAYNE: I just want to show that it’s possible for anyone. You believe you can do anything when you’re younger, but once you grow up and life intervenes passions turn into hobbies. I want to prove that you can make it and accomplish success at your own pace if you keep working. Grind now, shine Later.

FRENDY: What advice would you give to those who are on the brink of giving up due to their pending “success”?

DAYNE: Don’t lose focus and always remember the reason why you started. If it’s worth it, keep pushing. You don’t want to look back 10-15 years from now and wonder, “what if I would’ve put my all into it?” I can live with failure, but I can’t live with a lack of effort.

The Thiiird

Throughout my nearly nine-year stay at BAPE, I’ve encountered a vast array of personalities who taught me so much about myself and various aspects of life.  A few “bad” apples, but for the most part, I formed long-lasting relationships with individuals who remained sturdier than 2 Milly dancing at a poppin’ Brooklyn basement party.  Robert Owusu III is a member of this elite group.

Although he wasn’t a regular shopper, the fashionable Yonkers, New York native would stop by Nigo’s former shop on the release dates of our most exclusive pieces. It was during those times we were able to chat about life and practically everything else in between. Despite having a neck-breaking drip, Rob’s most defining trait is his sincerity. “A lot of people think I’m from another borough based on how I carry myself,” he humbly says.  “I enjoy the fact that nobody can never guess that.”

Recently, Owusu—also known as “The Thiiird”—and I reconnected in person after four years at his In My Miiind art exhibit which paid homage to “the nostalgic space and times that birthed a generation of creatives and dreamers.”  Which particular period of time you might ask?  It is the era of 2006 through 2010, where the incomparable tandem of Pharrell Williams and Kanye West influenced an entire generation to become the “freaks and geeks” they truly are. Rob’s presentation was so inspiring, I had no other choice but to showcase his genius on this #FrendyOriginals series.

Check out the transcript of my sit-down with The Thiiird, as we discussed Skateboard P and Ye’s undeniable influence in pop culture, his childhood years in Yonkers, fashion, and artistic endeavors.

FRENDY:  My man, Rob.  I’m really looking forward to the gems that are about to be dropped in our talk.

ROB:  First and foremost, thank you for interviewing me. We’ve known each other in passing since the BAPE days. It’s ironic that we are doing things creatively and linked up on the same frequency. Always been a genuine person so I thank you for that.

FRENDY:  The pleasure is all mine.  You revealed earlier that you were actually born in Harlem.  When did you move to Yonkers?

ROB: Yeah, my family moved to Yonkers when I was about two years old.  Like DMX said: “home of the brave, baby. Home of the brave.”

FRENDY: Those who are uninformed would assume that people from “the backyard of the Bronx” are mean, rugged, and just straight up grimey *Laughs*. You’re the total opposite of that stereotype.

ROB: I mean, Yonkers is the lost borough.  It still gets real in the field out there, but it isn’t the way it used to be. Yonkers is a place where unity isn’t practiced since most have a “crabs in a barrel” mentality and everyone wants to be “the man”. But now things are starting to change and there are a few who are leading the pack. You have DJ Steph Cakes, who recently opened for Meek’s Motivational Tour, you have Iman who is doing songs with The Lox, Rondon doing beats for HighBridge, Sav The Genius, Prada Mama, and more.

FRENDY: How was it like growing up in Yonkers? Were your parents strict?

ROB: Growing up in Yonkers was the average ghetto story. The normal: parents trying to make a living for my brother (Brandon) and I, keeping us out of trouble in the best way possible. They also instilled principles and morals within us that we still carry on till this day. My parents are from Ghana and they were NOT lenient. I’m sure if you ask anybody whose parents are from a third world country would say the same *Laughs *. But they did the best that they possibly could for Brandon and I.

FRENDY: Did you experience any sort of hardships in school?

ROB:  I would say one of the hardships in school was finding friends that shared similar interests as me.  I had a few close friends though. Looking back, I’ve realized that my gift was being able to relate to all different types of people. I had honors classes with the smart kids, Spanish community embraced me, the hood dudes messed with me by default. I don’t judge anyone and do not care about status or race—I believe that’s how the world should rotate. Slowly but surely.

FRENDY:  Same here, I’ve always had the ideology that we’re all one. When did you start caring about your aesthetics and such?

ROB:  I started very young. I started caring about clothing and my appearance in fifth grade.  My cousins would put me on to what was cool and what wasn’t. One of my cousins, Trisha, lived in the Bronx and she had EVERYTHING.  We would travel there to just observe and bring the swag back to Yonkers.

I started taking my style seriously once I found out about SoHo—thanks to Pharrell wearing BAPE. I was mesmerized by the Bapestas he wore in Jay-Z’s 2004 documentary, Fade To Black.  Once I found out that BAPE had a store in New York, things only snowballed from there.

FRENDY: Yeah, when I was informed that Nigo opened up a store in New York, I knew I was supposed to work there. It took a few years, but my dream came true! Do you remember your very first purchase from The Busy Workshop (BAPE’s old moniker)?

ROB: Of course, like it was yesterday! My father took me. It was my first $200 sneakers at the time. I was in middle school so this was around 2004-05. The beginning of a big spending habit *Laughs*. I had to beg him to take me. This was when I would get lunch money. I literally saved up $2.00-$3.00 religiously. I believe I was a few dollars short and my father spotted me since he saw how determined I was to purchase them. From the aesthetics of the store to the consumers coming in, I knew this was where I belonged.

FRENDY:  Crazy.  Were you the first person in your hood with Bapestas during that time?  If so, that’s legendary status *Laughs*.

ROB:  At this point, Stas started to get popular with [rapper] Cassidy having it in his videos and etc. There were a lot of fakes floating around. Maybe not the first, but I was probably the youngest to my knowledge.

The only person I knew with an authentic pair was my close friend Sway who I met my freshman year of high school. I gained his respect on being that young with the style I had.  We literally learned the streetwear game together. From then on, we started bonding off of similar interests and did campouts. We were the ONLY people from Yonkers on all the lines. We had to stick together.

FRENDY:  Funny how fashion can bring people together.  I was initially drawn to Pharrell and Kanye’s artistry because they were winning by simply being themselves during a time where gangster rap was dominant. I’m sure you were intrigued by them for the same reason.

ROB: Exactly. Coming from where I'm from, we’re only exposed to so much. I thrived off of anything that was different from all spectrums. From fashion, music, and art, these were the figures who were being themselves and still had the ability to thrive in hip-hop. To finally find an area [SoHo] where I stumbled upon kids who looked like me—I felt like I found my nirvana.

FRENDY:  The two albums that changed your life are Skateboard P’s debut solo album, In My Mind, and Kanye’s third project, Graduation. Why were those two so monumental for you instead of their earlier works?

ROB: Oh man! Those two projects were like a breath of fresh air sonically, never mind the backpack luxury bars. Rap has always been this boastful, rambunctious art form, but the way they put it together was entirely different.

I wasn’t around during the time of De La Soul or A Tribe Called Quest, but their music stands the test of time. It’s no surprise that they are the influence of Pharrell and Ye’s music. I literally lived In My Mind that summer when it dropped in July. I played the album EVERY…SINGLE...DAY. 

Graduation was the first album that I didn’t want to hear not one leaked song until it came out. I think “Barry Bonds” leaked and I had to literally keep away from the computer and radio to prevent from hearing any song from it. I’m glad I did that because when I first heard the album from top to bottom, it took me to utopia. I couldn’t get past “Good Morning.” The fact that music can have such an impact on us is really beyond me. Both of their earlier works played a significant role in my life as well and seeing the growth, but those two projects was the “baby boom” of our era.

FRENDY:  I feel you.  You know what’s strange, P felt In My Mind was a failure. In a 2014 GQ interview, he said he wrote those songs out of ego and the album served no real purpose.  I definitely disagree—that body of work helped kids like us tap into our real creative bag, you know? Like “we can do it too.”

ROB: I totally agree with you. I feel that when anyone wants to reach the masses, they have to put the medicine inside the candy. It was the perfect blend, especially at that time to penetrate musically and cross over. 

We know that Pharrell is far from being an egotistical maniac, but even at that time, I never viewed the project like that at all. I’m glad he has that in him *Laughs*.   Even with all the super flexing he was doing, I was super inspired. People still follow his way of dressing till this day. From AP’s to Goyard, that was way back in 2005. People are still playing catch up 14 years later!

 FRENDY:  A true visionary indeed.  For as long as I’ve known you, I wasn’t aware of your passion for curating. Which college did you attend? Were you an art major?

ROB: I first attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) as a medical major, and then transferred to the University Of Hartford in Connecticut where I graduated at Barney School of Business with a Marketing degree. I wish I was an art major *Laughs*. But it was there where I had an epiphany to go into the creative field I am in now.

FRENDY: What caused that epiphany?

ROB: Going to UHART, I was still a medical major. It was heading into my junior year when I had a realization that these courses are only getting more difficult as my interest in the field that I was majoring in. It clicked to me when it would take more effort to grasp information that would come second nature to my colleagues. To go even deeper, this was a major my parents wanted for me and I had no desire in it—I didn’t know what I would replace it with. It was a tough decision on switching majors but once I did that, everything clicked for me. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life. My father wasn’t too happy, but I think up until recently that he knows I was destined to what I’m currently doing.

FRENDY:  Proud of you for following your gut instinct. I was thoroughly impressed by your “In My Miiind” exhibit. Did you pull it off with an outside team or received any backing to complete it?

ROB:  Thank you so much, I appreciate that. I wish I had backing. Everything was self-funded and no outside team. Just home team. After countless attempts to gallerists, etc., I was not going to wait for approval for that space. I have a community behind me. It takes a village to raise a child. 

FRENDY:  Speaking of village, can you tell me a bit more about The Dynasty collective?  Was the name inspired by JAY-Z’s moniker for his former crew?

ROB: Yes, that’s where the inspiration came from. It was all my brother’s idea (Don=Brandon). We all studied the blueprints of the greats in this industry. From Ruff Ryders, to Roc-a-fella. They were only powerful because each person played a significant role. Newcomers like AWGE brought a new concept that it isn’t just about the individuals, it’s about the vision in its entirety.

The goal was to create an innovative experience with products and activities. What we all have in common is that we’re all first generation Americans. From Ghana, to Colombia, to Jamaica, to Dominican Republic, we each have a responsibility to carry on the legacy of our family. Creating a Dynasty. Trying to tie all this into an idea is when the name evolved. Jay-Z repeating “Dynasty Continues” is what we all agree with. I’m sure you remember the clip of prime Roc era of Dame saying, “Never one man above the team.”  We truly believe that. Majority rules in decisions as well as leaving any ego you may have at the door.

FRENDY:  Amazing. We all need a power crew, or like minds to help us push our agenda for the greater good.  The common denominator in all of your exhibits are the incredible neon light displays. What’s your process of making them?

ROB: I kind of work backwards. There are some artist who just create as they go, and though sometimes  I may do that, I am always thinking longevity and creating an overall experience. No matter how long it takes me. Once I have the overall theme first and what I want to convey, then it’s time to undergo the process. Sometimes I may “build too much for my bridges,” but there’s no better feeling than to create EXACTLY what I have in my head. Of course things won’t come out 100% perfect, but the 90th percentile is enough for me.

FRENDY:  Are you curating full time?

ROB: No, I am a freelance creative as an art creative and social media strategist for different companies and clients.I’m aware that galleries and art curatives frown upon that but that doesn’t stop Sallie Mae from harassing me. Got to do what I got to do. I have to fund these ideas by any means. Full time is the destination on this journey.   

FRENDY:  We’re funding our own dreams out here. Did you receive any sort of mentorship from anyone who’s deeply embedded in the art world?

ROB:  I have one main mentor in this and that is my bro Ronald Draper. He is a visual artist from Harlem whose work illustrate his experience as well as being pro-black in his message. The main thing that made us click is that he is unapologetically relentless in his work. When he has an idea, he is trying to have it out YESTERDAY. I finally met my match in level of craziness of getting ideas out. He is a hustler in every sense of the word and I believe he sees a younger version of him in me.That is why we mesh and I am grateful to have him as a mentor.

Also, another artist I have in my journey is the talented Sarah Owusu from London She has given me tremendous guidance and confidence in the intro to this art world. Ironically we have the same last name, but I think it’s the universe aligning me to her. She continues to set the bar for all African-American women in the world and we continue to root each other. I am appreciative to have her in my life as well.

FRENDY:  Who are your dream collaborators?

ROB: Since I live in multiple mediums there’s so many. Where do I begin…as far as visual goes with my light installations, I would say Kaws, George Condo, Murakami, Albert Diaz (Samo), or a Virgil Abloh and Patrick Martinez as far as collaborating on a neon since we have the same medium. With cinematography, Kid Art is at the top of the list. Photography, Nick Knight, Jonathan Mannion. Garment wise, Hedi Slimane or Raf. 

FRENDY:  I commend you for taking such a bold step in pursuing your passion.  What’s your ultimate goal in the art world?

ROB: My ultimate goal in the world is to make my mark in it. I view myself as a man in this new Renaissance that is occurring. Art spewing into all these different mediums. But I believe that they coexist with each other. The art matches the visuals which aligns with the garments which align with product and garments.

More importantly, I want to show that regardless of your background, skin color, or where you're from; you can achieve anything and everything no matter what the odds are against you. You have to be determined to get even with it. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope my neon is at the end of it for motivational purposes.

The Maestro

I’m surprised there isn’t a picture of a specs-wearing Jacob Rochester grinning profusely under the word “maestro” in the dictionary.

Jacob is what you may call an artist’s artist. Not only does he create wonderful illustrations, the uber creative Connecticut native knows a thing or two about producing mesmerizing beats that can easily impress the most dedicated Hip Hop head. I was initially aware of Rochester’s incredible talent during the heyday of Tumblr, where his designs continuously popped up in the most prominent fashion and music pages. We eventually met at Nigo’s former New York shop, and kept in touch via social media.

Although having a budding business relationship with Jacob, we never really spoke to the point where I really got to know his story. This is why it’s such a pleasure to present our very first in-depth conversation below. Enjoy!

FRENDY:  You were the first person I thought of when I wanted a newly designed logo—thanks for a job well done!  How often do you get hit up for commissioned pieces?

JACOB:  Glad you liked the logo, man! I think it came out cool as well. I get hit up pretty often actually. I tend to go with what feels right in my gut when deciding who to work with. And I find it best to not take on too many projects at a time—it sucks to get bogged down and not be able to feel like I’m giving enough attention to a client.

FRENDY:  I totally feel you. Furthermore, you want to properly execute whatever piece you’re working on. Who was your first big client?

JACOB:  Yeah, exactly. And I guess it depends on what you consider to be “big.” I’d say it was working with Flatbush Zombies for the first time in 2015, but honestly it was more so because I was able to work with my good homie Phillip T. Annand on the project. That moment was huge for me personally because I had been following him & the Madbury Club for so long. To be able to work with such genius was mind boggling. And then I was able to see the poster I had created for the [Flatbush Zombies] show in person for the first time out in London on a study abroad trip, so that made it even crazier.

FRENDY:  Yeah, man. My fellow Haitian brother Phil is out of this world.  The growth of his entire crew is surreal as well.  I haven’t seen him post on Instagram for a minute!

JACOB:  Yeah, for sure! It seems like he stays low now, evasive I guess. Which is a dream *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  Are you working for a particular design studio?

JACOB: At the moment, nope! I’m doing freelance stuff on my own. I think I would be open to working for a studio because a lot of the work I admire from huge agencies or clients etc. come out of studios that I’ve been following for some time now. But luckily, I’m able to work at my own pace by myself. That may change in the future though, who knows.

FRENDY: You deserve all of the success, my man.  Speaking of winning, congrats on having your very own font published on Actual Source’s book, Shoplifters 8: New Type Design, earlier this year.  What’s your thought process when conjuring up a brand new typeface?

JACOB:  Appreciate it yo! Yeah, that was a great opportunity. It felt like a milestone in regards to design and working with Actual Source. Fonts are tricky for me actually, I’ve only designed maybe 3 fully-custom typefaces. And each one kind of came up sporadically when designing something else. For example, the latest one I built is called ‘Neola’ and it’s a monospace font. And the real reason I made it was mainly to set type on PDF’s for decks I make for clients.

I’m super particular with anything I create, and when it comes to fonts I tend to overthink even more than my typical work so it’s hard for me to start to be honest. When I get a solid idea of where the font should go it gets easier. It’s a fun process, though tedious.

FRENDY:  Incredible.  Did you go to art school at all, or are you naturally gifted with the strokes (pause) *Laughs*?

JACOB:  *Laughs* Nah, I went to Uconn for graphic design & before that I took a couple courses in footwear design in high school. Outside of that, I learned everything with the help of my parents. My mom was an artist as well so I always had a good support system. And then, of course, through observation & learning shit via the internet.

FRENDY:  Like Blue Ivy, Jay-Z and Beyonce’s first born child, it seems like you were instilled with the belief that there are no ceilings.  That you can do anything your heart desires, and it’s apparent as you are fulfilling your array of passions. How was life growing up in Connecticut?  Were your parents pretty lenient?

JACOB:  Yeah, I’d say so. I still keep that mindstate that if I want something, or want to learn something, there’s always a way to get to it as cliche as it sounds. Growing up in CT was cool, had a good circle of friends that I’m still super close with to this day. I think my parents had like the perfect amount of ‘strictness’ with me and my siblings growing up, they weren’t ever too overbearing and were always supportive of what we did. I consider myself lucky because I know a ton of people now that wish they had went a different route in school or whatever but weren’t able to because of their parents, or just taking what seemed to be a more stable route.

FRENDY: You are blessed indeed. My father really didn’t see my vision at first (and it’s all good), but thank God my mother always believed in my abilities.  Having a support system is key—even if it’s just one person giving you positive feedback.

JACOB:  100% man! I hate to hear when people are deterred from their dreams due to lack of support or confidence. But I guess that also comes down to having a passion for something too. You’ll stick to it if you know it’s something you want to do.

FRENDY:  Facts!  Look at us, we’re still here *Laughs*.  I’m not sure how many times we’ve actually met in person but I was surprised to see how tall you were.  Have you played any organized basketball?

JACOB:  Bruh! It’s funny you say that because just 2 days ago I was told I look like I’m 5’6 in my pictures. Which is hilarious to me. But nah, nothing too serious. I played AAU in middle school and played in high school, but kind of lost the ‘hoop dreams’ early on when I realized how much nicer kids were than me when I played AAU *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  Pictures can be deceiving!  Yeah, I’m not going to lie, I had hoop dreams as well. I played HS basketball, I was so in love with the game. But during my senior year, I just stopped to focus on my “TV Production” career *Laughs*.  Why’d you make such a big move all the way to Los Angeles and not a closer booming city like New York?

JACOB:  Yeah, yo! That’s honestly one of the worst realizations as a kid like, “Damn, I’m not going to the NBA,” after living & breathing basketball for so long *Laughs*. But yeah, I decided to move to LA after getting a job pretty much after graduation to work with Nas’ clothing line, HSTRY, which is based out here. I would've for sure moved to NY if that opportunity didn’t present itself though.

FRENDY:  Nas, the legend!  How’d you get the gig with his company?

JACOB:  That actually came up through an old mentor of mine, this dude named Jason Mayden who is a genius in his own right. I’m super thankful for that connection. But yeah, he pretty much knew the brand manager at HSTRY and made the connection when they needed a graphic designer. It worked itself out from there.

FRENDY:  When the hell do you find the time to sharpen all your swords because they’re pretty lethal! How do you prioritize your time in honing your lengthy skills?

JACOB:  Thanks, yo! I think it all comes from learning things super early on. My parents have old home video tapes of me on the drumset at like 2 yrs old and scribbling at like 3 etc. I just had a knack for things when I was young and acted on them. I think a huge part of it was also how I learned certain things, like I can remember being maybe 8 or 9 and just copying this artist Justin Bua’s work over and over. He’s the dude that has the black caricatures in his paintings that are hung in like every barber shop. But yeah, from his stuff to copying graffiti I saw, to pseudo-learning how to draw anatomy from Incredible Hulk comics or the AND-1 dude *Laughs*, I always had references that I found interesting to learn from. And from then to now, I guess it’s all the same really. I’m just sharpening each skill through repetition and further observation from other artists or musicians etc.

FRENDY:  At what age did you start getting serious about making music?  What compelled you to do so?

JACOB:  I’m not sure if I’d even consider myself serious about music now. I just always found it fun & rewarding to make music. I grew up playing drums in the church so it kind of made sense for me to move on to making beats. But I still see it as like something to do when I get tired of drawing or something.

I think it may have been when I first heard MF-DOOM & Madlib for the first time in like 7th grade from one of my music teachers. I felt like, “wow I definitely want to learn how to do this stuff.” It was around the same time my uncle put a cracked version of FruityLoops 3 on my computer at home *Laughs*. Again, super lucky.

FRENDY:  There are no such things as coincidences!  Do you record at home or pay for studio time?

JACOB: I hear you! And nah, just do things from home. If I took it more serious then maybe I’d try to work out of studios or whatever, but my small setup at the crib is all I need really.

FRENDY: I listened to a lot of your records and I see you have an affinity for using samples, specifically from reggae and soul records.  How extensive is your vinyl collection?

JACOB:  Yeah, that’s my favorite stuff. And I think now I’ve accumulated maybe a couple hundred, I’m fairly new to sampling from vinyl. I only started collecting a couple years ago. Before that it was the cliche sample-from-Youtube strategy *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  Hey, some of the biggest records today used samples from YouTube *Laughs*.  Your highest played song on Soundcloud is, “Maria I’m Smacked (Trust Me),” which reworks the intro of Travis Scott’s “Maria I’m Drunk,” featuring Justin Bieber and Young Thug.  What intrigued you so much about that particular part of the original tune?

JACOB:  I think mainly the chord progression in the beginning of that song intrigued me the most. And I just wished it was longer, with drums. I was going to take that down from my Soundcloud actually because it’s one of those things where you look back and wish you did certain things differently—which is how I feel about almost all of my work *Laughs*. But yeah, I think it still holds up today, kind of.

FRENDY:  Nah, please leave that song up ‘cause I need to put it in this piece *Laughs*.  Which musical artists do you enjoy listening to right now?

JACOB:  Let me check my ‘recent’ in Apple music.  I love this chick named Kadhja Bonet, her stuff is like modern-mid 70s soul, it's crazy. Also been playing a lot of DaBaby, Mach Hommy, Matt Ox, I always have Knxwledge on rotation. Weird grouping of artists, but that’s what I’ve been slapping recently.

FRENDY:  That’s an eclectic mix right there.  As far as illustrating, do you have a certain process to get in the zone?

JACOB:  A lot of my stuff is referential so it comes down to having an idea + references for me to start a piece. I don’t always stick to the references verbatim, but It helps when starting for sure. Other than that, I usually have a movie on in the background or music when knocking out an illustration.

FRENDY:  Who are your dream collaborators in any art field?

JACOB:  Working with Actual Source was a huge one for me, would love to work more with them. I’ve always wanted to have an artist-specific project like, for example, doing a full collection in the same way Raf Simons worked with Sterling Ruby or Brian Calvin. I think the ultimate dream would be doing a BMW art car. With music, I don’t know, maybe DOOM rapping over one of my beats would make everything come full circle *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  Hey, you never know who’ll come across this interview and connect the dots!  I stumbled upon one of your latest sitdowns which revealed that you are not fond of wearing heavily branded clothing.  What brands are you actually into?

JACOB:  Yeah recently, and I have no clue why, but I feel weird wearing huge logos. I’m not sure what that stemmed from but I’d much rather wear things that have more attention to detail. I like OAMC a lot, Sacai, Rick Owens, Tone Customs makes amazing bags & utility-accessories. I still love Palace a lot too as a brand, but I don’t think I’d wear much from them.

FRENDY:  The last time we saw anything related to your clothing line, Massive, was an Instagram post in 2016.  Is it safe to say that this ship has sailed?

JACOB:  Yeah, for sure. Massive was fun while it lasted, but when I moved to LA I just didn’t have the time or passion for it & just wanted to do something new that would be more specialized & detail oriented. I’ve just started another ‘thing’ called, a.Construct, that operates the same as Massive in a sense, but just has everything I’ve learned up until this point behind it. I’m able to make what I want with more knowledge & with a better understanding of how clothing works. It’s still a slow-moving brand, but I’m excited for what will come of it.

FRENDY:  Is a.Construct a one man operation or do you have a team of people working on the brand with you?

JACOB:  Nah, it’s all me for now. That way I’m able to have control over what I want to put out, and more so because a lot of times I’m lazy & just need time to make or think of stuff. Which is kind of how the whole brand came about, just overthinking and not trusting an idea. I use it as another outlet for ideas, which don’t always come consistently.

FRENDY:  What else do you have planned for the rest of 2019?

JACOB:  I think for the most part, just more of what I’m doing now: freelancing, making beats & chilling out. I recently worked with a brand out in Italy that should be showing a collection in June at Pitti Florence, so hopefully I’ll be out there in the summer. I’ve also been working on a bunch of paintings, would be cool to show them at some point this year.

FRENDY:  My man, this talk was phenomenal.  Thanks for your time. Any last words?

JACOB:  Bruh! Thank you so much for the opportunity, man. I’ll never forget those days mad long ago heading up to NY, showing up in the BAPE store like, “Yo, there’s Frendy!” *Laughs*. Really crazy how time flies, man.

The King of Thrifting

Two years ago I conducted an incredible interview with none other than the hypest of the hypebeasts himself Ang Nits. Since I dived deep inside the mind of a “user”—in this case, a bright-eyed individual who unabashedly buys highly popularized (and often criticized) gear for his own enjoyment—it’s time to finally hear from the “dealer.” Yup, you read that right, I’m talking about a dope garment slangin’, bandz getting reseller.

Allow me to present the culprit at hand Josh Dzime-Assison, better known as Dizzy. What makes the determined DMV native so unique is that he specializes in reselling sensational pieces from thrift stores. Dizzy actually has his meticulous thrifting ways down to a science. Don’t believe me? Simply head over to his Instagram page and you’ll find informational posts on how to properly cop and resell vintage threads: from refurbishing old boxes to send out packages, all the way down to clutch reminders like not forgetting to look through the bedsheet and hand towels section for hidden gems. (Earlier this month he bought a 1970s Yves Saint Laurent towel set for only $8. It was resold on eBay for a whopping $240.)

I recently sat down with the eCommerce expert to discuss his come up, fashion, business and future endeavors. Check out our insightful conversation below:

FRENDY: I could have easily named this piece, “The King of Reselling” because you are a Jedi master of flipping items, but I truly believe you’re even better at buying archival pieces for the low low.  When did thrifting become your thing?

DIZZY: I stumbled into thrifting as a teenager, maybe 14 or 15. I was a fanatical sneaker collector at that time. I remember going in a thrift store (before it was acceptable and trendy to wear used or secondhand items) and seeing some really dope older Jordans. One of my first thrift store purchases was a pair of original powder blue 9’s from 1994. I think I paid $10 for them, took them home, scrubbed them and they broke everyone’s neck at school the next day and on NikeTalk that night when I posted my outfit. I was hooked on thrift stores after that.

FRENDY: Jeez, only $10! A regular teenager back then wouldn’t think about hitting up a thrift store to cop some gear.  You were ahead of your time. Is it safe to say that you were introduced to fashion and style by your OGs at a real young age?

DIZZY:  I wasn’t really introduced to fashion by OGs, I grew up on 90s basketball and Eastbay. At that time, my focus was strictly sneakers, and the love for sneakers helped me develop my style and taste in fashion a little later. In high school, I probably already had close to 150 pairs of sneakers and I was starting to build a reputation on message boards like NikeTalk and ISS. That slight Internet buzz was fun, but the Internet was fairly new as far as understanding the power and reach that it had. So I was just beginning to tap into my influence at that point.

FRENDY:  Where exactly did you grow up in the DMV area?

DIZZY: I grew up in Adelphi, MD, which is Prince George’s County if anyone is familiar with the DMV area. Around 10th or 11th grade, my family moved to Silver Spring, MD which is a suburb of Washington, DC.

FRENDY:  I read that Maryland has a lot of county pride. When you tell people what county you’re from, it’s like telling them part of your identity. Do you believe that’s true? If so, what attributes have you inherited from yours?

DIZZY:  Yeah, there’s a little bit of that. It’s not as serious as the boroughs in NY, but people definitely want to know where you’re from. I think the issue comes from people that are from MD claiming DC and people from far suburbs claiming DMV. I think people just want to know that you’re actually from the area.

Growing up in MD was dope though because it’s a racial melting pot and an economic melting pot. I was able to see and experience so much in those younger years. I had white friends and black and hispanic friends. I had rich friends and lower middle class friends. It was just a really well rounded upbringing. I think it prepared me for how diverse the real world is.

FRENDY:  Amazing. Damn, I guess I watched too much of “The Wire’ growing up because I ignorantly thought the whole of Maryland was filled with violence *Laughs*.

DIZZY:  “The Wire” just showed some parts of Baltimore, which is like 45 minutes away from Silver Spring and an hour from Washington, DC. For the most part, those suburbs around DC are consistently some of the wealthiest counties in the country. I think Prince George’s county has the wealthiest black population of anywhere. So as amazing as “The Wire” was, it was telling a very specific story. I recently was in Colombia in South America and from what we see in movies and on TV, we just think it’s all cocaine cartels. When I got there, it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Same thing.

FRENDY:  That’s why we actually have to experience life instead of agreeing with force-fed information from mainstream media.  Speaking of which, in an interview with The Fader last year, singer Brent Faiyaz stated that Maryland is extremely competitive.  Have you experienced any sort of competition or haters downplaying your entrepreneurial grind out there?

DIZZY: I try not to pay attention to it. That’s everywhere though. People will tell you that same story in any city. I just always try to show love and it’s worked out for me. At times, I’ve struggled with the feeling that people were smiling in my face and hating behind my back, but that was something I had to get over and grow past. So now I just focus my thoughts and energy on things I can control.

FRENDY:  This is the same energy I carry. Your company is now based in New York.  What inspired the move there from your hometown?

DIZZY:  I’m actually back in MD now, man. I was in NY for 7 years. I originally left MD because I was able to have some success at a young age and I was curious to see how that stacked up in a big market. Everybody in this industry wants to be in NY for the opportunities, the relationships, resources. There’s just so many things that NY offers that you can’t get anywhere else in the world. So living and hustling in NY for those years was a great experience for me.

FRENDY:  What compelled you to actually carry out the plan of opening up your online shop selling thrift goods?

DIZZY: The plan started in MD. I opened the first consignment sneaker store in the MD area in 2007. I did the physical location thing for a little while and when that ended, I just continued the hustle online. I had always been selling, but before that I was selling on forums, from my blog (I was blogging heavily back then) and on MySpace. From there, the transition to an online store platform was pretty seamless.

FRENDY:  Why did you decide to shut down the physical shop?

DIZZY:  Unfortunately, someone broke into it and stole a lot of stuff. So dealing with the logistics of recovering from that and also repaying thousands of dollars to people for their consigned items was overwhelming to deal with at 21-years-old. So I just took a break from it and shifted directions.

FRENDY:  All things happen for our greatest good, even when we don’t even understand it at the moment.  I’m glad you kept your dreams alive. You have a vast amount of customers from all over the country. How did you build such a loyal and expansive following? Word of mouth or social media?

DIZZY:  I believe that 100%. Initially when I started selling online, I was running a really popular blog. Get Dizzy blog at one point was getting like 10,000 viewers a day. So I combined my sales platform to my blog, which was already generating crazy traffic.

After that, I think it’s just been about consistency. When you do anything for over 10 years without stopping, people take notice. I also try my best to do good business and make the transactions as personal as possible, which creates a bond and loyalty between me and my customers. I also sell on almost every platform (eBay, Grailed, Poshmark, Etsy,Instagram, etc) and I direct all those buyers back to my site. So that helps with growth also.

FRENDY:  Genius move.  How much research do you do when it comes to finding the perfect vintage shop?

DIZZY:  I literally go to all of them *Laughs*. I make a list depending on what area I’m in, then I hit them all one by one. The ones that are good, I start going more consistently. So over time, I’ve found about 20-30 stores in the DMV area alone that I shop at regularly. So my research is hands on. I go there and see each spot for myself.

FRENDY:  What are your thoughts on Tokio 7 in New York?  How does it hold up to your standards?

DIZZY:  I love Tokio 7. That’s one of my favorite spots in NY. I’ve shopped in there with ASAP Rocky, I’ve shopped in there with Nick Wooster, you name it. It’s an amazing spot to find crazy pieces for my personal collection, but it’s not a spot I would consider to buy and flip from. I’m a true thrifter. I find gems for $5-10 and turn them into $50-100 or even $500. So I like the thrill of the hunt and I enjoy digging. Tokio 7 is very well manicured, the items are carefully screened and handpicked, so it doesn’t provide me with the thrill of the hunt.

FRENDY:  I had a feeling you’ll love that spot.  I do as well. How does reselling differ from when you started back in 2007 and now?  Should people even enter the game at this point?

DIZZY:  I think this is a great time to get into reselling. The information and tools are all readily available. I used to have to buy every item based on my gut instincts. Now a reseller can literally compare prices live on eBay or other sites right from their phone to make sure their making a good purchase. There’s a ton of resellers out there now, which makes finding items a little harder, but if you have some knowledge and work ethic, you can kill it.

FRENDY:  What are you favorite brands right now? And why?

DIZZY:  I wear a lot of Saint Laurent, Fear of God and Chrome Hearts. Those are probably my favorite brands currently. I usually wear mostly black so they just fit my look. I like what Rhuigi is doing with Rhude. He’s been leveling up like crazy over these past few years. I really like Greg Lauren because of the way he fuses different types of pieces together. On the streetwear level, I like Human Made—Nigo is a legend so that’s self-explanatory. I’ll also always love Visvim. A lot of the pieces don’t fit my daily look, but I think Hiroki is a genius and his attention to detail is next level.

FRENDY:  As far as shopping for retro pieces, what sticks out to you the most?  How do you know that it will actually resonate with customers?

DIZZY:  The dope thing about fashion is that it’s cyclical. Styles and brands come back around, so sometimes you can predict those things. A lot of vintage shopping also plays on nostalgia. People want to buy things they had when they were a kid or wanted badly when they were a kid. For international buyers, they love a lot of iconic American cultural things like 90’s hip hop brands and beer brands, etc. Over time, after thousands of sales, you just develop a great view of the market and the type of items that are in high demand.

FRENDY:  I honestly appreciate your mantra, “Patience. Persistence. Progress.”  It’s practically embedded in your personal branding. In what areas of your life do you exercise it?

DIZZY:  That mantra literally defines the whole process for me. In life, in business, in relationships, it applies to everything. You’re always in one of those stages. It’s just a reminder to slow down, take your time and stay with it. A lot of people rush the process (no patience), or quit too early (no persistence), and then end up never progressing. The dope part about it is, once you make some progress, the cycle starts over again.

FRENDY:  Perfectly said.  For the most part, your Instagram captions are thought provoking and hilarious. One of my favorites is “rappers should have all their clothes taken away, if they can’t pronounce the brands,” written under a flick of you showcasing a first person perspective your own fancy threads. Do you think of these witty sayings on the fly or have them saved up on your notes somewhere?

DIZZY:  Thanks man. I realized that you have to find ways to showcase your personality on Instagram which is a visual platform. Everybody’s captions are either extremely literal or some song lyrics or something. So usually those captions are just tweets that I’ve posted earlier on Twitter. I try to keep the captions as random as possible with no relation to the picture. I think that just makes the comments even better.

FRENDY:  You love your friends dearly, always giving them roses while they can still smell them. “No matter what, squad gon eat.”  Have you ever experienced any sort of disloyalty?

DIZZY:  I have, but that’s life. I also might not have been the best friend either so I can’t point fingers. But with maturity you learn to realize that you don’t need 50 friends, you really only need 3-4 REAL friends. The friends that give you positive peer pressure and hold you accountable and have your best interest at heart. The ones that support your work like it’s their own. It just takes some life experiences to weed out the fake ones and find out who those real ones actually are.

FRENDY:  With so many lessons learned, will you ever end up opening your own brick and mortar shop again?

DIZZY:  I’ll never say never, but I think that lane is really congested right now. Round Two is killing it, but everybody can’t be Round Two. As the power of the internet grows and the way people shop and interact with items changes, the retail experience should change also. I see new stores opening every day, but they’re using an outdated business model. I can’t go too much into detail about what’s wrong with the model because I have some plans and tricks up my sleeve. I’ll be opening some brick and mortar locations in the future, but the concept will definitely be different. I’ll be in a lane by myself.

From France With Love

The second floor of the shop (if you don’t know which one by now, please unfollow me on all social media platforms) truly allowed me to be up close and personal with not only outstanding New York locals, but also a plethora of fascinating individuals from all over the globe. Marseille’s very own  Alexandre Meyrand is one of them.

Alexandre,35, was introduced to me about six years ago by our mutual friend Alex on an extremely slow day at work.  Usually when there isn’t much traction on BAPE’s main floor, my supporters, frequent shoppers, and many of today’s brightest stars would all scurry upstairs, find a comfy spot on the infamous ape head camo couch just to speak with me for hours on end without any major interruption. When they overstayed, though, I was forced to politely kick them out.

Meyrand and I, on the other hand, didn’t converse much when we initially met—but I easily sensed his genuine nature so we kept in touch via social media. Believe it or not, we never really had a proper conversation until now!

Check out the transcript of our very first full length dialogue where we spoke about his younger days in France, fashion, booming business, and hotspots in Marseille.

FRENDY:  What’s good, Alexandre?  Let’s get it poppin’!

ALEXANDRE:  Yo, bro! I am good.  It’s the end of the day here, but it was a great weekend in our sunny city.

FRENDY:  I know there’s a huge time difference between us.  I really appreciate you for staying up late to chop it up.

ALEXANDRE: It’s a pleasure to be featured here, my man.

FRENDY: I’m humbled, thank you. Before we get deep into our conversation, I must ask: is there a friendly competition between Paris and Marseille?

ALEXANDRE:  I don’t know if there is a friendly competition, maybe if you are talking about soccer *Laughs*. But I love Paris—it’s one of the best places in the world because of its architecture and history.  Marseille is also one of the best places I have ever lived.

FRENDY:  Oh yeah, that’s right.  The two cities do have a great soccer team. I’m not familiar with their players, but I know the superstars for each squad *Laughs*.  Marseille is known for its beautiful port and scenery, yet it is stated to be a victim of bad reputation...as far as violence.  Is that true?

ALEXANDRE:  Marseille is a big city so things happen, but violence is everywhere. I think that the media only show what they want to so that gives us a bad reputation.  And that’s wrong. Things happen in every big city and violence can be anywhere. What’s totally true is that Marseille is one of the best destinations in the world.  [There are] so many cultures here. So many good vibes.

FRENDY:  How was it like growing up in the second largest city in France?

ALEXANDRE:  *Laughs* The funny thing is that I didn't grow up in Marseille.  I was born in St. Etienne (a city close to Lyon), and I moved to the South of France in 2005.  I spent my first years in Aix en Provence (25 minutes from Marseille), and I’ve been living in Marseille for the past five years.

FRENDY: What was the reason you moved from St. Etienne to the South of France?

ALEXANDRE:  I used to work in a cool shop called Uptown, but I had the opportunity to move to the South of France for the opening of a big store called Corezone in Aix en Provence.  My ex-girlfriend was also living there...so that was an easy decision for me.

FRENDY:  Women always make matters easier *Laughs*.  How old were you when you moved to work at Uptown?  What was your position there?

ALEXANDRE:  I was still young and fresh *Laughs*.  I was only 21-years-old when I moved.  I was just a seller at Uptown, and had the same position for the first years I spent at Corezone.  When I moved to Marseille I became Store Manager and Buyer also (they had four stores).

FRENDY:  You started in the retail game pretty early.  When did your love for fashion come about? Was it through music or your own self-expression?

ALEXANDRE:  I always loved fashion and I was inspired by so many things.  Music is very important for me (you are right), I’ve been listening to a bunch of cool bands since my childhood (I’d like to thank my father for this).  Art, tattoos are also things that feed my brain. I’ve always wanted to have my own style.

FRENDY:  Which bands captivated you growing up?

ALEXANDRE:  Maybe the bands I have seen perform live first.  My father took me to a Marillion show at Le Zenith in Paris when I was 8 years old—when you are a kid in that big crowd everything seems so crazy! It’s still one of my best memories. I have also seen The Cure. I love their music, but their aesthetic is even crazier! The charisma of Robert Smith and all the fans that dressed like him in black makeup.  You between fear and the energy that they give you!

FRENDY:  Your senses were on overload due to all of the vibrant energy.  Who are your favorite brands currently? Does Hip Hop influence your lifestyle as well?

ALEXANDRE:  I have been listening to a lot of Rock, but I listen to a lot of Hip Hop too. Yes, Hip Hop has a big influence!  Most of the sounds we play at my shop now is Hip Hop.  I have so many favorite Rock bands including: Marillion, Tears for Fears, Genesis, The Cure, Metallica.  I grew up listening to Blink 182 (Travis Barker was one of my biggest inspiration as a teenager), NFG, Underoath, Taking Back Sunday, GC. As far as Hip Hop : Wu tang Clan, Future, Shyheim, Mobb Deep, Kanye, Jay Z, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott , Drake.

FRENDY:  Man, I’m not going to lie, Blink 182 was one of my favorite bands growing up as well.  So you are pretty flexible when it comes to your sonic indulgences.

ALEXANDRE:  Yeah, I can’t only listen to Rock.  I need motivation so I need to listen to different genres. Depends on the mood I am in when I wake up, but I never listen the same thing in the morning and end of the day.

FRENDY:  How’s the streetwear scene in Marseille looking like?

ALEXANDRE:  The streetwear scene is pretty sick these days.  You see a lot of people with great style in Marseille now.  The scene has changed a lot, maybe because of Internet, but Marseille was always into streetwear.  We have big scenes here: skate, graffiti in the whole city. A lot of budding musicians too. Marseille = Street!

FRENDY:  You said the scene changed a lot before the internet. How was it like before?

ALEXANDRE:  Yes, because if you wanted to have your own style, it was only easy if you were able to travel and bring back cool stuff. Most of the people were dressing the same, but the business of fashion has changed and it’s easier to find more brands to dress like your “icons.”  People are more inspired in Marseille now with the internet because they have access to so many things.

FRENDY: What are your favorite brands currently?

ALEXANDRE:  My favorite brands actually are Converse (only the 70s collection), the chuck taylor is a classic sneaker and I love its silhouette.  Sacai is a very interesting brand, and I love the work that Dr. Woo did on the last collection. Needles, FDMTL and Kapital are also brands I love, they are part of the whole Japanese wave. I still love Stussy because it’s real streetwear, and of course I love Goudron *Laughs*. It’s becoming a brand now, not only a store.

FRENDY:  Hey, I’m a living person and I’m a brand *Laughs*.  Nothing is impossible!  Whose style do you admire in the entertainment industry?

ALEXANDRE: Axl Rose, Travis Barker, Pharrell Williams, Scott Campbell, and Nigo.

FRENDY: Is there a particular meaning behind the name of your store, Goudron?

ALEXANDRE:  Yes, there is a story behind the name.  My brother ILK wanted to give me that name as a gift when I told him my plans to open a store. He said to me he saved that name for years in case he decided to make a brand later or a special project.  So I thought a lot about it and I accepted “Goudron,” because I loved the name too—it’s short, easy to say in any language.

Goudron color is dark also, and black means a lot for us.  We decided to add ILK in the project too because he is a sick graphic designer and a typographer.

FRENDY:  It’s always great to have friends that actually care about our projects.  No better feeling in the world than genuine support. Does “Goudroun” mean anything specifically in French?

ALEXANDRE:  That’s true, brother.  We are three partners and three very good friends. Yes, Goudron is like the asphalt, it’s something you walk on everyday so this is a part of the street.  And we represent the streets too by selling these brands.

FRENDY:  Perfect name. What was the process of building your own streetwear shop?  Was it an extremely difficult one, or did you already have the moving parts to make it happen?

ALEXANDRE:  It was not really easy.  I stopped working at Corezone because they sold the stores. I had different projects and we talked a lot with Seb (my other partner and one of my best friends) about opening our own store. I had the support of brands and people who knew me [at my old jobs] so we decided to go ahead and find a good location to build a shop of our own.

What we wanted to show to the city of Marseille and also the aesthetic was very important for us, like our floor for example.  It was one of the hardest things to do but everybody knows now that it’s us.

FRENDY:  Where is Goudron located in Marseille?  And what made you choose that particular location?

ALEXANDRE:  Goudron is in the city center, not in a main street but close to everything.  The thing that we always wanted is to be located at a street corner, that’s why we are here.

FRENDY:  Y’all have the whole aesthetic down packed!  How long did it take to actually open up the shop?

ALEXANDRE: Let’s say around a year to prepare everything...to rebuild the inside of the store, to work on the name, to create the logo and to start to communicate.

FRENDY:  That’s not a bad turnaround time at all. Did you guys cry on its grand opening? *Laughs*

ALEXANDRE:  *Laughs*  Yes, we had a cool opening and people were lined up for the first day so that gave us big fuckin’ energy!  We also did an opening party months after and it was dope! Everything that happened gave us motivation to go harder.

FRENDY:  What brands do you sell at the shop? How did you formulate a relationship with them all?

ALEXANDRE:  We only sell brands we love and believe in.  We are actually working with Neighborhood, Futur, Stone Island Shadow Projects, Harmony Paris, Edwin Japan, Levis Vintage, Converse, Grenson Shoes, Stussy, Asics, New balance (UK and USA stuff), Vans Anaheim, Goudron. I have known most of these brands in the past and some are friends that created their own line.  I have good relationships with people because I think that I am true person and an honest guy so this helps people to trust me in the project.  It’s important to be right with everybody.

FRENDY:  Amen, that’s how I became the brand I am today.  Treating people right really goes long way. I’ve been back-stabbed numerous times and it made me lose hope on the human race *Laughs*.  But I learned that I played a huge part in my suffering as well—the victim mentality. Now, I’m stronger, smarter, and kinder than ever! One of the reasons why I wanted to have this conversation with you is because I knew you were a good dude since Alex introduced me to you.

ALEXANDRE:  Thanks for these words, bro. I remember the first time Alex introduced me to you at the store.  He is still one of the best person I met in my whole life.

FRENDY: Yes, such a great guy.  Very kind, humble and considerate.  How did you guys meet anyway?

ALEXANDRE:  I met Alex at a dinner during a trip to NYC in 2013.  Kristi, a close friend, introduce me to him and since that day I knew that we must be friends.  He’s a very interesting person. We have a lot of things in common, same love for music, passion for tattoos, same love for fashion, and great minds *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  Word, and same names *Laughs*.  Birds of a feather, flock together!  Alex is tattooed from head to toe, so are you..literally!  How many do you have?

ALEXANDRE:  I can’t tell you how many, but there’s a lot *Laughs*.  I started getting tattooed at 19-years-old and I haven’t stopped. I am almost full too.

FRENDY: Do you remember your very first one?

ALEXANDRE:  *Laughs* Yes, it’s at the top of my left arm.  I had some old school stuff, but I blacked out my arm three years ago and got some cool stuff from [tattooist] Scott Campbell (white ink on black ink).

FRENDY:  I skimmed through Scott’s Instagram and realized that he also tatted up Travis Scott’s head.  His price must be pretty hefty, but well worth it obviously. When did you first meet him? And what do you like about his tattooing style?

ALEXANDRE:  I got my first tattoo from Scott four years ago in NYC.  I always loved his work, dollar bills sculptures, he has his own style of tattooing too—Scott’s lines are perfect.  I love the atmosphere of his Tattoo studio as well (decorated with skulls, reapers, roses). His scripts are crazy and perfect!  I love all the details and aesthetic around his work.

We did a big session the first time when Scott did my whole back (it took about seven hours and thirty minutes), and since then I have been friends with him.  He is a very talented and humble person. There is a real connection formed when you get tattooed for hours.

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A post shared by scott campbell (@scottcampbell) on Aug 16, 2018 at 6:00pm PDT

FRENDY:  Are you planning on tattooing your face as well?

ALEXANDRE:  No, I will never do that.  I am not into face tattoos. Even if I have a lot of tattoos, this is another step in your life.

FRENDY:  Totally!  Like New York, Marseille is a melting pot of different cultures—no wonder why you like traveling here so much.  What are some of your other favorite cities to visit?

ALEXANDRE:  I love NYC so much, fam.  I got so many friends there!  I love London also, Los Angeles is so chill too.  Barcelona, Milan, Lisbon are also great cities…but there are still so many places I haven’t been.

FRENDY:  There are more street food trucks in Marseille than in Paris because, as one chef said: “the kitchen is very strict.”  What are some of your favorite spots to eat in Marseille?

ALEXANDRE:  We have a lot of good spots in Marseille and so many different kinds of food.  Here is a list of my favorites, Coffee spots: La fiancée (best cookies on earth), Deep coffee roaster, Le Café de La Banque (Paris in Marseille).  For a drink : Gaspard and Copperbay, Le Petit Bistrot, Le Café de L’abbaye. One of my fave restaurant is OTTO, an Italian restaurant. Always a good vibe there, fresh stuff and the boss Pierre Antoine is a good friend. He puts all his love in this place.  Other cool restaurants include: Sepia, La Cantinetta, La Marmarita, Fratelli, Pastis & Olives, Shabu.

FRENDY: Damn, whenever I visit please take me to all those spots!  Seems like life is less complicated in Marseille than Paris, all the way down to the simple yet delicious dishes. And people are said to be nicer in the South.  Why do you think that is the case?

ALEXANDRE:  I will bring you there, my man.  Life is less complicated in Marseille because its more relaxing maybe, it’s not the same way of life. I love Paris, but people are more stressed and always in a rush.  Plus, it’s harder to get a smile out of them too *Laughs*. But the city has so many beautiful places.

When you live in the South of France, it’s like you are on holidays most of the year.

FRENDY:  The Old Port is a major tourist attraction in Marseille.  Are there any hidden gems in the city someone like me can check out?

ALEXANDRE:  Yes, there are a lot of beautiful things to see here.  I will bring you to Le Vallon des Auffes, Notre Dame de La Garde, Les Goudes, and one of the best thing is “Les Calanques” (we might drop a t-shirt soon with them).

FRENDY:  Bet!  Man, you’re living such a wonderful life in Marseille. You’re well-traveled, have a successful business, great friends, and family.  What else are you looking to accomplish in life?

ALEXANDRE:  I just want to make Goudron bigger, have more projects with my partners, and also have kids in the near future.  I think I will be done after this *Laughs*.

Motion Picture Prince

Skater, Dancer, Filmmaker, Visionary, Loyal Black Boyfriend, oh and I can’t forget, Fashion God. These are just a few titles that boldly describe Anthony Prince. The Brooklyn-born multi-hyphenate has been flexing his creative muscles since I met him more than 10 years ago—and he still hasn’t sprained a ligament.

I left BAPE in 2015, and the only way I’ve kept in touch with many of the individuals I became friends with in Soho is through Instagram.  I’m not a slave to my home, but these articles can’t write themselves! I’m locked up, typing away in my studio for your reading pleasure (so happy that it’s not in vain).  Throughout last year when I did step out, I would frequently bump into Anthony at random places. “Yo bro, we got to have a sit down real soon,” is what I always told him, but it never panned out that way…until now.

Allow me to present my long overdue conversation with the buzzing 28-year-old entrepreneur where we discussed his childhood, come up in the video production industry, storybook love life, and future endeavors.

FRENDY:  What’s up, A! Thanks for taking the time out of your hectic production schedule so we can talk. How are you? What time did you even wake up this morning?

ANTHONY:  Yerrrr!  It’s always cool chopping it up with you. Schedule is a bit hectic at the moment, but all blessings. I woke up at around 6:00 a.m. today to finalize details for this project in Dubai which I’m very excited about!

FRENDY:  Damn, that’s amazing. It seems like yesterday when you were attending The Arts Institute of NYC, running around shooting so much visuals.

ANTHONY: *Laughs* I remember like it was yesterday seeing Cudi and you working [at BAPE], and meeting Ye for the first time. I’ve had so many amazing opportunities and moments captured all because I kept my camera on me everywhere I went.

FRENDY: Yessir, Downtown’s golden age *Laughs*. Time doesn’t exist when you’re in the moment and having fun. Speaking of Soho, when did you fall in love with the area?

ANTHONY:  I fell in love with Soho when my older sister would take me along to shop at Patricia Field on Bowery. I’d see the types of people shopping there and be inspired. In 2007- 2008, at around 15 I started running with this group called Juice Krew, which was just a bunch of kids that dressed retro, dance (Get Lite), sing, rap etc. I was the skater/dancer. We would always travel from Brooklyn to Soho.

FRENDY:  Yeah, I believe that was the first time I saw you skating around the city. Was your brother Brian a part of the crew? Because I know he’s pretty dope on the board. Also, what was the name of your skate team?

ANTHONY:  Yes, my brother Brian Prince was one of our best riders! The team was called CHC (Crack Head Central) C.R.A.C.K aka Creative Recreation at Ckost because we were breaking all of our boards like Terry Kennedy on Pharrell’s Ice Cream [skate] team.

FRENDY: Terry is a wild boy *Laughs*.  Who else was a part of the skate crew? Are you still in touch with them?

ANTHONY:  No, we don’t keep in touch with a few of the members because they went a different route in life.  But my blood brothers Brian Prince and Nino, and my boy Joseph still skate every now and then. Brian Prince is still amazing on the board and will bust a few tricks easily. Nino makes music now and It’s actually fire. Nino started off filming us and then we would edit together. He put me on and then I went to film school.

FRENDY:  Life is beautiful, man. That’s why we can’t even stress how things are going to come about because the universe has infinite ways to make miracles happen. It’s so dope that your blood brothers and yourself have such a great relationship. Which part of Brooklyn did you guys grow up in? I’m from Brooklyn as well, and I know back in the day you couldn’t just start skateboarding without looking like a madman.

ANTHONY:  We grew up in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn (Flossy 80s) *Laughs*. The skaters were considered oreos and would stay in the back of our hood (Seaview gas station). We’re Jamaican and unruly so when people saw us and commented about skateboarding, we’d be open to start conversing about it.

Pharrell made it ok for us to do so because around the time “Mr. Me Too,” ft Clipse was bumping heavy. It turned a new leaf in our neighborhood—you didn’t have to be gang affiliated or a “Shotta” (Jamaican gangster or dancer). Girls in the hood called me skater boy *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  So you’re saying no one really stepped to you guys for being “different” ?

ANTHONY:  People respected us already. It was more of people having someone they knew who skated to be able to make themselves more familiar with it.

FRENDY:  How many siblings do you have altogether?

ANTHONY:  I have about 22 siblings in total. My mom had 8 of us, five from a previous marriage (older brothers and sisters), and three with my pops who was a rolling stone aka a “Gyalis”. Separately, he has 13 other kids.

I interact with mostly the younger ones on my father side because they look up to me. On my mother side, we are all very close. She protects us so much that I had to break out of her house. Big shouts to her for finding the time in her busy work schedule to graduate college this year. ❤️

FRENDY:  Wow! That’s a whole football team! Shout out to mom dukes for real. Which HS did you go to? Most of the cats I knew who lived in Canarsie attended their zone school: South Shore.

ANTHONY:  We skated at South Shore because they had four steps with a good lead up *Laughs*.  My mom wouldn’t allow me to go to South Shore and I don’t blame her. I went to Talent Unlimited HS for Drama. TU changed my life and helped open my eyes to dreams people in Canarsie didn’t have access to.

FRENDY: Your mom came through with the clutch decision! Where is Talent Unlimited HS located?

ANTHONY:  Talent Unlimited is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Very different from Canarsie, but it was the balance I needed. TU was very diverse, not only consisting of different races but the LGBTQ community was introduced to me. I realized that Homophobia was a norm in my culture and it challenged me to understand other people's perspective on the world.

My mom supported me because my older sister, Princess (hence the name), was a vocal major at Laguardia HS for the Performing Arts. I remember her going to Spain to sing. I’m sure she wanted me to have that same access.

FRENDY: I’m sure it was an eye opener for you. Is the school still open?

ANTHONY:  I believe it still exists and I hope to go back and speak. Maybe even start a program where young black boys can seamlessly enter the school.

FRENDY:  Seamlessly enter the school? Is it specifically hard for young black boys to get accepted there?

ANTHONY: There is less access to the arts in Canarsie. If there was an after school program in JHS that was connected to a HS, it would make a difference in the opportunities they seek.

FRENDY:  I totally agree. Growing up in Brooklyn after leaving Haiti, I always knew there was so much more to experience.  Being at the right places changes lives. Soho was my gateway to see it all. Exposure definitely is everything.  Did you attend The Arts Institute of NYC right after graduating from TU?

ANTHONY: I completely agree, and yes, straight out of HS that following August. Funny thing is I was in and out of court since graduation for a crime I didn’t commit. Little did I know that my case would last until college graduation. Cops said I did a shooting because I matched the description of someone with a red hat—that was just a classic example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Film was a place for me to get away from it all.

FRENDY:  I had no clue you had to go through all of that. I’m sure everyone reading this conversation right now is shocked because you’re the furthest thing from a menace.  Besides dibbling and dabbling with editing during your skateboarding days, what inspired you to go harder in the field of production?

ANTHONY:  One thing that really inspired me was the process of trade. One hand shakes the other. Getting to be a sponsored skater is a prime example because if you skate well, and able to show the brand you wear in the same light…you both win. To an extent, there is money involved with the brand’s product but all you have to do is have the skills and that’s how you pay people. To this day I’m collaborating with people this way and bigger companies notice. Then you get the check.

FRENDY:  Very interesting, but I’m sure you aren’t filming just for a check.  What do you love about producing and shooting visuals?

ANTHONY:  I love bringing an idea to life. It’s crazy to dream something up and then see it in reality even better than how you visualize. Bringing a team together should be considered a superpower. Look at “Do The Right Thing,” the movie had an amazing cast, direction, cinematography, story, styling, makeup, hair...a great production team can shift culture. I see myself shifting culture with my debut film.

FRENDY:  Aw man, creating is why we’re all here on earth. When should we expect your debut picture to come out?

ANTHONY: My film is set for 2020. I’m spending time finding ways to recreate the narrative structure.

FRENDY:  Looking forward to it!  Speaking of which, how was your time at The Arts Institute of NYC?  Do you feel like it taught you everything you know now about filming and production? Or did your hands on experience triumph what you learned in the classroom?

ANTHONY:  AI gave me the tools to experiment with and a community of people who wanted to learn more about film. We were able to rent equipment and shoot whatever we wanted. I took advantage of that. In class, we learned about structure and what an ‘L cut’ was, but to me it was a reference because all of the best filmmakers broke the rules. They didn’t tell us that.

FRENDY:  As they say: rules are meant to be broken.  AI officially closed down in 2017, were you shocked by the news?

ANTHONY:  No, it was very expensive and they were taking everybody’s money. I started seeing less passionate students, teachers, and no real support before and after graduation. I graduated December 2012, and was depressed for the first 2 months because I didn’t know what to do. Fortunately, a close friend of mines built a recording studio with a backdrop and asked me to run the photo section.

FRENDY: Wow, the universe always provides.  When exactly did you conjure up your production company, Equator Productions?

ANTHONY:  My sister Emily who was gathering the paperwork for an LLC could not get “Crack Head Central” approved so we had to brainstorm. The one thing that stuck was ‘Equator’ because it’s the hottest part of the earth and the imaginary line that splits the world in half. When I went to film school in 2008, it turned into Equator Productions. That imaginary line over time grew into that median between all cultures—those things that unifies us all, being human.

FRENDY:  “Crack Head Central” was the name of your skate team, right?

ANTHONY:  Yes, CRACK, Creative Recreation at CKost because we would break our boards and rip our sneakers.

FRENDY:  On the homepage of your company’s site of there is a list of prominent clients displayed.  Which of them was the most enjoyable to work with?

ANTHONY:  Ashya + Nike, Ashya because I was able to help them develop their look and vibe visually so I had more creative freedom. Ashley and Moya are the creative directors/ designers behind Ashya and they have such great taste, designing concepts, and naturals at trend forecasting. They highlight cultures around the world via their brand and this is very similar to Equator. I love traveling with them *Laughs*.

Shouts to Anthony Bones and Thomas P. at Nike who trusted me with the vision to bring Rox Brown’s campaign for her AF1’s to life. During that whole shoot, life kept presenting these mini gifts that helped me bring the story together. The part where I reversed from the stairwell to the train station, I planned none of it.

FRENDY:  How do you pick projects to work on?  Is there a specific criteria?

ANTHONY:  I get a lot of my work from word of mouth, so it’s always a lot of socializing involved. When I can bounce back and forth with my collaborators on what the vision is, it’s usually a great sign. Can’t always gauge it that way but 75% it works *Laughs*. I like to work on documentaries, short films, campaigns and sometimes music videos (depending on the artist). I’m continuously working on my formats and defining the aesthetic, but anybody who want to allow me to play (with real creative control) gets my best work.

FRENDY:  I totally understand.  Who else is a part of your creation team?

ANTHONY:  In Equator’s core team its just myself and Ashley Cimone. We have a full roster of directors, editors, graphic designers, producers and retouchers that work with us on projects based in NY & LA.

FRENDY:  Yes, your partner Ashley Cimone is quite an artist in her own right.  How did you guys initially meet?

ANTHONY:  Soooo, *Laughs* I was at an Opening Ceremony event with a friend during Fashion’s Night Out in 2013, and she was there supporting her friends (William Okpo). I danced all night, but when I spotted her I had to speak or else I would regret it. My friend Domo, who is gay, decided he would lighten up the situation so I could get an in.  We walked over and he introduced himself. I was very shy *Laughs* but kept it cool, and he just was overflowing compliments while I thought them.

Finally she gave me her Instagram. I was worried she would think that I was gay and not take me seriously, but after two years trying to link up, she commented on one of my Instagram selfies: “that face”. I direct messaged her immediately after! We started talking like we knew each other and then exchanged numbers. That same day she came to my office at Wallplay in the Lower East Side and we became best friends ever since.

FRENDY:  Classic Boy meets Girl story right there *Laughs*.  I’m glad you stayed persistent!  When did you decide to add her to the roster of your production company?  What compelled you to do so?

ANTHONY:  It happened by accident *Laughs*. We created a monthly nude figure drawing class called ‘Sip & Sketch’ when we met. We understood that we could work together. Ashley was working for Net-A-Porter so she had a business background. I was having issues with the owner of Wallplay being indirect and passive aggressive. Ashley took it upon herself to interfere on one of her rants which landed us both into a meeting. She then wrote a contract for our split that allowed for me to have my first gallery show after I’ve fully moved out of the work space. That was in December 2015, and then In January 2016 I had about over 300 people come to my solo show. Top of that year, I got a call from Laquan Smith for New York Fashion Week and she handled my contracts ever since.

FRENDY:  Watch out Hov and Bey!  Besides the potential project in Dubai you mentioned at the beginning of our conversation, what else are you guys currently working on?

ANTHONY:  That project is good to go!  I’m heading to Paris on February 26th to shoot with Law Roach and Zendaya for her Tommy Hilfiger collection release during Paris Fashion Week.  Very excited about that. And we just shot Ashya’s AW19 Campaign, fashion film and documentary in India. I’m in post for the documentary at the moment, but it’s going to be crazy. The previous documentary will be featured in Nowness very soon but here is a trailer.

FRENDY:  You’re a major globetrotter.  What are the top three places you’ve ever visited?

ANTHONY:  Top three?! Jamaica (home), South Africa, Italy and India. Top three!

FRENDY: That’s actually four, but it’s totally fine *Laughs*.  Your passport is more tatted than you!  Let’s talk about your swag for a second.  You’ve always been fresh to death, but in recent years your fashion sense has quantum leaped into a higher dimension. What propelled your elevated style?

ANTHONY:  Damn, is it that good? Dude, you don’t have to feed my ego *Laughs *. I care less about what people have to say. I grew up in a Jamaican household and was encouraged to wear Diesel leather pants in the eight grade.

My three older sisters were the biggest source of inspiration because they were always fly and coordinated. I started getting hand me downs from my father and sisters from the 90’s which was high end fashion, a physical capsule. My dad had a rude boy, flamboyant swag and my sisters had all the dope denims.  Their wide hips allowed me to have enough room to sag *Laughs*. Over the years myself manifest itself. Now, I love fashion because it’s a way for me to communicate my feelings and personality. I’m giving people a cover to judge.

FRENDY:  Did you cop anything from BAPE back in the day?  Because I know you were a huge BBC/ICECREAM rocker.

ANTHONY:  Yes, I bought jackets, sneakers, pants and hoodies from them but was loyal to BBC/ICECREAM since BAPE sold it in store. Season Zero canvas hat BBC logo is my all time fave and the Hulk Bapestas. Skated in those until the bottom was worn out.

FRENDY:  Triple OG fashion head right here. You’ve modeled before as well, right?

ANTHONY:  Kinda sorta. I tried it because being a fashion lover brings you in front of the lens, but it didn’t really make sense until this ‘influencer’ world started coming to life. I will make an appearance in my film like Spike [Lee] though!

FRENDY:  Let’s get it!  One of your latest and greatest accomplishments was documenting the exciting BTS happenings ahead of Cardi B’s historical Grammy award winning night.  Where were you when you got the call for the gig? How did it come about?

ANTHONY:  *Takes breath and then exhales* Cardi’s stylist, Kollin Carter, hit me at the top of this year with a great idea. We talked regularly about a fashion film we’re planning, and then he told me about the possibility of getting Mugler to say yes to him pulling some archival pieces, which is huge! They said no to Rihanna and Beyoncé if I’m correct. I was at home and told Ash immediately! We were mad excited in the house, running around and screaming *Laughs*.

FRENDY: Crazy! I remembered you posting a series of clips detailing what went down on your Insta story.  Everyone on Cardi’s team worked super hard. What was your shooting schedule looking like?

ANTHONY:  I was there every step of the way. There was no real way to prepare but be present and understanding of Cardi’s space. She had so much pressure from dancing, making sure she can move in her outfits, and being human. To be Grammy nominated is a big deal. She and her team handled it very well and my IG story don’t do it enough justice. I respect the whole squad!!

FRENDY:  You’re constantly in motion. How often do you find the time to lay low, relax, and simply reflect on all the blessings that have occurred in your life?

ANTHONY:  I really love what I do so it’s hard to not do it. Most recently in India, I watched the sunrise from a mountain and just talked to myself. I felt free.

The NewNYer

Sincere Dennis’ moniker “The NewNYer,” is quite deceiving, simply because he’s been gallivanting the concrete jungle for some time now.  Honestly, I forgot where we initially met (most likely at a music event or BAPE) but what I do recollect is his warm, welcoming energy and uncanny resemblance to Kid Cudi back in 2007.

Sin is an underground New York legend who’s captured the pulse of the city for nearly a decade.  Ask any Downtown cool kid and they’ll most likely share a humorous story about bumping shoulders or chugging an ice cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer at a Lower East Side pub with the forever-grinning photographer. Although he may seem like a party animal, Sincere strategically camouflages himself in festive environments, which in turn causes his subjects to feel at ease in front of the camera.

The Bronx-born stereoscopic shooter’s career is brighter than ever as he is now an official member of ASAP Rocky’s AWGE creative agency.  I recently sat down with Dennis to discuss his everlasting relationship with NYC, affiliation with the mob, creative endeavors and carefree lifestyle.

Check out the condensed transcript of our two hours long conversation below.

FRENDY:  What’s going on bro, How are you feeling today?

SINCERE:  Today is a good day.  I feel energetic, but out of it at the same time.

FRENDY:  You just came from the gym right?

SINCERE:  Yeah, a little work out. Not too long, I’m only in there for about 30-45 minutes.  I don’t need to be in there sweating my ass off.

FRENDY:  I got you.  So new year, new you?

SINCERE: Same me, just better health *Laughs*.  More healthy shit—no more Backwoods.  I got to chill on Backwoods. That shit takes a toll on you, it makes me feel fatigued. I’ll stick to oils and extracts.  You know, keep it easy.

FRENDY:  Man, you don’t know how much you remind me of Cudi.  This is actually the very first time we’re having a full blown conversation, and to my surprise, I see you even sound like him *Laughs*.  How often do you hear this from people?

SINCERE:  Not so often these days, but people are still saying it.  Like Ferg would see me and be like: “yo, that’s Kid Budi right there,” a whole other nickname, and I’m just like “you’re crazy, bro” *Laughs*.  I started hearing the comparisons around 2007-2008 when I first came Downtown.  That’s how people knew me, the dude that looked like Kid Cudi.

FRENDY:  How’d you find out about the Soho area?

SINCERE:  A girl brought me down here.  She was like “Oh, I’m going to go shopping—you should meet in Soho,” I was like “I don’t know, I’m from Uptown.  We go to 125th for shopping.” So we ended up going Downtown and I’m like, “I thought we were going to Soho?” She was like, “we are in Soho!” and I was like, “oh shit, ok.”

Kid Robot was the very first job I had in Soho. And then I worked at American Apparel, Urban Outfitters.  I deliberately put myself in Soho to be around the people that were moving and shaking in the industry. I knew the people I needed to be around were there.  I had to get away from Uptown. When you’re an Uptown dude that’s all you know. I remember one time leaving a party at Black Ink tattoo shop, and it was me, Rocky and Bari.  I told them I was about to leave to go Downtown to this party and they were like, “bet! let’s go.” We get outside of Black Ink and I guess Bari got a call or text message to go to this house party etc.  They eventually went about their own way and I went mines. They never really wanted to come Downtown and party. Trying to get Uptown dudes to come Downtown was like pulling teeth. Eventually, they got Downtown.

FRENDY:  What were the hottest shops on 125th at the time?

SINCERE:  Jimmy’s [Jimmy Jazz] *Laughs*.  Fuckin’....Atmos...that was it.  I didn’t know anything else—I barely even shopped, really.  A lot of my homies made clothes back then so I mostly wore their shit.  I do that to this day.

FRENDY:  So that means fashion wasn’t really your strong point?

SINCERE:  Yeah, I wasn’t really big on all that fashion shit because I ain’t have that money *Laughs*.  I didn’t have the money to do all that. I had my first apartment on 129th and rent was due! I just can’t be buying clothes.  I decided to stick with what I know.

FRENDY:  Which part of Harlem did you start kicking it in?

SINCERE:  On the East side.  Harlem was chill, those were the days I started coming outside and meeting people.  That’s how I met everybody who I know today. Harlem was an experience.  You got Teyana Taylor who I’ve known, for like, forever.  She’s been doing her thing for a while, now she has an album out etc. She just kept grinding with patience.

FRENDY:  Yeah, I’ve been following Teyana for quite some time now, since her BBC/Ice Cream days. I’m glad she’s getting such a great reception right now.  When did you first meet Rocky?

SINCERE:  I think we first met at Black Ink on 127th and 7th before it became what it is on TV.  I hate that place now, it’s not the same. Most of the original workers are there, but they have all these new characters now.  And I call them characters because they’re not the real people that built up the shop. Puma was my introduction to the shop. He told me to stop by one day to chill.  We really didn’t have anywhere else to go so why not.

I used to see them [the A$AP mob] at random house parties, community center gatherings and just jump-offs.  Once we realized we hung around the same group of people, we became cool. They see me as a familiar face and when we got to Black Ink they were like, “you family.’

FRENDY:  I may sound ignorant, but is Harlem close to the Bronx?

SINCERE:  Yeah, so when you get further up into Harlem, you get to the heights {Washington Heights} and then there’s a bridge where you can go to the Bronx.

FRENDY: Ok, cool. What year did you start thinking of getting into photography?

SINCERE:  In 2012 when the mob got big.  I was like, “shit, I need to find a way to document this.” Around that time I was taking pictures of the homies. I was hanging around Rocky, and the entire crew, and no one was taking pictures.  I mean there were a few people taking pics, but no one was assigned as their official photographer. It didn’t work out how I thought it would, but it was still fine, I still saw them all the time at shows, took pictures, said what up.

I remember a few times, they would come up to me and ask me where’s my camera.  There was a time where I got caught up in just wanting to enjoy and be a part of the experience.  They were asking because they figured I would be able to shoot for them. But at the time I was caught between two worlds: it’s either I’m this person that’s going to capture shit, or I’m going to be a person that’s just out here partying.

FRENDY:  What was the first camera you purchased?

SINCERE:  I had a Canon Rebel T2i.  I had gotten a Nike check for a commercial I did and I bought a camera.  That was it—it was either I take this serious or not. When I noticed there was a lot of people becoming photographers, I was like “shit I don’t want to do this anymore,” because now I’m battling to get the same image somebody else got.  We’re just taking the same pictures in a different angle. I just had to figure out a way. So years passed and I was still shooting digital.

FRENDY:  Photography propelled you to go out even more?

SINCERE:  Yeah, of course!  Because I was sitting at home with no pictures to edit.  Nothing to post on Instagram. If you go all the way back to my early posts you’ll see that I was making memes. I didn’t fuckin’ know what a meme was, but I was doing em *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  I actually dug deep into your gram and saw that you were experimenting with moving images many moons ago…

SINCERE:  Yeah, I was doing these little digital moving photos, like real subtle.  I never really liked still photos, I was always trying to make my photos move.  

FRENDY:  Because you’re a “mover” as well…

SINCERE:  Right, there is something about a photo not just being a still, 2D photo, you know?  So years passed, I got tired of digital. In 2012 or maybe even earlier, I saw this Complex {magazine} interview with Mr. GIF.  He does a lot of 3D work and he was breaking down how he was making these moving photos. I was like “shit that’s crazy,” because no one was doing that at the time.  Months past and I’m looking on eBay and I saw the exact camera he used to produced the moving images. It was only $25, I thought it was going to be like $300 or something like that!  So I bought it, it came, and I sat on it for like a year and a half. And then finally, I said fuck this digital stuff.

FRENDY:  Why did you sit on it for so long?

SINCERE:  I was probably working a crazy retail job that I didn’t want.  I was going out, but not in the mindset where I needed to take photos.  Someone is performing at a open bar? I’m going! But then around late 2012, I decided to start shooting in 35mm film.  In early 2013, I had all these rolls of film and I didn’t develop them until a year later. I went to this one spot in the East Village and they were the only ones that were able to do it right.  So now I’m editing these shits and they’re looking cool as fuck.

After that, I started going to shows and made sure I’m always up in the front. I always wanted to get that close up shot of artists.  No one ever sees me because I hardly have my camera out. I only take it out when it’s time to use it—I go up, snap, and then go back to enjoy the performance. I found a real balance in just enjoying a show and also getting some work done.  Soon after, I started putting them up on Instagram, but then I had to find an app that could keep the same quality. That’s one advantage I have over a lot of people who are shooting moving images, they can’t ever put up a great quality stereoscopic flick.

FRENDY:  When I see these other cats do it, their pics can’t compare to yours at all.  Your moving pics are just so damn crisp! You don’t have to give away your secret by the way…

SINCERE:  I don’t even know what it is.  That’s just the way I’ve always been doing it.  I tell people that I got it from Mr. GIF. I read his Complex {magazine] interview, I don’t even think it exists anymore. I tried looking it up on Google.  Now people are coming up to me asking so many questions. The actual form of photography is called stereoscopic and then lenticular is actually what I print out.  The prints are lenticular.

FRENDY:  What does that mean?

SINCERE:  I don’t know what lenticular means really *Laughs*.  It basically gives a 3D effect on prints.  It gives it that movement. As soon as I started doing that, which was almost a year and a half ago now, things took off.

My homie Jared, who’s my partner in all of this, found me on Instagram under one company’s comments asking them how to print these things.  We spoke but they weren’t really trying to help me. So Jared saw my comment and then replied saying that he was able to help me print the lenticular prints. He sent me a direct message and the rest is history. Since then, he’s been aiding me print all of my lenticular prints.  We had like 3 shows, we sold a bunch of pieces.

FRENDY: Congrats! There aren’t much pictures of you circulating online. Is that intentional?

SINCERE:  I’m just chilling. I rather my work be the face of me.  You don’t have to know who I am or what I look like to like my work.  People like my work and don’t even know what I look like.

FRENDY: What does AWGE stand for *Laughs* ?

SINCERE: We really can’t say what it means.  Honestly, I still don’t know what it means *Laughs*.   To me it’s just a rag-tag group that have met throughout Rocky’s come up.  I feel like he wanted to have a creative team but didn’t really quite know how to do it. Yeah, he has the rest of the mob but they all have their own thing going on already.  

We all make visuals, but I’m trying to stay away from directing videos right now.  I just think I need some more time before I make a video with Rocky. I have an idea that’s slowly coming along.

FRENDY:  Did you have any doubters in the very beginning of your shooting spree?

SINCERE:  To be honest, I don’t even consider myself a photographer.  For one, I don’t know shit about cameras *Laughs*. I just know how to use the ones that are in my hand.  I just do whatever the fuck I want to do. At first, when I started this Downtown thing, I considered myself a graphic designer. Like fuck it, I know how to use Photoshop….a little bit.  That’s it. And then I was like, oh fuck, Photoshop is not working so I started creating some t-shirts. That shit never really happened.

I never looked up to a photographer’s work and said I wanted to shoot like them.  I’m just taking photos. My inspiration come from watching movies. The way the lighting is in movies and how they capture certain angles.

FRENDY:  It’s the same thing for me as a writer. I didn’t major in Journalism in college or anything, I just love writing stories. Granted, I’ve been working on my craft for like 10 years. I know how to put stories and interviews together really well.

SINCERE:  You got to develop your own process.  There’s a lot of people doing journalism for these websites and they’re trash!  Like, they’re not telling me a story. They’re just telling me the information and the person to answer some questions.

FRENDY: Yup! I know you were a part of Rocky’s Testing album shoot. How was that experience?

SINCERE: We all went to capture content.  The way Rocky work is kind of similar to how we all operate. He actually booked a photographer already, but since we captured so much awesome content, he was questioning if he should use the photographer’s stuff or use the stuff that we got.

FRENDY:  Damn, so he already knew y’all would kill it.

SINCERE: Yeah, he just knew we were the gang, the creative team.  We were going to do what we do. That outing was my first time actually working with the rest of the AWGE team members. That was the first week of January in 2018.  I was like ‘damn, that ball dropped hard!” *Laughs*. As soon as that ball dropped, I got a direct message from Rocky and he said something about joining the home team. And I was like, “bro, I’m ready. Just let me know when.”

FRENDY:  You weren’t even expecting that?

SINCERE:  Nah, I was just doing my own thing. I think I just finished working at Milk {studios].  I was working there for like two and a half years. I was shooting festivals that Milk had partnered with, and some events at the Jam Room. Because of that, I didn’t have to work that whole summer.  All I was doing was just going to music festivals, events, just shooting. The owner of Milk really fucked with me and he wanted to keep me around.

Before I was at Milk, I was doing video and photography for Elite Daily 5 years ago.  After I got let go at Elite Daily I promised myself that I wasn’t going to go back to retail.

FRENDY:  What were some of your duties at Milk?

SINCERE: I had to know everything dealing with photography or not.  I had to deal with figuring out how to fix pipe leaks, if the ice machine broke I had to figure out why it broke, and then call a professional to let them know what’s up.  It taught me discipline and how to act fast. How to react to situations quick. I was there for a reason, I was there to learn some things whether it was about photography or not. It taught me how to move, how to talk to people.

FRENDY:  That’s great, you took everything in stride.  You just did what you had to with no complaints.

SINCERE:  Yup.  There were times I had to be there at 4am after a long night of partying.  It was crazy, man. The last thing I did for Milk was shoot Jonah Hill with Desus and Mero. They {Desus and Mero} do their podcast down in the basement every Friday, and they usually drop the episode on Monday.  They don’t usually have guests on their podcasts, but when they do Milk will try to get me to come and take photos.

FRENDY:  I see you’re not too active on Instagram, as far as posting new stereoscopic flicks.  Is there a particular reason for that?

SINCERE:  Yeah, I had to chill ‘cause now I don’t even have to do anything and I get followers.  I rather let that simmer.

FRENDY:  So you don’t think you have to keep the traction going?

SINCERE:  Nah, I don’t want to over concentrate the market. One of my homegirls from Sweden told me that I don’t have to post so much.  I could be active on my story, but I don’t have to post on my timeline so much. And I was like, damn, that kind of made sense.  And then that gave me another way to put out my personality and document where I go without showing my face. People usually ask me “are you going to post pics from the event you went out to last night?” and I say, “no, I was just there. I didn’t shoot that night.”  

FRENDY:  What does it take for your to bring out your camera then?  A super exclusive event?

SINCERE:  Just AWGE related or an event where I know a particular person is going to attend.  I have an unwritten list of people that I need to take photos of. Sometimes, I just want to burn through a roll of film and I just go out and take pictures of homies.

FRENDY:  How often do you take pictures now?

SINCERE: I don’t know, I just walk around with a camera in my pocket.  Like, nobody ever sees me with my camera out in my hand. When I take a picture of you I’m in the motion.  I see a moment, I strap up and get ready for the shot. And then I put it away right after. That’s it, I don’t want to be walking around with it on my neck.  I carry one at all times though.

FRENDY:  Are you still hitting up Soho like you used to?

SINCERE:  Not that much. I’m usually at the Lower East Side. I feel like its the new hub. Before it was Union Square, then Soho, now it’s just the LES.  We in the bars, we chillin’. My homies work at bars so I pretty much drink at a good price everywhere I go.  I’m more about chill shit these days.

FRENDY:  What does a day in the life of Sin looks likes?

SINCERE:  I just go outside.  I’m fortunate enough to get paid and wake up to figure out things.  That’s one of my perks at AWGE. They want us to grow as us and be able to have that time to not have to worry about where my next paycheck is coming from.  I’m able to pay my rent, I’m able to travel and just do my thing.

FRENDY:  You’re basically working everyday, just not in the conventional sense.

SINCERE:  Yeah, I’m still out here trying to find a way to create content for myself, related to AWGE, and Rocky.  

FRENDY:  What are the things related to AWGE?

SINCERE:  So, I’m not on tour right now but I’m still promoting the shows by posting flyers up on my Insta story, stuff like that.  And when I do go to a show I get my little content, make some GIFs. I’m still working, still doing something that’s contributing to the team. And even though I’m not on tour my posters are sold at the shows.  Like I’m making money for the team, from a piece that I have.

FRENDY:  How do you feel about all of the recognition you’re getting?

SINCERE:  I honestly don’t really care.  I don’t need people to be like “yo, that’s sincere!”  I’m good, I’m ok. I don’t need that energy. People ask me If I do music and stuff like that and I always tell them I don’t need that attention.  I would go crazy if I got it *Laughs*.  I’m from New York, that’s all they need to know.

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.

Max B: The Real Story

Merry Christmas everyone!  Y'all been rocking with the kid for quite some time now and my appreciation runs deeper than Richie Rich's stocking full of gifts.  To commemorate such blessed occasion, allow me to present a special piece on Charles Wingate better known to the hoods of the world as Max B.

For years now there has been tons of speculations surrounding the Harlem street legend but as you know there's two sides to a story and then the truth.  It is my pleasure to introduce the homie and fellow BAPE employee Erick Shaw who just so happens to be related to Biggaveli.

Below is the transcript of our brief sitdown pertaining to his immortalized cousin:

Frendy:  You've been working at BAPE for about a year now and it was only 2 months ago that I found out you were related to Max.  I'm assuming only a few individuals know about your relation to him?

Erick:  Yeah.  It's funny how people come across or figure it out lol.  I usually do a good job of keeping it a secret.  The only people that really know that I'm related to him besides my family obviously is my closest friends.  They actually got to meet him.  For those that don't know and aren't aware, he and I are 1st cousins.  His mother and my mother are sisters.  My mother being the baby and his mother being the eldest female out of 8 kids.  We make up 10 grand-kids so it's a big family lol.

Frendy:  What's your fondest memory of Max?

Erick:  I have a few fond moments of my cousin and I.  It's funny because he considers me his favorite so I take that to heart.  One memory I have is when I was little, his sister and I used to always come home from school and play Super Mario on Nintendo.  We'd get to the last level and no matter how hard we'd try we could never beat it.  Charlie would come from outside doing whatever he was doing in the street and we'd tell him to help us out.  He'd beat Bowser in 2 minutes flat!  Made it look so easy lol.  Another memory that I have with him is when I graduated High School and he surprised me by showing up.  Everyone was so shocked to see him.  Here I am carrying a normal convo with him as if it's nothing while everyone's jaws are dropped.  That was a pretty cool moment for me.

Frendy:  For those who don't know, explain Max's relevance in Hip Hop and how did his nickname "Biggaveli" come about?

Erick:  Well, that name comes from 3 artists.  Bigga is Biggie and Jigga is Jay Z and of course Veli at the end for 2Pac.  Those were the artists that he looked up to coming up and that's how the name came together.  He does everything to the max so "Max Biggaveli".  He's responsible for alot of the lingo in New York including the iconic word "Wavey" and "Owww".  Max put out hood classics like the "Public Domain" series, the "Domain Pains" series and of course mentoring French Montana into what he is today.  And to think, he was primed to be something big.

Frendy:  Did you know much of his street life?

Erick:  I was still pretty young to comprehend his street activities.  As I got older, I started to piece things together.  He spent alot of time in and out of jail with his two brothers Michael aka "Mike Murder" and Eric (who was murdered).  Charlie was the only brother out of the three to have both parents around (for the most part) but the streets still called his name and majority of the time he answered. 

Frendy:  To be honest, I really don't know the set of events that led to Charles' arrest.  Can you elaborate on that situation?

Erick:  Basically what happened was, there were two desperate parties attempting to rob the same person/persons and claimed that my cousin was the mastermind behind it all.  Mind you, he wasn't even present at the time.  If my knowledge serves me right, he was doing shows when it happened.  If I'm correct, Max was found guilty for 9 out of 11 counts for Manslaughter and Conspiracy to commit robbery.  SMH, It truly hurt me because before that he was in jail facing a 2 million dollar bail that was later paid.  To just have him home and then I gotta see him go away......sucks alot.

Frendy:  Any update on when he'll be free?

Erick:  There are alot of dates people are giving out.  From what I know, he still has to do a considerable amount of time.  On a positive note, he's got a new lawyer team and is fighting for a retrial.  As for as release date.....that's in God's hands.

Frendy:  Do you still keep in contact with Charles?

Erick:  Of course!  If I'm not speaking to him, I'm speaking to my aunt about him.  Last time I spoke to Charlie was like a month and a half ago.  He was trying to have me work with one of his engineers to  make music and before that he tried to get me to work with Dame Grease.  I can't front Grease was kind of a asshole lol.  That's another story though...

Frendy:  What's Max's biggest misconception?

Erick:  People seem to think that he's this troublemaker but that's not the case.  We all make bad decisions.  He just tried to live his life and sometimes the company you keep can also be your downfall.

Frendy:  Any thoughts of working in the music industry like your big cuz?

Erick:  Like him, music is also my passion.  I kinda want to take a different approach than him though.  Seeing him go through all of this and watching his life change from feeling like you had nothing to having it all and then having it taken from you....that will make anyone open their eyes!  It hurt me so much but at the same time it helped me realize what mistakes not to make, how to move, how to trust, and how people perceive you when you're down.  I learned so much from him and we didn't even spend that much time together because of his lfe decisions.  Despite it all, I still love and want to do music.  If there was an opportunity to work with Charlie I would in a heartbeat!  Not just because he's "Max B" but because I want to keep him close to me.  Keep him out of trouble and bond more as a family, doing something we both love.

Frendy:  I appreciate your time E for giving us a deeper insight into Max's life and your relationship with him.  Any words you'll like to leave with the people?

Erick:  I just want to say thank you to all of your loyal fans that have supported him for years.  Y'all mean the world to him and myself because you guys help keep his work alive.  We just gotta hope and pray that he gets his time to come home.  I guarantee if he does, things will be different.  He'll be staying home for good this time.  But again thank you and stay wavy.

Delroy Smith: Out The Box

Life's surprises are truly the best occurrences anyone could ever ask for.  A few months ago, I informed you all about my good friend Grant Martin of the sensational Dover Street Market NY.  One day as Grant finished giving me and my photographer Erick Hercules a personal tour of the exclusive shop, he introduced us to Delroy Smith.  What I didn't expect is that our initial meeting would transform into a brotherhood of epic proportions.

What drew me to Delroy is his extremely tasteful fashion sense and equally radiant spirit.  In this day and age (especially in New York), arrogance is expected when one is acquainted with a being who possess a 'larger than life' aura.  I was pleasantly surprised by his comforting nature and positive attitude.  Its as if we were long lost brothers in this world of perpetual false ego.  In just one day after our introduction, we all began communicating on how we could join forces to potently share our respective gifts to the world.  This is part 1.

The 5th Avenue Louis Vuitton store highest-grossed salesman's (sold over $2 million worth of items in his department last year) story is so inspirational that I've decided to let him tell it in his very own words.  With that said, here is Delroy Smith....out the box.

My name is Delroy Smith and I am 25 years of age born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.  As a child, I always fancied the idea of creating; sculpting, building, sketching, painting, poetry and even music.  My mother always knew I had a gift.  Therefore, she frequently planned trips to the museum, zoo and library so that we could always engage in activities that were constructive.

During my adolescent stage, I was constantly picked on by other students in my elementary and junior high school, and even though it seems cliché, that was the norm for me especially because I had to deal with my father's death in the 1st grade.  I learned to defend myself, even if it meant being violent to the individual that threatened to do me harm.  My younger siblings, Ethan and Tracey all went to the same elementary school as me because my mother always wanted us to stick together and taught us that friends can always lead us to the wrong path.  Which is why she made sure to instill love, courage, faith, and the joy of sticking together as a family.

My mother and grandmother were my 2 best friends and sole providers growing up.  They supplied me with relentless self-confidence to stand strong despite what anyone else thought.  My grandmother always preached that "it doesn't matter who hates you, Jesus and I love you" and that stuck with me even up to this day.  HS was a dilemma because during that period of time I was struggling with my identity.  I wanted to fit in every popular clique but felt that I wasn't "cool" or had enough "swag".  I had no interest in fashion, just trends.  My mom accepted me but I wanted everyone to feel the very same.  I thought wearing Jordan's would make my school peers accept me.  Talking the way they do, dressing like them...cloning myself to what I thought HS society wanted every teenager to be.  Interestingly enough, during my last 2 years of HS I became extremely popular due to the fact I learned to be comfortable with myself (but was still struggling with inner demons).

In college, I experimented with so many looks and made sure to stick out like a sore thumb.  I kicked it up 10 notches not because I wanted attention but because I found my identity which was expressing my inner being through clothing.  In my last two years of college, I was known as the kid that could "dress his ass off!" but remained humble through it all.  My grandmother always said, "clothes do not make the man,  its their morals and attributes."  She instilled humility, kindness and always told me to appreciate every moment and to love everyone.  Afore I mentioned that I was battling an inner demon....my sexuality.  The fact that my mother and I have a great relationship, I needed to tell her.  I also came out to many of my friends who fortunately still accepted me.  Finally, I accepted myself and relinquished all of the negative forces that were in my head.

My grandmother passed away on December 22nd, 2013 and was saddened so deeply that I couldn't even function.  I miss and love her so much.  My grandmother as well as my mother played a big part in becoming who I am today.  They accepted me for me.  She would state "You can make a child, but not their heart and mind."  Even today I can see her, everything around me reminds me of her beauty.  My grandmother worked extremely hard raising 9 children, 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren!  Her work ethic was unparalleled and that is why I don't complain. "You have it too good, what you see as complaint someone sees it as triumph.  Never complain because there is someone out there in the world that has it worst than you."

On a more positive note, many people want to know about my style and what I think about when getting dressed.  My motto is: everything goes!  There are basically no boundaries.  My closet consists of silk, leather, cotton, python, croc, beading, embroidery, bright colors, dark colors, plaid.....and the list goes on and on.  I like things that are daring but also my taste, which isn't hard to find (it just has to grab me emotionally).  My mom loves the way I dress so did my grandmother.  Even though there were times she made fun of me, I knew it was from a loving place.  I thoroughly enjoyed style and fashion from the moment I was working at the Flagship Abercrombie & Fitch.  I then moved on to Flagship Tommy Hilfiger, and now Flagship Louis Vuitton.

I read up on other cultures because I like to incorporate international influences to my style which includes my own cultivation being that my mom is Suriname, father from Jamaica, grandmother from Guyana and her ancestors being Chinese.  From turbans to wearing Chinese robes or embroidered garments from India to an event, being ashamed to do so never existed...just sheer excitement and anticipation of the expressions on people's faces!  Pictures of my father before he passed away played a huge role in my style.  People know me for the amount of gold rings that I wear and that's because my father wore so many of them.

In conclusion, I love being me and extremely excited for what the future holds.  Many people stare at me day-to-day and sneak pics of me on the subway.  Some even ask for permission to take a flick because they think I might say no but since I'm extremely humble and shy (ironically enough my clothes speaks volumes) I always say yes.  My style varies.  I'm still learning and growing as a Stylist and Designer so I continually do my research!  I know that I have a strong look...so I own it.  It took a long time to find my identity.....just imagine if I gave up and decided to just blend in?  The Delroy Smith you know today would have been just a thought.

Photographed by Erick Hercules