May The Force Be With You

The Yoda of Streetwear, NIGO, has wielded his Jedi fashion skills to somehow conjure up a mind-blowing collaboration with none other than the brand that inspired him: Nike.

As many of you may know, the acclaimed Japanese designer is the founder of A BATHING APE, renowned for its iconic Bapesta, which bears a striking resemblance to Nike’s Air force 1. Due to the notoriety of this shoe, the major American Sportswear company eventually sued BAPE. Fortunately, by the time Nike took legal action in 2023 NIGO had already sold his brainchild brand to I.T, a Hong Kong-based fashion conglomerate. Fast forward to now, and we see the supposed “villain” evolving into a worthy accomplice for Nike as they relaunch the Air Force 3 Low.

Entitled “Escape Force,” NIGO and Nike’s inaugural Air force 3 collection consists of two sneaker colorways ($160 each) and a variety of apparel including crewnecks ($160), T-shirts ($70) and varsity jackets ($650).

Check out the trailer for the revamped Air Force 3 collection below:

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The NIGO x Nike Air Force 3 and apparel collection will be available starting September 28th on the Human Made website, at Otsumo Plaza in Tokyo, and at the “I KNOW NIGO TOO” pop-up in NYC. The global release is scheduled for October 4th on SNKRSand at select retailers.

I may be present at the spot in SoHo, who knows?

Birds Don't Sing

“The birds don’t sing, the birds don’t sing, they screech in paaaiiin,” Aww man, I know I’m not the only one who can’t stop listening to the unreleased Clipse scorcher featuring John Legend.

Premiered during Pharrell Williams’ Spring/Summer 2025 Men’s runway show for Louis Vuitton, the beautiful yet somber track finds Pusha T and his beloved brother Malice intricately rap about their parents death. Its official title, “Birds Don’t Sing,” derives from Maya Angelou’s book, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. The orchestra-filled single is a far cry from the group’s drug-infused lyrics and I’m truly here for it. 

“We went through all the ‘cocaine rap’ complaints, the stigma of, ‘All they talk about is coke,'” said Malice in a recent interview. “You get tired of it. Then you realize the people who only look at it that way aren’t even listening to the music correctly.”

Huge love to Push and Malice, man.  They are undeniably two of the nicest individuals I’ve ever come across during my years at NIGO’s former NYC workshop.

“Birds Don’t Sing,” is said to be off the brothers’ upcoming album. Shii, I just hope they drop the complete project sooner than later. For now, enjoy the Skateboard P-produced banger below:

BAPE Invades China

Damn, it honestly feels like I’m working at BAPE again; this is the second article I’ve written about the iconic streetwear brand in less than two weeks *Laughs*.

Admittedly, I’m a bit disappointed that NIGO officially left his brainchild back in 2013. The consensus seems to be that BAPE has lost some of its luster (Get it? Since the shoes are patent leather?...nevermind) since the former Ape General’s departure. However, BAPE’s new owner, Hong Kong fashion conglomerate I.T Group, have been making some commendable moves, proving that their acquired label still has global appeal.

Earlier this month, A BATHING APE debuted its first runway showcase in China, gracing Shanghai with a striking introduction of the 2024 Fall/Winter collection. Highlighting its respective sub-brands: AAPE, BAPE BLACK, BAPY, APEE, and MR. BATHING APE. This marks the brand’s third show. It would have been dope if they had one while I was there—just imagine your boy shutting down the fashion show with an exclusive shark hoodie on though!

Peep the full runway show below:

Benevolent Malick

Malick Ba is one of the most memorable individuals I have met at NIGO’s former SoHo workshop. “What makes him so special?” you might ask.  Well, it’s simply because of his benevolent nature. 

Throughout his pre-teen years, a bright-eyed Malick would frequent the shop with so much wonder that his joyous energy would flicker the lights in the glass display which showcased all of the rainbow colored Bapestas. (Think of a swagged out version of ‘Seven’ from Stranger Things using her super power—without the pent up anger…and nosebleed.) All jokes aside, Malick always had a sincere presence and his appreciation for our talks on the second floor was a testament of his sheer eagerness to win in this matrix.

Fast forward to today, the 25-year-old creative is thriving exactly like I thought he would. Malick is now living an eventful, globetrotting life with his 070 crew which is led by the sonic-bending musical acrobat herself, 070 Shake. 

It’s been years since I had a full conversation with Malick so this sitdown is a very special one. Check out our talk below as we discussed his childhood, dabble in rap, undeniable bond with Shake and future endeavors. Enjoy!

FRENDY: Fam, I didn’t even know you were a rapper until I started doing research on you and the 070 crew. I like how you kept it a secret throughout the years you visited me at BAPE.

MALICK:  *Laughs* That was something I did a bit after the BAPE store days.  I don’t make music at the moment though.

Kanye West On The Second Floor of BAPE NYC (91 Green Street, SoHo)

FRENDY:  *Laughs* Ok, I see. I was about to say it was impressive how you kept it lowkey if you were actually rapping back then because I was always bombarded by people telling me they made music and got constant inquiries about the possibility of me managing them.

MALICK:  I pride myself on being lowkey in everything I do. Sometimes I like to have people guessing or wondering *Laughs*. Back then I was a bit shy too.

FRENDY:  Yeah you were, but that’s what intrigued me about you. You reminded me of my younger self.  How are you, my man?  I remember when we first spoke about having this sitdown you were in Paris during Fashion Week. How was that experience?

MALICK:  I’m doing great.  Trying to balance being social while being creative.  Fashion week was really cool actually. This isn’t my first one but definitely one of my favorites. Things were a bit crazy because of protests, but besides that it was great!

FRENDY:  I’m really happy to hear that. How long did you end up staying in France?

MALICK:  I was meant to go for only three days, but I ended up staying for one week.

FRENDY:  Got you. Were you having too much fun out there? *Laughs*

MALICK:  Yeah, trying to balance it though. *Laughs* 

FRENDY:  I don’t blame you.  Pardon my ignorance, but I always thought the 070 collective was from Miami or somewhere in Florida since Shake was managed by social media star YesJulz at one point.  Come to find out, y’all are from New Jersey. Most of the crew is from the North Bergen area. Are you as well?

MALICK:  Yes! Jersey is Home. 

New Jersey Photographed by ABC News

FRENDY:  I saw some amazing pics and videos on Instagram showcasing your trip to Dakar, Senegal with the caption: “The motherland.” Do you have roots there?

MALICK:  Yeah, I’m fully Senegalese. I grew up there and moved to the U.S—I have deep roots there.

FRENDY:  When did you and your parents move to the U.S? And how big of a culture shock was it for you coming here?

MALICK:  When I was four-years-old we moved to the U.S. It was a big culture shock to me but in a positive way [because] it opened my mind up so much.

Malick in Les Almadies (Dakar, Senegal)

FRENDY:  Same way I felt when I moved here when I was seven-years-old.  You were stopping by the BAPE store at such a young age…by yourself at that.  How long did it usually take you to get to SoHo from Jersey?

MALICK:  It took me a bit *Laughs*.  I was on Tumblr a lot and saw the style in NY. As well as NY having all the coolest stores, I naturally gravitated there. Some of the best times of my life were when I was young and in NY.

Old Supreme Store in SoHo Photographed by Joe Buglewicz

FRENDY:  Did anyone in particular introduce you to the area besides seeing all of the amazing pics of it on Tumblr?

MALICK:  No one specifically, it was just me and my friends from Jersey starting to explore a bit and naturally just ended up in the coolest area. Which to us was definitely SoHo. 

FRENDY: Exploration leads to expansion. What made you fall in love with SoHo when you were actually there?

MALICK: I think it was the fact that I was so into fashion at that point in my life and literally every store or brand I can think of was in that area.

FRENDY:  When did your interest in rapping come about?

MALICK:  It came from just tagging along to the studio with friends and one day I just tried it. I always loved rap music, though, growing up.

Malick In Recording Studio

FRENDY:  Who were your favorite spitters growing up? And who are you currently rocking with right now?

MALICK:  Definitely listened to a lot of Kanye, Lil’ Wayne then moved to even older music like Biggie, lots of MF doom. Right now, I listen to a bit of everything and really like UK rap like my boy Lancey Foux, Fimi Guerrero etc. 

MF Doom Photographed by Jo Ann Toy

FRENDY:  How’d you link up with Shake and the 070 collective?

MALICK:  Me and Shake grew up together. [We] went to the same middle school and High School. We just became close after working the same summer job and from there everything just took off.

FRENDY:  Dani better known as ‘Shake’ said, “I have to change the way people think. They don’t think. They think about physicality. They don’t think about what they don’t see, which is what’s important.” Does her statement overall summarize the essence of 070?

MALICK:  I think that it does. In essence, we are trying to expand people’s way of thinking to be bigger than what you just see. Ideas that inspire is the goal. 

Malick, 070 Shake and some members of the 070 Crew in Billboard Photographed by Matthew Salacuse

FRENDY:  Amen.  How many members are in the group?

MALICK:  To be honest with you it’s not a crazy number, but more than I can count on my hands. *Laughs*  

FRENDY:  You guys released The 070 project: Chapter 1 mixtape back in December of 2016.  Any chance of y’all dropping a follow up?

MALICK:  It's highly requested, who knows maybe it will happen.

FRENDY:  Shake got her nickname from her shifty basketball moves.  Were you heavily into the sport as well?

MALICK:  I played a lot of soccer growing up. I definitely loved sports and still do.

Shake With HS Basketball Teammates

FRENDY:  At what point did you realize the crew can go far with this music shit?

MALICK:  Once people would stop us in the street and ask for photos.  Also when Julz got in the mix and we started performing outside of Jersey—I knew it was lit. 

FRENDY:  Are you cultivating new raps or do you have a more intrinsic role behind the scenes with Shake and the collective?

MALICK:  I’ve definitely stepped more into the role of creative direction + curation rather than recording music. But who knows, that can change at any point too. I’m not bound to anything. 

FRENDY:  In 2022, you were involved in the YZY shades campaign, which was an epic look.  How’d that play come about?

MALICK:  I was in London and it happened super randomly through Julz.

Malick in YZY Shades Campaign

FRENDY:  Besides YZY, I saw you’ve been working with a few clothing brands who are coming up in their own right. What attracts you to a particular line?

MALICK: I think I just like authenticity mostly. Not trying to fit in but doing something I think is cool will definitely make me gravitate towards a brand. Also comfortability.

FRENDY: What are your favorite brands at the moment?

MALICK:  Hmmm…that’s a tough question *Laughs*. At the moment I don’t have a favorite.

FRENDY: *Laughs*  That’s a first—but I respect it!  Are you interested in creating your own clothing line one day?

MALICK: Surprisingly no, I wouldn’t be.  But I would be into creating cool accessories or partnering with a brand to do a collaboration. 

FRENDY:  You’ve traveled to various places around the world simply from your devout passion for art, music and fashion. Which location has been your favorite destination thus far?

MALICK:  Most surprising place I never thought I’d go was Russia, which I really enjoyed.  But my favorite place I’d have to say would be Stockholm, Sweden. 

Malick in Moscow

FRENDY:  Why is that?

MALICK:  I think the lifestyle in Sweden is very healthy, clean, progressive and I just love it aesthetically.

FRENDY:  What do your parents think about all of the major moves you’re making?

MALICK: They’re traditional so at first it was hard to get their support. But now they trust me and know I’m doing the right things in my life.

FRENDY:  How does it feel to have a best friend like Shake blow up and not switch sides on you?

MALICK:  It feels good to be able to have a close connection with someone despite who they are or what they have. 

FRENDY:  What would you want your legacy to look like after it’s all said and done?

MALICK:  I would like to be an example for anyone who has ever been confused on what their purpose is. Creating my own world, expressing my creativity and building a legacy for my family name.

Soy's Sauce

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOY: I’m from 151st & 8th Ave. 

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

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

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

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

Young Soy

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

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

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

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

Soy, Bari and Friend

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

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

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

SoHo during Fashion Night Out

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

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

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

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

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

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

Original BAPE store on 91 Green Street

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

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

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

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

Jadakiss and Soy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soy in his studio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FRENDY:  How would you describe your rapping style?

SOY:  Underground Hip Hop.

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

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

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

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

OMO III: Safe Haven

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

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

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

Shop HERE.

Golf Wang in NYC

Tyler, The Creator has officially announced that his precious brainchild of a clothing brand Golf Wang will be opening its second brick-and-mortar store in none other than the Big Apple.

Located at 35 Howard Street (damn, RIP to Opening Ceremony that was on the same strip), the new shop will contain the line’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection which includes the Golf Wang x Jeff Hamilton vegan leather jacket, honoring the NYC store’s November 12th grand opening. 

Golf Wang’s first storefront is located on Fairfax in Los Angeles, just a few steps away from the Supreme store. If you aren’t familiar, T’s brand focuses on tailored Americana staples, dope embroideries and eccentric prints. The most recent collection feature takes on wools, flannels, mohair and fur. 

It feels like yesterday when a bright-eyed Tyler walked into BAPE for the first time alongside Plain Pat and a few other music execs. The now Grammy winning multi-hyphenate was so astounded by a pair of Crapestas, he just started swearing profusely out of nowhere. I wonder what his younger self would think about him now having his very own store just a few blocks away. Minblowed, to say the least. 

Like most shops in the surrounding SoHo area, Golf Wang’s operating hours will be Monday - Saturday: 11am - 7pm and Sunday: 12pm - 6pm. I’ll definitely have to check it out—see you there!

Up Up and Away

“All good things must come to an end.” This old adage directly applies to Pharrell Williams and his whimsical jewelry. Yup, you heard me! The celebrated musician/philanthropist has decided to part ways with the OG trinkets that helped catapult his ascension into Style-God status by creating an intricate auction house coined, JOOPITER.

The selling platform’s moniker is inspired by the planet Jupiter, due to its astronomical connotation of luck, success and generosity.

“Spiritually it’s a very rich experience, an enlightening experience, to let… stories go,” says Pharrell when discussing the significance of detachment to FT.com.

JOOPITER’s first capsule—rightfully titled ‘Son of A Pharaoh’—includes 52 of Skateboard P’s outlandish pieces such as his 18k gold blackberry, legendary Jacob & Co N.E.R.D Brain pendant chain, Casio G-Shock x BAPE gold and diamond DW6900 watch, a Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk in “Black/Multicolor” monogram, and many more.

Pharrell’s inaugural ‘Son of a Pharaoh’ auction closed on November 1st and it has reported a whopping total of $5.25 million USD in sales. The items sold from $2.184 million USD all the way down to $150,000 USD (I mean, that’s not low but you get what I’m saying). Talk about someone’s “trash” being another person’s treasure, right?

Proceeds from JOOPITER’s initial offering will go towards advancing Black Ambition’s work to benefit Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.

OMO II: The Hero's Journey

I am extremely happy to present the second installment of my #OMOFrendy T-shirt series titled, On My Own II: The Hero’s Journey.

The meaning behind the top’s name signifies the return to the source of all things: one’s self. It is said that the longest journey a person will ever take is the one 18 inches from their head to their heart.  The T-shirt serves as a reminder that nothing worthwhile can be achieved in life if we keep looking outside of ourselves for validation.

“If all is in my heart and mind, then I can do it on my own” - Frendy Lemorin

The T-shirt is scheduled to drop on Saturday June 4th, 2022. Click here to shop!

OMO Frendy

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

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

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.

Three's Company

I was a bit conflicted upon seeing Pharrell Williams rocking Human Made sneakers in his GQ France cover shoot last month.  Obviously, I wanted to know how I could cop them beauties, but then again, they might have been an exclusive one-of-one pair gifted by his longtime comrade Nigo. Fortunately, they’re not!  

It was recently revealed that the shoes are in fact a collaboration between the two fashion icons and adidas.  Utilizing Pharrell’s adidas Solar Hu Glide model, the white and cream kicks showcase Human Made’s blue heart logo (P wore the red one prior), with splashes of 3M on its shoe laces, and of course the German design company’s three stripes logo at the tongue.

The only bad news is that the adidas Pharrell x Human Made Solar Hu Glides are only available at Human Made’s Kyoto store, which officially opens on May 3rd.  Hopefully they’ll make their way to the states shortly after!

Rox Brown's Air Jordan 1s

The growth of Rox Brown is incredible!  During the early years of my dominance at the New York location of Nigo’s former empire, Roxanne was making her own mark at Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream shop in SoHo.  After BBC, she moved on to be the “it girl” at VFILES, while solidifying herself as one of Downtown’s shining personalities.  Her consistent grind has paid off as she is now living her dream as a full-time stylist and creative director.

Roxy’s latest stunt is in the form of a new sneaker! That’s right, she is the latest influencer who has been given the chance to create a stand-out Air Jordan 1.  Her iteration receives a satin upper in an all-black colorway.  Furthermore, Reflective 3M detailing is spread throughout the shoe with a bright red rose graphic embroidered on the heel and tongue replacing the usual “Nike Air.”  Last but certainly not least, Rox’s signature is hidden within its reflective detailing.

The Rox Brown x WMNS Air Jordan 1 is scheduled to drop at select Jordan Brand retailers on Dec. 12 for $160.

Yezzzir

I’m not one to hold on to the past, but gotdamn it’s difficult not to reminisce about the golden era of iconic streetwear brands, BAPE and Billionaire Boys Club/ Ice Cream. That particular period of time truly influenced me to become the man I am today. (Heck, I was blessed enough to work at BAPE NYC.) From NIGO’s lustrous kicks to Pharrell’s unorthodox, skateboard duder swag, the iconic style icons boosted my confidence to live my life unfiltered. Palm Angels’ latest collaboration brought the nostalgia right back!

You guessed it! The Los-Angeles based, skate culture influenced brand tagged team with Billionaire Boys Club to conjure up a kickflipping new varsity. Featuring an OG Ice Cream logo filled with Swarovski crystals, the letterman jacket is constructed from polyester and nylon. “Palm Angels” is written diagonally across the jacket’s chest, while pink and green stripped detailing can be found on the sleeves, collar and hem.

Unfortunately, there is no information on the piece’s official release date. I guess we’ll have to patiently wait in line like the true OG hypebeasts that we are (yeah, I’m excluding all you new n*ggaz…just kidding).

Human Made Spring/Summer 18

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

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

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

The Rage

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

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

Check out his latest groove via Spotify below:

The Silent Shooter

Timothy Smith is a man of few words, but he has a sh*t load of captivating flicks to make up for it. Like most of my creative comrades, the Brooklyn bred lensman and I met at BAPE NYC - where we hardly spoke, yet had great mutual respect for each other.

I haven’t seen Timothy in about five years, so it was a pleasant surprise when he followed me on Instagram last month.  What shocked me even further were the glorious editorial shots featured on his feed, which he photographed himself. I am not in any way, shape or form attempting to downplay Tim’s artistic prowess, but I was Stacey Dash clueless about his exceptional photography skills.  As I mentioned earlier, we never had a conversation that lasted more than one minute - let alone discussed his interest in the visual arts.

This Original Stories series has provided me with the perfect opportunity to have a sitdown with the silent shooter to find out more about his background, passion for picture taking and path to success in the photography industry. Check out our dialogue below:

FRENDY:  It’s a pleasure to finally have a thorough convo with you after all these years *Laughs*. Why didn’t you tell me about your love for photography back in my early BAPE days?

TIM:  I was in my early stages, still insecure about my work. Not very confident in showing my work to others, and also still finding my voice. Like, all of my early work was of cats, street style, carts, landscapes *Laughs*. I was all over the place.

FRENDY:  I respect that, you’re excused *Laughs*. Where were you raised in Brooklyn?

TIM:  I grew up in the East Flatbush/Brownsville area. At the age of 11/12, my grandparents lost our house so I moved over to Queens to live with relatives for a while. When I first moved to Queens I stayed in Ozone park in my great uncle’s basement, then bounced around from Laurelton to South Ozone Park, then eventually landed back in Brooklyn.

FRENDY:  Crazy.  I lived in East Flatbush for most of my life as well.  Which schools did you attend growing up in Brooklyn and Queens?

TIM:  Yeah, it’s funny, you used to actually go to the gym with one of my best friends from childhood over in the BRC I think? I know you guys used to work out together, but I can’t remember where. Well, I will say this, I was fortunate enough to go to “good” schools. I attended Saint Catherine of Genoa in Brooklyn, then I finished my 8th grade year in Saint Teresa in Queens. For high school, I attended Christ the King over in Middle Village.

FRENDY:  Damn, it’s really a small world. Ok nice, those are definitely great schools to attend.  Were you always into photography growing up?

TIM:  *Laughs* Yeah, real small world. My grandparents made it a priority to send me to catholic schools because they believed it was much safer and a better education. I remember not having any lights or heat because my grandparents would have to pay 4 months of back owed tuition, because they truly believed I could do something when I got older.

Funny thing is I always wanted to be a photographer because of Spider-Man! I used to think Peter Parker was f*cking amazing. I used to get all my Spider-Man toys and create “movies” with cereal boxes as video cameras *Laughs*. Cornflakes boxes to be exact!  It wasn’t until my grandmother passed that I really thought about taking photography seriously. I literally spent my student refund check in 2012/2013 to buy a canon 7D, to actually shoot short films, and record myself reviewing video games.

One day I took a photo and all of the feels of being Spider-Man came back to me all at once. So I decided to sell my car to fund my photography addiction, I took an internship back home the summer before I graduated at Management Artist in Chelsea. It was legit the best experience of my life being around all that amazing photo work, it trained my eye very quickly to distinguish good photography from bad photography. It was an amazing summer, I slept on a living floor the entire time and enjoyed everyday of it!  

FRENDY:  Which college did you attend after Christ The King?

TIM:  I attended Saint John's University for one semester, then got kicked out because they didn’t believe my financial situation, regarding to financial aid. So pretty much even with a partial scholarship I couldn’t afford it. Then I took some time off and went to Nassau. After a while, I decided I had to leave because if not I would have gotten in so much trouble and other dumb shit.

So then I went to a small HBCU in North Carolina: ECSU and got my Bachelors. After getting my degree, I came back to Canarsie because my mom ended up getting breast cancer and I wanted to help out the best way I can, and to build a relationship between us. After that, I finally got home and applied to grad school for photography and ended up attending School of Visual Arts in NYC.

FRENDY:  Wow. First off, is your mom alright now?  Also, what kind of trouble would you have gotten yourself into at Nassau? I don’t see you as a troublemaker.

TIM:  Oh yeah, she’s fine now! Thanks for asking. Not really me getting in trouble at Nassau, it was more so I was still hanging around all my friends that always did dumb sh*t. Like I’ve never been a tough guy or whatever, but I’m also a very loyal friend, plus my house was always the hub for all my friends. So I just remember one day playing call of duty and looking around at what my friends we’re doing and was like “bro, I gotta go.” It’s all good though, they always said I shouldn't be about that ‘life’ and they respected my decision.

I would like to give a special thanks to one of my best friends/brother, Fred because when he saw I was serious about photography he gave me a f*cking brand new 5D mark II with flashes and lenses. Like, that's the type of bond me and my friends have - I'm still trying to figure out a good gift for him *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  That’s the definition of true friendship right there. Were you studying photography when you were schooling in NC? Or you started taking photography classes while attending SVA in the city?

TIM:  SVA.  I did a broadcasting class in NC and tried to get funding for a short film, but it never worked out *Laughs*. I did have three extremely amazing teachers; Professor Bright, Professor Washington, and Latoya Monique. They definitely helped me shape my creative vision by giving me the freedom to experiment as much as possible.

FRENDY:  How’d you enjoy SVA?  What did you do after receiving your Master’s in Photography there?

TIM:  SVA was cool, I made some really good friends there. If I had to be honest, you don't really need school in order to become a photographer. I learned so much in my first year of freelance, and assisting.  So right after getting my Master’s I assisted some amazing photographers like; Bon Duke & Yulia Gorbachenko. I still help Yulia out from time to time, but more the most part I’m completely freelance.

FRENDY:  Yeah, one of my great friends, Erick Hercules, is doing his thing without any schooling. Hard work, of course, is the cause of his success in the photography field.  So you said you’re a freelancer, how did you get connected prestigious publications like Vogue Italia, WWD, Vulkan Magazine etc.?

TIM:  Yeah, hard work and networking is the key to photography now - especially with social media being so important. Yeah completely freelance, so I pretty much do all of the leg work with getting jobs etc. Although I finally have an agent, and she has been awesome so far. She actually has been more of a therapist if anything so far *Laughs*.

Let's tackle magazines first.  Every magazine I shot for, so far, I’ve been denied about 100 times when I first started.  I had to constantly practice and figure out my vision. Then finally after harassing everyone I finally got through, and now magazines would reach out to me for work. That’s how I’ve been able to shoot celebrities, etc. The best word a photographer can hear is “no,” because it drives you to get better and it lets you know that there is still room to grow.

So yeah, once you get your vision and your skills up, people will gravitate towards you for your style which is very important.

FRENDY:  Yes, an artist’s style, no matter what field they’re in, has to be unique to stand out. I’ve heard “nos” all my life, which is why I’m doing my own thing in the writing world. I’m blessed enough to have met some great people along the way who are helping me materialize my vision.  All we can do is be kind to ourselves and move forward with grace.

TIM: Exactly and you’re doing fucking amazing right now, like legit you’re killing it!  I would also say one more thing: I encourage people to surround themselves with good energy and like-minded individualds. Like, for example, my queen Dominique Drakeford (melaninass.com) is hands down my best friend ever, she supports my visions, goals etc, and we can always just sit back and talk about dope sh*t.

My friend from college and artist Malcolm Rolling (www.725studios.com) was the one who actually trained me to think like an artist, and encouraged me to be one. We would legit not go to parties and sit in the room and study light and catch up on art history - that sh*t was amazing and very pivotal to how I think now. My brother Jameel Murray who taught me how to endure the journey and to realize that no hard work goes unrewarded. (Fun Fact: before his mom passed away, we were months away from being legal brothers by adoption.)

FRENDY:  Thanks my man, I really appreciate the kind words. Who’s your favorite celebrity to shoot?

TIM:  Oh man, thats a funny question *Laughs*. So everyone offered a unique experience: YG took me by surprise because of how down to earth he was - still hella gangsta though. Omari Hardwick has become a mentor/big brother figure to me, we still talk to this day. Mack Wilds and I spoke about f*cking Street Fighter, he legit has an Akuma tattoo *Laughs*. Bobby Brackins was super chill, and Marianne Mirage was super fun with great energy. Oh Yeah, Ozuna was also cool, even though he had like an intense security squad.

FRENDY:  Do you ever get starstruck?

TIM: Beforehand sometimes, but never on set because my job is to connect with them and bring out the best emotion possible for the image. They are used to everyone treating them a certain way because they are famous - most of them actually just want to have a regular convo with regular human connection.

FRENDY:  Makes sense, for sure.  How often are you shooting for publications?

TIM:  Around three to four times a month.  Honestly, as a professional photographer you spend more time out reaching and securing clients than shooting. Compared to everything else I have to do, shooting only takes up 20%.

FRENDY:  Are you particular about shooting on location? What do you look for in a setting?

TIM: I do actually prefer shooting on location, only because it keeps budgets lower for certain clients. The studio gives you maximum control over everything. I think to be successful you do need to be well versed in both.

FRENDY:  What are you currently working on Photography wise?

TIM: I’m trying to secure a few campaign and lookbook jobs, also thinking about doing a photo project based on people in brooklyn.  I’m working out the details, but I'm looking for funding for that because I want to have an exhibition and have the kids in the neighborhood get involved, get them exposed to the arts.

FRENDY:  You mentioned earlier that you aborted your short film due to funding. Are you willing to complete it at this stage of your career?

TIM:  Ah man! Yea totally - I actually just got the most expensive piec. I brought a cinema camera recently, and now working on the rest. I’m starting to create the storyboard for it and hopefully can start producing by the top of 2018. 

FRENDY:  Would it be a spoiler to tell us what the short is going to be about?

TIM:  Yeah, all I can say is it will be a relatively short fashion film. Two to five minutes long and it's inspired by Nocturnal Animals.

FRENDY:  Where do you ultimately see yourself in this ever expansive photography universe?

TIM:  Living photo legend, decent cinematographer *Laughs*, director, and running a non-profit for underprivileged kids to get into the arts in an early age.

Andre's Way

A stable nine to five does wonders for the psyche due to the fact that it prevents constant worries about unnecessary hassles, such as accumulated, unpaid bills or lack of money for transportation and shelter. However, for wild-hearted artists, a regular corporate gig may be a hindrance preventing them from living life at maximum potential.  Andre L. Perry is an extremely valiant soul who ditched a lucrative career in the digital advertising field to pursue his passion as a lifestyle photographer.

I met Andre at BAPE three years ago, and at first sight, I thought he was a stylist or worked in the entertainment industry in some way. I eventually found out that his occupation was quite the contrary to my calculation.  The suave lad with the cooler-than-thou swag and I kept in touch through Instagram, where I rapidly witnessed his lightspeed growth as a photog—pardon me, a connoisseur in visually capturing “vibes”—particularly of the millennial African-American community.

I recently sat down with the prosperous lensman to converse about his corporate past, drastic career change and life as an entrepreneur. Check out our dialogue below:

FRENDY:  When we initially met you worked for Complex, right?

ANDRE:  I think when we first met I was working for Nylon magazine. I was working in Ad Operations which has nothing to do with what I’m currently doing now. Ad Operations deals with ads you see on a publisher’s website.  The ads you usually see on a publisher's page, I was responsible for managing that. I was responsible for making it appear to the right audience, making sure it clicks through the correct website, making sure that the wording was correct, ect.  There’s a lot of analytics involved, tons of reporting.  I was in excel all day, everyday—again nothing creative, nothing to do with what I’m doing now.

FRENDY:  Oh ok, what were you doing over at Complex?

ANDRE:  Same thing.  Ad Operations.

FRENDY:  Why did you decide to move from Complex to Nylon?

ANDRE:  I got fired. *Laughs*

FRENDY:  *Laughs* Damn, what happened over there?

ANDRE:  I knew Ad Operations was not my thing, and at the time, that was the only craft I was good at—I really didn’t care for it though. As a result, I wasn’t going above and beyond, or producing at the same level as when I first got hired at all of these jobs with the same position.  The only reason why I kind of stayed in the field for such a long time was because it paid well.

FRENDY:  How long did you stay at Complex?

ANDRE:  Almost a year.

FRENDY:  That was your first job out of college?

ANDRE:  No, so my first “real” job out of college was YellowPages.com.   That was when I was living in Atlanta. It was more of a digital sales position—I stayed in the digital world just because I was accustomed to it.

FRENDY:  What did you actually major in college? 

ANDRE:  I went to the Art Institute of Philadelphia and my first major was actually photography.  I was pretty much my professor’s muse, but after my second semester I bailed on the subject because I wasn’t shooting what I wanted to shoot. It was moreso technical than creative, so I had to really make a decision about what I was going to study for the rest of my college career.  I just decided to go into marketing since I had somewhat of an interest in it.

FRENDY:  You’re fully invested in photography right now so it just goes to show how life comes full circle.  When did you realize in Nylon that Ad Operations was no longer something you wanted to do?

ANDRE:  I actually got fired from there as well.  Working at Nylon reignited my interest in photography. I knew I wasn’t going to stay there for long, so I took advantage of the situation and started to express my passion for photography.  I informed people at the job that I was capable of shooting.

I had an idea for featuring the raincoat company Stutterheim on Nylon Guys (which was ran by only just one person).  So I reached out to them, got a couple of coats and models to shoot. I told the person that ran NYLON Guys and got the ok for the spread.  At the end of the day, we were trying to push Nylon Guys but Nylon was trying to discontinue the section because it wasn’t making any money.  It was also around the time when Nylon was transitioning to a different webhost.  Nylon Guys was running from a different host from Nylon.com, so it was almost like they were running as two different businesses which didn’t make sense.  When Nylon.com relaunched, Nylon Guys wasn’t a part of it.

FRENDY:  Crazy.  Let’s take it back for a bit.  Where did you grow up?

ANDRE:  Philadelphia and South Jersey.  I was born and raised in West Philly, moved to South Jersey around Junior high school, and then spent most of my young adult life back in Philly.

FRENDY:  How was it like growing up in Philly?

ANDRE:  Philly at the time was very hood fab.  This was the era of Kim, Biggie, Diddy and Mase--everything was about being flashy, fly and living a music video lifestyle. I didn’t have much friends, I just always knew there was more to life.  I knew if I stayed in Philly I would of been stuck.

FRENDY:  When did you move to Atlanta?

ANDRE: After I graduated college in 2006, I moved to Atlanta and lived there for about four years. To be honest, I had no idea what I was going to do there.  Technically, my first job was working for Sprint in ATL right after college because I simply needed money to live.  After that, I worked for other cellphone companies (including Helio) then worked for the Yellow Pages.

FRENDY:  What was your working title at those cell companies?

ANDRE:  Just selling phones.  Nothing creative or fab.

FRENDY:  How did you go from selling mobile phones to YellowPages.com?

ANDRE:  They simply had an opening in their online advertising department and I needed money.  Back then, there was no company I felt compelled to work for—I just needed to survive. I stayed with them for two years then moved to New York.

I still didn’t know what I really wanted to do when I moved here, so I started working at Zara. I was doing the visuals for their store windows. I just knew somebody on Facebook who referred me to work there.

FRENDY:  Did you enjoy working at Zara?

ANDRE:  I didn’t like the job because it really didn’t leave room for creativity.  The higher ups were very specific in how they wanted their mannequins dressed, and I just realised that I didn’t care so much about the details that goes into dressing them. A piece of clothing could be off by a quarter inch and usually there would be an entire two-hour discussion about it. I stayed there for about eight months and then got fired.   After that situation, I went to selling digital ads for CBS Radio.

FRENDY:  Wait a minute.  You studied marketing in college, how were you getting all of these advertising gigs?

ANDRE:  There’s not necessarily a trade that needs to be studied for selling ads because at the end of the day it’s just sales.

FRENDY:  There are tons of unemployed people out there, you’re telling me they have a good chance of getting work in that particular field?

ANDRE:  Well, it’s not that easy.  Fortunately, my resume is filled with previous sales jobs. Some of them didn’t necessarily involve selling online ads, but there was a quota I had to meet each month. When I went to these job interviews I sold myself on how I met the quotas and how I overcame certain challenges.

FRENDY:  When did you decide to pick up the camera again? Was it during your time at Nylon?

ANDRE:  I actually decided to pick up the camera again while working for Complex in 2014.

FRENDY:  What inspired you to do so?

ANDRE:  It’s a funny story. I’ve always been an android user, and when Instagram came to androids I made a conscious decision to not just post selfies. As everyone knows androids take better pictures than Iphones, so I would always take these dope pics on my phone and post them on the app.  Then, my friends who happen to be bloggers reached out and inquired about the camera I shot with, I said I just used my phone.  Since I didn’t own a camera, they said they would provide me with one to shoot them and I agreed. They provided me with a Canon T3I.  The pictures from that shoot came out great and shortly after I picked up my very first camera (Canon T3i).

FRENDY:  After the shoot were you compelled to take photography seriously?

ANDRE:   Well, I didn’t know I was going to make a career out of it.   I just knew that I liked it at that time.  It was like a drug in a sense where I instantly felt happy when I started shooting, and I wanted to continue it. 

The Four Pins blog actually inspired me to start capturing street style, so I would always hang out in SOHO (which is where we met) to capture cool and stylish people.  I was gradually getting deeper into photography during my Nylon days.

FRENDY:  Where were you posting all of your street style photos?

ANDRE:  Just on my Tumblr and Instagram.

FRENDY:  Let’s fast forward a bit.  What were you doing after you got fired from Nylon?

ANDRE:  I was looking for work. I eventually got hired at BET for Ad Operations and stayed there for just a year.  I actually quit that job and the reason I did so was because I established a good relationship with my boss Nicole Cosby (we were brought on around the same time).  When she announced that she was quitting, I decided to do the same. 

She played a real important role in aiding me to be where I am today. The reason why we left is because BET didn’t have their sh*t together.  We really were rooting for them, but internally it didn’t make sense to be there and invest so much energy in trying to change things around when the company is stuck in their ways.  As much as my boss tried, nothing happened.

After BET, I went over to SpinMedia which consists of Spin Magazine, Vibe magazine etc.  Again same job in Ad Operations, but this time around I was also assigned as a media planner. I didn’t have that much experience in that field and it became overwhelming.  A media planner makes up a plan for a brand’s exposure online, then the plan is sent to a salesperson who pitches it to the company. The salesperson and company would negotiate what the plan would actually be and then it comes back to me to execute. Unfortunately, At SpinMedia I was not only in ad operations but also had the responsibility of coming up with the media plan and executing it.

In SpinMedia’s culture it was normal, but not necessarily normal in other companies.  I wasn’t fully aware of that when I signed up for the job. It was just too much and I left the company after six months.

FRENDY:   So when did you decide to take on photography fully? Of course, I understand that you had to survive which is why you worked all of these jobs, but what made you consciously turn it up a notch as a shooter?

ANDRE:  The good thing about all my jobs was that they all paid great. I had about $30,000 saved in my banking account while I was working at SpinMedia.  I was 33 and then, you know, as a human being we all compare ourselves to how others are living.  I thought I wasn’t living my best life, I wasn’t living my purpose. Photography was my only passion that lasted this long.  There were so much things I thought I loved doing, but over a period of time those passions faded away.  One of my goals before moving to New york was to work for Complex and BET because I always thought it would be cool to work at those companies. When those dreams materialized I was totally disappointed.  But with photography, my high expectations were just like  how thought they would be.

I remember getting out of work on January 14, 2016 and literally crying all the way from the train station to my home because I was fed up with not living my purpose.  Since I had money saved I sent out an email saying, "Effective Immediately: I am quitting this job."

FRENDY:  Wow! Good for you. What did you after quitting SpinMedia?

ANDRE:  Within 2 weeks after I sent the email I moved to Brazil for about a month. I went over there to relax a bit and take pictures.

FRENDY:  Many people who are reading this interview may be thinking, “why is he crying?  This dude has a great job, he has money in the bank. What’s there to be sad about?” What do you have to say in response to that?

ANDRE:  Well, at the time I wasn’t traveling.  You’re always going to want to accomplish more goals after achieving the ones you already set for yourself.  If you have $100,000 in the bank, you’re going to want $200,000. An artist can have the biggest record of the year, they’re going to want an even bigger record the following year. Every goal I set for myself was fulfilling at that time, but then I always needed more.  And as I said before, my passion for photography is endless, so I had to pursue a craft that actually gave me joy rather than financial security.

FRENDY:  What did you do after your Brazil Trip?  Did you move back to New York?

ANDRE:  Before quitting SpinMedia, I reached out to travel a company that documented group trips called, Travel Noire. They wanted me to shoot in Morocco for a long period of time, unfortunately I just started the job at SpinMedia so I couldn’t take the time off.  While I was in Brazil I hit Travel Noire again since I was free and they booked me.  That was my first official photography job during April of 2016.

FRENDY:  How long were you shooting for Travel Noir?

ANDRE:  It was all project based,I shot about 3 trips for them. Two in Brazil and one in Italy.  I did my first trip at Travel Noire back in April of 2016, then when I came back to New York I had nothing.  So in between assignments for the company I was still figuring out what I was going to do for consistent pay. That’s when Nicole Cosby (my former boss at BET) came back in the picture.

When I was over at BET, one of the things I did was share my photography with everyone. I also did that at SpinMedia. Basically, I made sure to let everyone know that I had interest in becoming a photographer at my latest corporate jobs.  Nicole knew that I wanted to become one, so she referred me to RushCard, Russell Simmons’ pre-paid debit card company, since they were looking for photographers. They became my very first major client.  That all happened in June of 2017.

FRENDY:  Was it unexpected for you to get the gig?

ANDRE:  There was a lot of things that went into getting the job. It was an easy sell for them, but it wasn’t necessarily easy where I just had a camera and was at the right place at the right time.  The style of photography that I do is very niche—It’s commercial lifestyle advertising. What I capture is real life moments of real people.  I decided to do that early on because there’s not a lot of black photographers who showcase lifestyle images. I made sure whatever photos I decided to take from that point on would reflect the brands I would want to work for.

When I was shooting for Travel Noir I decided to take on a passion project by creating a coffee table book called, “Happy Black People.” So fast forward to my meeting with RushCard, once Nicole made the connection, I already had a portfolio that represented what the company was looking for. 

FRENDY: It’s all about taking initiative, and not waiting for any particular lucky situation to get a gig.

ANDRE:  Yes, exactly!  One thing that has made me successful is the passion that I have for photography. There’s not a lot of people that would want to make a photobook simply for the love of it.  I didn’t do it to make money, I just created it to share my work. I love showing my photos to people.

FRENDY:  When did your love for photography actually begin? I know you partly studied it in college, but what sparked your interest in shooting?

ANDRE:  *Laughs* It started with the movie, Love Jones. The movie was all about the renaissance black man and I just fell in love with that idea.  Even though Nia Long played the photographer role, that’s what actually sparked my interest in photography.

FRENDY:  What was it about the movie that specifically triggered your interest in photography?  I’m sure you were aware of other photographers prior.

ANDRE:  I didn’t know anything about photography at that time. It was just the idea. This was also during the era that neo-soul was very big, and you know me being in Philly, it was really big there. There was a particular section of neo-soul that sort of had the photography vibe, so it just elevated my love for it.

Whatever someone’s passion is, you kind of like have to go back to where it all sparked and realize it just came from this small source of inspo. And then it just snowballs into this bigger thing.

FRENDY: True love always comes back when you set it free.  Obviously, your love for photography was deep inside of you, but you had to go through the “valley of death,” so to speak, to experience the opposite of your passion just to realize your true purpose.

ANDRE:  Yup!

FRENDY:  How do you go about getting clients as a photographer?

ANDRE:  There’s really no one way of getting them. If you’re a freelancer, you’ll have to rely on your personality.  That’s one thing that I discovered. I’m an introvert at heart, I don’t necessarily like reaching out to people for business so I really have to depend on personal relationships.  If you’re passionate about something, people will be aware.  For example, you’re a writer, that’s pretty much what people are going to instinctively know about you because you are consistently providing new reading content. So if photography is a person’s passion, their name should be easily associated with the craft.  That’s where the opportunities lies.

When it comes to photography most people only think of fashion, celebrity and documentary styles.  But there are a lot more avenues in the field that generate tons of money they aren’t aware of.  There’s architectural photography, sports photography, and many more.  So a person that is interest in shooting pics for a living should study markets that aren’t necessarily popularized.

It’s also good for an aspiring photographer to study the companies they would want to work for and get familiar with their imagery. For example, Condé Nast has a very specific way of shooting the men who are featured in their publications.

FRENDY:  Who have you worked with so far?

ANDRE:  Right now, my main client is RushCard.  Since I signed a contract with them, I’ve been blessed with tons of work.  I shoot for them about 4 to 5 times a month.

FRENDY:  How do you go about booking the models you work with? Through an agency?

ANDRE:  Yup, I use an agency called Instagram *Laughs*.  I use a lot of the same models over and over again, but they also refer me to more. I’m at a point where when I reach out to a model, they either have heard of me already or they simply reach out first.  It’s all about word of mouth and social media for me.

FRENDY:  What’s your daily routine in regards to work?

ANDRE:  Whenever I have an idea, I would share it with my main point of contact at RushCard and they would either say yes or no--most of the time they agree with it.  Prior to presenting the idea, I put together a moodboard so the company could see what I envisioned. Once they agree, I reach out to the models and scout locations for shooting.

FRENDY:  Are you working on anything else other than RushCard projects?

ANDRE:  Well, I’m working on re-doing my contract with them for 2018, with a pay increase.  I’m super happy about that. To be honest, I’m working on building a business, build up my portfolio and save a lot of money.  Next year I plan on getting an employee and renting a studio where I can live and work.

FRENDY:  Did you ever think you would be this successful in your career of choice?

ANDRE:  Hell no!  I never knew that I could actually work for myself and do what I love. It really wasn’t how I was raised, it was just about making money, that’s it.

FRENDY:  Do you have any advice for artist who are trying to make it in their desired field of work?

ANDRE:  If your passion keeps you up at night then there’s no other choice but to make the first step to complete your goal. Don’t ever be too “realistic” because it can deter you from doing what you love.

Photographed by Andre L Perry

Dillon Hughes For FRNDY LMRN

Those who follow me on Instagram will remember my historical Frendy's Bape Couch Countdown  hashtag, where I sat down next to all of the beautiful people that showed me extreme support throughout my years at Nigo’s former brainchild.  One of the stand out individuals featured is my lil’ bro Dillon Hughes whom I refer to as Beizus (an inside joke made from his similar traits to Justin Beiber combined with his immense love for Kanye West).  I have known the budding creative for about 3 years now and his growth is truly commendable.

Born in Long Island, Dillon grew up in a stimulating environment.  He states, “my parents were constantly playing music or movies growing up. Their musical taste ranged from Jimi Hendrix to RUN DMC.  They would have me watch old school movies and documentaries on anyone, from James Dean to Muhammad Ali”.  Furthermore he added, “my parents supported me in all of the outlets I was involved in. All of the hardworking/creative mindset they embodied has had a huge influence on me.”

The strong support system that Dillon was blessed to have led him to become the free-spirited trendsetter he is today. Biezus now runs DillonHughes.com which serves as his very own hub providing tips and inspiration on everything style. He confesses, “my ultimate goal in life is to become successful in all of my endeavors.  I believe that anything is possible as long as you have patience, put in the work and have unrelenting faith.”

Photographed by Corey D'angelo