Hood By Air is Byke

Shayne Oliver’s brainchild Hood By Air has boldly returned to the fashion industry with its first official ready-to-wear collection starring none other than Naomi Campbell.

Aptly titled The Prologue, HBA’s forthcoming offering consists of three distinct sections: Mother, Veteran, and Merch. Naomi, being the Empress that she is, was picked as a spokesmodel for the initial portion to accent its essence.  “She is such a mother figure to so [many people in fashion] and has always been so outspoken about Black people in fashion, Black identity and Black creativity,” says Oliver to Vogue.  

Photographed by Luiz Alberto Rodriguez, Campbell is seen rocking pieces fundamentally based on function and utility such as: a leather puffer, leather motocross pants and a handy-dandy top equipped with zippers, straps, and belt clips (Playboi Carti must be salivating looking at those pics right now). Shout out to Carlos Nazario for a great job styling this one.

Since Shayne and ASAP Rocky made up, I hope to see these two collaborate on something major for the brand’s advancement. After all, he is a..Veteran...in HBA wear. (Damn, I’m nice).

Infrunami

Valentine’s Day was less than two weeks ago, yet I’m pretty sure most of you lovebirds have already fallen out of your cozy nests.  Have no fear, Steve Lacy is here to help y’all pick up the broken pieces of your pretty little wings and heart.

Titled “Infrunami,” Lacy’s emotional number is filled with soul-piercing chords that’ll tame the wildest beast in any detrimental relationship *gasps*. The song is just under two-minutes, and quite honestly, incomplete but it will undoubtedly fulfill its mission in unification. “Girl you’re the one I want / You’re the one I need / I’m begging you, please? / Can you come back to me / ‘Cause I was blind to see / That you were right in front of me,” croons the 22-year-old multi-hyphenate musician.  There are certain sections of the jam that are vocal-less so you can get your sh*t off.  From rapping, singing, all the way down to scatting you have the opportunity to show your mate why she/he/they need to be in your world. Make it count!

“Infrunami,” is found on Steve’s self-produced, Garageband app-made collection of unused songs dubbed as The Lo-Fis (pretty impressive right?). Check out the demos on Soundcloud.

FOAM des GARÇONS

“The hood fashion n*ggaz are going to love these!” is what the designers of this otherworldly sneaker collaboration thought when they visualized its conception. Alright, that scenario probably did not occur. However, the masterminds behind the Comme des Garçon HOMME PLUS x Air Foamposite One were definitely aware of the frenzy it would cause in the streetwear and high fashion realm. 

The two juggernaut brands have joined forces in the past, but their latest venture truly reimagines the Nike Air Foamposite One (synonymous with basketball legend Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway) like we’ve never seen before. Its traditional upper molding containing vertical ribs is discarded and replaced with an...artsy circular pattern that only CDG can conjure up. Furthermore, the forefoot’s itty-bitty swoosh branding remains in the same position, while COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS text is seen on the black and white iteration of the beloved kicks. 

The CDG Homme Plus x Nike Air Foamposite One were unveiled as part of the label’s Fall/Winter 2021 show. We can expect a release date for these bad boys later this year.

The 'We Outside, Outside' Collection

If an adult Dora The Explorer and P Diddy had kids (just follow me on this), they would be the first ones on the block to effortlessly rock the extravagant pieces from Gucci’s collaboration with The North Face. 

Alessandro Michele, the luxurious Italian fashion house’s lauded Creative Director, truly believes that man is not separate from nature. During his tenure at Gucci, he has pushed the brand to become environmentally-friendly with moves such as its “off The Grid” sustainable collection, which utilizes recycled, organic and sustainably sourced materials. Gucci’s latest offering continues its earth-conscious trek with none other than TNF, who is also taking strides in making a positive impact on the environment.

Teased back in September via Instagram, Gucci’s joint venture with The North Face focuses on the great outdoors and channels the spirit of exploration. Don’t get it twisted—these pieces ain’t for your regular hypebeast camp-outs, you dig? The collection, inspired by The North Face designs from the 1970s, remains true to Gucci’s maximalist aesthetic and TNF’s functionable outerwear.  It includes retro climbing gear-inspired backpacks, belt bags, a tent, a sleeping bag, hiking boots, beanies, shirts, and coats. These offerings take coziness to Mount Everest Heights!

The North Face x Gucci collaboration is available in select boutiques worldwide.  And as of today, online at Gucci and The North Face.

21C / Delta

Ever since I began my journey at Delta last year, I started noticing how much it is loved by an assortment of rappers. I initially was pleasantly surprised when Portland’s own Aminé gave the thriving airline a huge shout out in his Limbo standout cut entitled, “Shimmy,” where he unapologetically stated: “just ‘cause you bought that vintage Margiela/ don’t change your flight from Spirit to Delta.” The latest potent lyricist that has decided to totally sh*t on Spirit Airlines, and big up the Ed Bastian-led company is Jack Harlow.

Found in the Louisville-hailing spitter’s stellar debut album That’s What They All Say, “21C / Delta” deals with Harlow’s romantic encounters. In Delta, specifically, Jack witfully compares his b- *coughs* fine specimen of a woman *coughs* to, yes you guessed it, Delta Airlines. “She ain’t flying in Spirit, she’s a Delta b*tch not the kind with the pyramids,” he playfully raps. I don’t know what it is, but Spirit has to step its flying game up (saw what I did there?).

Speaking of traveling, shout out to all my peeps who’ve stopped me at Terminal 4 in JFK. It’s always a pleasure talking to y’all even if it’s just for a minute. Shoot, let’s get some pics going so I can start the airline version of my Bape couch pics series. Let’s call it:  #FlyingWithFrendy (haha).

In any case, listen to Jack Harlow’s “21C / Delta” track below. Make sure you check out the remainder of his album as well—you won’t be disappointed.

Roadman Wear

Nike possesses a certain je ne sais quoi when it comes to handpicking partnerships. The Oregon-based mega brand is on a seemingly endless winning streak with the major players it has courted in the realm of sports and entertainment. Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest hooper of all time, has the Jordan Brand, auto tune gawd Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack is dominating in the paint alongside Phil Knight’s brainchild (straight up!), and most recently, Drake has collaborated with the Swoosh to conjure up Nocta.

If you’re like me, the initial thought that popped in your head after reading Drizzy’s Nike division title was: “What in the world is a Nocta?”. But after much research, it all made sense (that boy good *Joe Budden Voice*). The roadman inspired apparel’s moniker is derived from the nocturnal nature of Drake’s creative process. In other words, he thrives on that Demon time, ya get me! Nocta draws heavily from sport. Furthermore, Aubrey’s Nike sub-label provides functional, comfortable and sleek everyday essentials for those who are always on the move.

Nocta’s initial capsule, which made its official debut on December 18, included cozy black and yellow puffers, hoodies, socks and fleece pants . As you may have guessed, all the pieces sold out instantly! Fortunately, the brand’s next drop is on February 23.

I wish you all luck in copping some gear! May your neighbors respect you, and angels protect you from any postal service workers *coughs* accidently loosing *coughs* your Nocta threads.

Magazines

This site is slowly but surely turning into an R&B blog...and I don’t mind one bit (duh, it’s mine). Music is something I hold near and dear to my heart and whenever I stumble upon a track that penetrates my soul, there’s no choice but for me to share it. Fortunately, we have similar upper echelon taste in sounds so it’s a win-win situation. With that said, meet Emanuel.

The rising Toronto-based crooner recently released his sophomore EP titled, Alt Therapy Session 2: Transformation, and like its title suggests, will alleviate any stress caused by this year’s pandemic lockdown. Consisting of four sincere songs, Emanuel’s latest project follows his stellar debut, Alt Therapy Session 1: Disillusion, which was released only five months ago. “I equate the sessions to my seasons in life,” he tells Atwood Magazine. “Titles like ‘Disillusion’ and ‘Transformation’ represent the obstacles and triumphs of this testimonial. I think the end goal is to really have an alt ‘therapy session’ with the listeners. Telling my story as best as I can with the hope of connecting and for it to be something people can relate to.”

Session 2 is all about self-love and empathy. My absolute favorite track from the incredible compilation is “Magazines,” which showcases Emanuel's smooth buttery tone as he displays his affection for a shorty he’s in a toxic relationship with. “So in that dark place, I was trying to iterate the way that I felt, while still talking from that foolish-heart perspective and just going with the flow and allowing things to unravel in a negative way.” Can you relate?

Listen to its awesomeness below: 

Manny's Mirage

Mannywellz is a young legend in the making. His soulful tone, sincere lyrics and ethereal melodies will undoubtedly cause you to have butterflies...even if you’re not infatuated with someone.

Born in Nigeria, the Maryland-based native’s latest EP, Mirage, consists of seven songs showcasing his take on love. “I feel like sometimes when you’re in a relationship, or like when you’re in love (it doesn’t even have to be with a person), you’re usually in a world of your own. An optical illusion—in your own space—and that’s what ‘Mirage’ really means to me,” said the multi-talented 26-year-old musician to 247HH.com.  “I’m just reflecting on different times of my life where I was in my own world feeling good and bad.”

Wellz’, whose real name is Emmanuel Ajomale, ‘dreamy’ body of work is 22 minutes of sonic bliss. The singer, songwriter and producer is known to incorporate R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, Jazz and West African vibes in his music. In this particular project, Manny continues to blend genres producing a concoction any listener would love. Shit, the songs are so damn good you’ll end up having the EP on loop all day without even knowing (*clears throat* it’s not like that happened to me). As the old saying goes: “time flies when you’re having fun.”

I’ll stop my blabbering here so you can have a chance to fully enjoy Mannywellz’ breathtaking chunes as well. Below is one of my favorite tracks from Mirage titled “Floating,” featuring fellow Nigerian rising stars VanJess.

Studying Abroad

What’s good everyone? I know, I know it’s been such a long time (roughly five months) since you’ve read a brand new, satisfying article from me but your boy needed a break— especially with this pandemic. 

Since entering the airline industry last year, I planned on traveling as much as I could in order to enhance my level of artistic offerings. Unfortunately, Covid hit us pretty hard so all of my wild excursions were placed on hold. Despite all of the “darkness”, my spirit remained intact and my creativity blossomed. I recently released my super reliable #FrendyTote—cop here—and even conjured up a slew of other fresh FRNDY LMRN apparel. Another artist that stayed afloat during the worldwide travel ban is Masego.

“I feel like the lack of travel [during the pandemic] kind of made me lean into travel because that’s when I was my most creative,” says the multi-talented instrumentalist as he explains the inspiration behind his latest EP to Apple Music. What’s the name of the project, you might ask? Well, it’s called Studying Abroad (double entendre, don’t even ask me how). The EP, consisting of six eargasmic tracks, intertwines Masego’s past relationships and affinity for flying.

Be sure to listen to Studying Abroad during your next visualization session. For now, peep the video of my favorite song from the playlist featuring Cactus Jack’s own Don Toliver below. Oh, and don’t forget to renew your passport!

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.

Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon

In his debut studio and posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon released July 3rd, Pop Smoke broke away from the stereotype that he’s a one dimensional drill rapper, a stigma developed from his aggressive-sounding Meet the Woo mixtapes. He makes it known on the track “Mood Swings” where he pokes fun at his listeners saying: “Oh, you ain't know I could sing?” and then proceeds to croon on the ballad featuring New York’s very own Lil Tjay. Joints like “Something Special” and “What You Know Bout Love” are few of the songs that display his versatility and make you want to groove in a manner unique to Brooklyn and the Woos. Other tracks, however, such as “44 Bulldog” and “Make It Rain” remain true to Pop Smoke’s iconic drill flow which first took the industry by storm with his hit single, “Welcome to the Party.”

Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon boasts an impressive list of features including artists such as Quavo, Future, and even 50 Cent. Furthermore, Pop enlists a new lineup of producers in CashMoneyAP and Buddah Bless, a distinct change from the frequent 808 Melo hard UK collaborations. 

Pop came to the scene defying expectations. His record label, Victor Victor Worldwide, suggested that he created a Meet the Woo mixtape series, releasing a studio album only when he’d gained serious traction within the industry. But Pop’s bold and unique sound made him an instant hit far before the scheduled timeline Steven Victor, founder and CEO of VVW, had in mind. Given the young star’s talent, Pop quickly made a name for himself, already a full-blown star before the release of the second iteration of the mixtape series.

Pop and his crew worked on Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon in the Bahamas, finishing “70-80%” of it before his unfortunate murder. It was Pop’s relationship with his mentor 50 Cent, however, that would ensure the release of his first studio album to the public. Although Steven Victor was left with an abundance of Pop’s music, he was grieving over the loss of his close friend and associate and wasn’t in the right state of mind to both curate and put together Pop’s album. So when 50 questioned Victor about the creation of the album, his immediate response was “Nothing. Yo Fif, I can’t even listen to his music, let alone think about putting together an album.”

Fifty took that opportunity to remind Victor of the responsibility he held, to both further Pop’s legacy and let the world see the new avenues he began to tread. In hand, Fifty, who shared a deep love for Pop, served as the executive producer of the album and didn’t charge either the family or the label. With the joint effort of Fifty and Victor, the album has finally come to fruition, delivering the people with an unforgettable and charismatic masterpiece for our generation. 

Everything from Pop’s brazen voice filled with gravitas to his iconic woo walk makes sure that he will leave a legacy like no other. You did it Pop. You for real are the rose that grew from concrete.

Rest in peace Big Woo!

Written by Vignesh Mannemela

Air Dior

From Virgil Abloh’s role as Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton to Matthew M. Williams taking the helm of Givenchy as Creative Director, streetwear culture has permeated the upper echelons of fashion. With that being said, Air Dior has become the latest project at the intersection of urban apparel and luxury retail. 

The collaboration between Christian Dior and the Jordan Brand first surfaced on December 3rd, 2019 courtesy of Travis Scott, the venture’s lead model. Following similar marketing tactics as Virgil with the Off White x Jordan Ten, Dior’s Kim Jones chose a select few such as Robert Pattinson and David Beckham to debut the collection’s pieces—especially the Jordan 1’s—at multiple Dior shows. 

After having been teased for months, both the high and low models of the Air Dior 1’s were finally up for grabs on June 25th through “an exclusive online experience”—or in simpler terms: a lottery—after unfortunate release delays due to COVID-19. In tribute of the 1s’ 1985 introduction to the world, 8,500 pairs of the highs were produced whereas the lows were much more limited with only 4,700 pairs in circulation. The coupling of streetwear and high fashion is evident with the Air Diors as the iconic Jordan 1 silhouette is built upon with Dior’s characteristic fine-calf leather and gray color scheme. The Nike Swoosh itself is filled with the classic Dior Oblique Jacquard print, emblematic of one of, if not the most, impressive collaborations of the decade. In addition, the renowned Jordan wings are remixed to read “Air Dior” and the soles of either shoes are laser-etched with “DIOR” in bold print. 

Those of you lucky enough to participate in the lottery will be notified of the results on July 1st, and the few winners will be able to pick up their pair at one of four Dior flagship stores: Beverly Hills Rodeo, Miami Design District, New York Soho, or New York 57th Street. At these locations will also be the remaining pieces of this capsule collection, including cashmere sweaters, polo shirts, square silk scarves, and more; each piece in its own unique manner represents Jordan’s innovative style complemented with Dior’s Midas touch. 

To those who intend to buy these shoes for resell price, they will run you a cool 10 to 20k! If your pockets can take a hit like that… respect. 

By the way, thanks a ton for this dope grad gift Sasha!

Written by Vignesh Mannemela

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.

One For All, All For One

Whether it be Taylor Swift and John Legend on One World: Together at Home or Supreme’s COVID-19 relief bogo made in collaboration with Takashi Murakami, the entertainment industry never ceases to amaze me as they do their part in bringing people together during these unprecedented times. And, as of last week, Travis Scott and Lebron James can be added to the list of entertainers who are spreading hope.

The two superstars created a t-shirt between their two brands (Lebron’s athlete empowering Uninterrupted and Scott’s label, Cactus Jack) to celebrate a confused batch of students: the graduating class of 2020. The back of the sky blue tee boasts bold graphics which feature an ovular map encompassed by a ring of children in a thermal colorway, emphasizing the spirit of togetherness. Above the design lies “CLASS OF 2020” in eye-grabbing text. And below, we see the stamp of both brands with Uninterrupted in text encircling the Cactus Jack logo; Lebron’s classic number 23; a unifying “We’re All in This Together” phrase in commonly used Astroworld merchandise font; and 5.16.20, the release date of the tee, lying side by side.

The piece ran customers $40, and as with all of Travis Scott’s recent merchandise, sold out immediately. All proceeds were donated to the Lebron James Family Foundation, which plays a key role in organizing the “Graduate Together” TV special and yearbook. Funds were also given to Feeding Texas, a nonprofit organization and network of food banks striving to end hunger in Texas.

To the graduating class of 2020, we truly are in this together.

Written by Vignesh Mannemmela

Gassed Up

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

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

Enjoy the clip for “Gassed Up,” below: 

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

Excitement

After a six-month hiatus following the release of his 29-track deluxe album, A Love Letter To You 4, Trippie Redd returns to the music scene with his latest single, “Excitement,” a collab track with PARTYNEXTDOOR.

“Only in your ocean, you call me Ho-seidon / In control of your water, you're lovin' my trident.” While Trippie tries to proclaim his loyalty, his partner still has some doubts referring to him as Ho-seidon. It’s a clever tongue-in-cheek pun, sexualizing the Greek god of the sea and calling attention to Redd’s rockstar status. But at the end of the day, Trippie’s control of the waters, through his trident, leads his lover back to him every time. He never fails to deliver these lovesick ballads with his quintessential swagger.

“Excitement,” marks a sonic shift in Trippie’s discography as he enlists an entirely foreign production team in OZ, Nik D, and Deats, all hailing from Europe. Although the track takes the common theme of sexual gratification, its unconventional production (complemented with Trippie Redd and PND’s crooning) is able to take listeners to a different dimension, enabling them to sit back and fantasize. This lead-in to Trippie’s third studio album, Pegasus, is the manifestation of what we have all come to love from the blonde-dreaded star: contemporary R&B and rock mashup hits; and, this track is perfect for you and yours when y’all are feeling even slightly romantic.

As we wait for Pegasus, check out the trippy visualizer for “Excitement,” below:

Written by: Vignesh Mannemela

Shimmy

“Just ‘cause you bought that vintage Margiela / Don’t change your flight from Spirit to Delta.” Wooo! This has to be the hottest bar of 2020 thus far. Alright, alright maybe I’m a little biased since I actually work for the more prominent airline, but you’ve got to admit, it’s hard. 

The aforementioned lyrics are from Aminé’s first loosie of the decade, rightfully titled, “Shimmy.”  The potent Portland spitter has all the power to do his little dance because this marks his comeback to music after a nearly two-year hiatus!  Co-produced by a slew of scorching maestros (Nik D, OZ, Pasqué, Maneesh, Vinylz and Boi-1da), the boisterous track features Aminé shitting on his contemporaries, flexing his impeccable rapping ability and affluence.

“Shimmy,” is inspired by Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s (RIP) 1995 mega-hit “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” Hopefully we’ll hear more heat rock from Aminé later this year. For now, check out the music video below: 

Homegirl

All of the greatest songs on earth are inspired by real life situations. Whether they’re filled with joy or sorrow, these captivating tunes are like arrows that strike you right in the heart, inducing a bloody outpour of emotions. When you have a crooner kicking one off with: “that ain’t my bitch, that’s my motherfuckin’ homegirl,” it’s sure to be fire!

With that said, rising Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Leven Kali has a banger on his hands with “Homegirl.” Despite its bluntness, the Smino and Topaz Jones-assisted track is a colorful groove, which stimulates couples to resolve any quarrels in their *clears throat* situationships. “…We’ve all gotten the ‘Oooh who’s that?’ accusation of someone who’s just a friend and nothing more. This song is an answer to that,” says Leven to Fader magazine.

“Homegirl” appears on Kali’s latest outstanding studio project, High Tide. Peep the single’s visual below:

COMME des CACTUS

From solemn red hearts to overly happy yellow smileys, neither COMME des GARÇONS nor Cactus Plant Flea Market have shied away from bold graphics and flashy colors. With the two collaborating for summer pieces, we can only expect Cynthia Lu and company to go ham and bring about the Pharell “Happy” vibes.

One shirt, splattered with red stars, is designed with the classic CPFM smiley face stacked upon the phrase "BE KIND” and CDG’s text logo in bold font. The second tee brings about colorful red and green suns, which represent the warmer season and its joyous mood. In addition to the companies’ co-branding are the positive messages: “GO BE KIND” and “GROW.” Heaven knows we all need to be both during these unprecedented times.

These pieces are definitely a look. Whether worn with simple sweat shorts, old skool vans, and topped off with a cap and chain, or styled with a light flannel and matching air forces, they’ll grab anyone’s attention. To those of you who copped on May 7th congrats! I was fortunate enough to hit on the “ye must be Born again” hoodie Easter drop myself.

Written by Vignesh Mannemela

Blackheart 39

A few years ago, my contributing writer Sir Julien conducted an illuminating interview with super-producer Swizz Beatz’s son Note Marcato, where he spoke about his upbringing and undeniable love of music. Now, I am proud to present the visual for his first official single entitled, “Blackheart 39.”

Co-produced by Jordan XL, BL$$d and Marcato himself, the infectious banger could serve as a sonic backdrop for an ominous scene in any coming of age story. Brimming with metaphors, Prince Nasir’s (yeah, that’s his government name) tune persuades listeners to become more of their authentic self. “The symbolic meaning behind the Blackheart represents not losing yourself, amongst the masks. Reminding people that they are not heartless,” he says to The Fader.

Be on the lookout for Note Marcato’s EP Beach Bum Limbo, which is slated to drop this summer via Epic Records. For now, check out his music video for “Blackheart 39,” below: 

If you haven’t read Marcato’s first ever interview on FRNDY LMRN, click here.