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How POPaganda artist Ron English continues to create his own narrative

On a dreary and rainy Tuesday morning outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), a beam of unexpected light shone inside the world’s foremost financial institution.

The bearer of light or rather the Prometheus-incumbent of the radiant flame that brilliantly flickered throughout the historical building was none other than the NYSE’s Peter Tuchman.

Heralded as the most photographed man of the NYSE, Tuchman has transcended his a role as a floor trader to a global personality, having exchanged trading tips and jokes with Shaq, championed art on the building’s 6th-floor walkway to the Board Room, and can’t be missed with his Einstein-like appearance.

He even goes by the Einstein of Wall Street. Don’t believe us? Check out his Instagram profile.

Like the myth of Prometheus, Tuchman carried onto the floor of the NYSE a brilliant fire. This source of thermo-brilliance belonged to none other than that of art icon Ron English. 

 

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Hammer time at The New York Stock Exchange. #petertuchman #moneyandart #nyse #Popaganda #Delusionville #ronenglish

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To those unfamiliar with Ron English and his work, he’s been [rightfully] dubbed as the “Godfather of Street Art.” His works act as a nexus for street art, connecting the bohemian ideologies of street art with the everyday patrons of the streets.

His murals quite literally cover both known and unknown corners of the world. English, a man of little to no boundaries has even collaborated with Pop Toys for various figurines, has directed and produced films, composed original music, written books, and just about anything under the sun that’s readily available for a modern-day renaissance man.

 

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Elefanka finished. #(RED)SAVESLIVES #streetart #Lyon #France #Delusionville #muralart #lyonfrance #elephant #red #bono

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English, as you can imagine, is a rare breed. Not only is he a legend in the contemporary art world, but he’s also a living legend at that.

While those privy to the art scene and/or English’s work are in tune with his catalog, it was a fascinating spectacle to see the mythologized artist on the floor of the NYSE- a realm far removed from the art world.

Or so we thought… 


Surrounded by mercurial traders, astute movers and shakers of global currencies, and bright-eyed, bushy-tailed college students keen on soaking in their experience at the NYSE, English casually blended in like a man who’s been there before.

It was as if he attained some sort of unknown level of artistic nirvana and bliss. Some might even argue that English has in fact reached such a level of grandeur throughout his career but that’s neither here nor there.

Needless to say, Ron English is an artist of such prominence and fame. However, he’s far from being a disillusioned or jaded celebrity of the art world. In fact, he’s the complete opposite. English, a modest man himself, is often humbled by life’s spontaneity and kept grounded by his wife and children. 

“I always say that I’m miracle co-dependent which means I literally depend on some miracle happening over and over and over again. That’s how I started this year on New Year’s Day. I had nothing [planned].”


Rather than being standoffish about his successes and haughty about his upcoming endeavors, English is as down to earth as the rain on that Tuesday morning.

He’s never afraid to answer a question if he can provide the answer, which makes sense for an artist with such a multidisciplinary approach to his work. Not only that, but he’s always welcoming of new ideas and possibilities, but precariously attentive to past experiences. 

This calculated and audacious mindset is indicative of how English got his start. English, who was both an unknown artist and who used to write for Detour Magazine in the early 90s, became increasingly interested in the work of Absolut Vodka’s late marketing legend Michel Roux. 

For those unfamiliar with his legacy, Roux is cited as being “the marketer best known for ushering Absolut Vodka into every bar in the United States.” However, his true claim to posthumous iconography in the marketing world is for propelling Absolut Vodka into a newer age of advertising.

As a result, Roux came up with a new campaign series for Absolut called Absolut Art, where Absolut (on the behalf of Roux) and advertising agency TBWA commissioned legendary artists to like Warhol, Haring, Scharf, and Leibovitz to put their own unique artistic touch on the Absolut bottles.

The artists’ renditions of Absolut bottles were widely published in print and transcended the boundaries of traditional advertising. Art and the ad world momentarily underwent a harmonious process of osmosis where the two were inseparable, thanks to Michel Roux’s genius. 

What started as a bold idea of Roux’s evolved into one of the more pivotal and daring moments in English’s early career. Having been inspired by Roux’s work, English finessed his way into interviewing Roux for Detour Magazine.

What was supposed to be an interview with Roux quickly became English’s elevator pitch. An all-or-nothing chance for him to have his work featured with the likes of the aforementioned contemporary art immortals. Needless to say, Roux was sold. 

“Then I said, you know the real reason I’m here is that I want to be an Absolut artist. He looked at a painting I already made and he goes, ‘You won!’ He bought six paintings from me and from there it was Absolut English. That was a really big deal then. He also sent me to Japan. He just had so much stuff for me!’

Fast forward 20+ years later, this fearless mindset has empowered Ron English to express himself in almost any and every way imaginable for an artist.

More recently, he’s launched his book Original Grin in 2019 and collaborated with Swarovski on a commemorative PopToy figurine of Big Poppa/the Notorious B.I.G, decked out in a Swarovski x Coogi sweater. 


As you can imagine, English is more than capable of creating art that is relevant to the times. He has reached a level of artistry that millions of artists have aspired to, currently aspire to, and will always aspire to- an unencumbered proclivity for creating the art they feel and know.

Ironically enough, here was Ron English on the floor of the NYSE. The man whose work so often critiques consumer capitalism. So much so that he even coined the term “POPaganda,” a term used to artistically critique and exploit the iconic, propagandized moments in mainstream culture.

This is best evinced in English’s works; his documentary POPaganda: The Art and Crimes of Ron English, his collaborative efforts with POP toys, i.e., MC Supersized, which was featured in the cultural zeitgeist of a film SuperSize Me, Hulk Menace; and so on. 

English reminisced, “I think that a lot of my stuff is a kind of critical of things. I also feel like you just don’t want to be the guy that just hates everything. They were showing my film “POPaganda” and it’s about me making fun of all these things. At the end of it, a guy stood and said, ‘Well, we know what you don’t like. What do you like?’”

“I realized there’s a lot of power and also shouting out things that you like and things that have influenced you.”

The man whose work is often labeled as “anti-corporate” was casually strolling through the NYSE learning the rich (pun intended) and detailed history of one of the most historic capitalist institutions of the modern era.

Sounds paradoxical, doesn’t it? If your answer is “yes” then I think it’s safe to say that you might see the world in black and white. But in a world where things teeter along the lines of gray, it only made sense for English to have been present.

As the colloquialism goes, inspiration comes from all places. 

 

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Kevin Durant having out in my studio. #studiolife #artstudio #kevindurant #Basketballgrin #basketball

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“Sometimes I’ll think that maybe Instagram or this kind of stuff will get me out there in a way and then I’ll let go of doing billboards and the illegal stuff,” said English.

He continued:

“Then I realized that they actually kind of put you in a little box and actually really narrow the range of people that are going to stumble onto your stuff. So then I’ll go back out on the streets and do stuff again.”

Gusto. Zeal. An appetite for trusting your instincts. Call it what you want. For Ron English, the recipe for his success has been a simple one. Or at least he makes it appear that way. Write your narrative the way you want to. If not you, then who?

 

Why King Saladeen’s extraordinary journey is motivating us to create

King Saladeen is no stranger to the Kulture Hub family. The contemporary West Philly-based artist has been on our radar for some time.

Our link ups with Saladeen have left us with fire interviews, exclusive access to his studio, and even a figurine of JP the Money Bear- a trademark of King Saladeen’s brand

While JP the Money Bear captures King Saladeen’s identity as a brand, similar to Nike’s “Swoosh,” it’s the artist’s journey of overcoming life’s trials and tribulations that are the truest form of his brand identity.

Never giving in to life’s adversities, King Saladeen has found his own formula or rather keys to success over the years. Although it’s been a tough road, the contemporary artist is committed to the grind. 

He has to stay motivated and his art seems to be the guiding force. Keeping a narrow vision and honing in on his strengths has placed Saladeen where he deserves to be.

So, there have to be some gems he’s picked up along the way. Of course, there are and as well as we know Saladeen he’s dishing out wisdom like candy.

If he has the keys to motivate himself to continue creating his highly sought-after artwork, then we guess it would be smart to listen in. These major keys can be adopted by anyone looking to keep the grind going. That is if you’re really about this life.

The king has spoken! Check out King Saladeen’s keys to the kingdom. These five (5) simple but major keys are: finding your support system; finding your purpose; never forgetting where you’re from; grinding for yourself; always standing out. 

Rather than going off on each of them, we’ll let the king himself do the honors. Tap into the video above to see why King Saladeen’s journey motivates us all to create in some way or another. 

Artist Gregory Siff reminds us that there is ‘Evidence of Life’

Artist Gregory Siff is reminding us in his new exhibition Evidence of Life that despite the hardships in life, there’s a silver lining. And despite the thunderstorms of life, a clear sky calls us.

Our bodies and spirits sprint through the cacophonic rat race that is life in the 21st century. As soon as we rise from a night’s slumber, we’re immediately thrust into the schemes and happenings of the present day.


Social media and other media outlets fast track us to information that we may or may not want to be privy to at that moment. Whether we like it or not, we’re living in a hyper-digital world that seems to make the past feel obsolete.

It’s almost as if the memories of yesterday (for better or worse) become a faint whisper in the roaring winds of the present. 

As harsh as it may seem, the truth is the truth. The answer is no and living will always be an undulating sea of serene and tumultuous experiences. Life in itself will always be a brutal challenge only fit for those willing to adapt and survive.

Yet, Siff is reminding us that there is indeed evidence of a joyous life waiting for us somewhere in a land that is much closer than we think. Somewhere beyond the sea lies a place where we can pause life and relish in all that makes living worthwhile. 

While these words may read like they are from a C.S Lewis novel, they are more real than they appear to be. Where’s the proof, you ask? Look no further. There is Evidence of Life.

With residency throughout the month of February, Gregory Siff will be showcasing his exhibition Evidence of Life at the CASS Contemporary Gallery in Tampa, Florida on February 28.


In his traditional style, Evidence of Life will capture a “literal, yet open for interpretation of nostalgia and childhood.” Siff will be doing so through his “distinct emotionalism style” that fuses “unique elements of abstraction, pop, and action painting.”

The breadth of Siff’s artistic approach is made apparent throughout his catalog. Having worked with the likes of Pyer Moss’ Kerby Jean-Raymond, Balaram Stack and the MLB to Jay-Z’s Made in America and Yves Saint Laurent, Gregory Siff’s name speaks for itself. 

 

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Never stop. Photo @iamrickdelrio #gregorysiff #forthelove

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Rather than adopting the mentality of a defeatist, Siff uses his artistry as a gentle reminder that no mountain is too high to climb or valley too low to traverse. 

But such a statement needs firm backing. It’s one thing to say, “look on the bright side.” or “ there’s always a silver lining.” However, it’s another to live as optimistically as Gregory Siff does.

Luckily for us at Kulture Hub, we sat down with Siff and learned about his upcoming exhibition Evidence of Life and how it’s inspiring him to live life to the fullest.


How has everything been since you last spoke with Kulture Hub?

Gregory Siff (GS): Well the show in New York City in 2018 When You Were Little You Used to Color was the last time that we checked in.

The momentum has been real and it’s gone from making so many new pieces that have led to more collaborations. I did a huge collaboration and painted live for Major League Baseball at Complexcon last year.

Stance [socks] was through the summer. Stance flew me out to Japan to go paint live. We sold out of the collection there. I’ve never been to Tokyo before. I fueled up on such inspiration that you’re going to see in the new show.


I just really have been on a ride filled up with inspiration and it’s a good place to be. I painted a surfboard for Balaram Stack which he surfed and used in the Volcom Pipe Pro last year. I just found that art is finding its home on a lot of childhood dreams.


With your residency for “Evidence of Life” fast approaching, what has been your mindset leading up to this part of your journey?

GS: It’s great that you bring up the past. I did a lecture last night at the University of Tampa and I realized it’s been 10 years. It’s been a decade of me deciding to paint every day.


I was reminded of 2011 when I started painting for one of my first shows called the G Show 11-11-11 and I worked in a garage in Downtown LA. I didn’t have anything on my mind but building that show.

Now that I’m in Tampa, I’m getting the same sort of vibration and mentality of working in one space for four weeks straight building a show and having that kind of freedom. I’m in a very calm and excited headspace. I’m not trying to flex or impress. I’m just trying to say ‘enjoy what I put out there.’


How have you managed to keep the fire alive? What have some of your biggest inspirations over the course of your artistry?

Gregory Siff
@gregorysiff

GS: If you get stuck in rendition you’re going to be that same performer. You have to take ideas in your mind that you don’t think can come true and figure out how to do it.

I’m working with round circular canvases in the show. I’ve never done that before. I want that to be indicative of when people go, ‘Oh, that’s the Tampa show that happened at CASS.’

Sometimes we’re so in love with ourselves. Sometimes we go through the gamut of those emotions, but people don’t understand sometimes. So that’s how I keep the fire alive by new experiences like traveling. I went to Tulum. I went to Japan. I went to places that wake up your idea of what art is. 


As an artist who incorporates emotionalism in their work, why do you think your art leaves lasting impressions on your viewers?

Image result for mlb gregory siff

GS: I think that people understand the work in that nature because when I’m painting and telling the story, I’m thinking about the best times in my life.

I’m thinking about the people I shared them with. I’m trying to freeze those moments. I try to absorb as much as I can about what it is to be alive and put that into the crayon strokes and put that into the sprays.

You can freeze that sunset for just that moment. I also try to connect with my father when I’m painting. When I’m rocking and rolling, I know my dad’s up there dancing on the floor. I know it.


Who would you be if you weren’t an artist?


GS: I don’t want to know! The way that things happened and the choices that I made, I couldn’t see it ever going in a different way. I always said that I paint my way out of anything that happens in my life.

If there’s a problem I paint my way out of it. I can’t see myself doing something different. I’m still in love with it. I’m in love with artists. I’m in love with the way that they see the world. I’ll always know that there’s power in paint. 


As you start to garner even more attention, what keeps you grounded? What keeps you humble?

GS: What keeps me humble is knowing that you’re not the only one.

Everybody is the hero of their own story. You’re going through things and you get highs and lows all the time. When it’s low just remember to use that in the work. And when you’re up really high it’s a lesson, when you’re rockin’ and rollin’ like that. It could just be another moment.

 

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It’s okay because that’s what makes the work real. That’s what makes you appreciate the touch when you do have it. Treat every day like you’re the intern. You can’t sweat the small things and you have to be grateful for what you have.

There’s nothing better than knowing that you’re in a safe place, but you want to know something?! There’s nothing more exciting than not knowing what’s going to happen next and then you get in there and you’re like ‘I gotta paint to survive!’ You don’t want to get cushy.

You don’t want to be sitting in a comfortable chair too long. You want to get some cuts on your hand. You don’t want the full eight hours of sleep. You want that to show up on the canvas! 


What brings joy to you? What makes you happy?


GS: Rhythm! I like when the rhythm is going right. When music is giving me that and my brain starts clicking. The rhythm is what keeps me going. My girlfriend and the way that we want to keep going. She’s also an artist. We push each other. We drive each other. My friends make me happy. My mom.

Having everything all in order and then just exploding and getting all the paint out. Those “aha!” moments where you are don’t know where it comes from but there’s a trust and then you know what the piece is going to have. I love that.


Any last words for creatives or anyone?

 

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Burgertime. Photo @2wenty @chips_afoye #gregorysiff @4am_gallery #burger #siffstudio

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GS: Carry that notebook with you and write down all the things you want to see come true. Write it in there. How you see it. Draw it out. Dream it up. Get it out there. Get it on the paper and then bring it to life because it’s possible. Many have done it and that could go for work, for life, for art.

“There’s nothing better than that, you know.”

The voyage of life is a personal quest. There’s no universal manual or guidebook. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to life’s challenges.

Life is the most personal experience that happens to you. It stands on the pillars of both the known and unknown. Uncharted terrains and waters await us. And though they can be daunting at times, always remember that your strength comes from within.

Your journey is yours to embrace and revel in. You are the star of your own [Truman] show. As Greg would say, “You’re the hero of your own story.”

Painter Madjeen Isaac is blending BK and Haitian vibes through her art

Art is many things. In some scenarios, art is therapeutic. In others, art is an unadulterated expression of self; a boundless proclamation of one’s personal identity.

Art can even be a representation of a reality that exists or is a figment of an artist’s imagination. In some instances it is all-in-one.

An all-encompassing expression of human ingenuity and creativity that captures the known and unknown dimensions of being human.

For native-Brooklynite and Haitian-American artist Madjeen Isaac, art is all the above. 

 

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Madjeen, a self-taught painter, began as a novice. What started as a class project gradually became her craft, her livelihood. Then the artist started doing the unthinkable.

Madjeen began to seamlessly blend the hustle and bustle of life in Brooklyn with idyllic elements that are synonymous with life in Haiti and the Caribbean.

Take Isaac’s Flatbush IV for example. The 24x36in painting marries soft pastel colors (typical of traditional Haitian art) with vibrant brown figures that appear to be going about their day. 

While the beauty and genius of a piece like Flatbush IV might appear to be in Madjeen’s adroit and delicate brush strokes, it is elsewhere.

What makes Madjeen’s paintings evocative and special is not the technicality but rather her ability to transport the viewer into a world that isn’t quite real. Yet her works still bring forth the feeling that it is indeed real.

“Within my works, I recreate worlds that aren’t real but they’re real to me in a sense that’s what I see in Flatbush. The buildings. The graffiti. The dirtiness of it. Things that make Brooklyn very dark and dirty.”

And taking place somewhere along one of Brooklyn’s main arteries- Flatbush Avenue! Think Toni Morrison or Leslie Marmon Silko’s take on magical realism married with Edwidge Danticat’s Breath, Eyes, Memory except in paint.

“My work forces me to do research and I’m always observing. Not just my culture but Brooklyn specifically…”

Isaac continued,

“It’s mixed with a lot of immigrants from the Caribbean so I’m able to learn from them. Their drive. Their hustle. The different languages that they bring. The culture. The music.”

 

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Luckily for us at Kulture Hub, we had the honor and privilege of linking up with Madjeen and familiarizing ourselves with her work.

Most importantly, we piqued the artist’s brain about what sparks her creativity and learned about how the Afro-Caribbean diasporic enclave that is Flatbush Avenue influenced her upbringing in Brooklyn.

Packed with nothing but gems, amazing cuts, and quintessential scenes of Brooklyn, our interview with Madjeen is a must-watch for any creative. 

As the Haitian proverb goes, “Sa ou fè se li ou wè.” “What you do is what you see.”

Artist Spiff Ellis is reminding creators why they’re super heroes

“I’m not going to paint a picture of what you want, I’m going to paint a picture of what you need.”

There’s something special in all of us, a little tweak in our DNA that makes most of us want to chase after something greater. It serves as an ambitious nerve that keeps us creating.

From the moment we’re able to dream, we want to become more than that “everyday kid from a neighborhood.” The same could be said for the transformation and growth of North New Jersey artist Andrew “Spiff” Ellis.

In an interview with the Hub, the illustrator, musician, producer, designer, and sculptor reflected on his artistic origins and glow up.

“It pretty much was embedded in a way. It was my father drawing all the time around me. It’s something I kind of caught onto…”

Spiff continued to reflect on his origins:

“But I didn’t really think that I was gonna take it as far as I’ve taken it. I saw him draw all the time… and I was wondering what it was he was doing.”

 

king spiff 4
@kingspiff_

Instilled with his father’s proclivity for drawing, Spiff took a liking to art at an early age. It was his curiosity that allowed him to crave art and wherever art made itself available, he studied it.

Whether it was the sounds of North New Jersey, the corner boys cooly sporting their custom airbrushed shirts and airbrushed Timbs, or graffitied buses, Spiff Ellis was never lacking creative resource material.

The prevalence of these influences compelled him to create art using various mediums ranging from Lego sculptures to customized sneakers and hand-paintings (a key moment in Spiff Ellis’ journey that we will later return to).

 

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King Spiff’s artistic tendencies guided him in a direction that would later become his current life.

However, the journey of this stoic and deeply philosophical artist was never without obstacles, which brings us to the second building block of Spiff Ellis’ artistic journey – resistance.

“A neighborhood… where everybody is banking their whole life on sports: football, baseball, basketball; I felt like that just wasn’t for me.”

The deceptively alluring mystique of the streets. The glass-ceiling of the ghetto. The proliferation of hoop dreams. Together, these were the deterrents that served as the incubator of Spiff Ellis’ upbringing.

And yet, his mind was always elsewhere, somewhere far removed from the burdensome gravity of these obstacles.

 

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A post shared by 🕸SPIFF ELLIS©🕸 (@kingspiff_) on Dec 20, 2018 at 6:04am PST

“I was never thinking about football when I left football practice. I was looking  at cartoons wondering how Marvel would draw Spider-Man; how did they get the cartoons to move…”

Spiff continued,

“I’m on the field thinking about how to animate the play… I was never present… I realized [then] that it was my calling.”

king spiff 4
@kingspiff_

Rather than succumbing to the far-fetched lore of a sports career, King Spiff chose to do otherwise and follow his own intuition. His resistance to the ways of the streets and hoop dreams led him down another path.

Before Spiff knew it, he was a fastidious student of the arts who carefully studied costume design and set design of movies.

Flicks like Friday and Salvador Dali’s avant-garde and conceptual approach to art became a significant inspiration subject of study for the artist.

king spiff 3
@KingSpiff_

Also, Basquiat’s cryptic yet thought-provoking tagging influenced Spiff Ellis as well.

“I always liked how he [Basquiat] would put messages on the street. He would just draw all over NYC and make you think.”

 

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A post shared by 🕸SPIFF ELLIS©🕸 (@kingspiff_) on Dec 8, 2019 at 6:58am PST

Equipped with a childlike curiosity and yearning to both study and create art, King Spiff understood that art would help him define his own identity.

However, it was the eternal vise of the afterlife that brought forward the third building block of Spiff’s artistic identity- compassion.

king spiff ellis 2
@kingspiff_

On the eve of 2014, the world lost a beloved man and actor, James Avery who played Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He didn’t make it after an open heart operation went awry.

While the pain of Avery’s passing weighed heavily on the hearts of those he affected, Spiff took it upon himself to celebrate Avery’s legacy rather than mourn his passing.

 

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Fresh Prince is a cultural, iconic show and when he [Avery] passed away, something told me to just draw. I drew it and it did the unimaginable.”

Inspired by arguably the most heartfelt episode of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse,” Spiff created an image that captured an unforgettable moment.

In a simple yet powerful illustration, a distraught Will and an empathetic Uncle Phil are drawn, in a moment, seconds before an embrace.

Using a simple yet powerful solid red backdrop while placing a halo on top of Uncle Phil’s head, Spiff’s homage to James Avery’s life and legacy marked a pivotal instance in the artist’s life.

“I feel like that was a monumental moment in my art career and my life… When I say my dad was around, he wasn’t always around…”

Ellis continued,

“Looking at a TV dad and looking at a Black family that was wealthy, was something you didn’t see depicted on television, ever.”

king spiff ellis 1
@KingSpiff_

For Spiff, the unimaginable was something that superseded thousands of likes, retweets, and re-posts. The unimaginable was an illustration’s ability to touch the hearts of people who grew up watching the iconic show.

As well as the cast who worked with James Avery, specifically DJ Jazzy Jeff who personally reached out to the artist and thanked him for his heartfelt homage to his friend.

This innate sense of humaneness led Spiff to better understand the impact his work had on other people’s lives. What was once a journey of artistic discovery now became Spiff’s story of redemption.

When asked about the carefully chosen themes in his art, Spiff said, “redemption.” He wants his fans to find redemption in his work, a sort of healing.

“Redemption is the biggest part. I think that’s honestly what I say my work is about.”

 

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Recognizing his own spiritual and emotional growth, Spiff knew that his journey was becoming one of healing. To prove it, he’s championed the hashtag #healboys over the internet colloquialism #sadboys.

This leads us to the last building block of Spiff Ellis’ artistic identity,  the inner child.

“There’s a little boy in me that’s screaming to get out. We have all held the funeral for our younger selves once life started to hit us with problems. We let go of what was and all that we ever will be, young.”

Our inner-child always lives on. We always have the capacity to be the purest form of ourselves. To this day, Ellis still prefers loud sneakers, enjoys water-parks and loves finger painting.

It’s evident that the artist’s inner spirit is something all creatives try to grasp. It represents who we truly are.

In our conversation, Spiff was eager to reflect on a moment where he reconnected with finger painting

“It’s refreshing to see my own hand. I lowkey, on some Lion King, Simba vibes, put my current hand over my younger hand and feel a connection. I realize that I’m not that far from that age.”

 

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And so, here we are at the end of our conversation with Spiff Ellis. But when one journey ends another begins. A new journey awaits, one filled with trials and tribulations. Redemption awaits. Stories of healing await.

Stories about life waiting for us on the precipice of storyteller’s crafty tongues. For now, enjoy and learn from the story in front of you.

 

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Exploring the magical world of Frank Ape and artist Brandon Sines

Some of you may have seen half of this duo hanging out by the World Trade Center, the Arlo Hotel, East Village, P.S 9 in Brooklyn, or even in Los Angeles. Can you guess who they are? How and Nosm? Os Gemeos? Futura 2000 x Unkle 1998?

Close but not quite. The answer is Frank Ape and creator Brandon Sines!

 

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A post shared by Frank Ape™ (@frank_ape) on Oct 15, 2019 at 6:56am PDT

Frank Ape is the exuberant, quirky, and fun-having sasquatch you may have seen all throughout New York City and even in LA.

At the moment, Frank is most popular for his colorful appearance in “Everyone’s Different and Everyone’s the Same” mural. Located at the World Trade Center, the 100+ foot art work celebrates “all colors, shapes, and sizes.”

Brandon sines WTC mural
Everyone’s Different and Everyone’s the Same

Frank Ape, the cheerful, playful, and beaming sasquatch, simply lives. He travels from murals to t-shirts, doing the things that make him happy.

Whether he’s wearing a fedora while carrying a bouquet of roses across the Manhattan bridge, dressed as Batman, or telling Keith Haring’s legendary character that he’s a big fan, Frank Ape knows nothing but happiness and unashamed self-expression.

Brandon Sines Keith Haring
#23 – Fan of Love | Artist: Brandon Sines

His infectiously joyous life is a constant reminder of all the good-heartedness and positivity that can and does exist in today’s world.

The latter half of the duo, Brandon Sines, is the zany creator of the wildly adventurous sasquatch Frank Ape. Maybe, to some, Sines is simply the mind and hands behind Frank Ape.

However, he’s more than that.

 

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A post shared by Frank Ape™ (@frank_ape) on Sep 12, 2019 at 7:53am PDT

Sines is an adventurer, soul-searcher, and introspective artist who breathes life into his work, including his best bud Frank Ape. While creating the world of the mystical ape, Brandon continues to explore the recesses of his imagination.

More importantly, his artwork explores the moments of happiness, love, and “Rocking out to your own song’s beat!”

In addition, Sines’ relationship with Frank Ape extends beyond the limits of art and artist. He is also Frank’s loyal friend, admirer, and business partner.

 

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A post shared by Frank Ape™ (@frank_ape) on Aug 14, 2019 at 7:46am PDT

With their own site that showcases Frank’s story, featured prints, and merchandise, Brandon and Frank Ape are leaving their mark on the world one positive art piece at a time.

Brandon, who’s lived all throughout North America and currently resides in Astoria, Queens, is truly a unique mind and artist. His deftness of hand and boundless imagination allows him to create the magical yet relatable worlds where Frank Ape roams happily and freely.

Without further ado, Kulture Hub is excited to introduce Brandon Sines and Frank Ape!


Brandon Sines 

As the [art] world becomes more familiar with you and Frank Ape, what are some of the key themes you want to continue to express through your works?

Frank’s core principles are generally the positive qualities found within each of us… Kindness, compassion, creativity as well as community, integrity, hard work, and respect.

Who is Frank Ape’s feline sidekick?

Frank’s main sidekick is his orange smush-faced cat named Spaghetti who is based on my real cat and is just fun to go on adventures with.

 

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A post shared by Frank Ape™ (@frank_ape) on Aug 10, 2019 at 7:57am PDT

How would you describe your journey as a person and as an artist so far? 

I feel very blessed to be in the position I’m in with my art where I can positively impact people I’ve never met. As a kid, I didn’t know what direction to go and the road was bumpy for a time.

When I created Frank and felt people’s response I finally felt like ‘OK this is something special.’ I got into this positive feedback loop where I wanted to keep making this art that people liked but also felt inspired by and even found solace in during tough times.

It’s therapeutic for me and I hope for my audience as well.

Brandon Sines Frank Ape
#39 – World Embrace and #25 Protect Your Rainbow | Artist: Brandon Sines
Who is Brandon Sines? What is he about? Frank is, of course, every bit mystical, quirky, and unique but the people want to know more about Brandon, the man behind the scenes.

Well, I’m an 80s baby who grew up in LA, NYC, and Toronto. I was an only child (I have a half brother who I met later in life), and felt pretty isolated and different from my peers most of the time.

I got along with most people but at the end of the day I usually would go into a world I created in my head where I could come up with ideas and derive inspiration from my imagination.

That’s pretty much who I am now as well.

Brandon Sines NYC
Artist Brandon Sines

Frank Ape

What’s it like being Frank Ape?

Well, I’m a Sasquatch who lives in New York City amongst humans but without human limitations. I have special powers that even I continue to discover as I’m tested by the many challenges of life.

I do my best to embody positivity and equality, and I care about all living things. I can be seen all over the world on any given day but it is New York City that I call home.

Brandon Sines NYC
#29 – Timeless NYC and #36 – Beneath the Surface | Artist: Brandon Sines
If you could create an alter ego or, better yet, bring to life your creation of art, what/who would it be and why?

Well, I already am an alter ego of Brandon Sines but I suppose if I were to create my own alter ego it would be “dark frank” and they could explore the not so positive aspects of our existence.

I see that you’re constantly photobombing pictures with other well-known characters from pop art and culture. Who has been your favorite character to work with thus far? Also, whose world do you look forward to visiting next?

Aw, that’s a tough one… I do kind of have Homer Simpson’s mouth so I think I’ll have to say that’s been my fav so far since it’s fun to see our similarities. I would love to visit the Elmo’s, Spidermans, and all the other mythical creatures at Times Square!

I’ve been a fan of so many of them for so long.

Brandon Sines Warriors
#14 – The Warriors | Artist: Brandon Sines
Frank, you’re an interesting ape. That said, what brings you to a place as mystical and almost mythical as New York? Is it a part of a bigger picture?

New York is definitely my home base. I just love the mix of people, cultures, history and everything else that makes NYC so special. I came here because it’s one of the only places I can walk around practically unnoticed!

Tell us, if you were to disappear from the face of the earth, what would be your parting gifts/words for the world?

I love you!


What Brandon and Frank Ape share transcends the relationship between art and artist.

Of course, Frank Ape is an extension of Brandon Sines. This is a given. Still, their relationship captures something more, something beautifully human, and hard to come across in contemporary art.

A message of love, life, and friendship.

 

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A post shared by Frank Ape™ (@frank_ape) on May 17, 2019 at 10:35am PDT

NTWRK x BBC ICECREAM Team Up for Three Nostalgic Exoplanet Pop-ups

In the wake of BBC ICECREAM’s new Exoplanet Pop-Up collection, the iconic clothing brand has teamed up with mobile app NTWRK for a collaboration you can’t miss.

Kicking off with a private LA event on Dec. 12, The Exoplanet Pop-up collection draws inspiration from some of pop culture’s greatest cartoons: Batman, The Jetsons, Space Jam, and Rick and Morty.

From Dec. 13 to 22, BBC ICECREAM and NTWRK will showcase the Exoplanet Pop-Up collection at 8020 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA, where customers will be able to shop the new drops.

 

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A post shared by BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB/ICECREAM (@bbcicecream) on Dec 16, 2019 at 2:49pm PST

The Exoplanet Pop-Up collection features standalone statement pieces from both Billionaire Boys Club and ICECREAM like a Wireframe Diamonds & Dollars Full-Zip Hoodie and a matching sweatpant.

Not to mention the Billionaire Boys Club Snow Globe, Team ICECREAM Basketball Jersey and Short, ICECREAM Running Dog Pillow, Dollar Sign Pillow and ICECREAM ‘Best Coffee’ Incense Chamber, and more.

 

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A post shared by BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB/ICECREAM (@bbcicecream) on Dec 10, 2019 at 9:28am PST

In addition to the launch, BBC ICECREAM and NTWRK are offering exclusive online access to shop the Exoplanet Pop-Up collection on NTWRK’s mobile app. 

In 2018 NTWRK changed the game. The app is a mobile service that offers “shoppable shows” featuring some of the biggest and best names in streetwear.

Simply put, NTWRK is a one-stop-shop for securing limited kicks, streetwear, collectibles, and more drip.

For those lucky enough to be in LA from Dec. 13 to 22, NTWRK is offering an exclusive inside look into the Exoplanet Pop-Up collection in a three-day installment.


There’s still one more NTWRK x BBC ICECREAM pop-up to catch

 

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A post shared by BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB/ICECREAM (@bbcicecream) on Dec 13, 2019 at 10:21am PST

Drop 1: Billionaire Boys Club x Rick & Morty, Team Ice Cream Apparel, and Billionaire Boys Club Collectibles
Release Date: Friday, December 13, at 6PM ET / 3PM PT

Drop 2: Billionaire Boys Club x Space Jam & Billionaire Boys Club x The Jetsons
Release Date: Monday, December 16, at 9PM ET / 6PM PT

Drop 3: Billionaire Boys Club x Batman
Release Date: Friday, December 20, 6PM ET / 3PM PT

The Exoplanet collection is exclusive to the LA pop up and NTWRK. Download the NTWRK app to shop.

Styles Upon Styles: How These Hip-Hop Pioneers Inspired a Generation of Creators

“Tap into your magic and own it. Create a legacy, not just for yourself but for your tribe.” – April Walker

Nestled in the corner of 1 Fulton St. lies a quaint and unique store. To the untrained eye, 10 Corso Como appears to be another spacious shop teeming with pricey knick-knacks, but venture farther into the store and you’ll come across a myriad of luxury designer clothes by the likes of Marni, Junya Watanabe, Prada, Sies Marjan, and so on.

Similar to crosstown competitors such as Dover Street Market New York, Totokaelo, Forty-Five Ten, the Webster and Kith, (shout out to Jon Caramanica) 10 Corso Como should be lauded as a one-of-a-kind luxury-retailer. It even has the potential to become a staple of NYC’s niche luxury-retail market.

But that’s another story for another day.

However, 10 Corso Como’s expansive inventory of luxury goods is only a fraction of what makes the Milanese luxury retailer special.

What separates the franchise’s New York flagship from its peers is something uncharacteristic yet simultaneously inclusive and cosmopolitan, particularly for a luxury retailer – an art gallery. An art gallery where they’ve partnered with Getty Images that not only highlights dope photography but also inspiring legacies.

Curated by Getty Images’ very own erudite curator Shawn Waldron, the small and labyrinthine gallery lies in the back of the store and currently houses the Beat Positive New York exhibition- an exhibit dedicated to capturing the pillars of hip-hop.

 

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A post shared by Shawn Waldron (@shawn_waldron) on Dec 11, 2019 at 4:34pm PST

When describing the importance of hip-hop and its pillars, Waldron stated in an eloquent and poised manner,

“Hip-hop is built on four foundational pillars: DJ’ing (sound), MC’ing (voice), Breaking (movement), and Graffiti (vision). Bambaataa and Zulu Nation added a fifth: Knowledge, also known as Consciousness (mental). I would argue there is a sixth element to consider, Style (the individual).”

Of course, 10 Corso Como and Getty Images’ Beat Positive Exhibit warrants steady foot traffic on their own and for deservingly good reasons. However, on the crisp and rainy New York City Friday evening of December 13, 2019, a special gathering took place.

This gathering took the form of a discussion panel titled Styles Upon Styles: A Discussion About Fashion’s Role in Hip Hop Culture. Dozens of curious style and hip-hop mavens gathered at 10 Corso Como for the panel discussion.

Moderated by renowned author and culture journalist Vikki Tobak, the panelists were none other than four of hip-hop’s most influential Style icons: the legendary eye of the Culture- Janette Beckman; godlike sartorial craftsman- Dapper Dan; decades-renowned stylist and designer- April Walker; the seemingly-ethereal creative guru- Vashtie.

Photo Cred: Jelani Day | From left to right: Vikki Tobak, April Walker, Janette Beckman, Dapper Dan, Vashtie

While the first half of the discussion served as a platform for the panelists to delve into their own respective insights on the intersection of hip-hop and style over the past four decades, the latter half served as an open forum for the public.

An eager audience showed no sign in hesitating to ask the panelists questions. Their questions varied in topic, ranging from the marrying of Western and African textile design practices to maintaining one’s own authenticity in an industry seemingly predicated on appropriation rather than inspiration.

hip-hop pioneers
Phot Cred: Jelani Day

Naturally, such diverse questions resulted in a culmination of diverse responses. However, we at Kulture Hub wanted to do things differently. We like to know why more than what…

So, we probed deeper into the minds of these industry legends and moderator Vikki Tobak to learn more about their respective insights on and contributions to hip-hop and style.

Here’s what they said.

Va$htie

Photo Cred: Jelani Day | Dapper Dan x Vashtie
KH: How do you marry your influences on Style and Hip Hop while spreading positivity in youth culture?

Vashtie: I feel like the best way for me to do it is not to push. No one wants to be told what to do but I can only suggest and drop hints of my own creative inspiration in hopes that the newer generations find inspiration or direction from that.

There’s no real way to do it but I hope that my inspiration and path can also help others in finding them.

KH: In terms of Fashion and Hip Hop, where do you see it going? From where it started; where it’s been. Where will we be?

Vashtie: Now it’s at a place where it’s more of a mainstream path and there’s beauty in that. But I think that where it’s headed is cool but we also have room for more subcultures and groups to also start their own style and look for us to (in another 20 or 30 years) embrace it…

It’s nice to see that we’re being embraced, heralded and respected. Now we have space for the newer generations, their style, and their music.

Photo Cred: David Corio
KH: How do you see yourself as a woman helping other women get into the industry? Pushing the conversation forward?

Vashtie: It’s important to be present with other women. Not even if it’s just hanging out or being present as to sharing information. It’s also important even on social media to leave a compliment on someone’s page.

A lot of times I found in the past that people follow each other and don’t publicly show that ‘I love this girl” or “I’m obsessed with her”. Just showing that adoration publicly is so much more powerful than maybe even having the conversation.


April Walker

 

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A post shared by Sacagawea Of Urban Fashion (@iamaprilwalker) on Nov 22, 2019 at 1:20pm PST

KH: When did you understand that there we be an intersection of Fashion and Hip-Hop and that it would become mainstream?

April: I think possibly when I saw Run DMC and when “Walk This Way” came out. It was rock n’ roll and hip-hop merging; two different worlds coming together and colliding.

I just saw that from a business end, all of these convergences creating a new intersection of business.

 KH: To what capacity did you have an impact at that point in time?

 April: At that point in time I was styling. I was working with a lot of artists. I was also with my own brand. I have a brand called Walkerwear, one of the original streetwear brands and we were already selling to retail stores and selling internationally. Styling-wise we were working with Tupac and working with a lot of artists like Biggie and Run DMC.

Title: Run-DMC and Posse, Hollis, Queens, 1984 Mandatory Credit Line: ©️ Janette Beckman, Courtesy Fahey Klein
 KH: As an OG, what would your legacy teach younger generations now?

April: How to go after your dreams. How to swing with aim. How to carve out your own path and make your way. Tap into your magic and own it. Create a legacy not just for yourself but for your tribe.

Collaboration over the competition. That’s the only way we’ll grow. Each one teaches one. Pass it on, what you know, so that you can make not just you better but “The Block.”

Buy back the block.


Janette Beckman

Photo Cred: Jelani Day | Janette Beckman x Dapper Dan
 KH: How did you develop your “eye” as a photographer?

 Janette: In England, you stay in your lane. Middle-class, white kid; you’re this; you’re that. You stay in your little lane. Then I got out of school and said, ‘ I want to go to art school and be an artist’. That opened my whole world up.

When I picked up a camera, it was a way for me to get over my shyness and approach somebody and go, ‘ Hey! you look really interesting.’ Say something nice to somebody and then people open up to you. You meet all these interesting people. That’s what the camera and photography did for me.

 KH: What are some things that you’ve given to hip-hop? Your legacy?
©️ Janette Beckman, Courtesy Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles

Janette: I’m just grateful to hip-hop culture for letting me in and allowing me to document all these incredible things that happened since I got here in 1983. Look where hip-hop has taken the world! Hip-hop is all over the world now. My legacy is these images and recording moments in time.

People see them and they’re looking at back 30, 40 years later and going, ‘Look at that! Look at what Salt-n-Pepa are wearing.’ Here, I’m sitting next to Dapper Dan who made the jackets Salt-n-Pepa are wearing in one of my most iconic pictures. It’s a full circle.


Vikki Tobak

 

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A post shared by (@vikkitobak) on Nov 6, 2019 at 6:59am PST

KH: As the moderator, how do you facilitate a conversation for everyone to have the input they deserve to have?

Vikki: I think given the generations and how accomplished everyone is in photography, fashion, streetwear, I was actually a little worried about that. For me, my job is to make sure they all feel included in the conversation and that they respond to each other’s questions.

KH: How have you seen the evolution from Dapper and Janette, to April, to Vashtie?

Vikki: The times they came up in dictated what they were able to do. When April was coming up it was on the heels of Dap. Dap was deep into creating his own path and also it was a different time for the music. No one was really checking for urban culture from a Fashion perspective so they had to make it up as they went along.

There’s also a kind of beauty to being insular too… I’m excited to see where it goes from here because now people understand what happened and so let’s see what people do with that information going forward and how they control their spending power and their “culture power.” It’s an exciting time!

KH: How did you come about being a historian for this moment in history?

Vikki: I emigrated to Detroit from Kazakhstan. I landed as an immigrant not even knowing what America was in Detroit. My first love was Detroit music which was Black music; the neighborhood, the culture I grew up in was that. When I was in high school, hip-hop was starting to permeate out of New York. This was the late 80s.

I was like, ‘I just want to go to New York and be a part of that.’ I moved to New York in 1990 and got a job at a small record label called PayDay, which was like a startup hip-hop label. We actually put out Jay-Z’s first work, Mos Def’s first work. We were really known for Gang Starr.

During that time you had all these magazines starting because mainstream magazines like Rolling Stone, Spin, and even Ebony didn’t want to write about hip-hop.

Just like in fashion, all these magazine entrepreneurs started that catered to hip-hop. So I started writing for these magazines and that’s how I started to become a writer and journalist.

Biz Markie on Kensington High Street, London, UK on 6 April 1988

Despite being unable to get a hold of Dapper Dan, we would like to assure you that he genuinely understands his impact on hip-hop through style and fashion.

More importantly, Dapper makes it a point to emphasize the importance of conscientiousness through his craft, as well as gracefully eulogizing the principles of the African Diaspora through his work over the past three decades.

Bless yourself with these 10 fire kicks definitely worth the cop

First of all, this is our stylish affordable kicks list, not yours. So, don’t get your feelings hurt if your favorite pair of kicks didn’t make the cut.

Second, a handful of sneakers made the Honorable Mention section because of the fact that they have yet to release, are no longer available at selected retailers, or some other reason.

With the new year fast approaching, we at Kulture Hub took the time to carefully curate a list of new feets to add to our rotation. We factored in affordability (less than or equal to $250msrp), wearability/comfort, and style- how utilitous the shoe is in relation to your wardrobe (does it go with the fits or nah?!)

Let’s dig in.

Tretorn Nylite Plus ($75)

TRETORN: NYLITEPLUS

To some Tretorn (pronounced Tree Torn) may sound and look like some obscure hipster sneaker but don’t get it twisted. Tretorn shoes date back to the 19th century, originating in Sweden.

One of Tretorn’s most popular, affordable, and stylish shoes is the Tretorn Nylite Plus. The Nylite Plus was put under the spotlight by Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg who used to play in the iconic sneaker.

Today, the sneaker has a similar silhouette to its predecessor with an upgraded and flexible upper, along with an eco-friendly high-performance sock liner that guarantees its wearer nothing but stylish and affordable comfort.


Veja Roraima ($185)

 

When it came to the Veja Roraima, we at Kulture Hub automatically said, “those are fire!” The French brand Veja prides itself on its eco-friendly craftsmanship and style and this is easily apparent in the Roraima.

Priced at $183, the Roraimas boast water-repellent suede, a flannel inner lining made of 70 percent recycled cotton and 30 percent recycled polyester blend, and don the brand’s iconic ‘V’ logo along with the outside panel of the shoe.

You can’t go wrong with a nice pair of casual sneakers at an affordable price all while taking the environment into account.


Hunter Refined Slim Fit Chelsea Boots ($155)

Men’s Refined Slim Fit Chelsea Boots: Black

Hunter’s Refined Slim Fit Chelsea Boot speaks for itself. Stylish, sleek, comfortable, and affordable, the Refined Chelsea is one of the best boots on the market. Its tailored shape functions perfectly with a “molded footbed for everyday wear.”

Hunter takes pride in the seasonal reliability of the boot. In terms of design features, the Refined Chelsea is finely “handcrafted from natural rubber which has been vulcanized for superior protection.”

But before you cop a pair, Hunter strongly advises that wearers of the Refined Chelsea wear socks to protect their skin from the rubber. So go sockless in these at your own risk!


Nike KD 12 “Aunt Pearl” ($150)

 

Nike

Easymoneysniper’s legendary “Aunt Pearl” colorway makes its return with the Nike KD 12. The original “Aunt Pearl colorway released with the Nike KD 4 model and has been one of Kevin Durant’s biggest hits in the sneaker game.

This time around, the Nike KD 12 draws inspiration from the KD “Aunt Pearl” 4s, 5s, 6s, 9s, 10s, and 11s. The sneaker continues to show off Nike’s coveted Zoom Air technology making it one of the most comfortable kicks on the market.

The Nike KD 12 “Aunt Pearl” is scheduled to release on December 27, 2019. Keep a lookout for these gems, or should we say pearls!


New Balance x Aimé Leon Dore 990v2 & 990v5 ($200)

@aimeleondore

All hype aside, the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 990v2 and the 990v5 (two separate silhouettes) is by far one the hardest sneakers to release in 2019.

With ALD priding itself in its casual yet sophisticated sense of sartorialism and New Balance being a heritage American brand, this collab was a match made in streetwear heaven.

While we can get into the design details of the sneaker, we at Kulture Hub want to take the time out to both praise and appreciate Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance on one of the best ad campaigns ever done for a sneaker.

One word to describe this collab — “timeless.”


Suicoke  x ALD Hobbs Boots ($230)

Japanese label Suicoke teamed up with none other than Aimé Leon Dore on the Suicoke x ALD Hobbs Boot. Designed to brace harsh winter weather in style, the Hobbs Boot comes in three colorways: black; yellow and grey with blue accents; and blue and green with yellow accents.

The boot boasts features like Cordura nylon upper, a sleek suede toe cap, a dense and ergonomic E.V.A footbed, and outsole, Sherpa inner lining, and handcrafted labels from both brands tastefully sewn onto the lower region of the boot’s upper.

If you’re looking for a fun, unconventional, and comfortable winter boot then the Suicoke x Aimé Leon Dore Hobbs Boot is a must.


Nike x Olivia Kim Collection ($120 – $190)

You know something creative and dope is destined to happen when Nordstrom’s VP of Creative Projects Olivia Kim gets her hands on five of her favorite Nike silhouettes: Air Jordan 4 Retro; Nike Air Footscape; the Air Max 9; the Air Force 1 Low; the Air Mowabb.

The collection, rightfully named “No Cover,” draws on Kim’s creative prowess and is an homage to “clubs that unpretentiously charged no admission fee while also ensuring that her designs are meant for all.”

Each sneaker is designed in its own quirky and unabashed way that is sure to draw attention no matter where you go.


Asics x Kiko Kostandinov Gel-Korika ($225)

ASICS X KIKO KOSTADINOV GEL KORIKA MID

London-based Bulgarian designer continues to make waves with the Asics x Kiko Kostandinov Gel-Korika. With the creative license to put his own take on one of the best running shoes, Kostandinov crafted a new silhouette that blends Asics’ FLYTEFOAM™ technology, GEL-NIMBUS 21™ technology, and GELBURST™ technology.

Released in two men’s colorways: tonal black and tonal silver; and two women’s colorways designed by Laura and Deanna Fanning: a vibrant blend of red, pink, purple and a vibrant blend of blue, green and red accents.

The Asics x Kiko Kostandinov Gel-Korika is our staff pick of a sporty and comfortable cop for the new year.


Converse x GOLF le FLEUR* Gianno ($130)

Tyler the Creator and Converse are back at it again; this time with the Converse x Golf le Fleur Gianno.

This chunky sneaker, bearing semblance to OG skate shoes (think Etnies, eS, or DC Shoes) and hiking boots, is the perfect seasonal sneaker to rock with a pair of sweats, cargo pants, or cropped ankle pants.

In terms of design details, the Gianno’s boast some of the following features: “high traction rubber outsole; EVA midsole for comfy cushioning; reflective details on the front and back; wider fit for comfort.”


Noah Solovair 3 Eye Gibson Shoe ($200)

When it comes to crafting garments and shoes of superior quality, local NYC brand Noah is a top contender.

This time around, Noah has collaborated with legendary English shoemaking company Solovair to present the Noah x Solovair 3 Eye Gibson Shoe.

The Noah x Solovair 3 Eye Gibson Shoe is made in England with a 100% leather upper, along with Goodyear welt that incorporates the famed and patented Solovair sole technology that was frequently outfitted for the British Army and became synonymous with “counterculture England through the 1990s.”

The shoe comes three colorways: green hi-shine; black; dark plume hi-shine.


Honorable Mentions

Converse x JW Anderson Run Star Hike  ($120)

Fini Shoes Panda Hi-Top ($149)

Converse x GOLF le FLEUR* Chenille Chuck 70 ($110)

Adidas x Yeezy 380 “Alien” ($230)

Adidas x Yeezy 700 v3 “Azael” ($200)

Fear of God ESSENTIALS x Converse Chuck 70 ($110)

Reebok x Pyer Moss Trail Fury Experiment 4 ($250)

Wallabee Boot ( $150)

Asics x Awake NY GEL-Kayano 5 360 ($180)

For Philly Artist Justin Richburg, This is Just the Start of His Creative Journey

“This stuff is like the Wild Wild West. I can give advice but it’s really not going to help. The only advice is making sure your business is in order. Ain’t nobody gonna have their stuff in order when they’re first starting out. So just start!”

Seasoned yet humble. Lowkey, yet eccentric. Winning yet forever hungry. These are the many traits of Justin Richburg, the ever-so controversial and distinguishably artistic illustrator hailing from “Norf Philly.”

 

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A post shared by Justin (@justin_richburg) on Jun 28, 2018 at 5:24pm PDT

Despite Richburg not being a household name in the art world (yet), his catalog is gradually becoming as expansive and decorated Jay-Z’s 21 album discography.

With works varying from his witty and effectual dice-game featuring the likes of the Obamas, Charlamagne Tha God, Black Panther, Will Smith and more, to illustrating Trey Song’s “Pantydropper” video, to partnering with Donald Glover to provide the illustrations for his “Feels Like Summer” music video, Richburg is no stranger to creating art that’s to be seen by the masses.

Most recently, Richburg partnered with creative goods company Elite Genre to launch a six-piece art and clothing collection celebrating both Jay-Z’s accomplishments and 50th birthday.

Yet to the world, who is Justin Richburg? With Richburg and his most recent homage to Jay-Z appearing in this year’s Miami Art Basel, it’s only fair to learn more about the artist.

@justin_richburg

Luckily for us at Kulture Hub, we had the chance to sit down, talk with Justin Richburg, and learn more about why and how he committed himself to his artistry.

“We only got one life. I don’t want to be one of those older people who are full of regrets. I was working in a nursing home for a little bit and I started befriending a lot of people, listening to them talk; a lot of them regret a lot of things. It encouraged me to go on the artist path.”

Having experienced what a life full of regret can look like for some, Richburg opted to express himself vicariously through his art.

It could be his love for basketball, his sometimes controversial yet visceral analysis of domesticity in the modern Black household, or reflecting on the things and people that influence his work.

@justin_richburg

No matter what, Richburg knows that one of the keys to his success is being conceptual and making people think critically about (Black) life.

For example, the infamous dice game illustration (his personal favorite) serves as a testament to Richburg’s keen understanding of creating detailed and conceptual work.

As the old German proverb goes “Der liebe Gott steckt im detail.”- “God is in the details.” If you factor out any religious reading of this phrase and apply it to Richburg and his work, his meticulous attention to detail in his work becomes even more apparent.

@justin_richburg

From the Friday DVD cover in the dice game to featuring the Obamas, Malcolm X, MLK, Oprah, and company the attention becomes more noticeable. The arrangements of legendary basketball jerseys are just one example.

How Michael Jordan’s red and black Chicago Bulls’ jersey on the rack overshadows Kobe’s jersey and the Black Mamba’s jersey hangs on to Jordan’s is just a subtle touch of Richburg’s artistic genius.

Not to mention, LeBron’s Cleveland Cavaliers jersey laying on the floor underneath Kobe’s jersey further illustrates the vivid world that exists in Richburg’s head.

For most consumers, art is simply art, but for Richburg, it’s more than that. Art is his own expression of the world he experiences.

 

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A post shared by Justin (@justin_richburg) on Oct 4, 2019 at 3:56pm PDT

Understanding the artist/patron dynamic is nothing new to Richburg. Despite Richburg fully committing to his artistic prowess, monetizing his passion and talents hasn’t been the easiest for him.

Is he a starving artist? Some might say. Far from it but Richburg knows the (at times) brutal nature of the art world. Even with having done work for Donald Glover, the Sacramento Kings, and Google to name a few, Richburg feels like he’s only just begun his journey and remains transparent about life as a commission-based artist.

“A lot of people don’t understand… I’ve worked with a lot of people and people assume that I’m really rich and things like that. It’s the opposite. It’s not like that at all. Doing stuff like I do is like working at a temp job.”

@justin_richburg

For so many this would have been an immediate and unbearable challenge but the hunger and determination that are indicative of North Philadelphia flow through Richburg and his work.

With the release of his most recent collaborative project Elite Genre, Richburg offers insight into his ideation process and why he’s able to make a name for himself in the art industry.

“I’m very straightforward. All the information must be given to me so I can know exactly what I’m doing. The more information that I know the quicker I can get stuff done for people. I’m very detailed oriented.”

There’s a reason why Richburg’s work pops up in places like the “Teddy Perkins” episode of Atlanta, season two. As an artist, Richburg’s main goal is to challenge himself to be fearless.

He sees no challenge too trivial or too impossible. This explains 25 percent of the reason why Richburg’s work can be seen on the Sacramento Kings’ Twitter (easily the team with the best social media in the NBA).

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1077610006118248449?s=20

Richburg knows that his own artistic ability is not the challenge he needs to approach fearlessly but rather overcoming the other 75 percent that makes up for his biggest challenge(s) as an artist. Putting himself out there for the world to see.

The most important part is the networking. Networking is way more important than your art, to be honest. You can be invited to a whole art show and be treated like shit because people just don’t know.

“In my opinion, networking is 75 percent and the artwork is 25 percent.”

Even with his work being featured throughout various social media platforms, Richburg knows that networking or better yet the lack-there-of can be an artist’s biggest demise. In an industry as cutthroat as the art industry, it almost makes sense why some artists give people the cold shoulder.

 

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A post shared by Justin (@justin_richburg) on Jun 3, 2019 at 2:27pm PDT

“I can see why a lot of people when they do break through they treat other people like shit because people treated them like shit on their way up. They make it like a rite of passage like everyone has to go through that…”

Richburg continued:

“But no! It doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to treat everybody else like shit just because people treated you like shit.”

Sometimes the truth hurts. We all know that. Still, few of us are willing to openly say why the truth hurts. That’s what makes Justin Richburg and his art even more meaningful and relevant entering 2020.

He and his work bring attention to the conversations that we’re sometimes too afraid to have in person or as a society. Take for instance his illustration of Jay-Z and Colin Kaepernick discussing the importance of being “more than an athlete.

 

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A post shared by Justin (@justin_richburg) on Nov 29, 2019 at 4:28pm PST

For sure a weighted and somewhat controversial conversation for some but a conversation that we need to continue in 2020. This is why North Philadelphia’s Justin Richburg is a name to not only know but support in order to better understand where we’ve come from and where we’re headed as a society.

As the great Jay-Z once said,

“They say a midget standing on the giant’s shoulder can see much. Further than the giant. So I got the WHOLE [rap] world on my shoulder they tryin’ to see further than I am.”

 

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A post shared by Justin (@justin_richburg) on Dec 4, 2019 at 3:02pm PST