In My Shoes ft. Lo Miller
Inspirational Explorer | Founder of Can't Stay Put
I was in the middle of the infamous "quater-life" crisis us millennials suffer through. I was unsatisfied with my life and was yearning for purpose. I wanted to share with the world something that was specific to me. After months of praying, I finally decided to put in my notice at work and as a gift to myself I traveled to Maui shortly afterwards. Using the experience as my version of Eat, Pray, Love. I had my A-ha moment while walking through the bamboo forest. Cliche, I know! But I realized my purpose was to do exactly what I was doing. Inspire others through my experiences around the world. And then I thought about my life. It wasn't a coincidence I started flying by myself at 5, or had traveled to multiply countries throughout my life, or that I was always the designated trip planner, or that I was always taking advantage of opportunities that required me to travel, or that I bought a ticket with sky miles only at 13. That was it! Travel was specific to me and out of that self-discovery CAN'T STAY PUT was born. CAN'T STAY PUT is about not being complacent, not sitting still, not letting life hold you back. With a primary focus on young creative millennials, it's about learning, following your dreams, seeking out new experiences, growing, evolving—essentially not staying put!
I traveled to Nicaragua in 2010 on a Business Mission Trip with the Wake Forest University Business School. One of our assignments was to meet and consult with local business owners. We visited a shoe-maker who supplied the boots for the Nicaraguan Army. His shop didn't have the latest technology but it was authentically his with the smell of fresh leather in every corner. In one room shoes were lined up by sizes. The latest batch. I asked how much? 7 American dollars. No brainer. I got them.
Fast Forward 2 years or so... 2013, when I quit my job to start Can't Stay Put, I started to wear sort of a uniform that always included my boots. I had a real rugged, tomboyish, "I'm going to work" look. After all, I was starting to build a business and brand. My daily fit was the least of my worries. I was tomboy chic. Next thing I knew they became my travel shoes.
My Can't Stay Put shirt, leggins, and my boots. I wore them everywhere. They were indeed my signature, so much so that they're part of the 1st CSP logo. It was only right.
California Fire Escape
Soaking up the view on the fire escape of my apartment. I would soon later break my lease in an effort to build Can't Stay Put vowing not to sign another lease until I was getting paid to do what I wanted to do. 
The day I received my first financial contribution for the 1st official Can't Stay Put trip after many failed attempts. My luck soon got better.
The day I departed for Hong Kong. The 1st destination on the 1st official Can't Stay Put trip.
Thailand Tuk Tuk- The primary mode of transportation in Thailand
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Happy Hour with Akintola Hanif of HYCIDE magazine
[one_half]OVERVIEW
Our Happy Hour series took a back seat to our other monthly segments or did it really? Maybe we were busy shadowing a very special creative… Maybe we had to attend all of his events in the past year… Maybe we had to kick it with him in his studio… Maybe we roamed the streets of Newark in search of his subjects… Maybe for an entire year we gathered a ton of footage of Akintola Hanif and learned what it takes to create a subculture and art journal called HYCIDE magazine… Maybe we had to do all of this just to piece together a two minute story about a photojournalist and filmmaker that goes against the grain to tell stories of the feared, neglected and misunderstood. Maybe we should change the title from “Happy Hour with Akintola Hanif of HYCIDE” to “HYCIDE Year with Akintola Hanif”. In this two minute journey, Akintola takes us with him and allows us to really get to know not only what he does but why he does it. Enjoy!
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Outside of Street Photography… What other styles of photography do you enjoy?
Sometimes, when it’s not work and I have creative freedom I enjoy studio photography, I also enjoy paid event photography when it’s a interesting event.
What other photographers inspire you?
You know there are many that come to mind, some of whose names I don’t even know, but the main ones that've directly inspired me are Gordon Parks, Jamel Shabazz, Zun Lee and NemaEtebar.
If you could do an issue on another US city outside of Newark and Brooklyn which would it be?
Most likely It would be the inner cities of California and I’d focus heavily on the gangs and homeless there.
Please share with us how you get your mind right when selecting and editing your images?
Usually I just sit alone and listen to music, preferably atmospheric. Music with no words allows me to zone out and focus better; but then sometimes I listen to hard (rap) shit too.
If you had the opportunity to shoot ANYONE who would it be?
Maybe the vitiligo model Winnie Harlow or this one really interesting dressing Muslim pimp around here that runs a crack hotel.
Name one thing Akintola love outside of ART and PHOTOGRAPHY... something silly.
I can’t really think of anything that I love that’s silly, I take love very seriously and am not easily influenced. Outside of art and photography (before art and photography) my greatest love is for my son.
Why are you passionate about subculture?
I’m really passionate about subculture because I have an extreme interest in telling stories untold and understanding things and people that are often misunderstood. I also tend to really identify with people who have made choices that society deems unacceptable, because I too have made similar choices (at different times in my life) and exist to the left of the status quo.
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Why should others know more about subculture?
I just personally feel that’s it's always good to understand the world around you and all of its nuances. All inclusive understanding can also dismantle fear, create empathy, and inspire love, which is my mission as man and artist.
How do you feel photography shifts the world?
I’m not sure photography shifts the world, however I do know that images shifts people's perception and often times photography is used to project negative images and assumptions about who people are. Photography can also be used to cover up the intentions and true identity of the conniving and untruthful, like politicians etc...When we don’t know people first hand the images we see develop our perceptions of them. This can be a good and/or bad thing.
If a corporate brand wanted to sponsor and 100% back you and Hycide, which company would be the best to do so?
I can't really think of any corporate brands, but maybe Puma or Red Bull (if those are even considered corporate brands) just because I see them doing things with the arts community. However, I think HYCIDE sponsorship would have to come from private donors or a major arts organization like the Andy Warhol or Dodge foundation.
Lastly, in getting to know Akintola…How long should this video really be?
To really get to know me, you’d have to follow me throughout the years and experiences that have made me who I am, and that would take a lifetime or at least a couple hours of edited footage.
What advice can you give an up and coming street photographer?
I would encourage them to develop relationships with people as opposed to just going out on the streets randomly, but there has to be a mixture of both. Acting on impulse and patience are equally important in street photography, you have to approach people without fear and with genuine intentions for them to really open up to you. It's also really good to revisit the same places and people so that you can really catch the intimate moments (after forming bonds) that take place in the street and in their lives.
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Written / Edited - Iquan Worthington & Akintola Hanif
Video - Directed, Shot & Edited - Iquan Worthington
Video Music: Da P dabeatX - DopeDopeDope
HYCIDE magazine: Hycide
In My Shoes ft. Jamiyl Peters
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[one_half_last]These are my second pair of Magnani dress shoes. MAGNANNI is a third generation family-owned company that has been producing fine Men’s shoes for more nearly 60 years. This specific pair is called “Montego Cognac”. I bought them a year and a half ago at Nordstrom’s in Pentagon City Mall in Arlington, VA. I absolutely love the contour, feel and class of this shoe. It makes every time I put them on special. I was definitely excited when I purchased them because they made me feel like a new man with great purpose.
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They look great with almost anything a gentleman chooses to lace himself in. This specific pair I have, have traveled all over the United States with me: Austin, TX, New York City, Newark, New Jersey, Portsmouth, ME, Washington, D.C. and New Haven, CT.
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[one_third]In our nation’s capitol of Washington, D.C. they stood out. Most men on Capitol Hill choose comfort over distinctive and exquisite precision when it comes to shoes. The halls of Congress are sturdy, battle tested and unforgiving on even the most veteran of political legs, but my MAGNANIS have yet to fail me.
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[one_half_last]Checking the time before my next meeting and making sure the gear is right. It’s always an honor to know that you represent your hometown and district well: with knowledge, class, patience and an open-mind. There are few who choose to up the ante. Most men stick to the classic and current Cole Hahn (with the Nike Air Sole) with the wing-tipped front. At every point a man should dare to step outside of the lines and choose to be different, seeing the world from their own view and more over their own shoes.
In the tail end of 2012, I decided to create my own fashion blog via Tumblr titled PremiumP. It's pretty much a personal diary of the fashionable things, people and places that I like. Whenever you create anything you should have a purpose, so I asked myself what's my purpose for this blog? My answer... I'm aspiring to inspire.
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Big events call for effort and class and I try to play with the best of them on days like this and still try not to out do the Groom. Lol!
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I believe that life should be approached the same way: with a careful eye for detail and approached with a slight tilt on the vision and direction that we are all to march. Dare to give each day a little something different.
Following the DJ: Madlib & Freddie Gibbs
THE RESEARCH
[one_third]There’s a great story told by the legendary Nile Rodgers, American musician & producer, known for producing hits for artists like Duran Duran, Diana Ross, David Bowie and Madonna, as well as being a founding member of disco/funk band Chic - where he talks about handing a copy of Chic’s very first single to a DJ who was spinning at Studio 54 in NYC. The DJ liked it so much after one listen that he immediately played it for the people on the dance floor and that’s essentially how Chic started their success. Watch
PHOTO PROPS: WHO SHOT YA?
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[one_third]This post is dedicated to the DJ, the music curator to the masses, the original source. Back in the day, if you wanted your song to get heard, you had to give a copy to your local DJ and hope they’d play it, or you could pay a lot of money to the radio station and guarantee rotation (this still goes on today.) When looking for new music I tend to stick to record labels, online blogs and other trusted sources that I like. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s album, Piñata, I found through LA-based record label Stones Throw and online news blog Rappcats.com, a website dedicated to promoting three of my favorite artists: J Dilla, Madlib and MF Doom.
PHOTO PROPS: RAPPCATS.COM[/one_third]
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Madlib has described himself as a DJ first, producer second and MC last. If you’re wondering how this record relates to following a DJ, Madlib is the DJ and he is the reason why I got hip to this music in the first place. Read more about Madlib here
PHOTO PROPS: ELECTRONIC BEATS MAG
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THE DISCOVERY
The Freddie Gibbs and Madlib collab started in late 2011 with the release of their debut EP Thuggin’. Rappcats.com along with Madlib’s own record label, Madlib Invazion via Stones Throw, teamed up for the release of all three EP’s as well as the group’s full-length LP, Piñata, which was released earlier this year - an artist release schedule spanning the course of three years.
As a record collector, following a record release like this is one of the most rewarding experiences for a music fan. Back in 2011 when I first purchased the Thuggin’ EP, I knew it was going to be an immediate classic in the eyes of music aficionados and hip-hop heads.
I kept my eyes and ears open for more info and news about what would come next from the group. As each year passed and a new EP was released, clocking in at just over 15 minutes front to back, I experienced a sense of anticipation and appreciation for the music.
November 18, 2011 – Los Angeles based DJ & producer, Madlib, along with Gary, Indiana based rapper, Freddie Gibbs, announce their first collaborative EP entitled Thuggin’, live at the Madlib Medicine Show in San Francisco. All five hundred vinyl copies of the EP were sold out that evening.
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November 21, 2011 – Thuggin’
This album sparked a sense of awe and appreciation from the hip-hop community. There is something really profound about Freddie Gibbs’s dark delivery over Madlib’s excellent use of soul sampling and worldly genres. Like a lot of Madlib’s music from recent years, the choice of drums and percussion used to create back beat is something cinematic and crate digger worthy. The content presented here is reminiscent of early west coast gangster rap.
September 24, 2013 – Deeper
Deeper was the last of the EP’s and would eventually become the lead single for the group’s full-length album. Lyrically there had not been a song reflecting the realities of incarceration and outside drama since Nas’s 1994 release, “One Love.”
PHOTO PROPS: PETER BESTE
PHOTO PROPS: WHO SHOT YA?
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June 26, 2012 – Shame
Seven months after the release of Thuggin’ came the Shame EP. This only proved the duo’s chemistry to be stronger and left myself and critics wanting more. Jon Hadusek of Consequence of Sound graded the EP with a “C-“ stating: "To call Shame an EP is misleading, it's only two tracks – 'Shame' and 'Terrorist' – with instrumental and acapella versions, as well as some tacked on 'bonus beats.’ These songs are strong, however, and make the prospect of a proper debut album from Gibbs that much more exciting. If he wants a legacy, he needs to release a full-length."
March 18, 2014 – Piñata LP
(originally titled Cocaine Piñata)
The long awaited debut full-length album, Piñata, that music fans and hip-hop heads had been eagerly anticipating for over three years was finally released. All the hype and expectation had been full-filled. After immediate release, large music blogs like Pitchfork and Spin were already nominating it to be Rap Album of the Year. I had already made my prediction back in December of 2013 when I tweeted this and got a response from Now Again Records founder and former Stones Throw label manager, Eothen “Egon” Alapatt. Check it!
May 28, 2014 – Piñata Beats
(Freddie Gibbs Instrumentals)
The latest release, Piñata Beats, is the full-length instrumental version of the album. Essential to most DJ’s is the instrumental version of the song. This version is crucial to your mix. Whether you’re a DJ making live remixes or a radio disc jockey playing an instrumental version of a hit song in the background, the instrumentals are key elements to any serious DJ’s style.
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CONCLUSION
PHOTO PROPS: NOISEY
Together the duo’s chemistry is undeniable. Lyrically Freddie Gibbs could be compared to greats like Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. based on their ability to tell stories from an array of perspectives. From cutting up dope, hustling, and expressing the realities of street life to expressing pain, heartbreak and close friend fall-outs, the stories embedded in each track and how well they flow with the beats makes Piñata an instant classic. This album shone a light on what is missing in hip-hop music today.
Urban Exploring: Jake x GoPro in NYC
I was a little pissed that I had to give up an entire day just to take my son Jacob to the dentist all the ways in midtown NYC. See my wife and I go there and absolutely love our dentist, he offered to take a look at Jacob's problem even though he doesn't work with kids. Anyway living in Hillside, New Jersey means that we would have had leave New Jersey at 10:30a in order to make it there by 12p. Again, I wasn't happy with the thought of messing damn near an entire day of work just for an hour dentist appointment. But just like everything else in my life, I find a way to turn the bad into good and I did exactly that by turning Jacob's visit to an NYC dentist into an Urban Exploring Journey.
We parked the car in Newark and as we walked to Penn Station I saw the perfect photo opportunity and that's how the story started. During the train ride, Jacob asked... "Why are we riding the NJ TRANSIT train instead of the PATH train" I then explained... Because we're headed to midtown and NJ TRANSIT is faster than the PATH when heading to midtown. Then, following question was..."Dad, when I'm 33 years how old will you and mom be?" I answered... Mom and I are twenty five years older than you and in school you're currently learning how to add nickels, dimes and quarters. So... Add two dimes and a nickel to 33 and that's how you'll forever get your answer. He goes... "Ahhh 33 plus a dime equals 43, add another dime to get 53 and then a nickel to get 58. Y'all will be 58 when I'm 33." We played that game for a few more minutes. I thought that was fun and made the train ride easier.
Now that we're here in the big city, we got the perfect opportunity to grab another awesome picture. The Empire State Building is behind us and the essence of Madison Square Garden is to the side.
Unfortunately the dentist office was too dull and too serious for a photo op, but fire me for not taking a pic anyway.
Because I'm the dad there was absolutely no way I could handle the project alone of bringing the kid to NYC yet alone the dentist without any supervision. So super mom came to the rescue, well actually she only works a few blocks away so she came just to check on her boys... Isn't she a beauty?
But just like in our bedroom, she couldn't stay long, so Jake and I were once again on our own, I decided to feed my kid by taking him somewhere unique and fun.
Check out where we ended up, Shake Shake! Heard of it? Nah? Well, here's a new discovery for you! Word on the street is that this place has some of the best burgers around and Jake and I was determined to test them out even if we had to wait in this long line.
Finally, after waiting for a half hour, we got our food. But that didn't mean we were in the clear, we still had to find a seat. When super mom isn't around super dad steps up to the plate, and with that being said I got us a seat by utilizing my pretty smile while hugging my beautiful son and damn right someone offered HIM a seat.
Time to eat, I got the burger and he got a hot dog. We shared fries while slurping down vanilla and strawberry milkshakes. And if that's not fat enough, we got a COKE just to ensure that all the goodness is flushed all the way down. Yum!
Do we look full enough?
So we chewed up an entire hour at Shake Shack, which was perfect because we had to be at mom's office by 2, we had about 45 more minutes to burn. We started on 44th and 8th and had to troop to 41st and Broadway. Now to you New Yorkers you might say "that ain't far" but try walking with a lazy seven year old, however I had a plan! I knew he never been to Times Square, which was in the near area and with that came more photo opportunities...
My super dad powers also reminded me of the dressed up characters that pose up out here looking for tips, so I decided to take a walk in the opposite direction, felt it would be worth it...
What do you think?
Fun is over, let's get mom...
We made it, however she's busy so we'll wait...
Finally, we recused super mom, thank god for summer Fridays she got off at two and now we head back to Jersey. Jake is tired, but he's with his favorite super hero's so he can rest his head easy.
Moral of the story... Sometimes we can't control everything, so instead of soaking in disappointment or frowning down on change you should always try to make the best out of the situation. Today my kid is happy and got to explore parts of New York that he never got to see. And if that's not enough, none of my clients called, emailed or checked for me today, so you can say that it was a much need QT dad and son day planned by the universe. It was a WIN WIN WIN! I got quality time with my kid, he enjoyed a day off from school and The Artoholiks got another story out of me. Hope you enjoyed!
Following The DJ - Tuamie "The Gift Vol. 4"
THE RESEARCH
[one_third]Discovering new music in today’s world is practically effortless. Depending on your preference, there are multiple music outlets online, allowing you to listen to and purchase music digitally via iTunes, Pandora, Amazon or Spotify. If you haven’t already familiarized yourself with these companies, then you probably still listen to music in a traditional format like radio, TV, or maybe you are overwhelmed with the amount of options to choose from and gave up.[/one_third]
[one_third]If you’re a hip-hop fan like me, you can easily discover new music by turning on the radio and tuning in to one of the first clear signals that comes through. Hot 97 in NY, Power 99 in Philly, Power 106 in LA, Hot 107.9 in Atlanta; most major cities have a primary radio station dedicated to hip-hop.[/one_third]
[one_third_last]You can also hop online and visit music blogs like EgoTripLand, Pitchfork, MassAppeal, Consequence Of Sound, SampleFace, or PotholesInMyBlog to get your daily dose of what’s fresh. The ease of finding music to listen to has become greater now that most people in the world own smartphones and these big companies like iTunes have an app to preview and download music straight to your device. In today’s world, this is considered the norm. I tend to follow these blogs myself for what’s new, but earlier this year I focused on a different source; The DJ"[/one_third_last]
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American Hip-Hop Producer and DJ, Michael “House Shoes” Buchanan, has been an essential person in the continually rising growth of the Motown scene in Detroit and has been given the title by peers: “Hip-Hop’s Ambassador to the World”. Four-time winner of “Best Hip-Hop DJ” and a long time resident at hip-hop staple, St. Andrews Hall, from 1994-2004, House Shoes has also been credited as one of the first people to shop some of J Dilla’s early beats when he went under the “Jay Dee” moniker back in 1994. He continues to carry the Dilla torch today.
Like many J Dilla fans, I started researching more and more about his music and wanted to find other producers and DJ’s affiliated with him. If you watch any of the documentaries or read anything that has surfaced since Dilla’s passing, you’ll quickly start to see the name “House Shoes” circulating. There is an entire series of videos online produced by another Detroit native, Jeedo and his “Bling47” label, that interview some of Dilla’s peers and dissects some of his most famous work.[/one_half]
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There are about six videos from House Shoes where he talks about how and why Dilla sampled the records he did and you can listen to first-hand accounts of stories he shares and can start to understand the relationship they had. From here I started following House Shoes and his music. I quickly got hip to more amazing music from underground artists as well as more unheard Dilla material.
Over a year ago back in March of 2013, House Shoes started an inaugural free download release via his SoundCloud account of compilation “beat tapes” from young, undiscovered artists he felt deserved more recognition from the masses. House Shoes states: “…a series where I will be spotlighting producers and artists you may not be aware of. Each volume will be curated from prior bandcamp/soundcloud releases as an introduction to cats who have released prior material that I feel hasn’t reached its potential audience like it should.”
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THE DISCOVERY
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[one_half_last]Fast forward later that year to November, The Gift Vol. 4 featured Atlanta beat maker and mystery man, Tuamie. Just as House Shoes quoted in the release in regards to the music, “I was floored” – I too share the same enthusiasm.
Tuamie’s beats are reminiscent of J Dilla and Madlib. The sounds are very chill, intriguing and raw. Laced with hard-hitting drums with a lot of attack, obscure samples, hints of jazz and old-school R&B grooves they have a unique quality that holds its own.
The Gift Vol. 4 is a mix of different beats pulled from different self-releases on Tuamie’s Bandcamp page as well as some highlights from his debut release on GrandGarden Records, “Masta Killa”. The compilation is sprinkled with musical treats for any hip-hop lover.
Catchy vocal samples on tracks like “Reoccurring Feeling of Loneliness” & “The More Weed Smoke I Puff” will have you humming along to each note. The jazzy hooks on “No Limitations”, “Plant”, and “High Eyes” will keep your melodic taste buds satisfied while sample heads and hip-hop aficionados can find joy in recognizing flips on tracks like “Feed Em Gunpowder” and “Eva-re-moanin”. All in all, this album stays true to hip-hop form and it is noted, stating that all beats were made using only records and an MPC.
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"The Gift Vol. 4" is now available on limited edition vinyl. Buy your copy from FatBeats.com
WORDS by LAYTONIC // CREATIVE by IQUAN
In My Shoes ft. Torae
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[one_half_last]Growing up in Brooklyn in the 80's was the coolest. Hip Hop was bursting on to the scene, the fashion was crazy & Michael Jordan was on his was to becoming a basketball God. Not only was I viewing his super human feats on the court, I was watching his feet on the court, and in February of 1988 Nike released what is in my opinion the greatest Air Jordan sneaker ever. It was the 3rd sneaker released between the two parties & it was a doozy! Now being a March baby I really wanted these sneakers bad for my birthday but kids my age were getting robbed left & right for their kicks back then. It was a long shot but I asked......and got rejected, we really didn't have money like that back then anyway but moms just hit me with the it's too dangerous excuse & shattered my hopes & dreams.
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It would be a number of years before I had another shot at obtaining these beauties. Without dragging you through my various failed attempts at getting the 3's I'll just fast forward to 2010 when I FINALLY got my first pair of retro Jordan 3's (black cement color way to be specific).
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[one_third]As an artist in the public eye it's important for me to always show up fresh from head to feet & the Jordan 3 never let's me down no matter what the outfit. I've walked the red carpet, hosted events, performed all over the world & have interviewed your favorite artists wearing this sneaker.
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[one_half_last] I can recall landing in about a foot of snow in Germany back in 2012 and all I had to rock was my trusty 3's.
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They're fashionable, comfortable & durable. My oldest pair I've had about 2 years but they've been through it all with me. Anytime they retro I try to get a couple pair at least at retail price, but my latest pair I paid a pretty penny for (Thanks to Flight Club). My closet holds over 100 pair of sneakers, but none compare to my beloved Jordan 3's.
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ARTOTV: Come Get It Bae (Put On Your Robe)
[one_fourth]What happens when you mix six silly Pharrell fans, two of them being Artoholiks with cameras, three beautiful girls and a make up artist all in one room? Well after a few hours you'll get a video that covers a track off of Pharrell's GIRL album titled "Come Get It Bae" that highlights the make-up skills from local make-up artist Charlene Lee by documenting her process then having her models pose in silly faces while dancing to the selected track.
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The idea was sparked a few weeks ago after Iquan and Guru both listened to and loved the entire GIRL album. The two discussed and decided that they would do something based off the album to showcase their growth in video production while creating yet another fun story for Artoholiks.com. Sticking to the script of highlighting creatives, Iquan decided to hit up an old friend of his, Charlene Lee, with the idea of her gathering a few young ladies while he and Guru document the entire process.
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[one_fourth]Why make silly faces? We wanted to do something different, majority of the time models are serious and sexy. We figured, since the song is fun and since we're doing this out of fun, why not make it fun and silly. To see more photos click here!
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Produced, Directed & Edited: Iquan Worthington
Shot by: Guru N & Iquan Worthington
Make-Up: Charlene Lee
Models: Melanie Cohen, Yessenia Ventura and Dayos
Happy Hour with Kiakoma Olski Roberts
[one_half]OVERVIEW
In our third installment of the Happy Hour series, The Artoholiks Public Works crew followed Kiakoma Olski Roberts from Yetu Urithi for a few days to see what its like to transform from an educator to a fashion designer to just a normal creative that enjoys what the world has to offer. From fashion to supporting his peers, Mr. Roberts shows us how all of the above works hand in hand towards his legacy through his brand. Unlike our previous Happy Hour sessions, Kiakoma treated our crew like family by inviting us into his home while we captured intimate sessions with his close friends and even allowed us to film him eat and shop with the goal of seeing his creative lifestyle.
In this two minute journey, Kiakoma shares his secret to how he makes his life dynamic, with his belief in the world being too big to just be one thing. Now enjoy Kiakoma Olski's Happy Hour with The Artoholiks!
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QUESTIONS FROM THE CREW
Why did you get into the accessory business?
I've always liked backpacks and accessories. I think accessories breathe life into an outfit, they really complete your look. With that being said, I wanted to make accessories that were high quality & luxurious, but still consisted of an edgy street vibe.
What brands inspire you outside of LV & Gucci?
Just to name a few… Hermes, Goyard, Brunello Cucinelli, BAPE, Billionaire Boys Club, ICECREAM, Stussy, Supreme, American Classic Ralph Lauren Rugby and Brooklyn Circus. I love the dynamic of mixing high end with premium.
What music are you currently listening to?
(Punk rock) Falloutboy, (Futuristic Funk) Francis and the Lights, (90's Hardcore Hip-Hop) Outkast, Jay-z. M.O.P, Mobb Deep, Nas, UGK, and Snoop & Dre. The only new Hip-Hop artists I listen to are from the G.O.O.D Music Camp and MGK.
You mentioned that you love to travel, what's your favorite US City and why?
Las Vegas! It's such a beautiful city during the day and night and there is always something to do. I would even go as far as saying its a better New York minus the fashion scene.
What did the acronym in Wierdoz O.W.N.L.I stand for?
Our World Never Loses Intensity.
Why did the Autobiography of Malcolm X changed your life?
I related to it because it showed the evolution of a man from a criminal to self educated pillar of a community. While growing up, family members would express their low expectations of me because I was always in trouble and most of my cousins were locked up. In their minds, I would be next and Malcolm inspired me to prove them wrong.
Lastly, how was it to work with The Artoholiks?
What would you tell people about your experience? It was a great experience, I thoroughly enjoyed expressing what my personal and professional brand has to offer. Being able to collaborate and share my testimony to inspire others to create and reach for higher levels was priceless.
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[two_third_last]KOR PHOTOBOOTH
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Written / Edited - Iquan Worthington, Kiakoma Olski Roberts & MrsAleeshaW
Video - Directed Shot & Edited - Iquan Worthington & The Artoholiks Public Works
Video Music: Dela - The Robert The Robert Glasper Beat Tape - Dizzy
Photography: Iquan Worthington & The Artoholiks Public Works
Shop: Yetu Urithi
In My Shoes ft. Andres Jimenez
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[one_half_last]Back in 2010 NIKE made a huge push on all of their vintage products and I felt the need to have a pair. I loved the silhouette, the fit, how light they were in my hands. The soles were so narrow yet they still gave me support. They also had a nice vintage patina on them, which made them look even better.
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[one_third]From a very young age, clothes and sneakers have been important to me. What I choose to wear on any given day will always let you know how I feel. The price tags never really mattered to me, it was more so about quality, construction and what the colors or brand represented. In regards to my closet, I always refer back to “Classics” or “Basics” when building my wardrobe.
In the same year I purchased these kicks, we (Tritonic – A Creative Agency) won another ADCNJ Award and I participated in a fashion blog called Hello Mr. Daily specifically as Mr. Friday.
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[one_half_last]Later in 2010 I did some traveling and my first escape was to Montreal. A mini get-away with a few of my Hello Mr. Daily friends, this trip was strictly to party and explore. The following month I went to Chicago for my creative agency Tritonic. At this time I was the creative director and principal of the agency, we were helping our client The James Hotel in Chicago and NYC. In November I flew down to Mexico to participate in my sister’s wedding, it was such a beautiful experience to be down there with friends and family. And finally my last stop was home, Colombia to be exact, visiting my family after working hard all year. It was truly relaxing to be back in the motherland with no worries at all.
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At this point in my career, it was important for me to remain excited and fulfilled in everything I did. So I matched my hard work with hard play, by exploring the world, because I’m aware that staying fresh on what’s new is important to staying creative. I also felt the need to try working on something new, something to balance myself. Having Tritonic was fun and surrounded me with people I enjoyed. But I needed another outlet, and I found that in digging and spinning music. Throughout it all, I kept traveling to places like Boston, Montreal and even London.
[one_half]DJing and Records went from a hobby to a passion, which developed into a Vinyl Culture Collective called Open Crates. We’re now approaching our second vinyl release with Pat Van Dyke being our first and DJ Center coming out in April of this year.
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Since I’ve had these sneakers, I’ve closed up one creative agency, joined another agency as a joint venture, left and started one all over again. In 4 years, I’ve put thousands of miles on these sneakers. I’ve been blessed to have traveled all over North America, South America, the Caribbean, even hit the UK with them. They’ve been with me during hard times but also at my feet for moments I’ll cherish the rest of my life.
