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FD Rules The World With FDfromthefuture
108 Plays1 month ago
This week we are joined by FD From The Future, we talk about his outlook on community. His relationship with kicks, who his mentor's are and the first clip that made him viral. Where he gets the confidence to be himself at all times. His brief time being a rapper and where it lead him. How he went from being outside to being on your SNKRs app. Plus much much more!
Where to find FD:
Socials:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/fdfromthefuture/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fDfromthefuture
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fdfromthefuture
Youtube @fDFromTheFuture
Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks
Intro Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/
Outro Music by Gordon Bombay: https://thegordonbombay.bandcamp.com/
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Transcript
Introduction to FD
00:00:15
Speaker
Hey, FD. Welcome to the podcast. Yo, yo, yo. What's happening, man? What's happening? Yo, man. Yo, it was a huge honor having you on, bro. I mean, I seen you all over my social medias, and you're just killing it, man. That's the plan, man. That's the plan. You want to stay in the future, voice of the streets. Yeah, man. You know, we're here, man. We're just enjoying it. We're enjoying the game right now.
00:00:37
Speaker
Anything like sneaker based, I always try to do because that's kind of how I came into the game. You know, that's my first love. So I go to show love, man. I appreciate what you're doing in it. So we're here, man. Nah, man,
Passion for Sneakers and Street Style
00:00:51
Speaker
that's crazy. because like You know what's real funny? Because like i I said social media, but my first time seeing you was on LinkedIn.
00:01:01
Speaker
And you see me, I'm about my business. You are, yo. I remember because like when and during the pandemic, I really started to like look who's working within sneakers. you know And my first spot, i took I decided to take the unconventional route. right I was like, let me talk to people who actually are like in this stuff and like posting about it on LinkedIn because I felt like It's just a different lane. Everybody's always being like, oh, I'm going to make content. I'm going to make content. But then what about the people that be on LinkedIn posting about sneakers? So when I stumbled across your page, I was like, oh, you were like, you're posting like, I think you'd be like, less work. I'll be doing this or something like that. You do like a recap.
Early Career Challenges and YouTube Beginnings
00:01:44
Speaker
When was that? That was like a couple of years ago, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So that was time ago. So I was actually unemployed, I think.
00:01:52
Speaker
I was just doing YouTube videos and that. But yeah, man, I guess I will see my life a bit different now. ever I'm happy that you said that. That's a rare FD. yeah go so really um If you have me on LinkedIn, you know how active I am on there.
00:02:14
Speaker
um less about shoes I think now but I was happy on my YouTube then so it makes a lot of sense but you know we got this just a few of them that you can see here well I'll do this I mean, yeah, I love it, bro. ah But for people who aren't familiar with you, how about you introduce yourself?
Cultural Documentation and Influence
00:02:33
Speaker
Yeah, man. So my name is FD, FD from the future, also known as FD from the UNO, also known as Voice of the Streets, flyest boy in the game. I talk, you I live it. I smell good. Won't happen my rap.
00:02:55
Speaker
um You know, the list goes on. The list goes crazy. The AKA's is a mile long. I really just like to say I document culture. um Documented over 80 cultural moments last year. Some of the biggest moments we've seen.
00:03:11
Speaker
um I'm also known for the League of the Cortes Supreme, the Boba Advert, Sloane's Cafe in London, you know, all the streetwear pop-ups, things like so many. Go look at my catalog, you know, the works, the proofs in the pudding. But, you know, I love the game. I love community. I love building community. And um yeah, man, you know, we're just enjoying the, enjoying the route right now.
00:03:37
Speaker
So no yeah, I mean, recent video, of which I found mad funny is when she made them dudes run. Oh, yeah. Yeah. J.D. Sports, man. They looked after me for that one. But, you know, I can't say I'm I'm I can't say I'm the voice without being out there with the people. So, you know, I'm always outside. So, yeah, man, I'm curious, like,
00:04:03
Speaker
you being outside so much, like, is it now to the point where people are just stopping you and being like, listen, man, I see you online. Listen, God bless. Thank you, God for the position I'm in. But you know, I i do get stopped. But I'm not I want people to know I'm not one of those guys that Oh, yeah, whatever. did that Me, anybody wants to take a photo, always take a photo. I'm down to have conversation with anyone, especially about shoes. Anyone. I'm a very open person. I reply to majority of my DMs. You know, I'm just I appreciate people and I appreciate community because without those people, I'm no one. Right. You know, i owe to the people. So
00:04:49
Speaker
Yeah, man, it happens, but I'm very grateful. And I love meeting new people because you never know who you're going to meet. Right. They might be a fan of my work and in a year's time, I'm a fan of their work. So, you know, it's a cool cycle in it, but I i just appreciate the game and, you know, the vibes.
00:05:08
Speaker
No, yeah, for sure. I mean, that is super dope. I think that, you know, community building is definitely hard right now, right? Or it has been hard for a little bit, especially because of COVID. But now, you know, I feel like we've gotten more events coming. I think this year has been the most stacked in terms of just like people outside doing events, you know, having these conversations in person, you know, that And it's and is's great to see it on your page because you know i'm not I don't live in the UK. I'm in New York. But we're also in these like these high traffic areas that are you're able to do these these things. Because some people live in the middle of nowhere, not able to do any of that. Yeah, I mean, bro, I grew up outside of London. So I actually grew up outside of the city. So now I live in the city. I want to be able to help the city and like put on for it.
00:06:01
Speaker
So yeah, no, I feel it, but I mean, I don't think it's, I don't think it's, I mean, I think it's obvious that I've adopted the New York energy, you
Connection to New York City
00:06:11
Speaker
know what I'm saying? I feel it. You're wearing the right hat, is all I'm saying. You're wearing the right hat right now. I'm gonna keep your back on or not, and I've got so many hats, bro. Like, yeah, if you look up there, I've got three of them. Like, and those are all filled up. I can tell you, bro. Listen, all I know is I feel like I was born in Harlem in my past life.
00:06:30
Speaker
I don't know, where are you from in New York? Queens, that's why I'm saying you're wearing the right hat. I mean, I'm wearing the Mets hat too. Shout out to the Mets. The Mets. The Mets, I remember seeing one side talk where they're like, fuck Trey Young. That's the Knicks. Yeah, you're like, fuck Trey Young, fuck Trey Young. I mean, that's like,
00:06:53
Speaker
But that's that's every every a sport team or every football team in the UK. It's like, that's the energy for everybody. Yeah, I feel like in America, the women were allowed here. They were just and yeah more violent. You get the Stone Island bloody, you know? want of vib
00:07:17
Speaker
ah But you're here to answer the question that I ask everybody each week. And that question is, what's your first kiss with that first person that you absolutely needed to have? So, you know, I've said, a i've I've said the main one in all the other ones before, but I'm going to go, I'm going to go with a different one, you know, and, uh, this one here is, it holds a big place in my heart, man. And this is the Mx1 anniversary.
00:07:45
Speaker
Let me get this out, because it has to be a certain colorway. And that is the Obsidian. Yes, sir. yeah I mean, this is the best Mx1, in my opinion. Okay. The best Mx1. Super crazy, super fire. You're not a fan of the OG colorway?
00:08:05
Speaker
The red. Yeah, the red and white. I got a sign, yeah, that's gonna blow your socks off. When is this coming out? It's coming out this Friday. so The same way I'm putting this out Friday. The fourth. The fourth. Perfect. I'm about to show you, Sian. Okay. was um One second. Where did I put it? Right. No one has this shoe. Okay. You would have only seen it.
00:08:34
Speaker
or one person. Oh, yes. You would have only seen a one person. Okay.
00:08:47
Speaker
okay I want, I want these bad. So he's talking about the original way. Yeah. Yeah. Max wants one low poly.
00:09:00
Speaker
I did a shoot with my kids coming out on Friday, fourth so I shouldn't get in trouble for that. even I've done what I've done. I'm an obsidian. I remember I bought them when I was younger. They were cheap. And I just beat them to the ground, bro. I lost my virginity. The night I lost my virginity was in those shoes. like You never took them off?
00:09:27
Speaker
No, no, I definitely took them away. You know, that's just a sentimental shoe for me, man. so ah Yeah, you can't, you have to have that in your collection. You might have to be, you might have to go down in the ground in those. Well, I used on the eBay, all from Kisti Guaranteed, by the way, um brand group, like a couple of months ago. So, as they get them back in the collection, it was definitely like an emotional one for me. I was like, yeah, you know what? Like, this is good, man.
00:09:56
Speaker
This the this is the you gotta to have it next to the bed for like a week. I can't. It's is it's like ands it's in plain sight like right in my beds here that I can see it. I can make it and then I got my flu games next to it and I mean if you ever watched any of my sneaker stuff you'll know that the flu games hold a massive place in my heart. Mm hmm.
00:10:15
Speaker
Yo, look, that's a great shoe. And I think that shoe I probably should have pulled up a little bit of an excerpt here. Let me pull up. What's so i bad to the listeners?
00:10:29
Speaker
Air Max. One. And this is Nike, I'm not editing this out. You're gonna get me looking this up. All right, here we go. Nike came out with a series of colorways to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Air Max 1. The Air Max 1 OG Obsidian features a white nylon upper with neutral gray and obsidian suede overlays and on the mudguard side panels and swoosh on the sidewall. The sneaker also boasts the padded collar and university red accents on the heel branding, toe cap and top eyelet.
00:11:03
Speaker
as well as a particularly encapsulated Air Max unit for cushioning. So you got that grip when you was when you lost your virginity.
00:11:16
Speaker
yes but yeah It's just a good shoe. And I can't lie, Emma is one super comfortable. Yeah, for sure. I remember when I got my first pair, which were the They're like the Giants colorway. I mean, the New York Giants, it's like a it was like a it had it was all suede, right? And then it was like a royal blue. And then the the the front mudguard around the toe box was gray, right? And my boy hooked me up because he worked that at um Nike Town. And I remember being so hyped to get him because
00:11:51
Speaker
I've never had at that point, I never had any Air Max ones. And I was always wanted it because I've always seen people in them. And I was this is this is me coming out of I used to collect SBs first. Right. So I was heavy the SBs and it was SBs or nothing like I was wearing only SBs every day, SBs, SBs. Right. And then I finally got a pair of Jordans and then it broke me out. Like I was just like, I I'm, I'm buying everything now. And then those are my first air maxes. I was like, damn, this is comfortable as hell. So yeah, I had to continue. I bought a couple after that. Yeah, I think I have a few, but a lot of the ones I have are just GR's. They're just so like, they look so good. I have a few like dead stock GR pairs in there that are just like brown and white and just like perfect colorway. But yeah, so comfortable.
00:12:46
Speaker
Looks good with anything short, tracksuit, jeans, cargoes, whatever, man. It's just a good shoe, man. I know that Air Max 1s and trainers or runners are the big thing in the UK. So like, yeah've growing up, yeah, like what was it was the shoe? Growing up, obviously, my parents are like, I'm an immigrant, right? So my parents are immigrants. They came to the country with nothing. So growing up, I used to wear like a lot of Capa in it.
00:13:14
Speaker
Hey, yeah, man, because we had we had a shot called Sports Direct, which might have been like. a Is that like a sports authority over here or something like that, where it's like they have all the basketball, baseball goods? Yeah, well, I call models. I don't know. Like, ah I don't know. I don't know the equivalent. but It was like cheap. Right. You can get like some cap of Velcro shoes for like 10, 10 pounds. So probably like 10 dollars. Right.
00:13:44
Speaker
But then when I started growing up, I started to like be around a lot of different people, and they used to rock a lot of Air Max 90s, Air Trainer Horachis, or the Air Trainer 3s, you know, with the strap. Yeah.
00:13:59
Speaker
You know, when I start again, growing up, I used to rock a lot of Harachis. Harachis are big. We used to do a lot of like Adidas superstars, K-Swisses, or like the s slidey K-Swiss, shit like that. Shit that was cheap, bro. I'll keep it about.
00:14:15
Speaker
that anything that was cheap we would rock it. So that's what we was on, man. But obviously, when I started getting older, started getting a little bit of money, yeah shit changed. this is it what What was your first taste of sneaker culture? Because, I mean, you know, you growing up as a as an immigrant, you're getting like culture shock because... Well, I don't know how old you how how old were you when you moved.
00:14:36
Speaker
So i was on I was born in South Africa.
Heritage and Upbringing
00:14:40
Speaker
Here I was like two years old. So like i spen I spent my whole life in the UK, but obviously within my household and culture is different. I grew up around all my black guys. They were from you know Africa, the Caribbean. like So I was around different culture. But I think the The thing that started it for me was like Tumblr in it. Mm hmm. Because like that's when I could really be like on the Internet. So this is like 11, 12 years old. But like, you know, this is like ASAP Rocky, like wearing like Jeremy Scott Adidas. And yeah, I now I recently just pick which ones you get like bare clothes to my to my bed so I can just get it.
00:15:31
Speaker
shit like, you know what I'm saying? Oh yeah, the bear joints, yo. And these are DS, like, so, I grew up on this type of shit, you know? I want the, I still want the money wings. I don't want the money wings or the the gold wings. The money wings are quite accessible. Like, the money wings are quite easy for the bones. The bones. waitinging For the bones, like, but that's what I grew up on and It taught me a lot because then this is when I would be seeing like those. Do you remember that? It was like a canvas Supreme Air Force, the camera one canvas Supreme Air Force. It was like that. There was a green one as well as like a canvas material. Yeah, I think so. And um and I was like, bro, this is fucking crazy. And then like, I'll just be like,
00:16:23
Speaker
geeking out of these things, watching videos on like NEGO and like how NEGO had the all these like old loud watch that NEGO documentaries and like it'll be like all this old babes to shit and that I just learned so much then and then I went to Chicago in 2016 and that's the story I always tell about buying the first flu game. I don't know if we really saw the flu game and yeah man so I guess I've always loved sneakers, but I just couldn't afford it. Yeah. the I'm curious because when you move from South Africa, when you told people you're African, how did how do how do people take it? Well, it's funny, yeah because you see in America, like to you, that's what you instantly think. can it yeah
00:17:12
Speaker
oh I'm half Italian, half South African. and So like when people ask, I never be like, I'm one or the other. And I always say I'm both and I look Italian. So it's like, they kind of get it. But the thing is, I don't know if it's a UK thing, but like, I wouldn't be like I'm African. I would say I'm South African. Because I'm a keeper, but as a white South African, there's nothing to be proud of. No, nothing. right so like I don't even lead with that one. or like yeah I'm Italian, South African.
00:17:49
Speaker
oh but But yeah, man, I mean, I'll keep up, but I grew up, her my best friend, he's in Baldwin. South Africa and Zim are like so close. So the culture is identical, basically. right Bro, for half of my life, I was claiming I was in Baldwin, but as I was like, yeah, I'm in Baldwin. But, you know, my coach is my culture, isn't it? so Um, but I appreciate culture, especially American culture, black culture. Um, I grew up on that. I've had the last in my whole life. Um, I've incorporated in everything I've done. So yeah, man, Harlem, Harlem. I know you, I know you briefly talked about, you know, you started rapping. So like, what was that? What was that journey with you jumping into that? And, and um,
00:18:42
Speaker
Like, did you perform? Were you rocking like crazy kicks on on stage during that time? So basically like, i I love music again. So I grew up on Tumblr. I loved fashion, music, all of that. But then You know, same time I'm seeing Rocky, I'm getting inspired musically.
Musical Influences and Style Dedication
00:19:06
Speaker
This is like Kendrick, before Kendrick. This is like when schoolboy Q was bigger than Kendrick. Like, yeah, this is like K-Dot. This is when you K-Dot. This is like Odd Future. This is like Left Brain, Hodger Eats, Old Sweatshirt. Like I'm seeing Supreme, all this shit. Matt Miller made me think, all right, cool, I can rap.
00:19:28
Speaker
you know, Matt was white and I was like, cool, I can I can relate to Mac or whatever. So I was about I used to always rap with my brethrens. And then I was like 16. And then I started like properly rapping, trying to do it. And then I rapped for like four years. I was performing. I was doing performances or whatever. And you know, like my style was like just like changing all the time. But I would always have fly kicks on. Never see me in some bad shoes. Impossible. Impossible. I've been fly. Obviously within my means, you get me. Right. Yeah. Because like.
00:20:07
Speaker
We because I grew up outside of London, so we could only get what we could get. You get me? um Like this is why I wish I grew up in America, because like you look can just walk into like Footlock and get Griffey's, bro. Mm hmm. I have to pay that 400 pound for a pair of Griffey's. Jeez, really? It's a come from America. We don't get it. You don't get Griffey's out there. No, that's crazy. So you you you get my struggle. You get me. So.
00:20:36
Speaker
Um, but yeah, I'm unwrap, you know. will always be a part of me, but I don't love, I don't love any anymore. I can appreciate the scene, but to appreciate I don't need to rap. But every 50K followers, TikTok, Insta, whichever one, I'm going to do a freestyle just to remind people who the fuck I am. Yo, I can't wait for that. um yeah get I'm telling I'm going to do it over some hard. I might even do it over a 50B or something, bro.
00:21:07
Speaker
you got You gotta to break out the shook ones part two. ah Yeah, what's up bro? I gotta let them know bro. oh I mean, cause like, you know, everybody has seen you that has seen your stuff and everybody that's watching this know that you have, you are a big personality. So like, where does that come from? but Does it come from that little four years in rapping or was it like, or like, is that part of your family? I don't really know yet. Cause my,
00:21:37
Speaker
Obviously I'm Italian, you get me? So Italians are naturally loud, right? and Lots of hand gestures. Yeah, I'm amazing. So that's always been me, but I think, I think, ye I always wanted to like fit in growing up and I was always like the class clown or whatever. of And I could be around like trap brothers, like street guys, but like still be myself. I know I'm really like,
00:22:07
Speaker
You know what I mean? It wasn't like I had to do too much. I just was naturally funny, energetic. But I just think as I got older, I just kind of adopted the energy more and just really fell into who I am as a person. um So I don't really know where I came from. I just think I've naturally always been like this. But When I was younger, like teenager up until about 20, I think because I modeled for four years. Same time I wrapped. I think the modeling kind of gave me confidence. Like, because you get thrown in the deep end with a whole lot like, bro, I've had to, I've had to change butt naked in front of like the women, bro. ah like there That's character building, bro.
00:22:51
Speaker
Yo, that's wild. How'd you get into modeling? You just can't just be like, yo, I just, oh, I did a little bit of modeling here, you know? And the listen people actually modeled, like, I have magazines, me and it, you get me? Like, I'm not an Instagram model. That man really did cut or come invoke multiple times, you feel me? So I got scouted.
00:23:14
Speaker
um just from a guy that went to my college. And, you know, at first I was like, nah, fuck this. I was on some like street boy shit, nah, fuck that. But then I started doing it, started making some money. And then I was like, yeah, fuck that, I'm not working a job. And then, yeah. Money had to be mad good, too. Money, it was mad good, but like, for that age, I was like, do you get it? Because like,
00:23:44
Speaker
I've made what? Actually, let me not talk to you, Craig. Yes, yeah, man. It was good money for the age I was at. Way better than I could have been doing. Because I dropped out of college. I didn't do well in school. Modeling saved my life. I'll keep it up. So, yeah, man. You're about to change your name to FD Stacks over here. Hey.
00:24:05
Speaker
Well, baby. F.D. F.D. Stacks from the past. I ain't got no money, man. Oh, I mean, you know, I mean, first of all, we know we know we recently seen you in the Supreme ah Lookbook for the Jordan. We are.
00:24:28
Speaker
Like. Supreme, bro, if you're listening, please, bro. he got my They got my lookalike in there, man. I posted that shit the other day. By the way, I'm buying that tomorrow morning. I posted that shit the other day and they were like, yo, is that you? I'm getting tagged in the comments. I'm like, I wish.
00:24:54
Speaker
It's a good collection though. No, yeah. It's funny because I think I actually work next to the offices. And so I'll be seeing the dudes in the lookbook like in the neighborhood walk. And I'm like, yo, I've definitely seen this dude. ah The only person I don't see is a navy blue sage, but a side out sage. But that is like, it's crazy because like I'll be like i outside. I'm like, they're wearing stuff that's not even out yet. And I'm like, that's crazy.
00:25:23
Speaker
yeah that's fine um i up to you play you can kind of be around all that shit the and we will know No, yeah. it's Being in New York, yeah have you you you came out here recently for a quick spell. what yeah well What were you out here to do, and what were you like why was it only so short? And when are you going to come out here for a minute? You can kind of see it there, but I shot a campaign for were like a small campaign for the Jordan
00:25:54
Speaker
And it was like, I started in New York and I i had to deliver shoes to Paris. That was, it made no sense really. but No, that made sense. What are you talking about? Why the fuck am I in New York though? Cause that's, that's where new york New York is where basketball started or where basketball is played. It's the heart, it's the Mecca as a basketball. It's the Mecca part, bro.
00:26:17
Speaker
But is it you bringing the joystick to the Olympics? Sorry, like that. It was cool, though. It was fine. It's just a lot. Like, I lived in New York on a Monday at 1am, went to bed, woke up 8am, shot all day, went to bed, kept caught a flight at 5pm the day after, straight to Paris, slept for three hours.
00:26:42
Speaker
woke up, got out about 12 p.m., shot until 9 p.m., woke up day after, went back to London. That's crazy. I don't even, I wouldn't even, my eyes, to be on, on T.
00:26:58
Speaker
and It keeps the, it keeps the eyes open. I was like, yo, I'm going to sleep on every flight. I was like, yeah, I'm going to make this shit work. And it's crazy when I landed, when I go back to London, ate bare food, went to bed, woke up short clocks video.
00:27:19
Speaker
but So how did you how did you get to the point where now this is your life? like What is where was the start? What what made you wanna and what do you think that like, oh what what do you think is able to make you push to keep going to do more? All right, so I'll answer the first one.
From Content Creation to Brand Collaborations
00:27:37
Speaker
So obviously I stopped rapping and I started making s sneaker content. That's the stuff you would have seen on LinkedIn, all the reviews, something.
00:27:48
Speaker
And then I left. And then, sorry. And then I got a job as a sneaker, a fence caterer. I'm not going to say the platform because fuck every single person that works that platform, bro. And I hope they see this because you lot can suck my dick.
00:28:03
Speaker
which
00:28:06
Speaker
So I'll make a clip. I'll make a clip just for you. You can put this out. hey All right. Listen, so I was working there. I got a job in London. Because of that, the reviews got the job as an authentic care from their reviews. Moota London. Moota London, I put my bow there for like a year and a half. I work with eBay, which was one of their competitors doing personality work. A personality work came because start of 2022, I did a random personality gig because they liked my reviews on street stuff and it went viral.
00:28:44
Speaker
Then, carried on doing it over that year, very slowly. Still doing my sneaker reviews, although. Then, end of the year, I worked with eBay. Boom, got a slap on the wrist. I said, cool, say no more.
00:28:57
Speaker
year later, 2023, Cortez obviously starts the Nike club. So I started covering that naturally. They're my peoples. I said, let me try this. That starts going viral. Then I work with eBay again on a bigger scale. Boom. Got fired. Got fired in April last year.
00:29:19
Speaker
May last year, end of April, I did a Nines interview, the rapper Nines. Nines were randomly on the street. because my guy shout Morgan Keys, big bro. He he knows my mind. Quick intro, boom. That went viral. The week later, Central Seed drops his first um drop for Cineworld, the brand. Up, up. I do it. He shares it. Million views straight away. Bare followers, boom.
00:29:50
Speaker
Then a week after that, Sloane shouts me to do the Bobo advert for his cafe in London. That's the idea. We shoot the visual, viral. Africa audience comes to me, boom. And then from there, it was just booking after booking after booking after booking. So that was May, all the way up until December. December comes and I remember saying to my girl, listen, I've had a great year.
00:30:16
Speaker
I've made more money in that six month period than I did in my job. I'm like, OK, I'm feeling good. I could probably do this for a little bit longer. But it's getting a bit slow. what What can I do? Two days later, God strike me down if I'm lying, I'm dying. Two days later, I go to do an Adidas job.
00:30:37
Speaker
I pull up to a different area of London I'm never in. Stood right in front of me. Supreme rules the world. And I'm like, what the fuck is this? So I post a little story. Yeah. The screen shot. It's getting repost. I'm like, fuck. One of the guys from his team is like, yo, if you're going to be the one to do it, do it right. So I said, say no more. So that's the clip you see of me shouting in front of the thing. Yeah. And bro.
00:31:07
Speaker
Nothing was the same from there. That video, that video went viral everywhere. Vogue, GQ, every single platform you could expect. I was getting tagged left hand centre. My phone did not stop for like a month on my life. That's crazy. ahla That brought me in thousands of followers. My engagement was like through the roof. that that And you you can, like, I mean,
00:31:37
Speaker
Is that like, would you say that's more luck or was that just, you know? You know, people used to call me lucky in like May last year, but like if I had it was like, you can't be lucky three times. Yeah. And then everything else I did that year was just pure hard work and dedication. I mean, you see my Insta every Monday. Every Monday, yeah. host But that that process, I've done that since I got fired.
00:32:04
Speaker
I spent more than a year, nearly two years I've done that. So yeah, I'm hungry in it. So the Corte Supreme thing, yes, it was luck, but I think it was God showing that if it's not you, who else would it have been? Because I didn't see not one other video from, and that poster was there for at least two weeks. and really I didn't see no other video.
00:32:31
Speaker
That's crazy. The day I did the video is when it went up. But what I mean is like after that, I didn't see any other content. So. Right. Yeah. Had to be me in it. And I generally I'm not saying that in a cocky way. No. I believe that. Yeah. um And again, and it just hasn't stopped since then. I'm just trying to scale it now. Why?
00:32:57
Speaker
Because there's more to life than making videos. True. Yeah. um It's interesting because like you know I think that everybody's always looking for that viral moment, especially now. I think that like everybody who gets into podcasting, social media, or like they're always looking for that. that they're like there I got that one video that went crazy, and now I'm good. like you know um but but I think it's I think it only comes when you're not looking for it. And I think when you look for it, that is like you're just going to keep turning out content that's going to go nowhere. You know, with me, I care about moments in it. I generally I couldn't give a fuck about followers, views, any of that shit, bro. I got a lot of followers and I'm 100 percent so grateful for it, but I'm trying to the actual community.
00:33:51
Speaker
You know, people who care, people I can change their life, they can change mine, they can change each other's lives. You know, that's what I'm trying to build. The Cortez thing. That changed my life and it it was just.
00:34:04
Speaker
um utilizing a moment. You know, every time I do a hero video, which if you go on my TikTok, there's a playlist called um main events. That's what I call the cultural moments. yeah oh now You will always have a moment in all of those videos. No one's videos look that man. People have tried to implement it. You're all my sons that, you know,
00:34:28
Speaker
All of these things, they have moments. I tried to give moments. And whether that's something the individual or just the visual alone, like like for instance, Sloane's exhibition, you live in America. You couldn't experience that. But you can go to my video and experience every single angle from that day.
00:34:50
Speaker
And I think that's, I'm happy to be the vessel for that. um But the scaling part is just like, I want to be able to build a com community and do more cool shit.
00:35:03
Speaker
than just visual. It was never part of my plan, you get me? So yeah as we'll keep trying new shit. For sure. That's the only way you grow is you keep trying new shit. So like do you think that's that comes from? Because that whole era that you we spoke about, you know ASAP, Mob, All Future, you got pro era. Currently, now we have the streamer version of it. You got RDC World. and you know ah AMP ap like that whole collaborating within your like network like it started I feel like that's like the biggest example was our future where it's like I want to do that like do you think that that is something that inspired you to want to build something like that because you know Yemen I think from naturally like
00:35:58
Speaker
i I saw people like that online, but I was surrounded by people who weren't like that. So I always wanted more, you get me? And now I'm in a position where I can create that. Why will i do why would I abuse my power and you know not do something like that? All I needed was a platform.
00:36:18
Speaker
I feel like when they say when you make more money, you youve a ton and you really see who you are in it. You're turning to a prick or you turn into a nicer person. And I feel like I'm just being become a better person. I have a bigger platform. I have more opportunity. I can now like share that with others.
00:36:37
Speaker
And because of that, I'll be able to then do product. I'll be able to create enterprise, you know, all these things in it. And all of that just came from me being consistent and being passionate about certain things in it.
Authenticity in Community Building
00:36:52
Speaker
But you're also genuine. That's the thing. I think that's like the thing that.
00:36:57
Speaker
When I was rapping, yeah, I was genuine. But the thing is, I used to do a lot of negative things to impact me positively. I was really saying like I was the best in the south of England. And like I was really willing to like, you know, like, if you said no, I was willing to, you know what I mean? Really? Yeah. I was worried. You about that? Not even like that.
00:37:25
Speaker
To me, I'm not that person anymore. like right ah go on I go on things and I'm like, yeah, I cried. like I cried yesterday. Or I put on my story like, yo, is what means of this is how I feel like I'm in love with my girl. or do And everyone's like, wow, this is so inspiring. I'm like, bro, isn't this just what normal humans are meant to be?
00:37:46
Speaker
one so I kind of, I'm aware of my responsibility. And you know, like, if me saying, yo, crying is okay, and it helps somebody else, that's all that matters. Money ain't gonna fucking make that any better. Do you get what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah. If you have a hole inside of you, but if you have a hole inside of you, you're trying to find ways to make the hole disappear. And that can be sneakers, that can be whatever, or that can be scrolling through the internet. But once you find somebody that's also feeling like that, then you won't feel alone. Right.
00:38:32
Speaker
I just want to be the person I needed when I was younger in it. Or even older, because you know like my communities, old, young, whatever. But you know if i I wish I was 13. I wish I was like, who's the one of the young? I wish I was 14. And the person I idolized invited me to dinner.
00:38:54
Speaker
Do you know what I mean? like yeah i wish I wish I had that. So if I can be that for other people and also pause, I know that sounds crazy, but I'm just thinking of one of the youngest community members that has come for one of my days. Yeah, yeah. I'll twist it. Anyway.
00:39:10
Speaker
um But yeah, man, we're grateful to be in a position I'm at. And we just, if i if I get bigger, everybody gonna get bigger. You get me, so. yeah Why do you feel like, cause like, I see, i I'm the same way, right? You know, I don't care. Like, I don't care about the size of my following, right? In terms of just like,
00:39:31
Speaker
i just want my I just want the words that I say to reach people. right you know I want these stories that I'm helping you know put on a platform, like your story, to reach people that actually, like it's making that connection to them. right it's not We're not just making filler content. right you know ah you you You definitely don't make filler content. I try to not make filler content in terms of just like the stuff I put out. All the clips that I have are just like,
00:39:53
Speaker
you know, with intention, and telling a story or, you know, have this idea. But why do you feel like and I also feel like this way, where it's like it's hard to avoid the filler content that actually really touches people?
00:40:08
Speaker
um
00:40:11
Speaker
You know, people like you said earlier, people are either genuine or they're not. And like, You know, there's bare TikTokers in that in the UK who have like been in my DMs asking how I work with brands and that, but they have like hundreds and hundreds of thousands of followers. And I'm like, what you should know, right? You'll miss that. I have some of our followers and you bang on about all the time. I just think you, you are who you are in it.
00:40:40
Speaker
and that you either care or you don't care in it. And it's pretty obvious. And I think that's just it, really. I don't think there's anything too crazy to understand that. I just think you either care about the bigger picture or you don't. And yeah, man.
00:40:57
Speaker
No, yeah. No, yeah. It's, it's just definitely interesting, especially like, now, you know, I've had several people and everybody meets me and they'll be like, they'll be like, Oh, yeah, you've had some great guests and such and stuff, right. But it's ah ah also just like, it's interesting when you like, put on a community thing, right? Because I want people to pull up. And it's when you Like I feel like it's is hard, when you it's easier to go to things. It's easier to to be the person at the thing versus being like putting on the thing. So what what would you do? but what What do you do to bring to get the people out?
00:41:38
Speaker
Well, I just at the minute, I do multiple things. I host community dinners where I bring a few of my community members, people I've never met before. Most of the time, strangers and just let them. We all just conversate, talk about whatever our questions is very insightful.
00:41:59
Speaker
um I also do like challenges, you know, like looking at right now, sometimes I'll give away some kicks or whatever. I'll make people like draw me or sign and that builds community. and um But even just ah being outside in it, like I said, that I'm an accessible person. like I give time to people when they give time to me. so I think, yeah, man, obviously, I'm in it for the long run, isn't it? My name, you know what I'm saying? It's not a lie. um I'm all about longevity and like, I don't care to not have hundreds of thousands of kids running around today.
00:42:39
Speaker
ah can We can do that years later. Right now, I'm trying to build that real relationship and because of what I've done with the dinners and things like that, a lot of people have now created friendships, working relationships and.
00:42:53
Speaker
that just took what, couple hours of my day? that And that's the fulfilling thing. And when a huge invoice hits my bank, yes, it's lit for like 10 minutes. But I'm like, how can I use this? Or how can I scale what we just did with more people and help other people? You get me? So that's where I'm at right now. No, that I mean, look, that's sick because We definitely live in a world where vanity is like the thing. Vanity is like how you look to everybody on the outside. Right. I mean, you know, perception is a hard thing because you never know when I look at my community and be like, you know, he's just doing this for clicks. But if you really look into it, I never monetize of any community I do. Mm hmm.
00:43:44
Speaker
You know, when I make people draw me, I'm giving them something. Right. When I do the dinners, the most you'll get is a story. That's it. I'll make videos on it. And yeah I post three times a day on TikTok. I can really make a video on it if I want to. Mm hmm. Because you either care or you don't. There's no right car. Again, there's a lot of money you're doing, community shit, but everything is filmed from a different angle and did it. it You know what I'm saying?
00:44:13
Speaker
You should. I hate that shit. So yeah. Yeah, man. I mean, you know, I mean, it's dope. I think that that move hi when I turn off my phone, yeah, which is but when I lock my phone.
00:44:30
Speaker
I have to step outside and see people, you get me? So it's like, you can have hundreds of thousands of followers, but if you're walking down the street and like you can't even string a sentence together with people, who really are you? You get me? Like, what are you really doing this for? So.
Mentorship in Fashion Industry
00:44:49
Speaker
I mean, that's, I mean, true, never true words have never been spoken on this podcast. That's what I was just saying. My rap again.
00:44:57
Speaker
i I hear you. um but i'm I'm so like, because like, you know, you talked to talk talk to me about you had, I had your mentor on the podcast. So, you know, and and that's Will, right? yeah Yeah, so I definitely want to hear about a little bit about your relationship and and how he but he became a mentor to you.
00:45:20
Speaker
Yeah, you know, it's crazy. Obviously, I know Will for a couple of years. That's that's my big bro, man. That's my that's my dad. You get me. That's my boss. That man told me everything about business, told me how to, you know, conduct myself in the game. You know, I came into this thing kind of chip on my shoulder. Street boy come to London type shit. But I used to see him on sneakers live in it. And then time with the first one of the first events I went to London, he was there and I pulled up on him and I ah didn't stick on him. But you know, like I just told him my opinion on the game. And I was like, yeah, this shit work. And I was like telling him all this shit. And then we just like kept in contact. And I think he kind of gravitated to me because
00:46:16
Speaker
We come from different lives, but like similar environments. And I think he kind of sees a bit of me in him. well you know He would naturally just teach me a lot about the game without me asking.
00:46:33
Speaker
And you know, we've been around each other a while now. But so yeah, man. So yeah, just Will, that's my pops, man. Talked me everything, man. Nah. I mean, it's dope. His episode was really great. And I think that we had a really good conversation learning about just streetwear, how streetwear from the US made it to the UK. And you know. You know what I mean? You feel me.
00:46:58
Speaker
You know, he owed, he owed his fuck that. I mean, I have to. So, I'll be getting onto him. I'm playing. A couple years older than me, I need to relax. Yeah, man, that's my dog, man. i There's no lawman who will like do that. You get me? Like, just give game on the young Jesus, especially in the UK, everybody on some fucking Diva shit. But he went, man, so. I think everybody's always on some diva shit. It doesn't matter, UK, US, it could be Japan. like It's funny because like i I'm starting to go into a lot of these spaces and get into these these conversations with people that are, I mean, if people think, I think there's a lot of people that look down, think they just because you get a retweet by Nike or something like that, you you'd be like, now you're yeah somewhere else. but
00:47:53
Speaker
the It's always like, ah I don't know what it is about sneaker stuff because I've been thinking about this a lot recently. But when when it comes to sneakers, it's always like somebody needs to feel like they're better than you a little bit or like, you know,
00:48:08
Speaker
It's crazy, man. I think I think that shit is corny in in in anything, bro. Like you see how you said like people look down at you. Yeah, that's how I like I try to teach people not to do that shit because I came into this thing like I don't give a fuck who you are in it. Like, you know how many people didn't fuck with me and now they fuck with me. Right. Yeah. Like, I don't know if you saw my story the other day. I was on a rant said like, you know,
00:48:40
Speaker
It made sense to me, this thing made sense to me, but it didn't make sense to some people. But when I did the cinch interview, the central C interview, it made sense to everyone. But the funny thing is, it made sense from the beginning, you know? yeah So like, if you just go in with the mindset of that, like, oh, this person ain't, this person looking down on me or whatever, bro, I'm telling you, two years time, they're not going to do that.
00:49:04
Speaker
The idea is begging it. Trust me, I can give you a hundred testimonies to get. So yeah, I already know who I am. So yeah. So I just think with with with those spaces, you just have to navigate with knowing who you are and just that. Oh, cool. What do you think you're going to mean? That's fine. When when you're on my payroll that it's going to be a different story.
00:49:33
Speaker
Yeah, I started because like, I definitely I try to play the the modest role with like, oh, yeah, this is, you know, the podcast is cool, blah, blah, blah. And I'll just be like, yeah, you know, I just got this little podcast, blah, blah. And now I'm coming out. Like, I'm starting to be like this past year, maybe be like, nah, yeah, I got one of the best podcasts right now. Yeah. I'm just saying, man, you know what I'm saying? And I gravitated towards it for some reason. So people, people feel that energy, man. You know what I'm saying? No, yeah. I mean, look,
00:50:04
Speaker
We're going towards the end of the podcast. I always ask this last question, deals with a little bit of visualization. You know, I want you to think back to when you were about to, well, right before, you know, right before he was going to smash.
00:50:16
Speaker
they not for like I want you to think about what is what he was about to cop the Obsidian Air Max ones now. Now You're You, which, you know, it doesn't have to be, maybe it's the it's the first first time, not the not the the when you just got it off of eBay, but the first time, right? Now You're You travel back behind your younger self. What would you tell your younger self as they open that box? I think they were used.
00:50:44
Speaker
minutes When I opened them, I just didn't appreciate shoes, like how I appreciate them now. So I think I probably just put them straight on my feet, bro. Knowing me, I would have sprayed them like with deodorant or something, because obviously they were used. Put them straight on my feet and I'm probably just headed out. I probably rode a zoo or like figure out or something. I was young.
00:51:09
Speaker
And then I probably just head out, bro. Right before you about to head out, what would you tell your younger self how he's about the before he he lit up and was about to bounce? I would have been like, yo, I hope I got some chewing gum. I hope I got my charger. And that's probably it. like I was just on some other shit back then. ah probably you can Oh, you I was doing bro. That's probably Lincoln. and man more scientific now I'm talking about you yourself. And now you're about to talk to your younger self. Not the other way around. You're about to. Yeah. So me talking to him. Yeah. Oh, how I just tell him that bro.
00:51:52
Speaker
But I can't, this is the yeah deep. This is deep, but I can't lie. When I was 17, I was suicidal. I was going through a whole load of shit. There was a lot going on around me, my friends, all that shit. I would have just been like, bro, you know don't take everything so serious. you know like Don't just be yourself. Don't try fitting. Don't do too much. Cause I was doing a whole load of.
00:52:23
Speaker
dumb shit. And like, I would have just been like, yo, just be more careful, be a bit more mindful. I did a lot of things I kind of regret, you know, because I wasn't thinking about other people's feelings. And that I would have just been like, bro, just take your time, bro. Like, because I'm like the opposite of who I am now. ah you are And so I'll just be telling him like, yo, everything's gonna work out. It might not feel like it now. But It's going to be good. You know that when you're 17, like the whole world is crumbling down. Oh, yeah. Really? I'm like, no, fuck. Now you got to pay rent. I'm like, Jesus Christ. There's no worries. I had that 17 that deserve you to feel like that.
00:53:07
Speaker
Now I'm like, fucking hell, bro. If I could just go back to my mom's yard, I would. My life.
00:53:14
Speaker
yeah Nah, I mean, look, you live through that to help these kids out in the community. and hundred you and the One thing I do want to say as well.
00:53:26
Speaker
just to everyone listening is you don't know what your truth can do for somebody else in it. So always be honest with your story, your experiences, your opportunities, things like that, because all this gatekeeping shit, even gatekeeping, feelings and emotions is so corny.
00:53:44
Speaker
like if you love somebody tell them you love them man if you don't agree with something tell the person you don't agree with that shit because you know life is way too short to be gatekeeping anything so yeah man yeah perfectly so let everybody know where to find you hey listen you'll find me in the future now fd from the future all social media Um, if you find my LinkedIn, you find it. I'm not going to be saying my governing name to the mad and know these Americans are up to you, man. Also, if I ever come to New York, which I will be seeing
00:54:26
Speaker
Um, make sure I'm good in every hood, man. You know the vibes? I mean, I'll try. its As long as you check in with me, we good. Say no more. Make sure you check in London. Oh, you know. Oh, look, you're going to be one of the first two calls. like got I got to have to call Will first. like I got to get the, I got to get, I got to get him to co-sign me. I came with him. I keep up.
00:54:49
Speaker
You know where to find me. I am who is hostile social media follow the podcast of my first kicks pod Hit me up my first kicks pod at gmo dot.com If you have my first kick story, and if you're just listening to this You're done. You're done fucked up. You got to go back hit up the youtubes hit me with that that like that subscribe and It's my first kicks everywhere. I know what it is. And for everybody out there, you know, what we say each week wear your kicks piece definitely