Keeping up with my series of rappers on bikes with the best rap duo in history Ghostface Killah and Raekwon The Chef.
Raz Fresco Magneto Was Right…
This is the Cover art I did for Raz Fresco’s “Magneto Was Right Issue#5”. The fifth installment in the “Magneto” series Raz enlisted me to illustrate himself as the X-Men anti- hero Magneto dressed in vintage Polo, a Gucci link chain, and Jordan 1’s to complete the fit. Raz is using his powers to remove a necklace with a Jesus Piece from the neck of his subject in the foreground. An amazing cover to work conceptually and as a fan of Raz Fresco’s music.
Wolverine Illustration
The Wolverine.
Conway The Machine "Calvin" Illustration
Conway dropped rhe Alchemist produced “LULU” and thats all I’vw reall been listening to. So here’s an illustration on La Machina based off the Calvin video.
Roc Marciano's "Marcielago"
Having been a fan of Roc Marciano since the early days of running with Busta Rhymes til present day, it was a honor to get called upon to illustrate the cover of his latest album Marcielago. Roc called and gave me full creative freedom on designing the cover art, and I was obviously thrilled and terrrifed at the same time. I mean this is ROC MARCI! The man that birthed the prominent underground rap you hear today. So I had a huge task at hand. I brainstormed for awhile and thought that Roc would be great with a blaxploitation style cover. I looked at his previous discography and saw it wasn't done before so it was a green light. I made some sketches and sent them to Roc and he loved it. It was a quick turnaround. I was under a deadline and under pressure, but I finished it and Roc and his camp loved the final outcome. Its a great feeling seeing it all over the internet and social media, and getting alot of posotive feedback about the art itself. Nothing compares. Thank you Roc for giving me the opportunity. Hit rocmarci.com to get MARCIELAGO today
Top Shelf Premium's Supply N Demand Holiday Edition
Vintage NY clothing store Top Shelf Premium is having its second Supply N Demand event December 6, 2019 Hosted by Peter Rosenberg and Meyhem Lauren. There will be performfances by Mutant Academy, Al Divino, Ankhlejohn, Rahiem Supreme, Pounds, Manhattan, RLX and more. Tyron (Tea & Converse) will be conducting a live interview with acclaimed producer Sadhgold which I have to see in person. In additon to the stellar lineup of entertainment, there will be artists and vendors set up including myself. I'm excited to set up at this event (Since I missed the last) and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone under one roof and checking out all the vendors. More on this after the 6th! Click here for tickets and more info
“4-5-6”
Digital Illustration done in Procreate in the iPad Pro. Romanticizing the dice game Cee-Lo
Smoke Dza’s “BACONEGGANDTREES” cover art/vinyl release
I had another opportunity to work with Harlem’s Smoke Dza on the cover art for his EP “Bacon Eggs and Trees” The project was released on 4/20/19. The limited edition vinyl was released 8/21/19 through Tuff Kong Records featuring a neon pink vinyl with purple splatter effects.
Everybody’s Favorite Cousin
Cardo or CardoGotWings has released a new 6-song EP under the moniker “Light $kinned Cousin entitled “LSC Everybody’s Favorite Cousin” Cardo commissioned me to do the cover art which is based off a photo of the late Bay Area rapper Mac Dre.
GUNNLIB
Did a Gunnlib (Westside Gunn x Madlib) mock up cover for fun
The Almighty Tour
I had the opportunity to provide artwork for the tour poster and tour merch for “The Almighty Tour” featuring WestsideGunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher. Westside Gunn called me with the idea; the three of them in a red drop top Bentley with Benny “poppin them things off” in the back. I added distinctive details in each person. Most notably each individual’s own line of merch their wearing as well as jewelry. I attended the Washington DC stop and it was nothing less than spectacular. Also seeing fans wearing the Tour merch and other Griselda merch I designed is an awesome feeling.
Rico & Gio
Cover art I did for Cardo ( Grammy award winning producer for Drake’s “God Plan”) and Detroit’s Payroll Giovanni’s 7 track EP “Rico & Gio”. The art itself is relatively older. It was a botched idea for the duo’s “Big Bossin” album that we decided to go another direction with. Either way the artwork still works, and I’m forever grateful. You can check out the project here
Legacy 312 Just Don
I always admired Don C's grind. When I was looking for a subject to break up the monotony of commissioned work, I recalled seeing a post with Don posing in his then soon to be released Jordan Legacy 312 Ghost Green shoes. I flipped the pose and did my best to recreate the the-die in the shirt in addition to capturing Don's likeness and making the overall image fun. Needless to say, Don loved it and blessed me with some kicks. I look forward to working with him in the future. Thanks Don C!
Throw some ice down for the nicest MC
An illustration I made March 9, 2018 in remembrance of Biggie's death.
Interview with DJBOOTH →
Super late, but worth noting that I did a really dope interview with DJBOOTH in their "Covered" Feature. Thanks to Donna- Claire Chesman for reaching out and making it happen. Click the post title to read on.
WESTSIDEDOOM!!!!!
In case you have been living under a rock the past few months, you may not have noticed the rise of Westside Gunn, his brother Conway, Benny, and the beat smith Daringer. All of whom encompass "GXFR" and continually release banger after banger of grimey, street, 90's sounding hardcore rap. I have been fortunate enough to connect with Westside through social media and being a loyal fan. I assume the feeling is mutual. My rendition of WSG and Conway on a bike was used for their first tour poster after signing with Shady Records, and we've shared ideas for future projects since. When West hit me up about a secret project involving everyone's favorite masked emcee DOOM; I was honored, astounded, amazed, speechless, you get the idea already! DOOM is one of my all time favorites and WSG is definitely making it on my list as well. I got the details and illustrated Westside in excitement with the mask on, broken and bloodied within a few hours. Sent it to the Buffalo native and the rest is history. This art I believe is the cover art for the "WESTSIDEDOOM" project. A collaborative album with Daringer and the Alchemist providing the production and DOOM and WSG with the nasty lyrics. I can not wait to hear more!
"Culture"
I do a lot of artwork when I'm not working my 9-5, or just being a family guy. Although I pride myself on being current with hip hop and pop culture, some gems I somehow manage to miss. This was the case with Migos' smash hit "Bad and Boujee" off their new album "Culture" I've seen the memes and giggled to myself. I was aware of the song, but just not heard it yet. That was until Kenny (thaexoticgourmet.com) hit me with the idea via text.
It was simple, illustrate Quavo's "Ratatouille" line, replacing him with the chef from the animated movie. He knew it would be a hit, and I agreed as I listened to Bad & Boujee continuously. I was entranced by baseline, melody, distinctive voices and syrupy vocals. I drew it Immediately, posted it to my instagram account, and watched. It amassed 886 likes to date, but it was when Quavo posted it himself that really set things off.
My phone lit up with @'s and messages. Neither Quavo nor the Migos account gave me or ExoticGourmet credit, and the excitement went just as fast as it came. It was time to move on. Fast forward 2 months later. I'm having a Destiny session on PS4, and my phone goes nuts again. For the same art but different platform. Quavo took the illustration and had an iced out pendant made in its likeness. It was impressive, gaudy, bright, and it had individual chains on! I've never seen anything like it. I probably stared at the post for about 45 minutes before I could do anything else. Everyone I knew was hitting me up about it.
I didn't know he was going to take the design and get it iced out. I was asked to ask for money, ask for credit, ask for more work, and a bunch of things I won't mention. Yes it would have been cool to get some recognition, but it didn't happen. It would have been awesome. A way of saying "Thanks." Am I mad or bitter? Not at all. This guy just immortalized what Kenny and I created. We are forever a part of the Migos saga. We and our boys, fam, followers all know where it came from whether Quavo acknowledges it or not. I love what he's done and glad he did it. The three of us (well four counting the jeweler) are all contributors to this culture.
The illustration.
The "icified" illustration
Ewing Memories
Growing up there was no bigger New York/ Patrick Ewing fanatic that I knew than my man Jerry. So naturally when this model dropped he had to have them. We both got them as a surprise Christmas gift from a close friend of the family, and I believe we were the only two in town with the all blue joints. When the Christmas break was over and it was time to stunt back in school, "Where did you get those?" was a question that got asked 1000x that day and of course I had the mini basketball and chain dangling. Easily one of my favorite shoes ever.
Nike Air Raid Memories
The Nike Air Raid came out when I was in middle school and I remember a lot of kids saying that they were going to get a pair to go back to school. They were hot at the time and it was one of the "must have shoes" to stunt on the first day. My Mom wasn't spending the cash for them on my "under $50" school shoe budget, so she copped me some look alike fake joints from Payless. (XJ900's) Needless to say I got roasted on that first day, and every time I see this shoe this is the embarrassing memory it brings back. Thank you Nike.
Air Raids done in Illustrator and Photoshop
1st Post!
Wasn't sure what do here and i was a little intimidated by the option to blog altogether, but here I am blogging away! I'll just post updates here on what I'm working on and see where it goes. If you're reading this, thanks!