What’s up Y’all? We back like we left something. This is #GearToTheStreet parte tres, and I’m taking the opportunity to feature some of my fellow Latinos in the game. Both these folks are establishing their imprints in the streetwear scene and have their own cult-like followings. And wouldn’t you know it, both currently reside in the Hudson County shadows.

We are probably going to get a slight bit controversial with this one, so get your mean mug on & head nod ready. First up, we catch up with founders of Dead Since, Alaska, and ANRK to talk about their latest drop, the ‘Stoop Kids’ tee.

 

PV: What’s good Alaska, how you been? I see you’ve been keeping busy.

ALASKA: Gus! What’s good bro?! Man, it’s been a very busy and awesome year for us. Creating. Putting out some cool stuff. Dead Since is currently in 7 stores on the East Coast, and we got a few announcements to make soon on a few stores on West Coast who will carry us as well. Currently working on our 5th Chapter “Dead In PVRVDI$E”. Very proud of the accomplishments we’ve made so far and extremely grateful for the team we’ve built. I see you doing your thing as well man. Congrats on everything!

PV: Thanks, man, I appreciate you. So, tell me about this ‘Stoop Kids’ tee. The illustration is pretty clean and timeless. It gives me a 1950’s feel. How’d the graphic come about?

ALASKA: Our teammate Anrk came up with the illustration as we were working on Chapter 4. It had a very nostalgic feel to it. Altered it a million times but we finally agreed on the final piece that you see now.

ANRK: From the moment Dead Since surfaced we ran with the idea that Jersey City is where we are from, and that’s what we will represent. The graphic came about one day when I happened to decide to go out for a walk on the first nice day out in a hot minute. I saw nothing but people chilling outside.. whether they had a stoop or not, they sat outside soaking up the rays and it spoke to me. This is the definition of the first day of spring in Jersey City or any urban community for that matter. After that, I just went with it, and the outcome is what you see.

PV: It’s always nice when you can have a reliable in-house graphic designer or illustrator who can hear your vision and carry it out for you. My next question is almost a rhetorical one, but are there any hidden meanings in this graphic?

ANRK: Not at all, at least I never intend it to. I mean as an artist who’s primary goal is not to be cliche I try real hard not to DaVinci code anything. All my art is left up to interpretation. For me, what I paint is my funny language, if I had to translate it, it’s a girl chilling outside her house who is unaware that death is patiently lurking. I have a Fascination with life and death which is why I feel I mesh so well with DeadSince. We are all marked for death, but it’s up to us how we go out in the grand scheme.

ALASKA: We did the shoot in the building I grew up in. A lot of wild things used to go down in those side alleyways man. I use to pick up used needles and use them as water guns. There were always fights down there, people smoking, and selling drugs. Forget what year it was, but a body was found down there once. We weren’t allowed to go down there after that. Still have family living in that building till this day. Always good to go back and see where you came from.

PV: That’s when you take your personal life, express it and put a price on it. Let me ask, would it say it hard to let these ideas or designs go? Like for me, sometimes the shit is so golden that I don’t even want to sell it. Do you ever have that problem?

ANRK: Well yes and no. If I have a really good idea for a piece its like I lived the life of that piece while I was painting it. I laugh, I cry, I step back to witness its development and ultimately finish it.The painting is ‘dead’ by the time I sign it. I have favorites, but in the grand scheme of it all, I know I haven’t reached my best work yet, and that’s what keeps me from missing any of them. My paintings are like dreams I forgot.

ALASKA: There’s no greater feeling to design/create something and put it out into the world and see how people interpret it. For me at least. That to me is so dope. Even more so when people embrace a particular design to a point where they almost make it their own. We saw that a lot with our “Sorry In Advance” Capsule. People felt that. And most recently with our “Unlovable” Capsule as well. Everything is personal. Everything has a story behind it.

PV: So where could one find this piece?

Alaska: We will be releasing our Chapter 4 ‘Delivery 2’ exclusively at Sneaker Room. Located at 410 Central Avenue – Jersey City, NJ

PV: Great shit Fellas. Keep up the good work!

Photographer: Derrell Patterson
Model: Loan Wolf

@deadsince
@djalaska
@_anrk
@thetapersclub
@benihazel

—

Up next, we sat down with Tommy from streetwear label Madlimited for some Café sin Leche. We got up for an exclusive preview teaser look into his Summer collection and more specifically, a brand new statement piece titled “No Life.”

PV: What up T?!! How you? Talk to me. You’ve been quiet for a sec. I appreciate you letting me get first dibs on what’s new with Mad Limited. This blatant design is something I had to feature you for. What is “No Life”?

T: I’ve been good G. Can’t complain. Just working hard. No frontin’ and stunin’! Just getting stuff in order with my family, my print shop, The Studio Branding at CMG Studios & my brand Madlimited. Appreciate you reaching out for this feature. No Life is a flip logo I did after a company my mother gave 20 years of her life to, then got laid off. (Met Life) I had to deface that logo. There’s no loyalty out here.

PV: Wow. I didn’t know it was that deep. How did the side graphic come about? The hanging dead Snoopy..was it hand drawn?

T: The graphic came about because people are always on their phone in this day and age. There are more emojis than actual talking in person. It’s a little sickening. People rather talk in a text, and there’s no emotion being shown in person. People will only talk in emojis one day. (Laughs Really Loud.) Get outta here with that. My homey Gio finessed this graphic. Definitely hand drawn, G.

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://youtu.be/09mCEqfaoQQ”]

PV: I saw the video for “No Life.” It’s very eerie, sort of chilling. You touch on people being almost chained to their phones and because of that, they have no lives. So what’s the compromise? How do you think can we balance technology and our everyday lifestyles? Or balance existing online & offline? How do we do this, in your opinion?

T: These phone are like a drug to these people. They do it to feed their ego. I feel they’re living lives for other people. They’re only putting out ‘the good’ on there. They don’t post themselves struggling. Shit is all fake as hell and I can see right through it. Stuggling is actually what made me who I am. People need to actually just live their own lives, with no validation. Always try to out do yourself, live for your self and your family. That’s all you need.

PV: Immediately the two words give a clear impression, but then you got Snoopy hanging, but he’s still charging. Haha. I thought this was crazy. It’s almost like one of those ballsy graphics & phrases that people would never do. Either because they’re scared of saying it or offending people. We live in a time where everything is very offensive. Where do you think Mad Limited fits in present day streetwear?

T: I call that, death by phone. Killing yourself little by little. One post at a time. Man, streetwear is real sad out here these days. Madlimited ain’t trying to follow no trends. We’re just creating product that can live on forever. We want to leave an imprint in your life and make you think a little, you know?

PV: Haha. With that said, I see you have a great deal of support on the low. I specifically mean 90’s Hip Hop Junkie, CMG Studios & videographer/Rap artist J.Littles. This is a good opportunity for me to plug him because didn’t he just put out a banger video with Bodega Bamz & Thirstin’ Howl III?

T: Yeah, this is the most support I’ve had in a long time. I’ve always tried to start a team but it never worked out..but let’s get to all my team players. Shouts to Jordan from 90’s Hip Hop Junkie for helping out with all he can. Shout out my Grub Brothers. Wap for pressuring me to keep going and helping me make power moves, it’s all working itself out. Jonboii for helping push the brand. Also look look out for new music from him. Ryan from VLM Films for helping to get some of these visuals in order for the team. My right hand man Jay Littles for really putting in that work, making everthing flourish and really believing in the vision. If it wasn’t for him, these brands, as a whole, would not run.

Jay Littles just dropped a Summer anthem ‘Tres Leches’ featuring Thirstin Howl III & Bodega Bamz. That song right there is turning these Latino/Spanish communities crazy right now! (Definitely check it out.) Last but not least, JQ from Just Prynt for connecting the dots and putting everything in line to run flawless. We are all part of @cmgstudios Come check us in Union city if you need anything, from videos, photos, recording studio, tees printed, embroidery, banners, business cards, or whatever you can think of. We are your one stop shop for creatives.

PV: Other than this design, and campaign, what’s next for Mad Limited? What will the people be able to get from you guys?

T: We are releasing a full Summer collection and re-releasing some of our classic pieces, as well. We have a collaboration with the legendary Sue Works. Also, on July 21st we’re hosting the ‘Get Madlitt Pop Shop’ event at the famous Max Fish NYC. I would say, don’t miss that!

PV: Lastly, where will this and your other new releases be available for purchase?

T: This piece and many more will all be available for purchase on www.Madlimited.us & select retailers.

PV: Awesome Bro, thank you.

@madlimited
@mostoffical
@Cmgstudios
@grubbrotherinc
@justprynt
@vlmfilms
@sueworks
@90shiphopjunkie