ComplexCon

So ComplexCon took place this past week in Chicago. Usually, it’s held in Long Beach but for some reason it debut in Chicago this year. What is ComplexCon? I wish I could tell you what it was but I haven’t been in the game long enough to know. This is what their website says:

“ComplexCon is a catalyst for creative collaboration between the most influential people and hottest brands that move our culture forward. The groundbreaking festival and exhibition that brings together pop culture, music, art, food, sports, innovation, activism, and education launches in Chicago this July and Long Beach in November. Shop hundreds of exclusive releases from the most sought-after brands, catch stunning live performances, watch inspiring talks from the most influential minds in our culture, and experience the future through the most immersive and ambitious pop culture experience yet.”

Well, there you have it, it’ll be back in Long Beach in November. You may have seen Complex or even the logo on Youtube, Instagram or Facebook. I’m a huge fan of their original production: “The BluePrint Series.” A documentary-style short film about selected big named contributors to the evolution of what is pop culture today - people from Bobby Hundreds from The Hundreds, Jimmy Iovine (Co-founder of Interscope Records who signed Tupac and started Death Row Records and Beats Headphones), Will Packer (Producer of Stomp the Yard, Straight out of Compton), Kaws and the list goes on. I remember being blown away by the way the content was shot - cinematic, educational and entertaining. It had to do a lot by the host, Noah Callahan-Bever - the Chief Creative Officer. Although I’ve never even heard of NCB before, you can tell that he’s been in the game for quite some time. Shortly after I discovered the BluePrint Series, NCB left Complex to become the Executive Vice President of Brand Strategy for Def Jam. Now I wish I could tell you that I’ve been offered a spot to work with them but I can’t; however, I did cold DM him in hopes that I can assist in future videos IF they were even thinking about continuing the series. I guess we’ll see if it gets answered. So why am I sharing this? I learned quite a bit about the hip hop/street/pop culture in that series and I think it’s important to understand the foundation of the pop/street culture. I’ve become more interested in artists such as Kaws, Daniel Arsham, Steve Harrington, Keith Haring, Banksy. I’ve started to collect shoe collaborations - Nike x Stranger Things, Adidas x Keith Haring. Kaws toys and other collaborations are starting to pique my interest. I don’t know where this will take my but I know it’ll only help. I’ve mentioned in my first blog that I may want to start a clothing brand. I just don’t wanna be another corny-ass brand. I want to see what the people who are killing it in the game are doing and hope to be a contributing part to that. Bobby Hundreds said this at a talk “I don’t want to sell to just anyone but just some one.” And that really hit me. It’s the same reason why, as a videographer, I don’t want to work with anyone to pay the bills. It’s like why Simon Sinek says the point of business isn’t to make money - thats a by-product. The point of business is do work with people who believe in what you believe. And I think that’s a good foundation to start. As for now, my sights are set for ComplexCon in Long Beach in November. To go and see and be inspired. I probably won’t be making t-shirts for another year or so. One things for sure, my tshirts aren’t gonna shitty quality. Stay tuned