Another element of your home grown culture is Babylon Cartel. Most recently, we interviewed Quinta Brunson, a close friend of yours who has rocked choice pieces in a few of her comedy sketches. Can you talk about how the line came to be, how your sphere of influence will affect BC’s future, and what separates you from other “street wear” brands?
The line started off as me being an ambitious teenager that was totally inspired by Pharrell Williams and Nigo. Honestly, fashion has always been in my blood and I just have never realized it. My mother, who herself was a former model, named me after designers Gianni Versace and Bill Blass hence my name Gianni Blass Lee.
I worked at a store in Philadelphia called Ubiq. I always had dreams of starting my own line and I brought the idea to my friends: Aaron Ramey, Mark Wrice, and another member who is no longer with us. My second year at Temple University, I had a dream and the name “Babylonian Cartel†came to me. After some slight modifications, which were very Social Network-esque, we came into agreeance with Babylon Cartel. That’s pretty much how it began. We dressed very different in college.
Wearing neon-retro-inspired fits, we stood out from the crowd and it made them take notice to the t-shirts that we were creatng. Eventually, we hit a plateau in Philadelphia and moved to Los Angeles. After I got one of my pieces on Rihanna, our brand value catapulted. We decided to step back and focus on creating some pieces that could stand the test of time. We got tired of being a t-shirt brand and wanted to progress. We added Danielle Allen to our team as a secondary graphic designer and I worked closely with her to create the new image and message for Babylon Cartel.
Inspired by the World Cup, we decided to create some pieces that people wouldn’t expect from us. That is how our very popular “Goalkeeper Jerseys” were born. I believe that my influence will greatly effect BC’s future. As I move up the ladder in the music industry, I come into contact with many influential, eccentric, and stylish individuals. Many of these people would wear my brands, so it is the perfect marketing situation without even realizing it. It works both ways. Babylon Cartel is a person in my eyes. We have a relationship as I grow, she will grow, and vice versa. I want my name to be synonymous with success, as much as I want Babylon Cartel’s name to be synonymous.
As far as separation, it is quite clear that we don’t look like any other brand on the market. So much so that I don’t even want us to be labeled as “street wearâ€. I think Babylon Cartel is so much more than that. Our designs, our story, and our marketing strategy puts us in a league of our own. I believe that one of the key things that separates us is our relationship with our customers. I don’t ever want Babylon Cartel to become too cool or too big that we don’t treat the people who support us as fans versus as friends. The fact that we brand events and create a lifestyle for ourselves for people to follow further push that notion.
You release projects on a free-flow basis, yes? What tips as a millennial can you offer to your generation and the elders about time management and execution? Also, can you talk about how productivity differs today, in your opinion, than yesteryear?
I definitely release music and fashion projects on a free-flow basis. There is no real calendar that I go by, but there is always planning and preparation thats goes into it. Time management is an important part of business because you can get so much done in the conventional work day of eight hours. What makes being your own boss even more exciting is that on any given day you don’t mind giving more than eight
hours. The more work you put into your craft the better the results will be. Because of social media today’s productivity has dwindled. Many budding entrepreneurs have become comfortable with the instant success of many brands and entities and they believe they can gain the same by focusing solely on social media–which is wrong.People become lazy and exist on their phones and tablets as the primary source of outreach versus actually hitting the streets. If you want a successful brand your productivity has to be at an all-time high. You have to exist online as much as you do in the streets. Word of mouth is still one of the best forms of promotion and marketing.
On the next page, Gianni Lee talks about AFROPUNK and his ‘New Philly’ movement…
You recently hit the stage in Brooklyn for AFROPUNK’s tenth anniversary. Can you recall your most memorable moments from the event? Also, share with us your pre-game ritual that gets you ready for your performance.
AFROPUNK was an amazing experience and I learned so much. My most memorable moment was being able to connect with all the people that knew of me, of my art and my movement. I came into contact with so many people from so many parts of the country as well as New York that had nothing but positivity to share with me. It’s that type of energy that I love to give right back.
My pre-game rituals all fluctuate. If I’m with friends we usually wild out backstage before performance. We may do the Shmoney Dance or something reckless along those lines. It’s good to be around loved ones before you present yourself to the world. It’s a humbling feeling knowing that you have friends around. If I am by myself I always say a prayer and ask God for an amazing performance. I keep it simple. I am always to myself right before a performance and I meticulously go over my set list.
Awhile back you developed a new movement entitled ‘New Philly’. Can you update us on its progress and what it means to be a part of ‘New Philly’?
I wouldn’t really call it a development. It was an idea that came from me and a few friends to create a tagline or identity to the new movement that is taking place in Philadelphia. This renaissance of youth that is changing the landscape of Philadelphia throughout music, technology, fashion, et cetera. As of now, it has taken a major pause because of the busy schedules of a lot of the key players. There was also slight resistance to it because some of the older influencers in Philly felt like the concept of ‘New Philly’ wasn’t needed. Of course, I didn’t agree at all, ‘New Philly’ is a concept that requires the masses in order for it to work. It is not a group, cult, or cool kids crew.
With the events happening in Ferguson and across the country, you serve as an example of sorts to young Black males in America. What are your thoughts about the situation and what ways do you think young men (and women) can do to protect themselves legally?
Ferguson has been happening since the day that our ancestors were brought over to the Americas through the Middle Passage. What we thought was an evil that long passed is now continuing with the events in St. Louis. Being a Black man and being able to relate to what happened to Michael Brown, I can strongly say that we have a ways
to go as a human race, and this just shows how inhumane people can be. A lot of these problems with our people are deeply rooted in history and go as far back as the first Europeans that came to Africa and viewed our people as “creatures of wonderâ€.With these insecurities and prejudices that are still deeply rooted in the very makeup of our country. Ferguson does not surprise me, but the fact that our people are starting to stand up for what they believe in is a major blessing and is long overdue. I am a strong believer in non-violence, but I also understand the teachings of Malcolm X and sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in. So protect yourself at all costs, I just can’t advocate taking a life.
What are a few rules you live by when doing business with others? Can you also talk about any bad deals you might have made in your time and how you maneuvered it?
The only rule I really live by is this: be true to myself and the people around me. Giving respect and receiving respect is key. All of the bad deals I’ve had in my time, I always maneuvered it by being the bigger person and killing people with kindness. You can never have dissension within your ranks and you can never let people see you sweat. Strength and leadership are the things that help you make great business deals. People have to like you and people have to trust you.
When it is all said and done what do you want people to know most about you and your work? What legacy are you hoping to imprint onto the culture?
Honestly, I want people to remember me as an artist. I want to change the world and do something impactful that can shift the way people think and operate with each other. There has to be a difference within the culture. I want to be the one that can show us that there are more ways to success than these evil routes that many choose to take. I hope people remember me for my dedication to my art and how I want to bring all cultures together and transcend whatever the status quo for a Black man is. There are no boundaries for us.
Be sure to follow Gianni Lee on Twitter, Soundcloud, and Instagram to stay up to day with his movement.