Essential Hip-Hop Releases From The 2010s: Ye, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar & More

Few genres have evolved as remarkably as hip-hop over the past five decades, and the eerily recent, yet, distant 2010s saw the genre at its most progressive. Legendary acts and fresh-faced stars pushed rap’s cultural and musical bounds, opening a pathway for a new class of artists to emerge, and for overlooked regions to gain their deserved recognition. 

With the expansion of hip-hop’s mediasphere, artists that would’ve been confined by their locale crossed the invisible barriers of rap music to establish themselves as mainstream success. Canada-born stars PartyNextDoor, The Weeknd and Drake took over rap the same way the Brits took over rock music in the 1960s, and it was made possible by the boundless nature (and unprecedented sonic access) of today’s rap fan. 

The emergence of SoundCloud elevated lesser-known talents including Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, the late Juice Wrld to superstardom at a rapid pace. The era also marked a sonic turn in the industry, which saw artists merge their styles with those of other regions. That’s why artists like Asap Rocky adopted elements of Houston’s chopped-and-screwed sound in his early discography, despite his Harlem origins. 

Legacy acts like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, and Nicki Minaj continued their reign as rap heavyweights, with record sales and award wins showcasing their influence. The period also saw the emergence of hip-hop’s three horsemen – Drake, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar – who carved their legacies with chart-topping hits and groundbreaking albums throughout the 2010s. Their contributions, as well as those from Future, Big Sean, Travis Scott, and Chance the Rapper, set the stage for the decade. 

Read on for 10 of the most consequential releases of the 2010s.

Ye - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

Just a year removed from interrupting Taylor Swift on stage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West, now known as Ye, produced arguably the best rap album of the decade, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. 

It was a career turn that’s more familiar to rap fans in recent years, but the Chicago rapper snapped back with a glossy, epic-level album that was a culmination of his best work to that point — or maybe ever. From "Dark Fantasy" to "So Appalled" and "Gorgeous," West was at the peak of his lyrical powers, with the rapper-producer exchanging sharp-tongued lyrics with wordsmiths like Pusha T, CyHi The Prynce and Raekwon.  

The album also set the stage for one of the best collaborations of the year, with West, Rihanna and Kid Cudi merging their creative powers to create the wondrously rhythmic, GRAMMY-winning hit, "All of The Lights. And Nicki Minaj fans still reference the star’s verse on "Monster," which saw the Jamaica Queens native rise above rap titans Jay-Z and Rick Ross on the smash-mouth track. 

Wiz Khalifa -"Black and Yellow" (2010)

After making his name in the mixtape circuit with classic projects Kush & Orange Juice and Flight School, Wiz Khalifa’s  mainstream breakthrough came in the form of 2010’s "Black and Yellow." The hit song bolstered the Pittsburgh rapper’s profile in time for his debut studio album, Rolling Papers, and put his hometown and Taylor Gang crew on the hip-hop map.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers making it to the Super Bowl in 2011, the Stargate-produced hit became the team’s unofficial anthem and spawned other remixes in the same vein. "Black & Yellow (G-Mix)" featuring Snoop Dogg, Juicy J, and T-Pain, Brooklyn rapper Fabolous honored the New York Yankees with "White and Navy" and Lil Wayne paid homage to the Green Bay Packers with  "Green and Yellow."

The success of "Black and Yellow" opened the doors for Khalifa and his stable of Taylor Gang talent to flourish, namely artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Chevy Woods, and Three 6 Mafia legend Juicy J. The song also placed a brighter spotlight on Rostrum Records and recent signee Mac Miller, who was months removed from releasing his acclaimed K.I.D.S. mixtape and would later become a star before his unexpected death in 2018. 

Chief Keef - "I Don’t Like" (2012)

The city of Chicago was set ablaze with the release of Chief Keef’s "I Don’t Like." The Young Chop-produced track popularized the city’s drill sound, which established a new influx of talent bred from the Windy City and a subgenre later adapted by UK and New York rappers like Fivio Foreign and the late Pop Smoke. 

The impact of the street hit led to its inclusion on the G.O.O.D. Music compilation project, Cruel Summer, featuring artists Pusha T, Kanye West, Big Sean, and Jadakiss. "I Don’t Like" was later placed on Keef’s debut release, Finally Rich, helping further catapult the Chicago artist to mainstream notoriety. The song is still credited as the launching pad for the drill movement, with Keef viewed as the forefather of the subgenre as a whole. 

Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012)

For many hip-hop fans, Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City reestablished the West Coast’s grip on the rap game, which for years, was singularly held by The Game. 

After the release of Lamar’s independent album Section.80, his second turn took more of a mainstream approach while chronicling his teenage years in the gang and crime-ridden streets of Compton. He enlisted artists like Drake for the flowy, Janet Jackson-sampling hit, "Poetic Justice," and drew in legends like Dr. Dre for "Compton" and Jay-Z for "Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe - Remix." 

The multi-platinum project was produced by Dj Dahi, Sounwave, Hit-Boy, Scoop DeVille, Just Blaze, and others, who delivered atmospheric and tight-bass beats for Lamar’s narrative-driven concept album to flourish. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City earned Lamar four GRAMMY nominations at the 2014 GRAMMY Awards, including Album Of The Year. And while he didn’t take a gramophone home during that night, his major label made him the face of West Coast rap for years to come. 

Future and Drake - What a Time to be Alive (2015)

After cranking out moderate hits like "Tony Montana" and "Never Satisfied," Drake and Future linked up for an Avengers-level collaboration, which culminated into 2015’s What a Time to be Alive. 

The project came together after Drake met with Future in Atlanta for six days. Their first recording was "Digital Dash," and from there, the two artists merged their respective sounds together for a hyper-trap mixtape filled with hits like "Jumpman" and "Big Rings." On the production side, What a Time to be Alive was largely handled by executive producer Metro Boomin, who produced or co-produced eight of the project’s 11 songs, alongside fellow beatmakers Noah "40" Shebib, Allen Ritter, Southside, Boi-1da, and others. 

The 2015 release also foreshadowed Future and Drake’s later collaborations. Future enlisted artists like fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug for Super Slimey and Lil Uzi Vert for Pluto x Baby Pluto, and Drake linked up with 21 Savage for 2022’s Her Loss.  

Rae Sremmurd - "Black Beatles" (2016)

After scoring hits like "No Flex Zone" and "No Type,"  brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi literally had the world in suspension with the 2016 hit "Black Beatles" featuring Gucci Mane.  The "SremmLife 2" single sparked the viral mannequin challenge, which saw social media users stand frozen in time as a camera filmed their surroundings with their song playing in the background.  

Internet trends aside, the song was a massive hit that landed the group and Gucci Mane their first No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. The Mike Will-produced track also pushed additional sales of the duo’s second album, which went from selling 30,000 equivalent units in the first week to eclipsing one million sales by November 2017. 

Jay-Z - 4:44 (2017)

With a resume as stacked as Jay-Z’s, his claim as the greatest MC of all time was viable long before the release of 4:44. But the late-career release did more than just add to his illustrious discography; it was one of the most complete and transparent bodies of work Hova has ever produced. 

On tracks like "Kill Jay-Z," the Brooklyn rapper stripped his ego-fueled moniker to give listeners a snapshot of his upbringing and past failures as Shawn Carter the man. He takes a step back to reflect on his mother’s sexuality on "Smile," and the challenges he faced in his marriage to Beyoncé on the title track. 

While many viewed 4:44 as a response to Bey's Lemonade album, the project also touched on the importance of shared success on "Legacy" and the push for generational wealth on "The Story of O.J." 4:44 garnered three nominations at the 60th GRAMMY Awards, including Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year. 

Migos - "Bad and Boujee" (2016)

During the 2017 Golden Globe Awards, rapper and Emmy-winning actor Donald Glover had a confession: Migos’ "Bad and Boujee" was the "best song ever." By then, the 2016 single was already a popular viral hit, with memes surrounding the lyrics "rain drop, drop top" bubbling up online. But Glover’s shoutout helped the G Koop and Metro Boomin-produced hit to reach the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a first for the Georgia-born rap group and featured artist Lil Uzi Vert.

"Bad and Boujee" established the Migos as the hottest rap group of the era, and spearheaded each member’s solo projects and business ventures. The multi-platinum single was even nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 2018 GRAMMY Award. 

Drake - "God’s Plan" (2018)

With countless across the 2010s, it’s hard to choose which Drake record made the biggest splash during the era, but 2018’s "God’s Plan" has a case when it comes to global reach. Produced by Cardo, Young Exclusive, Boi-1da, and long-time collaborator Noah "40" Shebib, the GRAMMY-winning single topped the charts in 14 countries while posting record-setting streaming numbers.

Though the pop-trap hit was met with mixed reviews upon its release, "God’s Plan" shattered Apple Music and Spotify first-day streaming numbers with 14 million and 4.3 million, the most of any song that year on both platforms. By the first week, the song climbed to 82.4 million total streams. 

"God’s Plan" was the lead single for Drake’s EP Scary Hours and fifth studio album Scorpion, and notched the Toronto artist Best Rap Song at the 2019 GRAMMYs. The song’s music video, which showed the rapper giving out a million dollars to people in Florida, also made waves online, amassing countless social media memes and over 1.5 billion views on YouTube as of July 2023.

Cardi B - Invasion of Privacy (2018)

The story of Cardi B, who rose from reality TV star to GRAMMY-winning artist, proved there could be more than one Queen ruling over the rap game. And her groundbreaking debut, Invasion of Privacy, inspired a new legion of women artists with dreams of occupying their own respective thrones. 

With street anthems like "Bodak Yellow," "Bartier Cardi," and the reggaeton-inspired "I Like It" featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny, Cardi showcased her knack for catchy hooks, sharp lyrics, and the colorful personality found beneath the brash, aggressive flow. Producers DJ Mustard, Allen Ritter, Benny Blanco, Boi-1da, and others elevated the project to album of the year consideration. 

Along with winning Rap Album Of The Year at the 2019 GRAMMYs, Invasion of Privacy took the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 upon its release, making Cardi only the fifth female rapper to reach the top of the charts at the time. Even in the years after its release, the album continues to make history for the "WAP" artist, who became the first woman to have all of her album’s songs reach platinum status when Invasion of Privacy reached the milestone in 2022, according to Billboard. 

– The Recording Academy/GRAMMY.com

Who is Keke Palmer’s boyfriend, and does he prove that men from Philly are ‘embarrassing’? We investigate.

If you’ve scoured the internet the past few days, you’ve likely seen the drama between Keke Palmer and her boyfriend Darius Jackson.

Jackson made headlines after he slammed the actress on Twitter for wearing a fitted outfit for an Usher concert in Las Vegas, where Palmer was seen being serenaded by the R&B star. Many Palmer fans claimed the comments were motivated by insecurity or jealousy. But a local TikToker has another theory.

On Thursday, Philly native Cierra Williams took to the video-sharing app, claiming Jackson’s “embarrassing” antics are because of his ties to Philly.

“That man is from Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania,” she said in the video, which has amassed nearly 500,000 views and over 90,000 likes.

“It’s nothing we can do but send Ms. Palmer some love, light, and prosperity because if there’s one thing a man from Philly is going to do, it’s be embarrassing. They can’t help it. They don’t got no impulse control.”

(While news outlets have reported that Jackson is from Philadelphia, The Inquirer wasn’t able to confirm that. His family does have close ties to the city and his social media is filled with displays of Phillies and Eagles fandom. The fitness instructor even has a tattoo of the Love sculpture!)Also worth noting: Jackson briefly deleted his instagram but has reinstated it, without pictures of Palmer, leaving their relationship status unclear.

The Inquirer spoke to Williams and asked if men from Philly (Jackson included) are really as bad as she claims. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

What’s your perspective on the drama between Palmer and her boyfriend Darius Jackson?

It’s just a control thing. If she’s the breadwinner and powerful one in the relationship, then he’s probably thinking, ‘Where does that leave me?’ I feel like that’s something men struggle with a lot times. Instead of bringing it up with her, he decided to tell us on Twitter like it was our business. And that was his first mistake.

But why drag Philly men into this? What makes them embarrassing?

I feel like it’s twofold. On one hand, their brains only have capacity for sports, like “Go Birds,” the Eagles, the Phillies, and the Sixers. That’s one part of it, and the other part is a lot of times they don’t have the space to be themselves. So, it just makes them very strange because they have a different persona than who they are.

Meek Mill is not a real person pic.twitter.com/UllzQiJ9fO

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 4, 2023

Who would you say is the perfect example of an embarrassing Philly man?

I feel like the main thing everyone needs to know is that Meek Mill took a picture with fries on his lap at the pool. I don’t know what else we need to talk about. He also posted a video of him [on Instagram] about to throw up in a toilet, and put the caption, ‘Too much liquor smh...’ with his hands crawling and grasping for life. There’s nothing else we need to discuss.

Why do you think people dragged Jackson’s tweets?

[Palmer] has always had a real positive image. She’s never really been in drama, so it was really weird that he would try to tarnish her image that she’s worked so hard to build. She’s been a child star and now an adult star, so trying to ruin that is insane.

Do you think Jackson tweeted that out to gain attention. Or, was he unsure how to address the situation?

It was that small percentage of the Philly in him that decided, ‘I’m not in a good mood, so you won’t be in a good mood.’ I think that was really it. I don’t think there was even that much of a thought process. I don’t think he’s that vindictive in that sense. I think he just woke up and wanted her to have a bad day because she was having fun with Usher.

What do Philly guys have to say about the theory that they are just embarrassing? One Philly-based male on Twitter put it best when retweeting Williams:

“That’s right Go Birds.”

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philly stylists look back at boldest (and tackiest) suits from the 2003 NBA Draft

A lot has changed in the NBA over the last two decades.

There’s no longer a team in Seattle, despite the outcry from grieving Supersonic fans. A generation of “big men” have morphed into position-less perimeter threats, and the Denver Nuggets are NBA champions for the first time in franchise history. Oh, and there’s a new all-time leading scorer in LeBron James, who passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record back in February.

In the past 20 years, records have been shattered, new superstars have emerged, and college prospects are landing million-dollar brand deals before stepping into an NBA arena. But the hype around the NBA draft has remained. And on Monday, it will be 20 years since James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade’s names were called on draft night.

The 2003 NBA Draft is considered one of the greatest draft classes in league history. Not only were there four future Hall of Famers picked in the first five slots, but All-Star players Chris Kaman, Josh Howard, David West, Kyle Korver, and Mo Williams were also among the crop. But for all its glory, fans are convinced the ‘03 class is the worst-dressed group ever seen on draft night.

From the mountainous shoulder pads, overly buttoned suit jackets, curtain-length pants, and bulky silhouettes, Philly style blogger Sabir Peele said that year’s draft reminds him of Sunday service in the 1990s.

“The suits looked okay, but they had 16 buttons and a regular shirt collar on their jacket,” Peele said. “It was like people were dressing for what their perceived size was or something their grandfather might have worn, but not for their actual body. I don’t know who let them walk out the door thinking this was hot.”

While some fashion choices appeared inexcusable, Peele said, there were other layers worth considering: Hip-hop had a big influence in fashion during that era, and the presence of social media was largely nonexistent at the time. Neither Facebook, Twitter or Instagram existed in 2003, which likely forced the incoming rookies to rely on family members or friends for guidance. The result: “Just some big a** clothes.”

“Some of it has future application, but in terms of the actual design and cyclical-ness of the fashion, I don’t think this is going to come back,” Peele said. “Back then, there was no silhouette or shape.”

In an interview with Bleacher Report, Wade said players like Allen Iverson influenced his decision on draft night. “At the time, hip-hop culture was baggy jeans, Sean John jeans, hats to the side — that was the Allen Iverson culture,” the former Miami Heat star said. “That’s where the NBA was when we first got in.”

Even No. 10 pick Jarvis Hayes, who Peele said was dressed like a Baptist deacon, regretted the size of his draft suit. “It was the baggy suit era,” he told Bleacher Report. “I got (my suit) from a close family friend out in Georgia. I doubt if they’re still in business now if they’re still making suits like that. You wouldn’t catch me dead in a suit that size.”

Philly stylist Wayne Glassman, who owns Wayne Edwards Workshop, said the relaxed tailoring of the early 2000s was vastly different from the stylings of today, which favor more cropped, form-fitting looks with softer, more complementary colors.

“The players were just following the trends at the time,” Glassman said. “They had wide lapels with lower gorges. The pants were high-waisted, which allowed for a lot of drape, and there was fullness throughout the entire silhouette. Compared to today’s silhouettes, the trim is so much nicer.”

Looking back, Glassman said it’s easy to laugh at the suits worn by James and Anthony, but he’s seen younger athletes like Trae Young make similarly head-scratching fashion choices for the draft. “When he got drafted, (Young) wore a suit with cropped pants I’m not sure came down below his knees,” Glassman said. “He had on leather shoes and no socks.”

Glassman said certain athletes dress on the “costumey” side, while others take calculated risks to stand out. Then there are players and ex-hoopers who completely abandon the rules of fashion, he said.

Trae Young and his younger brother, Timothy, sporting their matching suits! #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/t3xt0ccQVJ

— NBA (@NBA) June 21, 2018

“Guys like Reggie Miller are pretty dapper, but if you look at someone like Charles Barkley, apparently others don’t care,” Glassman said. “Even sports broadcasters like Jeff Van Gundy, his suits look terrible. It’s really up to these athletes to put in the effort.”

With the presence of social media, and the popularity of tunnel walk photo ops, Peele said more athletes are leveling up their fashion sense. Instead of hiding their physiques under oversized jackets and lengthy trousers, players are opting for more natural-fitting garments. Some still pull out traditional suits, but the “blazer 2.0″ has become a more popular choice, he said.

“More guys want to be known as the ‘well-dressed athlete,’” Peele said. “Some come out suited, but others don’t want to be buttoned up, so they’re not wearing ties anymore. They’re thinking, ‘How can I flex and show that I’m still put together.’ I feel like that has become the thing.”

Players are trading in classic suit pieces for tailored pants and trucker jackets, and exchanging neckties for flashy necklaces and diamond-studded pendants. And as cyclical as the fashion industry can be, Peele doesn’t see the parachute suit pants or six-button jackets making a return.

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

New Balance Basketball Stars Tyrese Maxey, Zach LaVine, and Dejounte Murray Talk Street Ball Origins

From its inception to today’s game, generations of basketball stars have conjured their hoop dreams on neighborhood blacktops, rec center gym floors, and makeshift home courts. Others made their name in different sports before discovering their on-court talents during gritty pickup games and street ball tournaments.

Those moments on the hardwood or cement floors defined their future play styles. They learned how to flick their wrist on their jump shots; kiss the top of the backboard on reverse layups, dunk over contested hands, and meld their skills and passions together to create their legacy – the same tireless pursuit of perfection that  New Balance has applied to decades in the footwear game.

Since 1906, New Balance has focused on being makers rather than marketers. They’ve  prioritized craftsmanship and impact over hollow accolades and fleeting moments of recognition and engagement. With the quality of its products, materials and partnerships, the brand has established an independent voice in the conversation of sports and culture, while inspiring a growing community of patrons proudly donning the letter “N” on their kicks. 

From the playground to arenas, big-name talents like Tyrese Maxey, Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray have been drawn to the New Balance brand and its connection to street basketball culture. These hoopers talked to Complex about their early experiences on their hometown courts and how those memories inspired their game and style today. 

Tyrese Maxey

Getty Images

Before Tyrese Maxey became a first-round draft pick, the Dallas native was outplaying hoopers his own age. He was running the baselines as early as 4 years old, and there wasn’t a place in the world with a ball and a hoop he didn’t want to showcase his basketball talents. “My father was a head boys’ basketball coach, and I would go to practice with him and play. If I couldn’t go with him, I would go to the park in my neighborhood and play or force my uncle to play with me,” he says. 

Under his father and uncle’s wing, he began learning the nuances of the game, and the two men shaped Maxey’s fast-paced and creative playmaking style and instilled his confidence off the court. That growing conviction allowed him to embrace the resistance of elevated competition, and it opened his mind to the benefits of street and recreational ball. “Pickup games and structure-free basketball teach you how to improvise and give you a better feel for the game,” Maxey says. “Pickup games bring out a different level of competition; guys are going at you, and they have much to prove.” 

Now, the 22-year-old scorer wants to give aspiring hoopers in Philly the same experience he had in his youth. By pouring into the city’s parks and recreational centers, he feels it will increase community engagement, round out young players’ games and inspire others to capture the grit and relentless attitude he adopted on Dallas’ outdoor courts. “It’s extremely important; it’s the blueprint of basketball; it connects you with the people from all walks of life within the basketball community,” the University of Kentucky product says. “It builds a different layer of toughness. I’ve recently started to connect with some of the public park leagues here in Philadelphia; I’m looking forward to working with them and seeing what I can do to help push and keep the culture moving forward.”

Dejounte Murray

Basketball always came easy to Dejounte Murray. He dropped 35 points in his first rec league game, and did so well, he was convinced the rims were too low. Fortunately, he was wrong, and that day foreshadowed his future career as a professional athlete. 

Like Maxey, the Seattle native’s coronation into the sport was through his uncles, who made a hoop out of laundry baskets to play basketball indoors. Outside the house, Murray says they played on two hoops with missing backboards, and he followed his uncles wherever else they spotted a suitable court and competition. “I played everywhere my uncles played, which was our house, school, churches, and local outside courts,” Murray says. 

By competing in outdoor pickup games and rec leagues, the former University of Washington star found his love for organized ball and street hoops, and recognized the need for both forums. Murray said it toughens the skin of players. “Streetball is so important because it allows you to fall in love with the game of basketball, hooping freely and competing harder than ever, so I definitely believe it’s really important and it produces the best hoopers,” he says.

Between pro ball and streetball, Murray almost prefers the freedom he felt on the playgrounds and rec gyms he played on as a kid. The 26-year-old defensive stopper says he’s excited to see the best streetballers between Seattle and Atlanta, and his plans to return to the blacktop might be in the cards this off-season. “Streetball is the real deal. I prefer that hoop more than anything, and the league is the league; [it] turned my dreams into reality, and [me] proudly representing my family,” he continues. “In the off-season, I’m training and playing with my teammates at our practice facility and even outside too. But sooner rather than later, I want to take my 5 and go play against some of the local best in Seattle and Atlanta.”

Zach LaVine

For player Zach LaVine, his early streetball days didn’t begin on an actual street. In fact, not even above ground. Instead of a nearby park, rec center, church or playground, his professional athlete aspirations first bloomed in the basement of his childhood home. Before the high-flying scorer was in Pre-K, his dad set up a hoop and backboard inside the underground space. 

From an early age, the two-guard was destined for a career in sports. His mom was a softball player in college and his dad played football professionally as a linebacker. But after trying his hand at different sports, basketball quickly rose up the leaderboard, and he traveled wherever his newfound passion took him. “I played everywhere, from local parks and rec centers to high school tournaments,” the two-time All Star says. “On weekends my mom, dad, and sister would drive around looking for different parks that had different nets and rim heights.”

As he traveled around and beyond the suburb of Renton, Washington, LaVine said the experiences sharpened his game and focus, and prepared him for the physicality he would later face in his college and pro career. “Whenever you’re a young athlete, it’s good to learn how to compete in a team sport; It teaches leadership, toughness, and sportsmanship,”“ he says.

LaVine said the playground and local rec centers are where the game feels the purist, so it’s no surprise most players cite their hometown courts as the place they found their passion for basketball. Some of his fondest memories were playing alongside his dad in pick up games, who would elevate over YMCA hoopers long before LaVine was posterizing power forwards and centers. Looking back, the former UCLA standout says those experiences are valuable for any young basketball player. There are people of all different sizes and various skills when playing pickup games. Not only did that enhance the versatility of my game, but it taught me always to stay ready,”LaVine says. 

– COMPLEX for New Balance

Who is ‘irregular’? Meet the artist behind the tag showing up all over the city.

On the face of eroded barricades, rotting alleyway dumpsters, dark under-passes and window-sized wood panels, the word “irregular” has become an increasingly regular sight for Philadelphians — and a mark of artist Sean Hassett’s growing presence.

Hassett, who goes by the moniker “Irregular” or “Irregular Sean,” has spray painted and penned his graffiti tag across the outskirts of West Philly to Chinatown, Spring Gardens, Brewerytown to the beating heart of Center City. Yet, his identity and motive are largely cloaked in mystery.

“I have no backing and there’s no system that I’m part of that’s helping generate what I’m putting out,” Irregular said to The Inquirer.

“I’m trying to show people that you don’t have to take the normal route, you can do it on your own.”

While he was drawn to the word “irregular” as a kid growing up in Darby, he didn’t put his talents to the canvas until he was released from George W. Hill Correctional Facility after a one-year stint in 2013.

While incarcerated, Irregular befriended an inmate who used to draw images on the letters he wrote to his loved ones in exchange for soup cans. Before the man was released, he gave Irregular all of the stencils and art tools he used to craft his work. That moment, he said, opened the door for his own artistic pursuits.

“Coming home with that record and no college degree, (it) pushed me to devote myself to my craft,” Irregular said.

Over the years, Irregular started creating acrylic paintings and mosaic-style works made from fragmented mirror pieces.

In 2020, the now-33-year-old artist began spraying his graffiti tag across Philly. He was partly inspired by the protests following George Floyd’s murder and the work of Germantown artist Nomad and Ghuls creator Lami Tolla. and he says his style and approach is influenced by Banksy and Basquiat.

Though he documents his art on Instagram, Irregular does not post pictures of himself on social media. (He did not agree to be photographed by The Inquirer.) He says he usually only leaves home for daily necessities and to sell and make his street art.

“I’m very withdrawn, and I’ve been very solo in what I’ve done over the years,” he said. “I’ve stuck to myself, and I don’t get into politics or institutions of the art scene... I try to contain my energy as much as I can. I think what I’m doing has some power to it, and I’m not trying to withhold it.”

When he peeks his head outside his home studio, he’s usually decked in paint-spotted garments, riding his bike with a spray paint can and white-out pen stashed inside a mid-sized pouch in pursuit of a new location for his work. In a matter of minutes, he coats the nine letters of “irregular,” and ducks off slyly without drawing attention.

“I just move with common traffic,” he said. “I like to say I move with the wind.”

He still sells his work in Rittenhouse Square, but tries to stay in the background and doesn’t approach onlookers until he sees a “magic moment” happen.

“I always wanted to create things that sell themselves on the street,” he said. “I don’t say, ‘Hey, look at this,’ or have a sign telling people to buy my work. I just stand a couple feet away, lean up against a pole and observe.”

Along with graffiti and mirrored artwork, Irregular sells mystery boxes, deep profile canvas and wooden-framed paintings on his website, with pieces ranging between $100 to $2,000.

It’s impossible to know how many tags he’s placed in the city. He stopped counting years ago but still feels a rush of leaving his mark. It’s like psychotherapy, he said, motivating him to satiate his appetite for more artistry and self-expression.

He views his work as a source of reflection, with the mirror pieces and word “irregular” serving as a symbol of self-identity and a magnet that draws a connection between him and the viewer. But rather than being packaged as a “street artist,” he prefers no title at all. “You can’t put a spotlight on a star. I’m just doing the work. Irregular is a statement, (and) the work emits a light of its own.”

Some Philadelphians view his tags as playful breadcrumbs. Some see it at as a link to a thought-provoking series, and others — especially on social media — see it as vandalism. “Artfully committing vandalism is still vandalism,” a Twitter user said.

I take objection to the term “artist”. He’s a criminal. Artfully committing vandalism is still vandalism.

— JohnsCow (@johns_cow) April 10, 2023

I dunno. Ask the “artist” to tag your front door.

— TappahannockName (@Allfortime0503) April 10, 2023

Resident Peter Gambino, however, welcomes this art.

“Philly has such a big and diverse art scene, so we might as well have a few mystery people working in that space,” said Gambino who first spotted Irregular’s tags six months ago. “[His work is] like little easter eggs placed along the infrastructure of our city.”

Other onlookers aren’t too fond of Irregular’s work . “I hate their tags,” says Philly resident Alex Fredericks. “(They’re) too long and aggressively style-less.”

Despite the mixed responses from passers-by, Irregular has become a sought-after talent in Philly’s art scene. He created two projects with Mural Arts Philadelphia. The first was a temporary mural for last year’s Wawa Welcome America; his work Mural Magic is irregular was featured at the 2023 Flower Show.

He was also tapped by Hyatt Centric Center City to be a part of the hotel’s monthly Maker Series back in January. Elizabeth Fricke, director of sales and marketing at HCCC, said Irregular’s approach to street art made him a natural fit for the series that spotlights the work of local artists.

Photo blogger Conrad Benner, who worked with Irregular on the Mural Arts projects, called Hassett an innovator. “He’s at this point in his career where all the doors are open to him, and he’s jumping through them,” he said. “That’s to say, he’s driven and taking advantage of this lane he’s made for himself.”

An “irregular” tag along 11th St. by Spring Garden in Philadelphia.Heather Khalifa / Staff Photographer

As more opportunities come along, Irregular said he will continue to etch his path as an independent artist, and break down barriers that may be in his or other artists’ way.

There’s no set direction in mind, he said. For now, he plans to sell more of his artwork and hopes to expand his brand globally.

“I’m not a starving artist, I’m a hungry artist, and myself and others know there’s much more potential past these walls,” he said. “I’m continually pushing myself, trusting my evolution and allowing everything to come my way. I want to stay on my trajectory and see Irregular grow 10 times bigger.”

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

Visual Artist Joshua Vides Discusses Creative Collaboration with GilletteLabs

Joshua Vides is a creative marvel in true form. 

Having lent his artistic powers to design products for brands like New Balance, BMW, Converse, Fendi, Puma and others, the California-based creative director is never short on innovation. For more than a decade, Vides has fused his passion for streetwear and graffiti and poured it into his craft. His production studio Reality to Idea has served as the perfect incubator for his footwear and apparel designs, sketch artwork and other creations to take shape. 

Before becoming a premiere name in streetwear and design, Vides worked for The Hundreds, SSUR, The Seventh Letter and ComplexCon as a designer, salesman and marketing manager in 2009. Around the same time, he founded the streetwear brand CLSC, a $500 project that later became a global entity with 400 retailers and a storefront on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. 

Vides decided to step away from CLSC in April 2017 and used the brand’s success as momentum to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Vides launched Reality to Idea in January 2018, and the design studio and production house has been a platform for him to explore his love for black and white monochromatic mediums and spread his wings artistically. Whether designing sneakers and apparel pieces, customizing iconic BMW silhouettes or putting on limited edition art exhibits, Vides has shown no signs of slowing up. And his recent collaboration with Gillette at this year’s ComplexCon is proof. 

The brand’s design and innovation hub, GilletteLabs, and Reality to Idea came together for an activation booth that offered an interactive look at the shaving experience. The Reality To Idea-designed booth highlighted GilletteLabs’ latest innovation, GilletteLabs with Exfoliating Bar, a razor that combines shaving and exfoliation technology. And as a continuation of the partnership and a testament to Vides’ versatility, he customized cleats for NFL Quarterbacks Josh Allen and Mac Jones for the My Cause My Cleats program. The two football stars wore the cleats during the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills matchup on Dec. 1.

For Vides, the GilletteLabs collaboration, and others he’s stirred over the years, was a chance to embrace his own creative instincts and showcase the power art contains. “As a visual artist, I find collaborations to be an avenue of self-expression on different mediums and products,” Vides explained to Complex. “Showing off how anything can really become a canvas and art Itself.”

Complex recently caught up with Vides to talk about his artistic inspirations, the details of his creative process and how art can be a tool for philanthropy. 

(The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.) 

COMPLEX: How was it designing the GilletteLabs activation booth at ComplexCon?

Joshua Vides: ComplexCon is always something I enjoy being a part of. Reality To Idea was excited to partner with Gillette because it’s an iconic brand that most men have used since they first started shaving. They gave Reality To Idea the creative space to help bring their GilletteLabs brand to ComplexCon attendees in an innovative and authentic way. It was a great experience bringing the GilletteLabs booth to life, and everyone at ComplexCon had a great time with the photo booth and shaves with the Gillette Barbers.

How did the collaboration between your company Reality to Idea and GilletteLabs come together?

The collaboration really came together through the common mission that we share. At Reality to Idea, we are always looking for new ways to be at the forefront of culture and innovation. When GilletteLabs approached us to showcase their latest innovation of GilletteLabs with Exfoliating Bar, we knew it would be a cool partnership.

You’ve partnered with some of the biggest brands in the world – Fendi, MLB, New Balance and others – but what about this project piqued your interest?

I’ve been lucky to partner with so many celebrated brands. In the men’s grooming space, Gillette is often viewed as synonymous with the category, so when I was approached, I saw it as an opportunity to bring my skill set to another brand that has an incredible legacy and continues to create innovative products.

What was the inspiration behind the design of the activation?

We wanted the design of the booth to remind people of a barbershop, with a Reality to Idea spin. We used our signature black and white color scheme and added pops of bright green, which is an ode to the exfoliating bar on the GilletteLabs razor and packaging. Gillette wanted to do something completely different than last year’s ComplexCon booth, but (the brand) still wanted to emphasize the unique experience that the barbershop provides.

Could you detail what the creative process was like? Were there any challenges along the way?

I think there are always some unique challenges that present themselves when working with new products, especially when it comes to designing on such a large scale. It was important the GilletteLabs booth and the design of the smaller original pieces we made for the gallery all worked well together in the space.

You designed the cleats of NFL Quarterbacks Josh Allen and Mac Jones ahead of the  New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills game on Dec. 1. How was that experience?

I always enjoy working on shoe projects and collaborations. I have been painting on shoes since high school, so for me, it really feels like second nature. It was awesome to get connected with Josh Allen and Mac Jones, who are Gillette athletes, to work on their My Cause My Cleats cleat designs. I wanted to make sure they felt the design reflected the charities they are both representing – Mac Jones with Boys & Girls Club of America and Josh Allen with the Patricia Allen Fund. I was so happy to play a part.

The designed cleats are being auctioned off and the proceeds will go to charity as part of the My Cause My Cleats campaign. Talk about how important it is for you and other artists to be a part of these kinds of initiatives.

It’s important to me to find ways to give back through my work, and team up with partners who do the same. As an artist, I’m able to showcase the power of art to all different audiences, including through the cleat designs for Allen and Jones. I’m excited to see what the winning bid is for both sets of autographed cleats. Gillette and I will also be matching the donations from the online auction.

Bid on Mac Jones “My Cause My Cleats” Cleats here and Josh Allen’s “My Cause My Cleats” Cleats here.

— Complex

We asked Shaq about possible 'Steel' remake, and he didn't say no

Before taking the stage Oct. 23 at Circuit of the Americas after the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix, DJ Diesel, better known as the larger-than-life (and just large) Shaquille O'Neal, chatted with the American-Statesman and hinted at a possible remake of the widely panned but beloved superhero flick, "Steel."

Although the 1997 film is considered one of the worst superhero movies of the genre, and a point of laughter for Shaq, who wore the armor of DC Comics character John Henry Irons, the 7-foot-1-inch star said an updated version of the movie might be worth pursuing. Now, is he serious? We have no clue.

"I did that movie right before the special effects took off," Shaq said with a smile. "The (outfit) was like a costume. But if I ever get a chance to redo that movie I'm definitely ... Matter of fact, I'm going to redo 'Steel.' You heard it here first."

Here's a look at the rest of our conversation with the NBA Hall of Famer:

Shaq was pulling for Lewis Hamilton to take first place at Formula One.

Shaq talked about why he was back in Austin for a second year to perform as DJ Diesel after the Formula One race.

"It's great. There are a lot of people here, a lot of fanfare and I'm looking forward to seeing the race again. Hopefully, my guy (Lewis Hamilton) can pull it off, but it's just nice to see beer and sunny Austin, Texas and everybody having a good time. I love being here, it's a great atmosphere."

(Max Verstappen won after a "dynamic duel" with Hamilton.)

Shaq has a deep love for Austin.

Shaq's Big Chicken was at Formula One and has a year-round presence at Austin's Moody Center. He said he knew Austin was an ideal spot for the franchise because of the fond memories he has of visiting the Texas capital.

"Well, I'm from San Antonio. We used to come up to Sixth Street damn near every weekend. I've always loved Austin, and I've always loved Pflugerville. I told myself when I get done, I'll buy about 500 acres out in Pflugerville. But listen, Texas is a great state, Austin is a great city and the people here are (too). I've always done a lot of business here. I used to do business with Dell, so I used to come here a lot and I've always loved the people in Austin. My daughter once attended the University of Texas. ... So I wanted to put the Big Chickens in the cities where I had a presence."

Shaq picks Giannis to win MVP, Golden State to capture back-to-back championships.

With the 2022-2023 NBA season in full swing, Shaq made some early predictions for league MVP and said which team he thinks will hoist the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy at the end of the season. Spoiler: He didn't pick my Cleveland Cavaliers.

"I thought Joel Embiid was going to come out the MVP, but now he just made it harder with that 0-3 start," he said. "Giannis (Antetokounmpo) is looking really good. Forty-four points in 28 minutes. I'm headed toward Giannis. The guards always get looked at for MVP, but I'll go with Giannis this year. And the (Golden State Warriors) seem to still be the favorite."

So no hope for my Cleveland Cavaliers?

"Cleveland looks good," he said. "They got Donovan Mitchell who's playing well. Cleveland will be good for him. It's a city that's a hard-working city, and they'll let him know when he's out there messing around. I think that will bring the best out of him. The (Utah Jazz) was too 'Aw,' but every now and then you need to look in the stands and see your fans disappointed so you know to step your game up. "

– Austin 360