The videographer talks Corp, Black Business and what’s next.
How long did you film for Black Business?
Well, I basically started right after I dropped “BANISTER”. I dropped that on Christmas day 2017. So basically I’ve been filming for Black Business for over a year and a few months.
What made you decide to make a full length video?
Haha, it’s funny because I wasn’t really trying to make a full length. I guess I kind of was intending to make a montage at first. But after I started realizing what songs I wanted to use, I separated everyone’s clips and whoever had a little bit I just made a montage out of that.
The premiere went off. There was a mosh pit for like an hour and half before the video started. How did the premiere come together?
Yeah, that night was crazy. I’ll never forget it. I made sure I wasn’t in that mosh haha. But I remember going to see Canal’s video premiere and it was a pretty tight space, everyone was having fun, so we figured we’d grab the same spot since it’s right by LES. The video was taking a while to finish making and everyone was just telling me “drop it, drop it!”. But I was like “nah, we should have a premiere. I’m not uploading it before that. We have to do it!” And it happened.
What did that night mean to you? I know you got a little emotional.
That night meant a lot. I just always love going to see other people’s skate premieres and have fun and that night I got to show my video. So it was really cool to experience that. Yea man, I did get a little emotional, but it was so crazy. I literally couldn’t control myself.
What you do after?
I just went home. I was having too much fun. Drank too much, but I remember everything. My head was bussin. Everyone was grabbing on me. They tried to crowd surf me and just dropped me on the floor lmao. I’m glad everyone was hyped on their shit. So many people was there too. A lot go people couldn’t make it cause of work or whatever, but so many people still came out. That really means a lot.
Favorites moments from the video?
My favorite moment from the video probably was Brandon ‘s line with the back 50 then back blunt. That day was mad cold. I’m glad he got that in.
What it hard for him to get?
Probably took like 30-40 minutes. He had skated it before. The try he did the longest 5050 he did the blunt. Then he did the blunt fakie in like two tries right after. He had other good clips too, but the VX fucked up. He got a crazy line and the VX glitched. He got so tight he posted on IG that he wasn’t Corp anymore lmao. Obviously he is though.
How did you decide on the music?
Haha, I just use songs that I like. When I listen to music, I always think about if it would go in a video or not. I don’t like mainstream music either, like songs that play on the radio, they stretch it out. But I like BONES a lot. I used one of his songs for Dayday’s part. Also used some of his songs in the first full length from the death lens. I don’t always try to use trap and all that stuff all the time either. The Outkast song was perfect for George, Dougie, etc.
In a lot of clips you guys are rolling deep, like 20 guys on the session in mid-town. As the filmer how do you handle that?
It could be really hard to manage a bunch of people that are trying to get clips, but usually we’ll try to go to a spot that multiple people can skate, so it’s not like it’s one person skating. Unless someone knows what they want to hit specially. Linking up can be tough. That’s why we all just meet at LES or midtown. Crazy shit happens all the time. It’s good to have so many people though, so some people can distract the security guards and someone else can keep filming.
How did you end up being the filmer for GangCorp in the beginning?
It really just started from making little Instagram edits in the park. It’s funny because I always wanted to make a full length video, but I never had a camera or anything. I literally would think about if we made a video, who would have parts and everything. But I was indecisive about getting a camera because I didn’t wanna get one and then shit be slow. I ended up just getting a death lens and continued making Instagram stuff with it. That’s when I was like “filming is fun. I wanna keep doing it”. Everyone was all homies and all that, so we came up with the name GangCorp and made an Instagram to put all the edits on there. After a while, I wanted to film a full length with the death lens cause it looks somewhat similar to VX, so we just took it to the streets. My other homie Kalil films, too. He’s the one that made the video, “BUSSHEAD”.
Do you watch many videos these days?
Yeah, I watch skate videos. Not everyday, but there’s nights where I just watch a bunch of stuff. I just watch whatever is on Thrasher. I like Primitive videos. The way they edit their shit. Everything is tight.
You watching a lot of skating on Instagram?
Yeah I watch a lot of skating on IG. I hate seeing all those crazy tricks though. It kinda blows it out. Like what tricks will be in your video part haha. I kinda don’t even try to make Instagram edits all the time. It’s usually just random at this point.
Do you have any filmmakers that you look up to?
I mean, I don’t look up to any filmakers specifically, but I enjoy seeing people post clips they’ve filmed on Instagram. Guys like @kevperez, this other dude that started filming for Primitive @ericiwakura, @felix__soto and this dude from Australia @tsq_naughtboy. I like his clips. And RIP P-STONE! So much more.
I’m from Brooklyn, New York. Fort Greene to be exact. I love that area.How did you first get into skating?
Because of my sister. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t even know if I would’ve started skating. It definitely woulda came around, but idk. She’s older than me, so when she was in school she been knew about Supreme, 10 Deep, BBC and all that stuff. She basically put me on. She always wanted a skateboard and my grandma ended up getting her one from Target. I would just be on it whenever I was bored. I was like “I’m never tryin all that crazy stuff. They be wylin”. I never thought I was gonna learn how to kickflip.
How about filming?
I mean it’s something I always wanted to do. Even when I would try to get clips years ago, I was telling the filmer where to stand and everything. And I was getting annoyed haha. I was like “I wish I could just film”. That’s why I just made a bunch of iPhone edits. I have more up on my Youtube, but I put them shits on private.
Do you have a day job?
Na I don’t. I ain’t tryna have someone telling me what to do all day. I used to do modeling stuff here and there, but I haven’t done anything in a minute. I was in the iPhone 6 commercial when that came out, so I was okay off that. I dropped outta college to be able to film everyday. I didn’t even know what I wanted to study and I felt like I was just wasting money.
How do you live now? Something as simply as having money for food.
Whenever I get money I save it. I spend it so wisely. I already got too much clothes. Just spend a little on food here and there.
Smart. If you had to give advice on anyone wanting to start a brand or be a filmer, what would you tell them?
Just grab that camera and go out and get them clips. It’s not all that easy though, but just make sure you have a creative mindset. Do shit that you think is cool. Things that catches your eye. I like IG edits where people put a lot of random abstract stuff in. It looks wavy. Have a point of view!
What’s next for you?
I got a HD camera now, so the next video will be HD. Me and my homie @cozykillz workin on something, and of course I’ll still film VX. I have a surprise dropping soon. Besides that though, we’re just working on getting more merch together!
Love them Gang Corp videos, always fresh.