By YRS Jerzy
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Close to a month ago, Meek Mill was on social media heavily promoting his upcoming mixtape, Dreamchasers 4. The hype was so big for the mixtape and soon a cover began circulating Instagram. Many assumed it was the official DC4 mixtape cover.
Hip Hop Vibe shared the cover, reporting it as the official cover for the new Meek Mill tape. However, Blake, the creative mind behind the DBDS movement cleared things up. The mixtape cover was done by him and is not the official cover.
Blake took time out to speak to Hip Hop Vibe about the mixtape cover, one of many covers he’s done for Meek Mill’s camp. Not only is Blake a big fan of their music, he has a good relationship with DJ Bran, Meek Mill’s official DJ. During the interview, he explained this and also discussed his other ventures.
Read the entire interview below:
How did you come up with the design for Meek Mill’s upcoming mixtape cover? What inspired the unique design? I wanted to keep the artwork original, simple and familiar. The Dreamchasers mixtapes have always had a similar theme so I wanted to make the art instantly recognisable. I thought the best way to do that was to keep the use of graphic fx and text to a minimum, and simply replace it with the Dreamchasers pendant and a burning number ‘4.’ At first I created the Black/Blue colour way, which I think looks matches the classic theme of Meeks mixtapes well. I then went on to create the same art in a Red/White colour way, similar to the recent DWMTM artwork. There is also a White/Blue alternative cover. I like to listen to whoever I am designing for during the process, so I guess Meek’s music was the inspiration behind the cover. The burning to desire to succeed. The hunger.
How long have you been working with Meek Mill and how did you to start working? Technically, nothing I have ever designed for Meek has been official… YET. I think the first design I created was for the Dreamchasers 2 mixtape. Since then, I have regularly created art for Meek and the DC camp. A lot of my art has been used for promotional purposes my members of DCR, however still nothing official. I’m hopefully though. From musical artwork to merchandise/clothing collocations, I just want to be ready for any opportunity that might come from that direction, you know? Working with Meek’s official DJ, DJ Bran, has definitely made it a little easier to get my work recognized.
I see you have your own clothing line DBDS, can you tell the people more about how it and who is currently wearing your gear? Okay, DBDS is my life. I hate the cliche “lifestyle brand” tag that so many place on their brands, but it really is that for me. DB is also my initials. Me and a close friend came up with the motto “Dream Big & Die Successful” 3/4 years ago.
We started out making tees for other friends in the music industry. We just had an idea and ran with it. I do everything myself, from initial ideas, design process, sourcing manufacturing and marketing. I’m even doing all the post office runs! Over the past year or two, we have received support the likes of UK grime artists Stormzy, Bonkaz, P-Money, Bugzy Malone, and others. Some Premier League footballers have also been seen rocking our stuff. We have also received similar support in the US from Jahlil Beats, DJ Bran, and several members of the Coke Boys camp.
At the end of the day, I treat every customer/supporter with the same respect. The normal people, like me, who invest their time and money into the brand are the ones who truly make a difference. I feel like anything greater than that is a blessing. You never know who will be wearing your products next week. I enjoy that excitement.
It was great speaking with you, can you let everyone know where they can find you via social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.? Thanks for the opportunity. You can find me on most social media platforms. Instagram is definitely the most active right now. I’m always dropping exclusive products and media on DBDSCLOTHING.COM too.
Instagram/Twitter – @dbdsclothing
www.facebook.com/dbdslondon
dbdsclothing.tumblr.com
See Blake’s alternative DC4 mixtape covers below:
Follow YRS Jerzy on Twitter @IAMYRSJERZY.
