Name: JFK (Jay Fresh Kicks)
Age: 24
Current Location: The Bank
Where do you want to live next? London, Paris or Miami
Favorite Quote: There are many… here is one. “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.” -E.Y. Harburg
Top 3 trend setters across all industries: Right now? For me? …Twitter and its “Tweeters”.
What is a major cultural trend to look for in 2010? Believe it or not social networking is going to reign supreme and become even bigger and even more relevant.
What current project are you working on that is occupying a lot of your time? Branding my label HOLLAFAME MUSIC and the “Free Nightz and Weekendz” concept. Oh, and penning and producing records for some of the biggest artists in music via Universal Music Publishing.
How will you change the world before the age of 30? By capturing and expressing the thoughts and experiences of my generation through music, television, film and new media/ 2.0 marketing via my Lifestyle Brand HOLLAFAME. May not change the world, but I will stick a flag in it and leave behind a legacy.
Have you chopped up ‘Rich Girl’ by Hall & Oates and served it to Drake for ‘So Far Gone’, yet? If not, when are we going to make this happen? Is this a personal request? I sampled it years ago. It depends on how much publishing they want these days…

Editor’s Note:

JFK is the mix of a savvy executive and a talented creative. He produces, raps, and runs a business. As a twenty-something he could easily be tempted to party and BS his days away but he has work to do. His work ethic will separate him from his contemporaries when all is said and done. Whatever the time, you can always catch him at freenightzandweekendz.com or @JayFreshKicks

Name: Akanksha Aurora

Age: 16

Current Location: India

Favorite quote: “Sometimes we love with nothing more than hope. Sometimes we cry with everything except tears”.

Where do you want to live next?: New York City

How does your cultural heritage shape the way you view others from Generation Y/Millennials? :
 
Definitely. The culture of India is one of the most diverse and beautiful in the world; and things are often seen in a new light when viewed from and Indian perspective. A large proportion of India’s population is young; between 15-25. Indian youth has inimitable potential and dynamism, which breaks the stereotype of Gen Y in more ways than one.

If you could begin a new career in a year’s time, what would it be?
 
I’d love to work as the editor of a magazine. I’m already the editor of my school’s magazine; and I already find myself wishing I could do it for the rest of my life.

Do you believe there needs to be an event that brings together creative people from your generation?

This would be interesting; as it would give us an opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and understand their perceptions about various subjects.
 
What current project are you working on that is occupying a lot of your time?
 
I am a student of the IB Diploma programme, which has an extended essay, tok essay and compulsory creativity action and service aspect. This programme combines immense workload as well as a challenging curriculum; which is to be balanced by the CAS component and various assessments. In addition, I am working on the youth advisory board for a marketing blog called YPulse, which also takes up a large amount of my time.

How will you change the world before the age of 30?
 
For one, I’d make sure there would be no single person in the world who would listen to popular stereotypes and wonder if people in India used elephants as transport and why some citizens are capable of speaking flawless English. Second, it would do me a world of good if I was able to positively transform any one person’s life.

Editors’ Note

Ironically Akanksha mentions that she aspires to be an editor of a magazine. Whether magazines are primarily online by the time Akanksha takes the helm of one, I am sure that she will be a terrific asset to the publication and its readers. For now YPulse will continue to benefit from her insight and unique point of view. For more on Akanksha’s work visit http://www.ypulse.com/meet-the-ypulse-youth-advisory-board

Name
John Baker

Age
22

Current Location

Hornchurch, Essex,UK

Favorite quote

Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea-cosy, dosen’t try it on. “Billy Connolly”

Where do you want to live next?

Somewhere in Central London, for a better commute

How does your cultural heritage shape the way you view others from Generation Y/Millennials?

Seeing as I am a member of Generation Y, I think we’re all pretty cool.

If you could begin a new career in a year’s time, what would it be?

I have been studying Autodesk Maya since last year, and still dream of working in 3D Visualization.

I currently work in an Architects practice in London which I am hoping to become part of their visualization team.

Another dream career of mine would be Directing. I think I have a chance at doing this since I have been told many times my videos are worth watching. It is a personal hobby of mine and I pledge to keep going to make people see what I see and most of all make them laugh.

Do you believe there needs to be an event that brings together creative people from your generation?

I think that would be a great idea, but I’m sure there already is an event out there.

The truth is, there are many talented and creative people out there, who try and be who they want to be to get somewhere in life, but unfortunately never have the opportunity to go to college, university or even take courses to get qualified and experienced because of the expense incurred.

Luckily I have always been supported in this way and am very grateful. My only advice to those who have this barrier in front of them is to never give up at what you want to do, sure it gets tiring sometimes, and the feeling of rejection often irks, but if you keep going and keep practicing, you will eventually be better than someone else at that job and this will hopefully be made aware of by someone who has the power to give you that chance to make it the profession for you.

What current project are you working on that is occupying a lot of your time?

That would be my 3D showreel www.coroflot.com/johnbaker, I have a few bits which I think are eye catching, but I really need to slow it down.

I am also working on my latest film 3 Swords On A Shirt 3 which was filmed in Malia last year, its a lot longer and has some hilarious clips in it that I can’t wait to show everyone http://uk.youtube.com/user/jonjonbaker

I was recently in an  viral advert for T-Mobile, I play a under 21′s pro footballer and (cringe) dance in a towel, be sure to check that one out at http://uk.youtube.com/user/lifesforsharing

I have also entered into a competition for HijackFive, which allows Channel 5 to pick an interesting member of the public to be followed around by cameras for a week, you can see my submission for that here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-sYCl1iomIM

I also spend a lot of time talking about my recent T-Mobile experience here at http://en.wordpress.com/tag/jonjonbaker/

How will you change the world before the age of 30?

(Shot in the dark) The only way I could think of myself changing the world would be through making films.

I get a huge joy out of people saying that they shed a tear from certain scenes from my videos, and laughed hysterically, its that feeling of knowing you have achieved something. If more and more people watched my films and future projects that I have in mind, i.e a knife-crime documentary, hopefully this would help reduce a lot of bad things that go on in the world, just through the magic of video.

Scholar, public speaker, Seminole, author, and entrepreneur.

Name: Charles H.F. Davis III
Passion(s): Food | Family & Friends | Music | Creating Inspiration
Age: 24
Top 3 trend setters across all industries:
1. Barack & Michelle Obama
2. Russell Simmons
3. Cornel West

Marketing trend to look for in 2009:
Increase in social marketing on web 2.0 technologies for purpose-driven values-led enterprises.

Personal development trend to look for in 2009:
Social entrepreneurship among avant-garde Generation Y consumers and other self-generated
revenue opportunities

What will become of the traditional higher education model?:
Traditional higher education models are continuously changing, however, in the last several years
increases in digital technologies present in classrooms and communication have been vast. There
will be a greater interest and financing to support interactive media and learning for distance
learning and professional continuing education students. In addition, over the next five years, the
academy will begin to encompass younger scholars from the undergraduate and graduate ranks
including increased interest in academic research and publication in scholarly journals.

2 books, 2 magazines and 2 blogs every tastemaker should read:
BOOKS
1. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
2. The Audacity of Hope
MAGAZINES
1. InSpire Magazine (www.inspiremag.org)
2. Time
BLOGS
1. Jonathan Fields – Awake at the Wheel (www.jonathanfields.com)
2. Charles H.F. Davis III – Speak Up Weblog (www.CharlesDavisSpeaks.com)

What projects are up next for you?
• PhD in Educational Leadership at Stanford University, Vanderbilt University, or
University of Pennsylvania
• U Speak College Tour
• Envision the Vision – Personal Development Workbook

What should we have asked you?
Q:What advice do you have for people reading your interview?
A: Rejuvenate the magic of believing and commit yourself to living a happier life through
following your passions. You were destined to achieve personal and professional greatness. Do
not postpone the inevitable … the time is now!

Want to know more about Charles?

http://www.CharlesDavisSpeaks.com

Mr. Tastemaker, LES native, blogger, editor, cool hunter, designer and photographer.

Name: William Yan
Passion(s): Success & Happiness, Living life to the fullest, Blogging, Image-capturing and Inspiring.
Age: 25
 
Top 3 trend setters across all industries: Pharrell Williams, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Marc Jacobs.

Visual art trend to look for in 2009: Street art going mainstream and being accepted in more galleries.

Fashion trend to look for in 2009: The sartorial look, well tailored clothing, bow-ties, dress/boat shoes and all.
 
Cultural trend to look for in 2009: Twitter, personal blogs, and personal vlogging to voice out opinions.
 
What will become of the traditional advertising agency model?: It will still be around, but in order to succeed, they need to adapt and tap into todays true tastemakers, influentials and leaders to convey their message.
 
2 books and 2 magazines every tastemaker should read: For books, they should look into The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battlesby Steven Pressfield, and The Greatness Guide by Robin Sharma. As for magazines, there are tons, but Monocle and The New York Times Style Magazine is a good start.

What projects are up next for you?: Whatever projects life hands me, but I’m currently working on my next site Intwitview.com, where influential twitterers get to interview one another in a q&a session using 140 characters or less.
 
What should we have asked you?: Where can people get in touch with me at? If you are on twitter, you can find me @williamyan or on my blog williamyan.com

Want to know more about William?         

www.williamyan.com                                                                                                   

Cool hunter, teenager, blogger, photographer and journalist.

Name: Matt Cohen/ Itsbongoboy
Passion(s):  Making videos, Blogging, Photography.
Age: 13
 
Top 3 trend setters across all industries: Kanye West, Jeff Staple, Mark Ecko.
 
Social media trend to look for in 2009:  I believe blogs will reach new heights. That is, most people will have a means for getting their ideas and info to the Internet.
 
Fashion trend to look for in 2009:  I think people are going to dress with a more mature formal look,  That is why streetwear brands are making more dress shirts and button down jackets.
 
What will become of the ‘cool hunting’ hobby/profession?:   I hope my website transitions to a brand respected in clothing, music, and art.
 
2 books, 2 magazines and 2 blogs every tastemaker should read:  All Gone, Graffiti World, YRB magazine and Shoes Up ; my website, itsbongoboy.com, and hypebeast.com.
 
What projects are up next for you?:  Collaborations with clothing brands, interviewing some of the most known celebrities in the art, music, and fashion.
 
What should we have asked you?:  What I do with my time?  I spend most of my time going to events, or arranging interviews and scouring the Internet for content to post on my site.

Want to know more about Matt Cohen?
http://itsbongoboy.com

Singer, musician, college graduate, Harvard alum, and iconoclast.

Name: D.A. Wallach
Passion(s): Music
Age: 23

Top 3 trend setters across all industries:

1. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)
2. T-Pain (Top 40)
3. Carlo Brandelli (Fashion)

Fashion trend to look for in 2009:

Greater simplicity.

Social media trend to look for in 2009:

Stream of syndication coming together in more modular ways.

What will become of the traditional record industry model?:

Direct to consumer with yet-to-be-determined finance and marketing models.

2 books, 2 magazines, and 2 blogs every tastemaker should read:

BOOKS
1) Common Wealth by Jeff Sachs
2) The Theory of The Leisure Class by Thorstein Veblen

MAGAZINES
1) The New Yorker
2) BLAG

BLOGS
1) The Chester French Blog (soon to be at www.chesterfrench.com now at
myspace.com/chesterfrench)
2) The Obama Change.gov Blog

What projects are up next for you?:

We’re getting ready to release our debut album, Love The Future, which
has been in progress for over three years. We can’t wait to put it
out. Then we’ll be touring extensively for many months.

What should we have asked you?:

These were good!

Want to know more about D.A. and Chester French?
www.chesterfrench.com

Sports agent, entertainment agent, editor-in-chief, UF alum, and law school student.

Name: Darren Heitner
Passion(s): Happiness, excitement, new things
Age: 23

Top 3 trend setters across all industries: Jay-Z, Warren Buffett, Barack Obama

Sport trend to look for in 2009: MMA officially becoming legitimized, with multiple viable leagues on strong business platforms.

Technology trend to look for in 2009: Telephones will no longer be used. Videophones will become the craze.

New media trend to look for in 2009: Advertisement-backed music. No more paying for it. Currently writing a paper on how the music industry should embrace piracy and learn from the TV/movie industry with their advancement of Hulu, Fancast, etc.

What will become of the traditional (athlete) talent representation industry?: Those that do not adapt to embrace new technologies to market their clients effectively, will be pushed to the back. Continued buying by the big boys. More and more conglomeration.

2 books and 2 magazines every tastemaker should read: Books: Re-Imagine! and The 4-Hour Workweek. Magazines: Playboy and Maxim (magazines should be for pleasure…and everyone needs a good dose of pop-culture news).

What projects are up next for you?: Finish law school, continue to grow my businesses (www.dynastyreps.com and www.sportsagentblog.com), and become the first Jewish President of the U.S. Okay, maybe I’ll drop the last project.

What should we have asked you?: Why is your middle name on Facebook, D’Lish?

Want to know more about Darren?
www.sportsagentblog.com

Style conisseuer, StyleForum.net legend, YfYf.org creator, and the poster boy for humility.
Name: yfyf
Passion(s): clothes, photography, learning how things work, nerdiness
Age: irrelevant

Top 3 trend setters across all industries: I’ve never seen a trend setter before and I’m not in tune enough to know who sets the trends, I can only tell you what some of the trends are.

Fashion trend to look for in late 2009: Men, please stay away from the short trenchcoat, it looks very girly and not even in an interesting androgynous/gender reversal way. Men’s cheap MTM (made to measure) will pick up steam.

Technology trend to look for in 2009: The low-cost netbook (Asus EEE, MSI Wind, HP Mini etc) becoming the everyman’s computer. Possibly an adjustment in how much people will be willing to pay for their computers as a result.

What will become of the men’s fashion industry?: I’m hoping men will realize that comfort is overrated but I doubt it will happen. We’re moving back towards tailored clothing and MTM is lot more accessible now. There is more opportunity to get customized clothing but this may not mean people will look better, just fancier (sometimes too much so). 100% free choice is not always ideal and more than ever, menswear brands should emphasize their house style and identity to counter MTM. If I know X brand fits my personal style, and makes me look good, why should I go for MTM where I might make a dumb choice? Brands should emphasize that.

2 books and 2 magazines every tastemaker should read: “The Suit” by Michael Antongiovanni if you’re interested in learning about suits. The prose is a bit stylized and sometimes the opinions are too conservative, but the advice is solid and has a consistent logic behind it. “Modern Menswear” is a pretty interesting cross section of what’s going on today in menswear and will make for interesting reference later on. “Men’s Non No” from Japan has some good street style photos. Although not necessarily a fashion magazine, I guess I read “The Economist” pretty consistently. It’s good to know what’s going on.

What projects are up next for you?: Nothing too exciting, probably try and catch up on yfyf.org since it’s been languishing in disrepair for a while. Economy is tanking bad, probably just hide in a hole till everything is over. Draw some pictures while I’m at it.

What should we have asked you?: “Are you a tastemaker?” – Probably not but I like to think I do my own thing and do things for the sake of doing them. It would be nice if everyone tried to look good all the time instead of not trying or the even worse “trying to look good while pretending like I’m not trying”. Looking good means thinking about your clothes. It’s not a crime to put thought into your clothes and it’s preferable to being sloppy.

Want to know more about yfyf?
www.yfyf.org

The Famous Firm rep, Fresh Cafeteria blog founder, college drop out, contemporary art connoisseur, and overall ‘cool’ guy

Name: Sean Beauford
Passion(s): Music, Art
Age: 21

Top 3 trend setters across all industries: Jay-Z, Oprah, KAWS.

Fashion trend to look for in late 2008 – 2009: The nerd look and “grown & sexy”… revisted.

Technology trend to look for in late 2008 – 2009: Everything being touch screen

What will become of the traditional record industry model?: It’s dying off along w/ the people (not literally dying) who created it. Can’t do new things with old people. Holla at The Famous Firm!

2 books and 2 magazines every tastemaker should read: Esquire, Blackbook ect. Books: whatever your field is, you should read up on the person that changed the game or set the standard of how things are done. You really have to be up on your blogs. Things move super fast nowadays.

What projects are up next for you?: Working with a few Ohio artists, trying to make them famous. Don’t really want to speak on them specifically yet. But it’s going to be a big year for The Famous Firm.

What should we have asked you?: Ummm, I don’t know what question this would be, but here’s the answer: Don’t follow any trend just for the sake of following the trend. That’s wack. And also, there’s nothing wrong with discovering a new way of doing things (via a trendsetter) and implementing that in your life. Be original but don’t let your “originality” stand in the way of doing something you genuinely like just because everyone else does it. And always do you no matter what anybody says.

Want to know more about Sean?
www.seanfamous.com