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
I thought the idea was innovative. Bar + Artist interview/therapy session is a cool change of pace for an interview environment. The mix of artists is cool. However I’d love to see the alcoholics version of this: Ras Kass, Royce da 5′9”, and Tash (from Tha Liks). (no shots). Hopefully the content creators smarten up and extend this series. No one offs!
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
Recently I have been discussing Karl Lagerfeld and his influence on fashion at the young age of 75 with a few friends. He embraces youth culture to the fullest and is an inspiration to those he touches through his art.
Around 16:00 of the following Charlie Rose interview, Karl mentions how he had a dream, woke up, wrote down his vision of a fashion collection, and debuted the collection. This is similar to the concept of superconsciousness, infinte intelligence, the secret doctrine or the creative force; where you get information or in Karl’s instance, images that seem to come out of no where.
He also gives his opinion on marketing v. fashion designing around 15:45. The entire video is very entertaining and educational. Let me know what you think.
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
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.
As we continue to bring you what you need! In 2009 there will be a ton of more interesting interviews with the future leaders of the globe also known as ‘The Millennials/Generation Y.’ Please subscribe and tell a friend to subscribe so you are the first ones to get the news.
Over the course of two weeks, six interviews with up-n-coming tastemakers will be rehashed on ‘The Future is Bright’ (TFiB). Each tastemaker was interviewed within Q3 and Q4 ‘08 with an emphasis on tracking the progression of each talented individual. Monday starts with Lincoln Stephens…
More short interviews and full-length features on innovators will be making its way to TFiB…Stay tuned
