quarantine

Choppin’ At Home Jose

May 9, 2020 — 1 Comment

Jose, Bartender

there is an attitude and persona that comes from moving to New York. It isn’t for everyone. Jose is definitely one of the few that will stay around no matter what the city throws at him. Me and the midwest boy linked up through work as bartenders. With similarities on the come up in the service industry and to now working behind the bar together. I walked a few blocks over to touch base with my guy. I got to see what’s new in the closet and how he’s making sure to keep fit in this new world of ours.

WHAT’S YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Since quarantine I’ve been getting up and doing yoga and home body weight work outs to start the day. Then after it’s breakfast time. Usually a frittata of some kind and then mad immune boosting vitamins courtesy of my shorty. 

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO WORK AT

I’ve been craving to be outside so the living room is where we stay. It definitely exudes the most sunlight and we have a lot of plants so it helps keep the energy grounded. Guaranteed to help with the yoga practice. 

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING

I’ve gone a little hard with Nike lab and repping my fellow Chicano Willy Chavarria.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING, LISTENING TO OR READING

I’ve taken this time to fall deeper into my culture and specifically my indigenous roots and ancestry, so I’ve been reading books on Aztec and Mayan culture. Also picked back up “Black Skin, White Masks” by Franz Fanon. As for television I’ve jumped back into the Sopranos. Also that Disney plus password got floated to me so I’ve been getting lost in that. 

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO MEAL

I’ve been doing a lot of frittatas for breakfast. Lunch has usually been slices of bread and goat cheese. I’ve been baking a lot. Dinner it’s either a Mexican Soup of some kind or I’m making some kind of pasta.

WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT ONLINE

Custom Nike AirMax 90. They are deep red with pink bottoms.

ALL INQUIRIES:

Choppin’ At Home Sean

May 9, 2020 — Leave a comment

Sean, Key Account Manager

I don’t FUCK with everyone. It’s just a New York thing. There’s a precautionary period from initially meeting a person. With my guy Sean I can call him my brother. We linked up while I was an intern and Sean was taking care of the wholesale accounts for Reason Clothing. Just straight hustling for that money. We’ve been close ever since. Being from the Bronx and now living in Sweden. I caught up with one of the most eclectic people I know. We talked about his outlook on the future and tapped into how he’s keeping calm and centered.

WHAT’S YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Usually depends on the day but if I’m with my daughter my morning isn’t mines, so its Ryan’s World on Youtube, fruit and cozy time. Most days though, I wake up chug some water and get my breathe and face right. Make a cup of French press coffee. If I’m not with my daughter I’ll call and see how her morning is going. Then roll a small joint and smoke while having my coffee and checking my emails, shower and head to the office. 

I ASKED SEAN HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE PANDEMIC LIVING OUT IN SWEDEN

Since the pandemic started it definitely changed my day to day. In Stockholm we never fully shut down, but we are working remotely and only part time. The first thing I do in the a.m. is check the news and get Cuomo’s updates on the day. I was feeling him and how he handled things initially. As of now I’ve lost a few homies (RIP Fred Da GodSon). I’ve also seen how the NYPrickDepartment has been wilding out I can’t say I am any longer. I’ve also quit coffee and switched to tea as I’m tryna make little choices to keep my immune system popping. It’s been real weird for me living out here throughout all this. Life is moving as normal here, but back home people I love are dying. Sweden is a weird country man they march to their own drum.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO WORK AT

Apartments in Sweden are tiny so my space is limited. I’m either on my couch or in this lil cut in my kitchen where I get good light and have a nice view of the courtyard outside my apartment. Besides that at the office we have a quiet area on the roof overlooking the city of Stockholm I enjoy it up there.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING

A pair of broken in Jordan 1s, Uniqlo joggers and a vintage Frank Zappa tee. I haven’t worn real clothes since like fucking March.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING, LISTENING TO OR READING

As I type this the latest episode of “Insecure” is playing in the background.

Im re-reading “High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby as I just finished the series with Zoe Kravitz I love how they New Yawked it (that’s how you say it).

On audio I’m switching between “Man-child in the Promised Land” by Claude Brown and “The Autobiography of Gucci Mane”, on the music tip that “Ignatius” is on heavy rotation.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO MEAL

For breakfast eggs and bacon for dinner fried pork chops and yellow rice. Food scene in this city is trash.

WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT ONLINE

Most recent purchase was a keyboard and stylus for my iPad and I signed up for sniph which is a cologne of the month club, I fuck wit a few of the month clubs (those are my shit). Majority of my purchases are made online as Stockholm is over priced. I keep it pretty simple so H&M and Zara and anything vintage is my go to.

ALL INQUIRIES:

Choppin’ at Home Kris

May 8, 2020 — Leave a comment

Kris, Producer

Through the power of reach online me and Kris linked up on instagram. I couldn’t recall as to why or how. Me and him can attest either way that services were needed and eventually rendered. He was one of my original guests at Chop Up Radio. Diving deep into everything from streetwear to music, and of course New York shit. Kris is the architect of the music that compliments Chop Up Radio. I caught up with him at his uptown Harlem studio and got to see what the man of few words is cooking. Literally in the kitchen and in the studio.

WHAT’S YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Wake up, drink some water make a quick snack.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO WORK AT

Still at my desk.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING

Mainly sweats or cargos. 

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING, LISTENING TO OR READING

Watching mad old shows, documentaries and interviews.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO MEAL

It’s been way more veggies actually. (I am a witness that the man can chef up a mean burger).

WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT ONLINE 

Clothe , sneakers (I wish my collections was still like his)  and collectibles. 

ALL INQUIRIES:

CHECK OUT KRIS MIXING DOWN A BEAT:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9-jR8oleKF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
View this post on Instagram

Piñatas on the way , @old_head_wylin they not ready

A post shared by Kris With a K (@supreme_clientelekris) on

Choppin’ At Home Nehemiah

May 4, 2020 — Leave a comment

Nehemiah, Comedian

Though New York is at a stand still during these difficult times. This city still has a pulse. I catch up with my boy Nehemiah and see how he’s marking the days on his calendar. From working on material for his sketches to baking up some sweet treats. I Chopped it up with the man who stays at the bar with me till the lights are up and see what’s on his mind and what’s in the stove.

WHAT’S YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

I wake up at noon and get out of bed around 2pm. Cry for a little bit. Drink some water. Then have a bowl of cereal while my girlfriend does her workout/yoga. The rest of the day is pretty much just writer’s block from 3-6pm. Dinner. Dishes from 9-11. And then I practice tweeting (@thugtweeds) in front of the TV until I pass out. 

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO WORK AT

My nigga i’m not working! Besides my living room or bedroom? Sometimes I like to work on the subway snuggled between a homeless person and an essential worker on the brink of suicide. I love to check emails in the bathroom but we only have one bathroom between the two of us so I’m only ever in there for an hour at a time.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING

Literally right now, nothing. But when I’m outside I put on pants and maybe a hoodie. I rotate between three hoodies (black, tie dye, beige).

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING, LISTENING TO OR READING

King of the Hill. I never watched it as a kid because I didn’t understand that it was actually the best show on television. It feels like I’m watching home movies wrapped in a blanket of nostalgia and surrounded by all my childhood friends and family. I feel like I’m from Texas when I watch it. Like I was born in a Whataburger. I am the Black Bobby Hill. My family, God bless them, are mostly conservative (not quite Rednecks but def Redneck adjacent at times), and I always wanted to be in NYC. So here I am, fulfilling my dream as a comedian and salesman of propane and propane accessories.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO MEAL

My girlfriend is Chinese and I’m Ethiopian so we keep it pretty interesting in the kitchen. I also bake a lot (for fun – but I make edibles for sale if you’re interested) and I post sometimes on IG @blackhandsbakery.

WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT ONLINE

I’m currently unemployed as far as NY State is concerned so the only thing I’ve purchased in quarantine is a usb microphone in case anyone wants me to record something. Setting up a little d.i.y. recording booth so we can get this *bread you feel me. (*unemployment insurance).

ALL INQUIRIES:

CHECK OUT NEHEMIAH’S QUARANTINE RITUALS:

Choppin’ At Home Kelvin

May 4, 2020 — Leave a comment

Kelvin, Spirits Specialist

Relating to someone from your hometown is unlike anything you can run into. Being from New York City its even more rare nowadays to vibe with an A-alike. New Yorkers know each other without saying much. I’d say we’ve even done the same dumb shit here and there. Kelvin and I linked up through the service industry. Being that he’s that guy if you need certain spirits. He’s from uptop (thats uptown) The Bx to be exact. So I checked on how the “Sucio Sommelier” is spending his days and showed me how he whips up his margaritas in the crib.

WHAT’S YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

In the beginning of all of this it was difficult to wrap my head around the new normal, I would wake up at like 10 and 11am.  I think I was also a little depressed so I was low on energy.  After a few weeks I got my gusto back now I get up around 7am get a stretch in and run Prospect Park.  It’s about 6 miles and really sets me up for the rest of the day.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO WORK AT

Wifey and I have an art studio at the Cribbo. It’s a blessing and we feel really fortunate to have that work space.  She will typically have her conferences there and work on art projects, I will fuck around in there as well.  It’s at the corner of the apartment so there a lot of light and good vibes.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING

Joggers, cotton, Satin! Lol I’m in Willy Chavarria gear most days, his clothing is oversized on the body so it just feels so good.  

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING, LISTENING TO OR READING

I’ve never seen Sopranos so I just got on that, shout out to J. Gandolfini.  I’m reading “Men Explain Things To Me” by Rebecca Solnit, great book all dudes should get into.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO MEAL

Raos Arrabbiata sauce with pasta.  Best jar sauce on the market hands down. I can eat that shit ALL DAY.  It’s just too easy when I’m not in the mood to peel Plátanos lol.

WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT ONLINE

I love A company called Perico LTD, check em out.  They make anti gentrification gear, uptown pride gear so I support the movement.  They recently re-released their “Stay out of Uptown” Hoodie so I just copped that to Stunt on these colonizer cabrones. Now I need to get the Kicks!

ALL INQUIRIES:

CHECK OUT KELVIN’S TAKE ON THE MARGARITA:

Choppin’ At Home Than

May 4, 2020 — Leave a comment

Than, DJ

If there was a definitive road I can re call to how I have my own podcast today. My good friend Than was definitely one of the instruments to that road. We knew each other from a bar I worked at and where he dj’d Thursday nights. The relationship built on the love for beats and just music. He eventually asked me to rock my own segment at Montez Press one summer. Which lead to me sitting down with Sahra Van Nguyen and birthing Chop Up Radio. I caught up with the man and see how he’s keeping it lock’d. (literally)

WHAT’S YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Last 30 days – wake up at 730/8a make coffee/ small breakfast, check SM, cut (20)1 min vids for Instagram, Post on SM, shower by 11:30 or 12pm. I am either about to go for a run or yoga followed by lunch. should be done by 2 or 2:30 I have an hour or 2 of “free time,” where I choose 1 task to catch up on life stuff (bills, laundry etc), work, set up releases, go through music for the nights set, catch up on news, connect with family etc. By 5pm it’s either start dinner if I’m cooking or think about what’s for dinner. 5:30p-6:30p  I am finalizing what I’m going to DJ for my 7-10pm stream and update the total amount that we’ve raised the night before. Play the stream and the day usually ends at 10pm and I am in By 11p 11:30p. 

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO WORK AT

Right now the studio is in the living room because I wanted to do this 30 days of DJing during quarantine, so it’s the living room.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING

Right now, Nike Running Joggers, AirMax 90’s, T shirt, Montez Press sweatshirt, Apple Watch, Moscow glasses and Nike Running 5 panel. Usually I wear Uniqlo jeans, T-shirt and a hopeless sweatshirt with a denim jacket.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING, LISTENING TO OR READING

I started Seinfeld during this NYC shutdown cause I’ve never seen it before. I’m listening to a lot old mixtapes that I’ve downloaded in the past that is currently streaming on Twitch right now. I set it up so that I don’t have to figure out what I want to listen to, I just turn that on and listen. I am reading a lot of news and science, but also music business books.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO MEAL

Recently vegan since October 2019 so I’ve been cooking a lot. Nachos, chili, stir fry’s, rice, but mainly rice and a veg stir fry.

WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT ONLINE 

Other than house hold items, my last purchase was motor oil for the motorcycle and Phone Holder for streaming.

ALL INQUIRIES:

CHECK OUT THAN DOING A LIVE SET:

Choppin’ At Home Calvin

May 4, 2020 — Leave a comment

Calvin, Photographer

It’s hard to have numerous similarities amongst family let alone friends. My guy Cal is as genuine as they come. We’re both extra New York and proud owners of shiba inu’s. I met Cal thru my brother Westley who works for Article’s of Style. It’s hard to separate people that love sneakers, fashion and Kobe all in the same breath. You can add the appreciation for a good whiskey in there and its bound to get a bit loud. From being a dope person to having a great eye for photography. I reached out to my guy and see how he’s keeping slim and spending time with the fam.

WHAT’S YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

I have 2 alarms on my phone. One at 6:40am & 6:50am. I have to report to “work” for 7am (it’s annoying AF, but I try not to complain because some ppl don’t have a job to report to right now). I bullshit & talk to my co-workers via Skype until 8am then I start “work”. 

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO WORK AT

I set up shop on my couch right in front of the tv.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING

Tee shirt & running shorts or hoodie & sweats.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING, LISTENING TO OR READING

In the morning, it’s Fresh Prince, Martin, Chicago PD. Blindspot on Hulu, Bosch on Amazon Prime, my wife just put me on to Black AF on Netflix (fucking hilarious)

Listening to: Dr. Dre – Chronic 4/20 special. The Dream – SXTP4 DVSN – A Muse In Her Feelings Childish Gambino 3.15.20 Westside Gunn Pray for Paris, Snoh Aalegra – Ugh, Those Feels Again.

Haven’t read anything yet.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO MEAL

I really don’t have a go to meal. My wife wants to chef up for every meal (I’m not that much of a breakfast person, so it’s usually just coffee) But I snack a lot . Chips, fruit, candy and water like crazy.

WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT ONLINE

Rocky has allergies & is always scratching so I got him this:

Got this so my hair doesn’t dry out:

Got this for inspiration: 

This for my Mac Book Pro:

ALL INQUIRIES:

CHECK OUT SOME OF CALVIN’S WORK BELOW:

photo by: Calvin Merritt