He heard about my video covering the 2012 Sydney Swap Meet, and ran it on the site, from there we got talking and the rest as they say is history.
His story is an interesting one and he was happy to talk about the influence of 'A Tribe Called Quest', the widespread influence of sneaker culture, and where he thinks it's happening most.
IDYSM: Hey Taylor, thanks for taking the time to talk
to IDYSM. Beats Rhymes Hype may
sound like a project just focused on music, but is it? Give us the lowdown on what it’s all
about.
Taylor: Thank
you. Initially I created Beats Rhymes & Hype to promote my music and other
underground artist musics. I know personally how hard it is for independent
artist to gain exposure. But then it hit me, I could promote independent people
like clothing designers/brands, photographers, and entrepreneurs looking for
that same exposure.
We’re a small site based out of Atlanta,
Georgia but I like to think of us as being a global brand since we’re on the
internet. Beats Rhymes & Hype originally began as Aristocracy magazine.com
back in 2010. Frustrated with how the site was going I decided to walk away
from that project. After taking a few months away from the blog sphere I
launched www.BeatsRhymesHype.com in January of this year. Our name is inspired by the
album Beats Rhymes & Life from the 1990’s hip hop trio “A Tribe Called
Quest”.
IDYSM: What makes Beats Rhymes Hype different to other
culture sites?
Taylor: We try our hardest to be different from other culture sites by actually searching
for people doing things that we find attractive and not just duplicating posts from major culture sites. We invest a lot of time into browsing the web and the
content we select.
IDYSM: As a studier of modern culture, what
role/influence do you see sneakers having?
Taylor: I didn’t realize until recently how wide spread
sneaker culture is. It’s miraculous how it connects so many different
nationalities and people from different facets of life. I really enjoy the
fusion of so many cultures.
IDYSM: Is this a poignant time for sneaker culture,
and are sneakers as important and influential now as they have been in previous
times?
Taylor: I feel sneaker culture has always been an
expression of self. Initially significant to urban culture, but its adoption
into other cultures has been amazing. I believe that sneakers are more
influential now then they have been at previous times. There’s a nostalgia that
sounds shoes releases, and there are more sneaker heads now then ten years ago.
IDYSM: Please describe the sneaker scene where you’re
based.
Taylor: The sneaker scene in Atlanta is remarkable.
It’s such a diverse city that there’s no telling what you may find on the feet
of its residents. Sneaker culture is very popular here.
IDYSM: What’s your own relationship with sneakers – do
you collect, how much of a sneaker head are you?
Taylor: I would say I have a healthy relationship with
sneakers. The majority of my sneakers are Jordan’s, but I wouldn’t consider
myself much of a sneaker head. I buy what I like and not what’s been hyped,
lol.
IDYSM: What’s the hottest sneaker location in the
world for you and why?
The hottest sneaker location in the world to me
would have to be Atlanta, because it’s sneaker culture is diverse.
IDYSM: Where is the sneaker game at right now and what
does 2013 have in store?
Taylor: The sneaker game right now is ok, I mean you
get a lot of choices to choose from, but companies don’t give consumers enough
time between releases. Companies have lowered the quality of their shoes but
have raised prices. I expect some
really dope kicks to drop.
IDYSM: I always like to end my interviews with this
question… what’s on your feet right now? The Air Jordan Grey Cement 3’s
Had a great time doing this interview!
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