KidSuper - Becoming A Breakout Surprise At Paris Fashion Week

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Kasey Adams here.

Welcome back to the Rise of the Young podcast. On today's episode, we have Kids super here with us. Kids super was showcased as a main event at Paris Fashion Week last year and I've been following kidsuper for quite some time. They just recently raised over half a million dollars with Russ and I'll make sure to link that down below so that you can learn more. And before we get into the show, please take a moment to share this episode with a friend. Screenshot this episode, share it on social.

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Alright, what is going on everyone? Casey Adams here. Welcome back to the Rise of the Young podcast. Today we're we have Kidsuper here with us. Thanks so much for coming on.

My man. Woo.

I'm here. I'm excited about this, man. I wanna first off, address just something that I'm super stoked about. I know recently what you've been talking about on Instagram. You and Russ raised half a million dollars for black owned organizations. And for everyone that may not know who you are, what you do, you have such an incredible brand and you have such a unique culture that you've built all across social media. But I'd love for you to tell the audience more about what you do from a creative perspective regarding clothing and painting before we dive into it.

Yeah. So I guess Kid super was a brand I started when I was quite young that progressed into different mediums basically just because of my curiosity of wanting to be able to do different things. So I was always good at painting, I was always good at drawing. And I applied that to T shirts. And from there the T shirts turned into sweaters, the sweaters turned into hats. Hats turned into full Paris Fashion week collections. And that was just kind of me taking any opportunity that I had and making the most of it. And so a lot of people are always curious or wondering why I do so many different things. But for me, it's kind of all under this Kid super creative umbrella. And it doesn't seem so much as different things. It's just the same mindset applied to different problems. So if it's. If I have to do an art show or a music video or a claymation or a fashion show, to me they're all kind of the same thing. Each progression of the brand has always been kind of organically. Okay, this opportunity came. Let's try to do the biggest and always trying to level up and do crazy projects. Yeah, yeah.

When did you first start getting, you know, like these collaborations with. Whether that's high level artists or doing the video, it's like, what was that transition point?

The thing is, people always think that it's like this moment and they always think like, oh, how did column get in contact with Ross? Or how did Column and like specifically right now, like, what's poppin just dropped the music video and Tory Lane and Jack Harlow are wearing it. It's like, how did that happen? But it's funny, like each or Joey Badass or all these different people. It's all a personal relationship. Kind of like in a way I put on Russ. Like, Russ lived with me in my basement when he was nobody and I was more popping and introducing him to different people. People are Always thinking like, oh, Russ is now putting you on. It's like, Russ used to live in my basement for five months and I was showing him and telling everybody and that to listen to Russ. And so it's a funny. So like, that's just me supporting a young artist that ended up being successful. But I was just a really. That was a relationship thing. We're the same age. We both liked each other's hustle. I just liked him around. And I was like, hey, I built this recording studio live in my basement. And then a lot of different people, it's like before they were famous, came through the kids super building. And now since we have that long lasting relationship, as people succeed, we maintain it. And I think as they level up, I always try to level up. So it's like we're at the same level mentality. I think that's dope, man.

That's super cool. I'd love for you. Speaking of Russ, I'd love for you to touch on what you guys recently did together. I know, like, I brought up at the beginning of this episode, but you guys raised over half a million dollars for black owned organizations. This idea come from. And how did you. Why did you guys decide to partner on this?

So the reason we partnered because three years ago, Russ did his first ever, like, big festivals, right? And it was Rolling Loud. It was one in Atlanta, one in Vegas, whatever. But Rolling Loud, I remember was one of them. And he was like, yo, I'm about to do five festivals in a row. Because I think it was like festival season. He's like, what should I wear? We're going back and forth because he wanted to wear Kid super and stuff. And I was like, look, this is your first. Like, he had just hit a million followers and everything, blah, blah, blah. I was like, this is your chance to like, mad people are gonna see this. Let's make some, like, powerful clothing. And it's funny, like, thinking back at it, it's like, yeah, I didn't care at all about Kid super being seen. I was just like, let's make some powerful statements. So one of the. We made like four of them. Obviously one went super viral. The one. If you. How long. How much lean and zans does it take till you realize you're a loser or something like that.

I remember that one went crazy.

That one went crazy. But before that one, we had done three, two others. And one of them was this Racism one. If white silence is pro racism or speak up. The shirt that we just released. So we had done this Three years ago. And so when this whole movement started, me and him were like, damn. Like, we were talking about this. Not to like, be saying that we were first or anything, but. Because we're obviously not. But we were talking about it three years ago. Let's re release this T shirt. Because it already had momentum and that other lean T shirt had gotten so viral. We knew that, like, because it was the same my painting handwriting I knew and same, like, style I knew would take off. So that was the reason, because we had done it in the past. So we were like, fuck it.

Let's.

Let's try to rerun it. And also it was like, I'm a clothing brand. What's one thing I can do to raise the most amount of money? People were donating. So, yeah, and I think we were like, we were one of. Once we started making T shirts, so many brands started. So we were definitely an inspiration. But we thought we were gonna sell like 500 t shirts, maybe 400 t shirts. We sold 15,000. Wow.

You guys.

Half a million. But no one understands. Like, there was. Those T shirts were only $28.

Yeah.

You have to sell so many T shirts to get to half a million. So, yeah, it was pretty overwhelming. We were. We were shocked. And then I did my own little one that raised a little bit. And yeah, so it was super tight.

How did you guys originally meet?

So my friend. Well, what was cool about the T shirt before is we got to speak with the founders of Black Lives Matter on the phone. And that was crazy experience because. Yeah, amazing. And just to hear the story of how Black Lives Matter started and to think was just like an organic idea that normal people started that ends up now. Black Lives Matter is a huge, like, concept. It's now an idea that they. It's like every street names are called it, you know, like Lives Matter. And I got to speak with one of the founders, which was really cool. And then we got to hand pick where we wanted to donate. Yeah. And so. Yeah. And then how did me and Russ meet?

He said he was sleeping on your floor. I think that's a. There's a lesson in that, because I know he always talks about his come up and story. It's like these are the stories people don't hear. And I think that's the unique thing that people don't understand is moments like that where you have to stay at someone's crib five months when you're hustling in the studio. And that's what people see, right?

Yeah, it's Funny. Like, people always call, like, Russ an industry plant. And we're. We were, like, in the basement wondering why nobody was listening to his music. So it's, like, so funny to hear the content. And he was dropping, like, millions of songs. But the way we met was he had, like, gotten on some blogs a little bit, and his band camp had, like, a million songs or something like that. And he was starting this SoundCloud thing, and one of my friends who was, like, trying to become a manager was just interested in music hit him up and was like, dude, you're awesome. And he had, like. I think he had, like, 800 Instagram followers, like, legitimately a normal person.

Yeah, that's dope.

And I had, like, 12K or something like that, and. Or maybe 6K. I think I might have had 6K.

Okay.

And so, yeah, he hit him up and was like, hey, man, like, you're awesome. You should come up to New York and just meet new people. And he was in Atlanta, and he was like, yeah, I'll come up to New York. Because Russ, any opportunity was down, and he wanted to shoot some music videos. And so my friend was like, you should meet Kid Super. He'll help you. He'll direct some music videos. So I was like. And he asked me like, hey, Column, you want to direct some music videos? I was like, sure, why not? And so I did Gypsy. I direct Gypsy's music video. And then we were just meeting, talking, and, like, we related. I liked him as a person. We're the same age. So I was like, hey, man, sorry. It was like, you want to see the store, obviously? And I was like, I just built a recording studio in the basement. And so I was like, hey, you should check out this basement. And it's a cool. It wasn't obviously the best recording studio, but it was a great vibe. And I had stolen a vending machine door, so it slides open into the recording studio. And he loved it, was like, this is awesome. And I was like, yeah, man, you can stay, like, as long as you want. And we kind of just like, built a cool, creative relationship. And so from there, yeah, like, that's the story.

That's super cool, man. I know that you brought up Paris Fashion Week. How did that opportunity come up in your life? And how did. What did that moment mean to you? Because that's literally the epitome of design. And.

That really wasn't an opportunity. That was just. I went for it. So it's like, you can obviously, you can throw a fashion show at the same Time as Paris Fashion Week and not be the official calendar. So I was just like, okay, I'm gonna throw a fashion week in Paris or fashion show in Paris during Paris Fashion Week. And I hope, like, that's like, how you audition basically is like you have to throw your own. So it just, it got a ton of good reviews and press. And so then I did it again and I still got rejected from the actual calendar. And then I did it a third time, or I applied a third time and they accepted me. And to think, like, the kids super brand comparative to all the other brands, like, it couldn't be more different. Like, we release clothes whenever the fuck we want. We focus more on, like, creative projects or doing silly things. It's me and a couple friends like, that aren't even fashion people that are just hanging out making stuff. So it's pretty crazy to be compared with Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermes. Yeah, it's wild.

When you go into this creative mode, what inspires you for different projects? And how do you pick and choose what ideas to place in different videos or different events?

You just really got to go for it. For me, it's like, we deadlines are huge. Inspire inspiration for me. And like, rules and failures and all that stuff are huge. What's this? Oh, cmos. This kid on Instagram Fire. Also, we just got the chlorine. It's in there. You want to bring it and try to figure it out in the hallway? Sorry, but what were you saying? Oh, creative ideas. It's just like throwing myself out into this. It's like, okay, we have to do a Paris Fashion Week, so I have to come up with a concept so I have. You know what I mean? And then from there it's like, I think a lot of people don't put like, enough pressure on themselves to come up with an idea. And so they give themselves too much time and they give themselves. So, yeah, if I had a million years to come up with the perfect fashion show, I would be constantly second guessing myself. And so these. It's like, fuck it, dude. You have to come up with an idea. Idea. You better figure it out.

When did you start putting out content on social media and building an audience there?

I mean, it's funny because I was making T shirts before Instagram because Instagram is only like 7 years old or 6 years old or whatever, So I was making T shirts in high school, so I was funny. I was like, in high school, I was like, how do you get people that aren't your friends to Buy your clothes. I didn't really was hard. You had to have, like, a brick and mortar with your community and then that people would find it from like, okay, you're in Soho. I went to Soho to shop. I found your store. But nowadays, yeah, it's just Instagram and stuff. Or. Yeah. I don't know. I never. I was just being myself. I was super transparent. I don't treat the kids Super Instagram as a brand. Like, you never. You always see my captions. I always say hi. I always say, like, post my failures or me doing silly stuff.

Yeah.

And for me, that was just because I'd go to a brand's Instagram and it'd be so just sterile, which might be good for sales, but for me, it was. It was never about sales. It was creating, like a community and having fun and stuff like that.

What's your advice to, you know, up and coming designers that are looking to build that brand, build that community? Because you've done that so well. Yeah.

I mean, one. It takes longer than you think. Community, friendship, all that shit is time. You know what I mean? And now I've done. I've been doing it for when I was so young that even you can say, like, my relationship with Russ, like, Russ doesn't fuck with new people. Really? Yeah. Because obviously he's like, questions people, whatever. But also he's a diva. But I'm saying, like, that relationship came with time. All of it came with time. So, yeah, people want this overnight success, and I just don't believe in the overnight success. I also don't respect the overnight success. So it's like, I don't want to wear a brand that blew up in a year. Yeah. I want to wear a brand that has a story and everything.

Yeah, totally. Where did the name Kidsuper come from? For everyone that's wondering.

Yeah, I really was, like, in high school, when I was starting to make T shirts, I was like 4 foot 8, didn't have pubic hair, like, the most, like, young kid ever. So I really was this, like, Kid super character where I can be. Thought I could be anything and everything. And so we were like, freestyle rapping one day and on like, instant messenger, and I was like, yeah, I can be. I was like, I like the idea that these rappers create this, like, superhero Persona and they can, like, they become these bigger than life characters.

Yeah.

And so I was like, I could be super kid. And someone responded. Or my best friend responded, Kid Super. I was like, Kid super is kind of a fire brand name. Yeah. And yeah, I had another brand name I was working on in high school. And I like kept switching it with Kid Super. And I was like. But what I liked about Kid super was like the story that you could be a Kid Super. It constantly inspires me to be this superhero figure. I remember just like I've said it before, but I dropped these sunglasses. These not sunglasses, ski goggles. Right. And with ASAP tie. And I was doing this promo video where it wasn't snowing at the time. So I was like, okay, I'll just ski down the scare the staircase in the store. And I was like, on top of the staircase. And we didn't have ski boots. We got the skis from a thrift shop. So I duct taped my just regular shoes to skis, which you forget that how important it is to be strapped in. And so I'm looking over the edge and I'm like, this is such a stupid idea. But I was like, okay, fuck it. I'm Kid Super. I gotta go for it. And so I literally went down and like, it was so painful when I landed. I wouldn't say landed, crashed at the bottom. But yeah, that's kind of like the Kid super spirit's always making me take that leap. And so like Paris Fashion Week was a leap. Just like doing music videos and fashion and art shows is a leap. But it's always pushing me to be this like, out of the. This crazy figure.

That's the definition of living your brand, Right? Right.

Yeah, no, for sure. And I mean, like, lot of brands are called or like their ethos is like either super luxurious or like kind of like scumbaggy or like whatever. And so like, you have to kind of constantly be embodying this brand. And for me, luckily it's like kids super. So authentically me that it works. And that's another thing. If you're starting a brand you want to be authentically you or what you want to be.

Yeah, totally. Do you have like a dream partnership or collaboration that is on your dream board in any sense?

So I just did one of my dreams. I made a soccer cleat with Puma. So that's a pretty. Yeah, we have a soccer coming out. Okay. That was a dream collaboration. I fucking love Ronaldinho. He's a soccer player. And I've been trying my hardest to get collab with him. But he's Nike. He's a Nike athlete. And I have this PUMA contract, but that one. Yeah, I mean, we're hitting a lot of these. These dream things. Yeah, Yeah, I think like everything I'm doing now, just scaling it up so like a bigger art show. I've been doing a lot of like little TV shows on Instagram, but making that big, like a real TV show and stuff like that.

With. I know you brought up earlier, Jack Harlow, that hunt, that entire music video, they were rocking it. When it comes to things like that, the importance of getting your clothes and music videos, when it comes to just building the brand awareness, what does that feel like and what is the aftermath of, you know, a song like what's poppin? They're wearing your clothes. As a designer, what do you feel on the back end from that? Because that's what a lot of people, you know, people don't see that perspective.

And was, I think before back in the day when there is like less content, it meant more. Okay. Now it's just like there's so many, so many things happening that it's not, it doesn't change. It's not like an overnight like, oh shit, you're in what's poppin? Your life has changed. Wow. It's not like that at all. Yeah. Even like necessarily buy what it is. It just like for your audience that you already have, they'll be like, okay, Tory Lanez is wearing it. This must be cool. Like that it helps like solidify the actual design. But it's not so much. You don't get overnight sales because they're not tagging it. You know what I mean? Like, it's hard to find. That's why like people always say like supreme. Half of their clothes just says supreme on it. Right. And people hate that. They're like, it's such a logo driven brand or even high end brands. It's like Gucci. Gucci. Yeah. But the concept is when people do wear it in these videos and stuff, you see exactly what it is. You know what I mean? So you have to be the brand whore a little bit and you have to write kids super huge on stuff. But yeah, I mean that is. Yeah, it's crazy to see what I think is like if you wear my clothes, we're best friends. Yeah. That's what I feel is pretty cool.

For sure. Especially there's so many brands out there, from designer brands to brands people love wearing.

Yeah. They didn't have to wear my.

Yeah, I saw that's the most like personal thing you can get with someone is getting them wearing a piece of your clothing.

No. And it's cool because like, I don't know, some of these people like, like I do know Jack Harlow, and he came to the store and he's awesome, but I didn't. I don't know Tory Lanez. I've never met him or talked to him. But now if I do meet or talk to him, I'll be like, I think we're best friends, man. Yeah.

I don't want to take up too much time. I have one more question before I let you go, man. Moving forward into 2020, what are you excited about with the kids super brand? And what should people be staying tuned for?

Right, so I have a Puma collab coming in, out in, like, two months, and we're launching a cartoon, like, to promo it. And I have this cartoon series coming out that I'm super excited about. And, yeah, I mean, that's for this year. And the cartoon series was inspired by Covid because we had to do. We were going to do this whole tournament and event and everything, and now we're. Obviously, we can't have that, so. And I always wanted to make my own cartoon, so now I have this little cartoon coming out.

That's sick, man. Well, that's amazing, my man. What is the best place for people to stay in touch with everything you got going on?

Yeah, I think Instagram's the only one I really like, pay attention to. I'm at Twitter. I don't even know what to talk about. And, yeah, Instagram @kidsuper.

Perfect.

Monarch Legacy of Monsters. An Apple original series. The world is on fire. I decided to do something about it on November 17th. This place, it's not ours. Believe me. The most massive event of the year arrives. If you come with me, you'll know everything. I promise.

Oh, my God.

Go, go, go.

Monarch Legacy of Monsters. Streaming November 17th only on Apple TV.

Plus.