Blurb from YAMS:

I have seen nothing like this! I just read Dezeenmail #53 containing the technicolour crucifix by Stefan Strumbel and I was blown away by his concept. It has never crossed my mind to see the crucifix like this. Moreover, in saying so, many questions come to mind: Does he know he is brilliant? Is he aware of how much shit he is going to get for doing this? [Laughs] Man, he has to be over it [religion]. Is he is non-Christian? Is he mad at something? Is he telling us something that we will refuse to see? Is he fed up with Christianity? Is he a Catholic? Why now? Why does he call it “Home Sweet Home”? Was this a way to get attention? Well, it worked.

As blasphemous as this might read, I like his willingness to just do it… and prepare for the backlash and hate crimes behind your actions. Leave a comment, tell us what you think. Are you for it or against it?

Click here to see the others.

Photo: The Signtologist

Blurb from YAMS:

Often, the power of meaningful social networking underestimates. Nearly a month ago, I shared a conversation with Plastic God and through that relationship, Signtologist became “the homie.” Sharing a relationship of friendship and respect with Colorado Emcee Whygee, when Whygee came to my home a few days ago, quickly he spotted The Signtologist stickers on my desktop computer and immediately took a picture. I say that to say the love that most Denver artists show to each other is enchanting. You should practice it. For more information about The Signtologist, kindly click here. For a high-resolution of this video, visit our Vimeo profile. Thanks.

About the Signtologist:

DUNN, aka ‘The Signtologist’ recycles discarded street signs as a canvas for his unique art.
Dunn’s work has appeared in dozens of national outlets including XXL and he has created art for hundreds of athletes, artists and musicians such as Ludacris, Spike Lee, Pharrell Williams and Slick Rick to name a few.

Photo: Fake Blood

Blurb from YAMS:

His blood is real.

About Fake Blood:

Fake Blood is an alias used by DJ Touché, also half of The Black Ghosts (which Touché has remixed under the Fake Blood alias). His original productions included two major club hits, “Mars” and “Blood Splashing (Fake Blood Theme)”. In 2009, He released the “Fix Your Accent” EP, including the original tracks “The Dozens”, “I Think I Like It”, and “Fix Your Accent”. He has done remixes for Dan Le Sac, Armand van Helden, The Count & Sinden, UNKLE and others.

MP3: “I Think I Like It” by Fake Blood

Photos from http://www.roburky.co.uk/

Blurb from YAMS:

During one of my many online searches, I stumbled upon a video game called Alice and Kev: the Homeless Sims. I started to read the story line and became hooked. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but it is about a daughter and father duo who are homeless surviving on free meals from work and school. To begin reading the story, kindly click here and click here to download Alice and Kev for your Sims 3.

About Robin Burkinshaw:

My name is Robin Burkinshaw, and I am a student of games design/development at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK. I’m also known in some places as roBurky. You can find more about me, more about the things I do, and more stories like this at my website: http://www.roburky.co.uk

Blurb from YAMS:

Planet Soap? What’s cleaner than that?

Fede “dsm”‘s Bio:

Fede ”dsm” born as a Hip-Hop beatmaker in 1998, then many years of Funk, Soul and Experimental research drove him through the “undergroundest” Hip-Hop producing a lot of beats for his city’s many crews. In 2008, he met Filippo Papetti and there were born Planet Soap. From the original imprint in classic beat-making, Planet Soap developed itself in grooving beats and wobble basses, with a never extinguished care to the soul. In 2009, Fede ”dsm”, through Bamalovesoul.blogspot.com, release an EP of 21 beats, one minute lenght each one. Now, with the Snooze’s collaboration, Planet Soap prepares to explore nu genres. Recently, he played before Neil Landsrumm and James Pants in their Italian venues. His music is in endless evolution.

GrungeCake: I can hear the Jay Dee (J Dilla influence). Which artists heavily inspire your sound and process?

Fede “dsm”: Obviously, Jay Dee mainly inspired me, but many others like Madlib, Rza, 9th Wonder, Danger Mouse, Sa-Ra, Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke, Slugabed and all “wonky” scene took me from Hip-Hop to the wonky-dirty-electronic beats in a very smooth way. However I love all the good music like funk, soul and dirty 80’s (whom I love the giant reverbs) and various artists of those years like Prince and George Clinton. Obviously, I love and support the Italian electronic scene like Crookers and Bloody Beetroots.

GrungeCake: Does your city have a signature sound? Is it anything like the music you create?

Fede “dsm”: Well, there are really few of us doin’ this genre in our Milan, I don’t know why but our city is not so “fresh” as you might think about electronic music. I really believe to be one of the first here. Anyway, UK Grime and Dubstep really inspired me, more than any other city could do. For the drums groove, I took the Detroit attitude.

GrungeCake: Tell us about NosajLazerDilla and any upcoming projects you are developing.

Fede “dsm”: Oh, yes.. I enjoy making’ mini-mixes of songs that have a common sound and feeling, and Nosaj Thing, Lazer Sword and J Dilla gave me so much with their last albums, that I’ve listened them massively in the last times and also I’m waiting the next releases of Stones Throw for Dilla (Donut Shop LP). Lately, I’m more than a solo producer, I collaborate with Filippo Papetti in our project Planet Soap. He helps me in producing’ my songs and for the live sets. He’s from Ravenna, so we fill together the gaps by playing all over the northern Italy. Planet Soap recently involved another guy from Milan, Snooze!Snooze!Snooze!, he’s an Electronic producer.

Me and Snooze! are working on some new remixes like the last one “Momma’s Place” by Roisin Murphy. As Planet Soap I’m finishing’ my new release, it will be a 6 or 8 tracks Grime/HipHop EP. I’m waiting data confirm to host some Dubstep events in Milano’s clubs like Rocket, Honky Tonky and Bologna’s Locomotiv. I received many requests of Podcasts by Ragnampiza.blogspot.com, 3isacrowd.net and Rockit.it and I’m working on them.

GrungeCake: Are you open to vocalists: rappers and singers speaking on your tracks? How and who should they contact?

Fede “dsm”: I’m definitely open to any kind of collaboration. I have contacts in every social networks, from myspace to soundcloud.

GrungeCake: Who would you like to collaborate with?

Fede “dsm”: Mayer Hawthorne, Dam Funk, Oliver DaySoul, Onra, Fulgeance and Slugabed are my favorite artists, but if you want impossible names, well Rza, Cee-Lo, Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Erykah Badu.

GrungeCake: Are you on a label? Do you perform live?

Fede “dsm”: At the moment I’m hosted by no-one, and I’m searching for a label, especially for my work-in-progress EP. Now I’m focusing on Dj sets with PlanetSoap tracks, soon we’ll build a live-set to get higher and higher! Recently, we opened the party to Neil Landstrumm and James Pants.

GrungeCake: Do you think aspiring producers need a lot of money to be a successful entertainer? What advice do you have for people who want to produce their music?

Fede “dsm”: I always thought that good equipment helps a lot, but nothing can replace your own taste, skills and how-to in producing cool stuff. This is real, any software or hardware you choose, you have to own that instrument. Many of my favorite artists produce with no more than one software, but with a lot of know-how. My only advice, first of all to me, is: ”Be yourself, and music will speak itself. ”
I think music is in endless evolution, so you never finished with HER..

GrungeCake: How far is Milano from Udine? How did you meet Railster?

Fede “dsm”: I met Railster on social networks cause I liked his stuff and now we support each other a lot. We never met in real life but we hope doin’it soon, maybe for a featuring or a live-set. I don’t really know how many Kms (neither Yards) are we far away, but we keep always in touch.

GrungeCake: What do you like about GrungeCake?

Fede “dsm”: I sincerely knew you by the Railster’s podcast on your pages, now I’m following you day-by-day and I wouldn’t be without your interviews and your music proposal. Keeping on pushing new artists is the best thing that could be done nowadays, and you’re so good in that.

GrungeCake: How far would you like your music to go? Are you prepared to take the necessary steps to make sure it gets there?

Fede “dsm”: Making music is the only real fun for me, so I don’t put limits in doing it, neither in where it will be. I’m ready for everything!

GrungeCake: Would you like to thank anyone?

Fede “dsm”: First of all, thanks to you for the interview. My cheers to Elis, Filippo, Snooze, Railster, Kappah, Populous, Ether, Dj Blue, Andrea Mi, Ragnampiza, Fugu, RKaard, A-Gain (and Suspect Devices Rec.), Slugabed and dj Rahdu from Bamalovesoul.

Photo: djimages.biz

Blurb from Ny Wesson:

Pulling threads to the extreme length, Jeantrix Co. walks in the door with an ass full of tulle and a mouth full of leather. ‘Probably does not make sense, but that is the beauty of it! I was super stoked to snag an interview with this bold adventurous line and finally knowing what makes us Jeantrix Junkies.

Photo: Salvador Ochoa + Saul

GrungeCake: I may know my history on Jeantrix Co., but you could put it in better words than I can. Let our readers know what the company is, who all is involved and how did the name come about.

Jeantrix: Jeantrix is a clothing line based out of the Philadelphia area. The clothes are a mixture of fantasy and fun incorporated into fashion. Currently, there are two owners/designers of the company (Nyce and Homm). The name came about from us brainstorming and saying, “our jeans were doing tricks.” Corny, but it worked. (Laughs)

GrungeCake: Is there a message Jeantrix is trying to spread? If so, please do tell.

Jeantrix: Our message is to be different; there are no rules to fashion. Fashion has lost its fun since the 80′s, so we are bringing that back.

GrungeCake: Do you prefer sketching designs or actually constructing them?

Jeantrix: We prefer constructing designs, because when you sketch them you limit yourself to what’s on the paper. It’s kind of like free styling and letting your ideas flow.

GrungeCake: Tell us about the process of designing the futuristic construction of Jeantrix Co.

Jeantrix: The process we go by is: Inspiration (from any and everything i.e. movies, music, life itself) Brainstorming (coming up with different random themes for the new collections) Conception (picking a concept or theme for the collection that we agree on) and last but not least, construction of the clothes.

Photo: djimages.biz

GrungeCake: What do you like best about designing clothes?

Jeantrix: The best part about designing clothes are the creative process (each new collection is as if the company gave birth to a new child) and the positive feedback we get from the fans or as we call them “Jeantrix Junkies.”

GrungeCake: What do you believe are the downfalls of designing?

Jeantrix: The only downfall is the reinvention of fashion. In other industries you can base your entire career on the same image, however in fashion you have to reinvent yourself. Also, there are only downfalls in life — if you allow them to be downfalls’ — so staying positive is a must.

GrungeCake: How would you define the style your line exemplifies?

Jeantrix: The style of the line is really fantasy and fun and it depends on each collection. It can be anything from 80′s (when we first started) grunge to Harajuku, or even pop inspired/themed.

GrungeCake: What are some of your fashion goals?

Jeantrix: Our fashion goals are to be in stores worldwide, to style more top celebrities, and to allow our consumers to feel like they are not just wearing clothing, but they are wearing an actual “look”.

GrungeCake: Where do you get your inspiration and how does that translate in some of Jeantrix’s work?

Jeantrix: Our inspiration can come from anything from TV, music, pop culture, super heroes, or even trash. (One man’s trash is another man’s gold) (Laughs) I always wanted to be a trash man. (Laughs)

GrungeCake: What are some of your favorite fashion websites and magazines? I know GrungeCake is one of them — (laughs)

Jeantrix: Well, of course GrungeCake. (Laughs) Italian Vogue, Bazaar magazine, comic books. As far as websites, fashion blogs are currently what’s in now, especially jeantrixclothingco.blogspot.com

GrungeCake: What other experiences do you have in the fashion industry (stylist, retail, marketing, etc.)?

Jeantrix: We both have retail experience, styling for celebrities and magazine photo shoots. We are currently working on a lot of marketing and P.R. work.

GrungeCake: What are your favorite colors to work with and why?

Jeantrix: Oddly enough, our favorite color to work with is black. You wouldn’t think that, because of all the colors we add to the clothes. Black brings everything together and makes certain colors pop. It is the most versatile color there is.

Photo: Lindsay Husk Photography

GrungeCake: What are your favorite fabrics to work with?

Jeantrix: Our favorite fabrics are tulle, lace, leather, and felt. Every collection we try to work with more and more different types of fabrics.

GrungeCake: What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?

Jeantrix: Our advice is to just do it. People make accomplishing a goal harder than what it is. If you are a musician, then make music. if you want to be an astronaut, then go to the moon. (Laughs) It’s like the law of attraction, sometimes you don’t have to necessarily know how you’re going to accomplish things. All you know is that you will accomplish them and that’s all you need. We all have been told “you can be anything you want to be” and it’s truer today than ever before.

GrungeCake: Where can readers purchase Jeantrix Co.?

Jeantrix: Readers or Jeantrix Junkies can purchase the clothes on our eBay store (type in “Jeantrix” in the search bar). We will be in stores within a few months so stay tuned. Also the official website will be up this summer! (Smiles)

GrungeCake: We hope we satisfied your sweet tooth and Jeantrix comes back for some homemade GrungeCake.

Jeantrix: Thanks for the awesome interview!

Photos: Courtesy of Cadre Cartel

Blurb from YAMS:

David Alexander of Cadre Cartel is a 22 year old Graphic Designer from Washington, D.C. who currently resides in San Francisco, California. For more of their world, kindly click here.

GrungeCake: How long has Team Titans and Cadre Cartel been in co-existence?

Cadre Cartel: Team Titans Entertainment has been around since 2007 and Cadre Cartel was set up in early 2009.

GrungeCake: You have mentioned, “we want to bring a sense of unity and creativity back into the music industry?” When did it leave? Kindly elaborate on your statement.

Cadre Cartel: Currently, there are a lot of “crab in a barrel“ situations going on. Not wanting to work with someone because of their status, etc. or hating on someone because they are trying something different. In Hip-Hop’s early days, it was for the love of the art, the expression. Not what you look like or what car you drive. Everyone helped each other to get where they wanted to be and tried to learn from one another. That’s something we are trying help bring back.

GrungeCake: Which album covers, or disfigurement were or are you displeased with?

Cadre Cartel: I’m not displeased with any piece. I’m just trying to bring a different take with my work. I’ve been an art major since high school and trained in many different types of media. With that gift, I’m trying to bring those techniques out in my pieces to make sure there are as unique as possible for the client.

GrungeCake: How do you know which artists are worth your services?

Cadre Cartel: (Laughs) Everyone is most definitely worth our services. We are here to help provide upcoming and established artists alike with quality work whether it is album layouts, DJ hosting, or collaborations. If we have the ability to take care of your needs, we will.

GrungeCake: Are you fans of the music before you reach out?

Cadre Cartel: If we are reaching out, then yes we are usually already fans of their work. Having said that, we are always looking to meet and work with new artists! That’s actually how we found our two producers Marcel and Devin, amazingly talented people. As well as an artist from Indiana named Wes T — who we are about to start working with heavily.

GrungeCake: What do you do if a ‘wack artist’ contacts you and wants your services?

Cadre Cartel: An artist is an artist. If you work hard, believe in, and stand behind the work you put out — we will work with you.

GrungeCake: How did the G-Unit collaboration happen? What exactly did you do with or for G-Unit?

Cadre Cartel: Basically, the story behind us and Trav getting together on that Leaders of the New School tape was at the same time he had just released his new single ‘Ride the Wave’. DJ 4five is good friends with Diesel, head of G-Unit Promo; he approached him with the single to push out there in Canada in all the clubs and radio stations. 4five was really feeling the record, so he contacted Trav and was like, “Let’s put out a tape.” We all just clicked from there. We are currently setting up his newest tape title to be announced soon but definitely keep an eye out for that.

GrungeCake: Talk about the Creative Control video. How did you feel when you found out your work was going to be featured?

Cadre Cartel: It was definitely an exciting moment. That situation is the epitome of the idea that we are trying to push. To put out quality work, really try to help the other person and build their brand. Respect and hard work will always be appreciated and returned if the company you keep is of that same mindset.

GrungeCake: Elaborate on your portfolio.

Cadre Cartel: I would like to think my portfolio truly portrays range. There are some cartoony pieces as well as more realistic layouts. I always ask the client what style are they going for or do they have a direction in which they want to go. I try to provide people with as few limitations as possible. Which I hope my portfolio demonstrates as well as the rest of the work our company does.

GrungeCake: Cadre Cartel, where does that name come from?

Cadre Cartel: Cadre Cartel, simply put, means “Foundation Family.” We are a group of people that have been working extremely hard and have been blessed with the opportunity to work with amazingly talented artists. So DJ 4five and I sat down and put together a plan to help give other artists or businesses a trusted avenue get them to the level they want to be.

GrungeCake: What made you contact GrungeCake Magazine for an interview?

Cadre Cartel: I was actually referred to GrungeCake from an old friend. After viewing the site and reading some of the articles, I thought it would be a great place to introduce the company. I admire GrungeCake‘s love of art and its forms of expression. Whether it is music, illustration, photography, etc.

GrungeCake: What makes your team news worthy?

Cadre Cartel: The fact that we are bringing a positive message out with our work. Nothing is impossible it is just the question of how much work and sacrifice you are willing to put forth to achieve your goal. Keep a positive group of people around you and do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

GrungeCake: What’s next for Cadre Cartel?

Cadre Cartel: Whew! We have Trav’s new tape, Huey’s new video “Hello to Haters” featured on XXLmag.com, Cadre Cartel’s official tape that will feature known and unknown artists. Also, 4five and I have up and coming scheduled events. We have a few projects with an artist by the name of Wes T, which was mentioned before. Collaborations and projects with other artists should make for a very exciting summer and provide a lot of growth.

[showtime]

Photos: Courtesy of Sonia Garcia Moreno

Blurb from YAMS:

I enjoy Sonia Garcia Moreno’s use of colour and her personality. What makes her more compelling is her story. For Sonia Garcia Moreno’s portfolio, kindly click here.

Sonia Garcia Moreno’s Bio (Translated by Jenni Wu):

In her work, artist and designer Sonia Garcia Moreno (born 1980 in Bremen, Germany) handles topics like finding your identity and general identity issues. Moreno, who lives in Berlin now, digests her personal experiences and the overcoming of psychic problems in her mash-ups, as well as sexual issues and her own migration background as a daughter of a Spanish immigration family. The collages/mash-ups are half handmade and half computer generated.

Title: The Crazy Chick

Personal:

GrungeCake: Who is Sonia Garcia Moreno? What is her personality like? What are her pet peeves? What makes her laugh, uncontrollably? What was she doing before the online social networking phenomenon?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: I’m the daughter of Spanish immigrants in Germany. I love life and hate when people walk too slowly in front of me and stop all of a sudden. Sometimes when I lie in bed at night and think about the day, I burst into laughter. When I feel over-socialised I become a little aloof.

Title: Economic Crisi

GrungeCake: Does she watch a lot of television? Does she read newspapers? What is your take on the current state of world politics? What makes an ideal weekend for Sonia Garcia Moreno?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: I rarely watch television, only sometimes for the news. I don’t buy newspapers either, I get my information through the web or magazines. But, I can’t tell you a lot about world politics. My ideal weekend contains the following things: art, culture, and an occasional techno party.

Illustration:

Title: Vagina Valentina

GrungeCake: I am easily attracted to your personal works. Explain ‘Vagina Valentina’. What’s behind the title?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: “Vagina Valentina” was supposed to become a play for the theater in which Valentina snarfs chocolates from people who are in love. Eventually, she got punished and sentenced to work at a beer factory.

Title: The Taxman

GrungeCake: Like my friend, Benjamin Stasola, I recognize a repetition of colours in certain pieces; The Taxman, Vagina Valentina, The Crazy Chick, Economic Crisi, The Zeldoxes, and Waiting to Die. Are these pieces part of a series? What is/are the message/s you want to share with your fans?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: Yes, they’re part of a series while the Zeldox images came first. They all deal with personal daily life experiences, coping with psychic states of crisis and questions of sexuality.

Title: Zeldox #1

Title: Zeldox #2

Title: Zeldox #3

GrungeCake: Do you enjoy working with mixed media? What do you use to illustrate? Are you sketching with pencil on paper or are you a tablet illustrator?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: I love the mixture of analogue and digital. I draw with an ink pen and colorize on the computer.

GrungeCake: How long have been in the visual arts business? Is there a demand for your style of illustration in Berlin, Germany?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: I’ve been working as an artist for a couple of years with a special emphasis on techniques. I’ve borrowed from classic illustration. Berlin’s art scene is quite open minded and doesn’t judge when people cross the line between illustration and the arts.

GrungeCake: Which artists (or objects) are you most influenced by? Have you influenced other artists?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: Daily life is my motor. What inspires me is this city and my environment. Of course, I enjoy exhibitions, museums or theaters. But mostly I profit from my experiences with fellow artists. They keep me going. I think it’s a mutual benefit.

Title: Waiting to Die

Graphic Design:

GrungeCake: Is your graphic design works your “bread and butter work”?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: Yeah… it’s funy: I am also often asked what I prefer: design or the arts. But I don’t wanna make that segregation. I think it’s more clever if you call it culture.

GrungeCake: What is good design? What is bad design?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: When it comes to design, I’m a purist. Less is more. I like simple clarity. To me, bad design is everything that screams for attention and makes me wish for a moment of peace.

GrungeCake: Is GrungeCake popular in your city? What are suggestions that can help to make GrungeCake popular in your city?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: Well, social networking is a global thing and maybe you should do more over here, because GrungeCake isn’t too visible in Berlin. Nevertheless, I always have the feeling that it works on a word-to-mouth level, too, especially in Berlin. So, I’ll spread the word.

GrungeCake: What do you think about our website? Is there any particular artist or thing that you like about our website?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: What I like about GrungeCake is that there’s a print version besides the weblog. I love a fresh print mag in my hands from time to time; I hope it’ll stay an important medium in the digital age.

GrungeCake: What’s next for Sonia Garcia Moreno?

Sonia Garcia Moreno: I WANT TO EAT MORE CARROTS.

Photos: Resin Denim

Blurb from YAMS:

Headlined “Enough with the Leggings! Why Resin Makes Us Want to Wear Jeans Again“, Chelsea Zalopany writes about how the designers met, what makes them different in the cult pool of jean designers, how much their brand costs, the connection with Paper Denim & Clothing, the fit and last, but definitely not least, our love Ibrahim Ahmed III’s contribution to the jeans. See my interview with Mr. Ahmed by kindly clicking here. To read the article on Vogue.com, kindly click here!

From Vogue.com written by Chelsea Zalopany:

There is something indubitably American about (a) denim and (b) two brainy, hustling New York City hipsters. Chantel Valentene, a native of Brooklyn, first met the small-town Louisianan Durango Adams while they were both studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After five years of freelance designing, these self-proclaimed “denim-heads” quietly launched their jeans line, Resin—you might have stumbled across it in Barneys—at the end of last year—with the help of friend and co-founder of Paper Denim & Cloth Chris Gilbert. “We all brainstormed for months on why there needs to be another denim brand in the market,” says Valentene.
Clearly they thought one does. What separates Resin from the glut of denim labels is its inventive approach to the most utilitarian fabric on the planet. The name of the brand derives from their use of synthetic resins (usually it’s a natural substance found in plants and trees). “Resin, the chemical solution, changed the face of the denim industry from the basic stone and acid washes of the eighties to the crisp and gloss-coated unwashed denim of today,” explains Valentene.

Technicalities aside, it’s evident they’re doing something right from the looks of the brand’s body-hugging burnished skinny, the Lariat ($148), which is manipulated to instantly feel worn-out while being soft to the touch. Or their subtly washed black-garnet signature skinny jean, the Catalyst ($154). The Artisan denim trouser ($154)—which brought them to our attention—takes its cue from menswear. “We’ve relaxed the fit and shortened the length to keep it sexy yet comfortable,” says Adams. There is an artsy (installment artist Ibrahim Ahmed III designed artwork for the pocket linings) and organic feel to the label, which is as effortlessly cool as this pair of jeans-obsessed designers.

Photos: Richardine Bartee

Blurb from YAMS:

When I received an email from Mr. Wahab Shabazz, I wasn’t sure if it was spam or not. So, I had to find out. I’ve had many beverages in life, but none with grassroots beginnings like this. Heavily inspired by their family story, I wanted to know more…

GrungeCake: “Taste the taste,” seemingly is a blatant slogan, however for someone who has not had the Shabazz Fruit Cola experience, please clarify.

Shabazz Cola: When we say, “taste the taste” we are asking you to come into our world and be a part of the Shabazz Cola movement. As far as the “flavor,” well it’s delicious and refreshing!

GrungeCake: What is the Shabazz family’s favourite flavour/s and why? What is your top-selling flavour?

Shabazz Cola: Well all of the flavors is our favorite but if we was to choose let’s say the “top three” I would say Fruit Cola, Banana Pudding, and Ultimate — in no particular order.

GrungeCake: The watermelon flavour looks good. Does the banana pudding and watermelon taste like the real fruit?

Shabazz Cola: Well, the Sweet Watermelon tastes like a fresh ripe watermelon plucked off the vine and the Banana Pudding taste like Grandma’s home cooked fresh out the oven banana pudding dish.

GrungeCake: Frankie Shabazz, your father, was the first African American in the United States to have his own soda business. I smiled whilst typing this question. As the son of Mr. Shabazz and a direct source to your family’s business, how does this make you feel? How does that make your family feel?

Shabazz Cola: Wow! I feel blessed and I thank GOD everyday for it. What my father has done is given me purpose and this business has saved me from a life of crime, jail, and death like many of my friends have fallen into. All of us appreciate the hard work and tremendous sacrifices my father made in order for us to have something of our own.

GrungeCake: Black history month just ended. Has your family’s name and legacy ever been celebrated publicly?

Shabazz Cola: No, not in the way it should be. Many people don’t even know about this historical fact but people like GrungeCake is getting the story out to the public and eventually, The Shabazz Legacy will be recognized properly all over the world.

GrungeCake: Do you remember that moment the NJ Star Ledger published the Shabazz’s interview? How old were you? What was it like? Did it help the sales and familiarity of your product in New Jersey?

Shabazz Cola: Yes, I do. I was 16 years old when it came out. It was cool for me, because in school and on the streets I was like sort of a celebrity and girls was on me. They thought I had money and all that kind of nonsense. During that time, sales actually did increase and more and more people knew about Shabazz Cola.

GrungeCake: Was there a specific demographic in mind when created?

Shabazz Cola: Not at all. My father was greatly inspired to do something for himself and establish something that is his own. As far as the product specifically, my father always talked about having Shabazz Cola sold all over the world to everyone so the demographic was and still is humanity.

GrungeCake: How did you find GrungeCake? What do you think about the name? Would you be willing to collaborate with us, sponsor us, in the future?

Shabazz Cola: I heard about GrungeCake on Facebook. Man, I love that Facebook! I was “clicking” away and I clicked onto the page. Then, I went to the website. After I explored the website, and all the info available I immediately sent GrungeCake our information by way of e-mail. I never knew we would get an interview! This is excellent! Shabazz Cola would definitely be willing to work with GrungeCake in the near future.

GrungeCake: I read your stock list and I didn’t see Queens, New York on your list. Is it available in Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island?

Shabazz Cola: It’s not in New York the way it needs to be. Sometimes people from New York come to Newark, NJ to get Shabazz Cola and things of that nature, but it’s not being distributed in New York. I would do it myself but I’m so busy with New Jersey. It’s hard for me to get out to New York, but sooner than later, I’m going to have to do something about it.

GrungeCake: Where is your family originally from?

Shabazz Cola: (Wahab laughs) I love this question! People ask me that all the time! It’s almost as if people can’t believe that a straight up and down black man from America would have the will, drive, spirit, and intelligence to actually create his own business for himself. My family is originally from this great country America. We are not Jamaican, Haitian, or any other West Indian nation at all. My father’s last name used to be Brown until he changed it to Shabazz in the early 50′s. We are just some regular black people from the United States of America. Now, if you mean as far as within America, my dad is from Houston, Texas and my mom is from Augusta, Georgia.

GrungeCake: What do you like better, the glass or plastic bottles? Are there specific reasons for both designs?

Shabazz Cola: I like them both. Well when we first started back in 2002-2003 we was using the plastic bottles for our Fruit Cola, Watermelon, and Banana. When we decided to come with our version of an energy drink we felt we needed to separate the Ultimate as much as possible from not only our own 20 oz flavors but from the whole beverage world! We are the first to put an energy drink in a glass bottle while the rest of the beverage industry was and still is using cans.

GrungeCake: Exactly, how would a regular, Joe or Joanna Schmo request Shabazz Cola to be in their area? Alternatively, is this option only for buyers of food companies and distributors?

Shabazz Cola: Well, Joe and Joanna can go to their local stores, supermarkets, restaurants, etc. and demand Shabazz Cola. Then they can refer the locations to the website www.ShabazzFruitCola.com so the business owners can tell the beverage distributors where to get Shabazz Cola from so that they can get it. Also very soon we are going to start selling 6 pack, 12 pack, and 24 pack bottles of Shabazz Cola from our website so that Joe, Joanna, and anybody else can buy it straight from us.