Complex Magazine has always been one of my favorite magazines, mostly because of their amazing covers and features. I guess I could be biased because of my love for the hip-hop and the culture, but in terms of design and coming from a background in print design, I think its a great magazine.
The August/September issue of Complex Magazine has brought together the key members of the G.O.O.D. Music family for a great in-depth interview and photoshoot that really show the philosophy behind the brand and what each of these artists contribute both to the brand and to their own work. It shows the creative process and their true emotional attachment to the art and brand of the work they put out. The cover features Common, Pusha T, Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Q-Tip, John Legend and, finally, 2 Chainz. I guess its official, he’s a part of G.O.O.D. Music. I can’t wait to get my hands on this issue when it drops in a couple weeks. I mean, I love Kanye and G.O.O.D. Music, so what is there not to love. Also, I can’t wait to see his short film, hopefully, somehow. Here’s an excerpt from the feature:
What does G.O.O.D. Music mean to you?
Big Sean: Quality—the best. Kanye put himself in a class that nobody can match, as far as evolving, progressing, and taking the best of what we learn and making more out of it. So the brand is just being the coolest. We dress the best, we rap the best, we sing the best, we look the best. [All laugh.] It’s about getting the money, but it’s also about changing the world and doing what the fuck we want to do.
Pusha T: And knowing that it’s limitless. That’s the biggest thing that comes with G.O.O.D. Music. You get so much, and the fans get so much, in fucking with this brand. From G.O.O.D. Fridays to these 30-minute movies in the Middle East…
Kid Cudi: —made on a whim.
Pusha: There’s just so much that comes along with the brand, as far as showing people that we can do what we want. There are no limitations.
John Legend: It starts with the name itself. We want to be known for quality. We want to be known for stuff that we all can be proud of. That creativity, that attention to detail, that quality control—that’s what distinguishes us from other folks who might just be chasing a hit. Kanye picks artists who care about making great art. We all want to make money and do well, but we also want to make great art that’s important and interesting.
Common: There was a moment in hip-hop when I went to SOB’s and I saw Kanye perform before he came out with The College Dropout. The thing that amazed me was that the “backpack” crowd was there, and then there was the Roc-A-Fella crowd, dudes who were throwing up the Roc. I was like, “Yes.” It reminded me of when I grew up. There was niggas who sold dope that was listening to Rakim and A Tribe Called Quest—and there wasn’t no separation. They just liked it.
It starts with the name itself. We want to be known for quality, creativity, attention to detail. —John Legend
Even though I am a huge fan of Complex and what they do both inside and out of the magazine, this might be the first issue of theirs that I buy. Maybe I’ll subscribe to them. Finally.
You can read most of the feature over at Complex HERE but the issue comes out on August 7.
via hypebeast