"Culture"

I do a lot of artwork when I'm not working my 9-5, or just being a family guy. Although I pride myself on being current with hip hop and pop culture, some gems I somehow manage to miss. This was the case with Migos' smash hit "Bad and Boujee" off their new album "Culture" I've seen the memes and giggled to myself. I was aware of the song, but just not heard it yet. That was until Kenny (thaexoticgourmet.com) hit me with the idea via text.

It was simple, illustrate Quavo's "Ratatouille" line, replacing him with the chef from the animated movie. He knew it would be a hit, and I agreed as I listened to Bad & Boujee continuously. I was entranced by baseline, melody, distinctive voices and syrupy vocals. I drew it Immediately, posted it to my instagram account, and watched. It amassed 886 likes to date, but it was when Quavo posted it himself that really set things off. 

My phone lit up with @'s and messages. Neither Quavo nor the Migos account gave me or ExoticGourmet credit, and the excitement went just as fast as it came.  It  was time to move on. Fast forward 2 months later. I'm having a Destiny session on PS4, and my phone goes nuts again. For the same art but different platform. Quavo took the illustration and had an iced out pendant made in its likeness. It was impressive, gaudy, bright, and it had individual chains on! I've never seen anything like it. I probably stared at the post for about 45 minutes before I could do anything else. Everyone I knew was hitting me up about it.

I didn't know he was going to take the design and get it iced out. I was asked to ask for money, ask for credit, ask for more work, and a bunch of things I won't mention. Yes it would have been cool to get some recognition, but it didn't happen. It would have been awesome. A way of saying "Thanks." Am I mad or bitter? Not at all. This guy just immortalized what Kenny and I created. We are forever a part of the Migos saga. We and our boys, fam, followers all know where it came from whether Quavo acknowledges it or not. I love what he's done and glad he did it. The three of us (well four counting the jeweler) are all contributors to this culture.

The illustration.  

The "icified" illustration