Have you ever picked up a mixtape CD and wondered who designed the
cover? Or maybe you were just too caught up in hoping the tracks
were going be hot to even think about the artwork.
It wasn't until just recently that mixtapes started to get positive
recognition in the hip hop industry and now mixtapes is the hottest
thing on the planet besides downloading. It started out as CD's put
together by DJ's and evolved into a promotional tool used by indies
and major record labels across the board.
We caught up with one of the hottest artwork/illustrators in hip
hop today, Miami Kaos and got an in-depth look into the behind the
scenes CD cover designing. Kaos, grew up in an ill part of Harlem
and is now CEO illustrator of Hardcore Designs. He got his big break
when The Big Tigger from 106 & Park took one look at his designs,
and instantly told him he was going to make him rich and famous.
That was five years ago and since then he has worked with hot producers,
and artist like Baby, Fabolous, Nas, Swizz Beatz, Remy Martin and
Jermaine Dupri.
"I've been drawing all my life. I was always that kid that
everyone knew could draw". Kaos says that's when he was accepted
into his high school Arts & Design class. It didn't take long
before he felt his flavor for the graffiti culture and went on to
attend college in the School of Visual Arts. There he mastered his
skills and soon after took it to the next level by working as illustrator
for Source Magazine and also working with a famous sneaker company,
Nike.
I asked Kaos what goes into the labor involved in artwork and illustrations
of a CD cover. "You first have to develop an original style.
That's what's missing from the game now, originality". Kaos,
says Masta Ace put it perfectly when he said, "I project my
voice clearly so you can hear it loud, there's a sign on the door…no
biting allowed".
"I had hoped I would inspire other artist to draw, instead
I created this culture of internet kids all trying to copy me. These
kids never picked up a pencil in their lives. Just blurring images.
It's disgusting. What goes into it is creativity".
Kaos, laughs out loud as he speaks candidly about his personal collection
of art. "I don't mean to brag but it is one that I am very
proud of". One art collection that he holds dear to him, his
collection of artworks autographed by artist like Lil Kim, Jay-z,
and the late singer and actress Aaliyah.
Just like with any great success story there is usually some controversy.
Blacklisted from XXL magazine for an incident that stem from his
artwork he did on Benzino. Kaos says that did not hold him down,
he knew the man above was watching over him. This devout Christian,
soon crossing over into becoming a deacon of his church, believes
that everything that he has accomplished this far has been because
of God.
When asked how he keeps it all going day to day with the ever changing
trends of hip hop, he credits his great support system. Manager Isis,
his boy Cunny & Butchie (Impact Studios). "They all act
as sounding boards for some of my ideas and help with the resource
material I need to work off of. Isis is deadly with the contracts
and project proposals".
Keeping true to his grind he has launched another company called "Digital
Graffiti". "I'm getting my team out there, I have Kirk
McGirt one of the most talented cats out there along with Beast and
Ali, the only other cats in two years I've met that can actually
draw and has their own style. "The Digital Graffiti that's the
company where we bring the whole Graf movement back so it will be
harder for the kids to bite since you definitely have to be able
to draw to do that".
Miami Kaos, a talented brother from Harlem on the cutting edge of
artwork and illustrations is for sure on to something hot. A comic
book series in the process and their first public studio with printing
facility in the works. He's intelligent, gifted and a God fearing
man. He is also one willing to give back to the community. He is
developing and organizing a literacy program called Hip Hop Lit. "These
kids dropping out of school to be hustlaz and have only a 7th grade
reading level if that. Someone needs to be a voice in getting these
kids off the block and back into school. They need Jesus in their
lives and that's real talk".
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