INTERVIEWS - Brand Twenty

 

Brand Twenty and Twenty Below Customs are two major names in the Midwest looking to become even more known throughout the hip hop world.
Underground Rap Scene caught up with Kwali, the CEO of Brand Twenty and Twenty Below,
to see how things are going in the Middle of the map.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

First of all, tell us a little bit about Brand Twenty and 20 Below customs?

Kwali:

Brand Twenty is the mother company. I created that with the idea that I could create a market in an uncharted area, inclusive of everything I want and nothing I don’t. It’s a promotions company dealing with mixtapes, internet promotions, paraphernalia, the whole nine. 20 Below Customs though, that’s the baby company. That’s when you want some shit you can’t find like shoes, shirts, helmets, jackets… I can do that.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

How did you get your start in the clothing industry?

 

Kwali:

I’ve always drawn and airbrushed and tagged shit up but everybody wanted me to put it on clothes. I was in middle school drawin on people’s jeans and shit, it just seemed natural to take it to the public. I’ve always wanted to bring new things to the table.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome while starting up your clothing line?

 

Kwali:

Yo the BIGGEST thing is really seatin down to do it. I used to think it was the start up money or the brand’s reputation but there’s always a way around that. For the most part the product speaks for itself and you gain a reputation…but actually sittin down and givin it ya all, stayin focused, determined and persistent is the biggest obstacle.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

How many people are working with or affiliated with 20 Below customs?
And where/what is your major distribution outlet?

 

Kwali:

It’s a few people, Big Steel, Natureboy Rowe, DJ Freddy Fred, Liqu0rish Clothing…I try to keep it tight in the circle. With all that though, distribution is right where it started, right where I am. I can be in the car, at home, at the library, I get inspiration from so many places it’s hard to stay in one spot and do some custom shit. If I had an office I think all my shit would start to look the same.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

What type of clothing is 20 Below customs offering to the people, and how should we contact you for custom designs?

 

Kwali:

Custom urban designs. I can do the more professional elegant designs but my roots are in graffiti so that’s my specialty. Hit up that myspace though for the order. Myspace.com/two0below

 

Underground Rap Scene:

What is next up for 20 Below customs; what should we be on the look out for?

 

Kwali:

Look out for big looks in Miami from 20 Below Customs. My man Freddy Fred is doin big things out there so hopefully I can pop that off and hook up with Street League and Triple C’s. Yo and here in Wichita Big Steel is rockin it real hard, the 20 Below Customs theme song bump hard in them trunks! I’m from the south and a lot of my contacts are there, but I live in Wichita, so my shit is goin to be heavy in the Midwest too.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

What’s your favorite custom piece that you’ve made so far?

 

Kwali:

I think my favorite custom piece has to be the first one I did for DJ Freddy Fred. It’s a black hoodie with his name on the front and the Miami skyline on the back. I tagged it up real hard, I was proud of that one.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you explain your connections with DJ Freddy Fred, Big Steel, and Nature Boy Rowe? How are you helping them out and how are they aiding you in your hustle?

 

Kwali:

I hooked up with DJ Freddy Fred in Miami through Myspace and try to work close with him when he has events. Big Steel is a rapper here in Wichita, he was my first local client. He hit me with a theme song and it’s been cool ever since. That’s my first hard hitter on the promotion end of Brand Twenty too. Natureboy Rowe actually approached me and liked my stuff and we just kinda popped things off cause we had a lot in common in business. I try to help them in anyway I can as far as passin along information, connecting them with people I know, doin graphics for them, customs for them, blastin them on Myspace. But shit we all real underground and tryin to perfect our crafts, hype our names up, tryin to get people to readily recognize our shit so they helping me the best they know how too. It’s all a steady hustle.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

I know some of your designs were featured in Joe Hound’s video for “My Chopper.” What did this feature do for you as a company and how did you come across this opportunity?

 

Kwali:

DJ Freddy Fred wore my favorite custom in that video. I mean, it wasn’t a major cameo but when people see that people are catchin on outside your area they start to notice you more. They start to watch for ya next move to see how big you gone

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Focusing on Brand Twenty’s commitment to the Midwest rap scene, what steps are you taking to get Midwest artists exposure and bring the hip hop spotlight to the middle of the country?

 

Kwali:

Man I’m tryin to get some publication goin on so people will be more aware. The Midwest ain’t as supportive as the south, that’s real, so I’m tryin to find a common ground so we have to unite. Not even just on the rap shit, in everything, cause as far as business goes it’s all about the cash flow so I’m trying to bring small businesses together and connect them to the hiphop world to gain some kinda unity and make them realize the buying power of our community. Like Malcolm X said, when we learn to do for ourselves then rest of the world will start to respect us.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Before we finish, is there anything you want to say to artists, producers, DJ’s, or anyone who is looking to work with or buy customs from Brand Twenty and Twenty Below Customs in the future?

 

Kwali:

Brand Twenty and all its subsidiaries are services that’ll be customized to your needs. The better you know yourself or your craft the better I can provide for you.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Thank You for doing the interview.