Joe Kay is a visionary, entrepreneur, sound selector, DJ, and Co-Founder of Soulection - one of the most impactful cultural movements of the last decade.

Joe's creative journey began in 2011, as he launched Soulection Radio from his own bedroom. What began as a passion project quickly blossomed into a weekly Apple Music radio show (amassing over 600 episodes), an independent music label, the Soulection Experience festival, a world-touring concert, and the Soulection Supply clothing line.

We sat down with Joe Kay at the Timeless Living Estate in Joshua Tree, California for an exclusive peak into his newest venture. At its core, Timeless Living is a curated and bookable physical space that feels like the perfect blend of aesthetic and nature. It's a safe creative home to disconnect, recharge, and be inspired. And for Joe Kay, it beautifully expands on the world he's crafted through music.

-- Follow Joe Kay: ⁠@joekay Follow Timeless Living: @timeless.living Follow Culture Study: @culturestudy Follow Umar: ⁠⁠@u_issa⁠⁠ -- Credits: Director: Zabel Castillo (@zabelcastillo) Editor: Richard Olea (@gahseh) 2nd Editor: Aaron Arteaga (@aaron_f_arteaga) BTS: Michael Angeleo (@maika.angeleo Video clips courtesy of Joe Kay, Soulection, Timeless Classics

Hussein Suleiman is a visionary at the intersection of fashion and culture, and along with his best friends Jefferson and Abderr - he’s the Co-Founder of Daily Paper. Initially launching as a blog over a decade ago, Daily Paper has organically grown into a global streetwear brand- with flagship locations in Amsterdam, London and now New York. The brand’s unique fusion of African heritage, contemporary style, and attention to detail has garnered a massive following around the world. Their collaborations with the likes of Adidas, European super-club Ajax, Dreamville, Puma, The Van Gogh Museum, Bob Marley’s estate and so many others have contributed to the brand’s growing popularity. Daily Paper has been embraced and worn by a never-ending list of influential figures, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Wizkid, Lupita N’yongo, Naomi Campbell, Lil Baby and so many more. In this conversation, we dive into Hussein’s journey, exploring the rich tapestry of his Somali heritage and upbringing in the Netherlands, as well as some lessons he’s learned as an entrepreneur in the creative world. From humble beginnings to global recognition, Hussein's story is one of faith and unwavering determination - against all odds. -- Hussein: ⁠@huzane @dailypaper Umar: @u_issa⁠⁠ @culturestudy This podcast was produced by David Roberts. Theme Music: silver - ESTA. Visuals courtesy of Shopify, Daily Paper, Ajax, Adidas, Beats by Dre, The Breakfast Club Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:52 - Questions from Co-Founders 00:09:03 - Recent Reflections (Ramadan, Amsterdam, Home) 00:13:49 - Observations from Somalia (Homeland) 00:23:41 - Fleeing Somalia to Amsterdam 00:32:35 - Early Inspirations (Hip-Hop) 00:38:09 - Daily Paper 00:44:03 - Expanding to North America 00:50:38 - Relationship with Virgil Abloh 00:57:52 - Perfectionism and Self-Doubt 01:14:35 - What's Your Superpower? 01:17:35 - There's Greatness Everywhere 01:23:52 - There's No Job I'm Too Good For 1:33:52.- Coolest Career Moments 1:40:32 - Support Your Friends

We're joined today by Francis Esteban - or ESTA. - a producer and beat maker from Southern California. From gracing the stages at Coachella, to celebrating the anniversary of his most recent EP "Intersections", to having studio sessions with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Ginuwine, ESTA. shares some pivotal moments in his career.

We also delve into his creative process as a music producer, touching on topics like: the art of collaboration, how to avoid overthinking, and how he keeps his work as human as possible. We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please subscribe and share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can also tag us on Instagram when you tune in ⁠⁠@culturestudy⁠⁠.

--

Follow ESTA.: ⁠@esta⁠

Follow Umar: ⁠⁠@u_issa⁠⁠

This podcast was produced by David Njeku.

Theme Music: silver - ESTA.

Episode Cover Photo: Jack McKain

In this episode, we sit down with Leah and Manna of House of 73, a DJ duo and creative collective based in Los Angeles. Long before forming the House, the London-born Caribbean artists began their creative journeys as models - and each have over ten years of experience in the fashion industry. And while Manna and Leah both have their own unique styles and forms of expression, the duo has effortlessly blended their energies to create a signature House of 73 vibe - that’s taking the fashion and music scenes by storm.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please subscribe and share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can also tag us on Instagram when you tune in @culturestudy.

Follow House of 73: @house0.73 @lee.estelle_ @mcleodmanna
Follow Umar: @u_issa

This podcast was produced by David Njeku.
Theme Music: Okvsho - Orange Wine
Episode Cover Photo: Vicky Grout

In this episode, we sit down with Amara Abbas, an American-Pakistani director and filmmaker based in Brooklyn. Born and raised in Chicago, Amara moved to California in 2016 to begin her career in creative advertising and art direction. She spent the bulk of her career as an in-house Art Director at Apple, where she crafted award-winning campaigns and films for iPhone, iOS, and iPad.

Her developing interest in filmmaking led to the debut of her first film, TWIN FLAME, in 2021, a short film exploring the visceral memories of a past flame that burned out as quickly as it was ignited. Shortly after, Amara signed with Iconoclast and new-land TV as a director - and was recently named a winner of the Young Guns 20 Award by The One Club For Creativity, honoring creative professionals 30 years and under. 

She is now developing her second short, UKHT (SISTER), an experimental narrative examining the cultural and religious identities of two 20-something Muslim-American women, and is continuing to take on projects in the commercial, music video, and short form arenas.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can also tag us on Instagram when you tune in @culturestudy.

• Follow Amara: @amarabbas
• Follow Umar: @u_issa
• This podcast was produced by David Njeku.
• Theme Music: Cruel Santino - Rapid Fire (instrumental)

In this episode, we're joined by Jeff Bernat - a gifted R&B singer/songwriter, proudly representing his Filipino roots and hometown of Reno Nevada. We've been fans of Jeff's music for many years and first learned about him through a few friends - including his tour photographer and former Culture Study guest Jordan Nicholson. 

Fast forward to the present day, and Jeff has been making music and traveling the world for over 10 years. It was a pleasure to hear about what he's learned during the past decade - both personally, and as an artist.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can also tag us on Instagram when you tune in @culturestudy.

• Follow Jeff: @jeffbernat
• Follow Umar: @u_issa / @culturestudy
• This podcast was produced by David Njeku.
• Theme Music: If You Wonder (instrumental) by Jeff Bernat

In this episode, we're joined by two incredible guests. The first is DUCKWRTH, a phenomenal singer/songwriter and all around creative. Our second guest is a much needed cameo by our mutual friend and extremely talented photographer/director Mancy Gant.

We explore a ton of topics, like DUCKWRTH touring with Billie Eilish and announcing his Chrome Bull World Tour, and fun stories like escaping a high school fight by way of his mother's "prayer team". While Mancy joins us a bit later after capturing a few photos, it's great to hear him reflect on turning 30 during the lockdown, share some gems from his favorite reads, and lovingly fact-check DUCKWRTH throughout the entire conversation.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can also tag us on Instagram when you tune in @culturestudy.

Follow DUCKWRTH: @duckwrth
Follow Mancy: @mancygant
Follow Umar: @u_issa
This podcast was produced by David Njeku.
Theme Music: I'm Dead - DUCKWRTH ft. Sabrina Claudio

Culture Study is back! In this episode, we get to spend some time with Karl Pierre (VisualsByPierre) - a photographer, filmmaker, creator, and entrepreneur. Pierre had a pretty amazing creative career so far - from launching the famed @StreetDreamsMag, to shooting for Nike, Adidas, and Dreamville... to launching his docuseries "Contemporaries" in partnership with Facebook - the list is endless! We really enjoyed hearing about his creative growth, Haitian-American identity, and how he works to seize every moment he has everyday.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can also tag us on Instagram when you tune in @culturestudy.

• Follow Pierre: @visualsbypierre
• Follow Umar: @u_issa / @culturestudy
• This podcast was produced by David Njeku.
• Theme Music: Menina ft. JLZ - Arif Omari & Frankliin

In this episode, we sit down with Mo Kheir - a brilliant comedian and multi-talented creative. From comedy, music, and writing, to brand strategy and talent development, Mo’s story is absolutely incredible. He shares impactful moments from his life, like how one guest speaker in architecture school shifted the course of his life.

Mo lives by the words his father once told him, "People are most susceptible to new ideas when they're laughing." And as you listen to this episode, you’ll immediately understand exactly what his father's words mean.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can tag us on Instagram when you tune in @culturestudy.

Follow Mo: @mokheirs
Follow Umar: @u_issa / @culturestudy
Photo: @sometimesitakefotos
Theme Music: Menina ft. JLZ - Arif Omari & Frankliin

In this episode, we speak with Maysoon Zayid - a renowned comedian, actress, and writer who has dedicated her life to the fight for disability rights and inclusion. Maysoon’s TED Talk, “I Got 99 Problems, Palsy is Just One” is one of the most viewed TED Talks of all-time. She’s tap-danced on Broadway, written a best-selling memoir called ‘Find Another Dream’, co-starred on with Adam Sandler on the big screen, and amongst so many other accolades - she has toured the world doing what she loves as a stand-up comedian.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please do us a huge favor and share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well. You can also tag us on Instagram when you tune in @culturestudy.

Thank you so much, peace!

Follow Maysoon: @maysoonzayid
Follow Umar: @u_issa
Theme Music: Menina ft. JLZ - Arif Omari & Frankliin

In this episode, we speak with Camille Tanoh - also known as The Proper Kid™. Camille is a Parisian-born, New York-based fashion designer who runs a sustainable clothing brand called The Proper Label. Tanoh’s minimalist design and creative marketing has caught the eyes of thousands of fans around the world, including the likes of yes - the Kardashians.

It was a pleasure to sit down with him and hear about his Ivorian roots, what he learned as Balenciaga’s first-ever intern, and how he’s expanding The Proper Label from fashion brand- to a full-on ecosystem. We hope you enjoy this episode of Culture Study. If you do, please do us a huge favor and share it with one other person who would enjoy it as well.

 ——

Follow Camille: @theproperkid_

Follow Umar: @u_issa / @culturestudy

Theme Music: Menina ft. JLZ - Arif Omari & Frankliin