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       Being so attracted to Hip-Hop, I adored the span of rookies that were taking over. The Khalifa's, Currensy's, Schoolboys, Cole World's, etc... With them they brought this refusal to conform or care about stigma's and judgements. The attitude, 'I'm young, sometimes I get high, but I'm still about my business and progress' prevailed. I've always loved men for that, that aggressiveness to be who you are and to make it work.
 

      I'm also so attached to my city, and after moving back I felt compelled to highlight L.A. Not only as a source for the best tree, but as a source of individuals who think and go beyond. 

    Once I grabbed on to Sydni, my photographer, the purposes, plans, ideas and design continued to change and manifest. As the project grew, so did we as individuals. A lot of those changes are visible in Smoke LA's final outcome.

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       I wanted to display the attitude of some of the individuals I know, their desires, their motivations, their comforts. I wanted to provide an alternate source of inspiration in a form that was visually and spiritually compelling. All while attacking stereotypes. What emerged were bits and pieces of me and everyone involved. Some swag mixed with some Hip-Hop with community and shared goals, banging weed, and a lot of Faith.

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      Smoke LA: The Ode turned out to be more than I had ever first envisioned. And while this may seem out of place, would not at all be possible for me without my God, literally leading me every step of the way. This is only a display of a portion of our growth process. It doesn't stop here, but we have come a long way!