Who is Vulkan

So whats your name and what you do?
V-My name is Vulkan the Krusader, and I am a creative mind, for now im working with dunkxchange helping them organize the New York event.I also was a writer before, I do photography on the side.I love marketing and some people think im a pretty dope emcee?

So what is that you do that sets you from the crowd?
V-Well I want to be set in the crowd, because I am you, not being scared of what i am feeling at the moment.Most people they kinda wanna give this image of being untouchable, I really just give in to being vulnerable and showing you what that is.I am a human being, I make mistakes, i struggle, Im not rich for shit, Im trying to make the dreams come alive.Basically I am you, and I wanna show you what you feel when you don't want no one to know.

Thats whats up, like Kid Cudi do you believe to be a honest artist when it comes to lyrics?
V-I believe that, but Im no Cudi at all.I come from a different cloth, I kinda went through some through similiar things, but I am still you can say "street" if you will.I got scars on my face and I wasn't afraid of violence and kinda live that lifestyle most would glorify.I believe being honest about how you felt.For instance a gangster rapper dont joke around? and act goofy around his peeps?doesn't he feel good when he pays his bills and has children? Just saying, those are things we don't see when you see a hard face with a gun at his hip.Me, i just did things I wasn't proud of and kinda give you the inner workings of how my mind feels about it.Judge me but i don't think even God can do that at times.



So what is it that you have been working on for some time now?
V-I mean I've been working a regular job like any man should to pay rent, food and travel.But other than that, I have been working on a mixtape that a girl made me do.
It's called "The Lucy Naive Mixtape" and It has dope production, it's me being candid, some emcee skills, some hip hop commentary and some real honest heart felt shit.

What are the elements to the mixtape and what do you believe it would make you set a mark?
V-I honestly don't know what it will do in the space and time of the world.Marketing and word of mouth and the right people make that happen.But it's a love story about a boy and a girl, thats the concept and I think alot of people love to hear stories and this is one where I just put myself out there.Other than that, Im Jay-Z or Drake but I know I am sincere and have my own sound.I really just don't know if I am ready to hit a stage or even be that movement but at this time, it's time not to give a fuck what people think about me and just make things happen.It's a good piece of music, just from rough mixes people been giving really good feedback.

Can we get a release date for it?
V-Well I dont know yet, I wanna give the final copy mixed down to some brands out here to see if sponsorship is possible and cross promotion.I hope they see the movement I see in it and see that I am worthy composer and artist that should bring some soul out of people. Im thinking late summer, but that's up in the air right now.

Any artist you worked with on the project?
V-kinda kept it in house and I know some cats you may know but things ain't finalized yet so Imma keep those names secret for now, but youll be surprised about where the names will come from.




What do you say when people say you aint the same no more and you changed?
V-I really don't know how to answer that, I am the same guy who cracks jokes, doesn't care if I get ridiculed, doens't dwell in hatred or negative shit anymore.Yes I have changed for the better I know, I used to be a really bad person.Someone you might even be afraid of or something you might not deal with because of the aura.Im a nice kid though lol.

Werd..What do you do to keep the negative vibes of your mind and keep your self motivated for that vision you seek?
V-I realize some people hate because they wonder why people like you.Or some petty thing that doesn't really matter in the big picture.My father told me for every man that hates you theres 10 people who love you.I stay away from people who show their true colors and faces when they no longer wanna be part of you.
This is the basis of where love comes from as well.
In any which case, if you hate me, you have no reason to, I am nobody to you.
So why hate?

Real talk..What are your inspirations in life?
V-My inspirations are life, people around me, who affect me.Pain and Love are the greatest inspirations, ambition to become great as vengeance I mean anything that drives you to make greatness even at the cost of losing a few heads here and there.I mean passion of life is my engine,and it keeps running in my mind when I wanan do something I set out to do it on full tilt.Everything from Fashion,family,to friends,to even sneakers and technology I mean everything.

Were do you see your self in 5 years from this point?
V-Somewhere in the UK rocking a show, designing some clothing,raising some babies with a female who appreciates me for me, making a event happen.
Working at some marketing firm still and on payroll for some other companies that might not wanna fuck with me now, but will see value in the kid later. For now being a nobody works



So I know your into sneakers heavy..tell us something about that?
V-I've been into sneakers heavy since age 14, been involved in working in sneaker stores, collecting, from owning a website to being hired at nicekicks.com.To trying to build a store, I know people in the sneaker industry and it has took me places and met people I thought i wont ever meet.I have alot of shoes, I had a passion for the Jordan line but I live in the now and I like all types of shoes from dress shoes to Kobes, and Lebrons to Sb's.If I like it I wear it, if I don't I'll get rid of it. Simple as that it's just a facet of my personality that has to be fed constantly because the shoes say alot about a man, and it gives me a childlike love for something.

What are your favorite kind of sneakers?
V-What are yourBasketball sneakers, I used to ball everyday until recently. But my first love was basketball and that's where the love for it stems from.That's why Lebron's and Kobes are at the top of my list when I wanna rock something.

What are your favorite sneaker spots?
V-Here in New york Atmos is love, Alife Family, Supreme got love from me.Premium laces, Dick and Harry and Spicy Action in Brooklyn.In LA, Undefeated,and their staff is dope,Proper, and Niketown peeps.Shout out to House of Hoops in Harlem they always been good to me.In Miami, much love to M.I.A. , Shoe Gallery, and Miami sporting goods.

How has the sneaker game changed from when you first started?
V-They sneaker game was mad simple when I started, shit was just not as big.I was one of the first to get up early and get my kicks held or whatever.Things have gone to the extent where people they feel they better than others, and using this group as a way into feeling part of something.Naw you can be it, on your own.You don't need sneakers to make you feel better about yourself.I see girls in it just cuz theres a bunch of dudes they can fuck.I see men bickering over nothing but whos better and who aint shit.But naw for me it's just me and the kicks and the love I have for this.I still love everyone in the sneaker game regardless of what idiot thinking they have.

That's whats up..people get that cocky attitude but people dont have the same opportunity as everyone. Have you tried to design a sneaker?
V-I have designed some things but never got the idea out, I have been part of some projects as a consultant.I can't talk about those things though.Mostly Kobe projects.

Why can't you talk about them wouldn't that be a way to get them out there so people can take a look and give you some feedback on it?
V-Well they passed on those, and I haven't been involved in anything recently as far as design.

So talk about the crazy hype last year for the Air Yeezy's seems like it was the first time since the DMP's people were going insane for?
V-yeah man that was on some other shit, dude was fighting, stores was selling them under the table,people being greedy with each other,friends backstabbing friends for them, shit was crazy lol.

What was your experience over here in Chicago it was crazy I'M pretty sure NYC was crazier?
V-I didnt experience it, to be honest I didn't line up.

Well how was your reaction when walking/driving past these sneakers shops in your city with people camping out and shit?
V-I basically said "people are gonna find out whos got friends and Kanye just fucking became a god in the sneaker genre."

Did you get any of the 3 pairs?
V-I got the black/Pink and the net/net didnt really like the first one.Friends hooked me up lol.That's all i can say.

Anything you want to say to people to look out for as a product or V related?
V-I just wanna tell you, I am you and you are me and when anything Vulkan the Krusader related is out, it's because I was inspired by you.



For the last question..Any shout outs?
V-I wanna give shout out to all the people I met in the sneaker game, it's way too many to even say.Everyone in the Hip Hop culture, Art culture, Tech culture, Fashion, I mean damn, I can say names cuz I would chastised lol.But big shout out to you Jorge for always showing love and support and believing in the real deal.


Peep his blog:
The Krusader