Culture Study Umar Issa

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