The Source Magazine interviewed legendary Designer Karl Kani at the “Ride Along Xperience” at the SLS Hotel. He was supporting his friend Kevin Hart at the special gaming event. Kani reflected on his fashion label celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the state of hip-hop fashion today and more! 

What current projects would you like to share with us?

KK: Well you know this year makes our 25th Year Anniversary for Karl Kani, the Originator, started in 1989. We’ll be going international, so now we’re bringing our international collection from Japan and Europe here to the USA market celebrating our 25th Anniversary. So we’re really excited about that, feel real good about the future, and feel that nineties are back, so we’re doing vintage luxury right now.

Can you reflect on the brand being 25 years old?

KK: We just live in the moment each time, we don’t really get caught up in how many years we’ve been in this business. We still feel very young in this business, and we have a lot more to accomplish. So we’re just blessed to be here, and blessed that people still support our product and I feel good about the future for us.

What do you think has been the key to your success?

KK: Maintaining and just every day grind. I think coming up from Brooklyn taught me everything saying “our hustle don’t stop.” I think that’s one of the main things, even though some years are down years for us, some years are up for us, our energy level stays the same each time, so that way we know when we’re ready for the comeback we’ll be ready in big time for that.

What are your reflections on the state of fashion in hip hop today?

KK: I love it. I think hip hop is always growing, it’s always getting better. I think people always want more, want better quality and I think it’s ever changing. As a designer it keeps us on our toes., because you can’t get complacent with where you’re at in the market, you gotta keep changing and adapting to where the music scene is because to the bottom line they dictate where fashion is going.

Is there anyone in particular whose fashion you admire today?

KK: I love Kanye’s style, Kendrick Lamar I think is dope for his music and his fashion. Also Jay-Z is always pumping those hot styles out there, Puff is still always doing his thing in terms of the bling and all that. I think these artists are always taking it to the next level and elevating their style, to the next level, so we appreciate that.

How has hip-hop changed your life?

KK: Hip hop is my life. Hip Hop is what got me into this business Hip Hop is what motivated since day one. Hip Hop is what made me become a fashion designer. I tried doing the rapping thing, I couldn’t really make it in that. But I figured if I couldn’t rap that well I know I could dress these guys the way I wanted to. So they definitely inspired me and kept me motivated these years to keep things going. When you go about these new artists today, they’re a motivation too, because you want to adapt your clothing to cater to the new young generation as well.

The Source celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.

KK: The Source is huge for us. We were the first clothing advertisers in the Source Magazine. We did the front covers, back covers. We did four or five page spreads. Source is definitely the Bible of Hip Hop and Fashion. Source has definitely helped put our clothing company on the map. So it’s definitely a good business relationship between both companies.

Any final thoughts as we wrap up?

KK: I just feel like today, my motto is live life, love energy to the fullest. To me life is about destiny, you got to live life to the fullest and accept each moment, which is what we have done as a company, except the moment as a company, and understand that now the market is asking us to come back . Now we’re gonna come back in full force.

You can check out photos from the event below:

Kevin Hart and his cast member Lil P-Nut attended the RIDE ALONG Xperience. The event was presented by Universal Pictures and Konsole Kingz – the leading influencers in urban gaming. The gaming lounge celebrated Kevin Hart’s character who in the film has a gaming persona known as the “Black Hammer.” Kevin played against Lil P-Nut and top gamers in “Call of Duty” as well as “NBA2K14.” The event was also featured via live stream on the popular gaming channel, Twitch.TV. Additional celebrity guests in attendance included Barry Floyd (BET’s “The Game”), Daphne Wayans (TV Personality) and Tyler Lepley (OWN’s “The Have and Have Nots”). “Ride Along” hits theaters on this Friday Jan. 17.