The right way to do throwbacks

New Threads is a fresh column we’ll be starting to celebrate independent fashion companies and the minds behind them. A teenager in Houston with a dope idea and a few bucks should be given mad props, if they’re due, just like Comme des Garçons is. We’ll pick a creator that deserves your attention and ask him/her a few questions, including our Final Four questions we ask all of our creators for that month. What’s the requirements to be featured on New Threads? Originality and quality. And please, make something you’d wear proudly.

This week to start it off, we’re headlining with CokeMagic.com. When you go to the website you’re met with Magic Johnson in very warm looking fur coat with hashtags across his eyes. But as you scroll down in curiosity, you can’t help but trigger a stream of memories, music videos, and long forgotten emotions you felt when you first heard Big Tymers’ “How U Luv That” or Three 6 Mafia’s “Where Da Killaz Hang.” The creator, who humbly opted to go anonymous, has taken some of your favorite album covers from No Limit Records and others, and placed them on t-shirts. We had the opportunity to ask him some questions

Be sure to cop your new favorite t-shirt at their website HERE, as they’re going fast. If you want to convince them of an album they should do next or just want to give them shout out, hit them up on Instagram and Twitter: @CokeMagicShop. And yes, as you read the interview, you’ll see pictures of actress Claudia Salinas and rapper/producer Chuck Inglish from a photo shoot at Sweatshop LA.

How did you decide on this concept of throwing album covers on t-shirts?

I guess it first started with the Mercedes “Rear End” cover. Was always fascinated by it when I was very young, and still am. Over the past couple years, close friends and I would joke about how crazy that cover was, and even argue as to wether or not it actually came out, because it was always in the “Coming Soon” section inside of those No Limit Records tapes and c.d.’s. which I had almost every one of. We all agreed it would make a really dope shirt. Flash forward to three months ago after being inspired by vintage rock/metal (Metallica/Megadeath-style) shirts. While I liked those shirts and album art a lot, I didn’t really identify with the artists nor the music; I wanted a rap version of those shirts. So after searching the internet for a Mercedes “Rear End” shirt with no luck, that’s the day we decided to create CokeMagic.com.

Was there a criteria the album had to meet to bless the front of one of your tees?

Yes. For our initial launch, the criteria was strictly Pen&Pixel’s No Limit/Ca$h Money album covers from the 90′s. Aside from being amongst our favorites, we chose those specific 9 pieces (the first 9 album cover shirts on CokeMagic.com) because we felt that those images best showcased Pen&Pixel’s ridiculously unique style, and would also resonate with people the most, even if they’ve never heard the album or have ever seen the cover before. Our aim with the initial release was to have all viewers “get” what we were doing with little to no explanation. Our focus is still primarily on Pen&Pixel’s album artwork with the 2 New Orleans record labels, but now we’re including their covers from all the regions, other classic and obscure 90′s/Golden-Era album covers, and original CokeMagic.com designs; giving shine and tribute to the artists and albums that are underrepresented.

What are your plans for future lines? Will we see mixtapes as well? Maybe a Source cover with Wu-Tang Clan jumping out of a helicopter?

We’re going to expand our line again very, very soon. Don’t want to reveal the details yet, but the releases will be region-specific, and will further establish the CokeMagic.com-aesthetic as it’s own category. Yeah, there’s a good chance that a mixtape or five are coming. To be clear, I’m referring to the songs-blended-together-by-a-dj mixtape. We’re in the works to compile and post mixtapes by known djs from all over the world, and maybe even having fans upload their own mixes to the site (i.e. A Best of No Limit Records, etc.). Hopefully that all pans out.

Yo, lets make that happen [in reference to the Wu-Tang cover idea].