Visions of Visionaries

Chicago-based DJ, music historian, and cultural curator Duane Powell has become a vital fixture on the global soul scene. Since 1999, his Soundrotation brand has championed rising Chicago talents, notably through the bi-weekly Sunday Service dance party at Stony Island Arts Bank. Powell actively shares Chicago's rich, multi-genre history through his Rear View Mirror Sessions lecture series, presented at institutions like UChicago Arts and Stanford University.He also gives back to his city by partnering with the Rebuild Foundation and serving on the board of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation. Listen now on Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Meet Masaya Fantasista, the visionary founder and "captain" of the Japanese brand Jazzy Sport. What began over two decades ago as a record label and store has organically evolved into a vibrant community encompassing a dance studio, climbing gym, apparel shop, café, and even a garden. This belief in unity and collaboration extends to his vision for a more connected Asia.At its core, Jazzy Sport is a testament to Masaya's philosophy built on radical inclusivity, where he draws parallels between life, jazz, and sports, emphasizing teamwork and individual strengths."Each member has their own personality, so it's all different," he explains. "You have to find out the strong points and weaknesses of your teammates... Then, you have to use the others’ strong points and help those with weaknesses. That makes a stronger team."On our recent visit to Japan, Globetrotter Lab’s Kennedy Ashinze sat down with Masaya. He shares more on his vision for a more united Asia, his initiative to purchase a mountain in Nagano for a dog rescue (think "Jazzy Dog"), and the importance of inclusive communities.Special thanks to Zushi Film Festival and Cinema Caravan.

At 70, Grammy-nominated Sir Kahil El’Zabar continues to push the boundaries of jazz. As the visionary leader of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, he has captivated audiences worldwide for decades. This year marked the 50th anniversary of Kahil’s group the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. With no signs of slowing down, Sir Kahil has released his 18th album and also embarked on a historic world tour that just concluded in his hometown of Chicago. To celebrate this milestone, we revisit our conversation with the legendary percussionist and multi-instrumentalist in which we had the honor of visiting his personal performance building/studio, "The Colabyrinth," the labyrinth for collaboration on the west side of Chicago. In this latest episode of our “In Convo” series, Kahil talks to Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze about witnessing music history, the state of cultural affairs, and coalescing a creative culture network, inspiring and still hitting with the next generation of musicians and more. Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of this living icon. Listen now! Connect with us Website: https://globetrotterlab.com/ Instagram: @globetrotterlab

Rewind to our chat with Corey Gilkey at Chicago's iconic Leaders 1354. More than just a streetwear staple, Leaders 1354 is a movement on a mission to mentor and inspire the next generation of leaders. At its heart is its charismatic founder, Corey Gilkey, a true entrepreneur and community leader. In our latest In Convo episode, Corey joins Globetrotter's Kennedy Ashinze to discuss his vision for inspiring the next generation, expanding beyond the US, his passion for community, his various entrepreneurial endeavors, and more. Website: globetrotterlab.com IG: @globetrotterlab

REWIND to our chat with Daniel Mitchell, co-founder of Space Available in Bali, an eco-conscious and regenerative design company. Daniel's mission? To create a tangible impact by transforming plastic waste into beautiful, sustainable products. In this "In Convo" episode, Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze sat down with Daniel to discuss Bali, building a better relationship with plastic, creating a sustainable future, and more! “If you don’t make space for yourself, how can you make space for anybody else” - Daniel Mitchell Connect with us! https://globetrotterlab.com/ IG: globetrotterlab

Jakarta's acclaimed Pantja Bar is raising a glass to its 5th anniversary. Fresh off its #27 ranking on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, the bar pays homage to the unsung heroes of mixology. In the latest episode of our "In Convo" original series, Pantja's co-founder Kabir Suharan sits down with Globetrotter Lab's founder Kennedy Ashinze and talks celebrating the bar’s present by honoring history through their new cocktail menu, "Tribute." This innovative collection celebrates the pioneering contributions of Black bartenders and female trailblazers who have shaped the industry. Listen now! Connect with us! Web: https://globetrotterlab.com/ IG: @globetrotterlab

Other than being notable figures in the UK nightlife scene, DJs Shy One and Ruby Savage have little in common musically. “We’re both on the ends of the spectrum,” Savage describes. But you know what they say: opposites attract, much like magnets. Or, in this case, “Like tennis,” as Shy One says. “We complement each other as well. It's like a little sparring like that.” The duo has teamed up for joint sets and brought their differing musical styles to many cities, including Bali, where Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze caught up with them. Check out the latest episode of the “In Transit” series, where Shy One and Ruby Savage talk about the club scene in London, vibing with the crowd, and more. Connect with us! Website: http://globetrotterlab.com/ Instagram: @globetrotterlab

Meet Eric Williams, the visionary behind the Silver Room, a cornerstone of Chicago's creative scene since 1997. The iconic space blends fashion, music, and art, serving as a boutique, gallery, and community hub. From his legendary Silver Room Sound System Block Parties to groundbreaking initiatives, Williams has curated events that ignited the city's cultural spark for close to three decades. His commitment to equity and fostering opportunities for creatives has made the Silver Room a beacon for the community. In this latest episode of our In Convo series (S2E3), Globetrotter's Kennedy Ashinze sits down with Williams where he shares insights on his iconic store's impact, his new Bronzeville Winery venture, his love for Chicago, and his vision for the future. Not to be missed! Listen, and be inspired. Connect with us! IG: @globetrotterlab Website: https://globetrotterlab.com/

Meet Iretidayo "IZ" Zaccheaus, the force behind Africa’s biggest street fashion movement, Street Souk. From Lagos to the world, she's fueling a generation of creatives who are rewriting the rules. "The kids are hungry," she says about the continent's booming streetwear scene. As the next Sole DXB heats up, we revisit IZ’s chat with Globetrotters’s Kennedy Ashinze in Dubai on the explosive growth of streetwear in Africa and the impact of festivals like Sole DXB. Tune in to hear why Street Souk is paving the way for future generations on the continent. Connect with us! Instagram: @globetrotterlab Website: https://globetrotterlab.com/

A Conversation with Rostarr Brooklyn meets Bali in the world of artist Romon Yang aka Rostarr! His art, like his travels, defies definition, drawing inspiration from every corner of the globe. A multidisciplinary artist in painting, abstract calligraphy, large-scale murals, and experimental filmmaking, amongst other things. In our latest In Convo series episode (S3E2), Globetrotter Lab’s Kennedy Ashinze chats with Rostarr about artistic freedom, early beginnings, New York influences, transitioning to the island of Bali, the power of spreading positive energy through art, and his decades-long career. Listen and be inspired! Connect with us! https://globetrotterlab.com/ IG: @globetrotterlab

Earlier this year, Chicago artist, designer, and educator Norman Teague brought his powerful exhibition, "A Love Supreme," to the Elmhurst Art Museum . Inspired by John Coltrane's iconic album, the show explored the intersection of jazz improvisation and "unapologetic black aesthetics." In our exclusive interview in his studio on our last visit to Chicago, Teague chats with Globetrotter's Kennedy Ashinze about his artistic process, representation, finding inspiration in Africa, and creating work that speaks to his community amongst other things. Listen to our full convo here! Website: https://globetrotterlab.com/ Instagram: @globetrotterlab

In celebrating her currently ongoing “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry" at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, Globetrotter revisits our interview with author and journalist Vikki Tobak. Vikki wasn't just an observer of early hip-hop; she was part of the movement, from working nights at Nell’s nightclub where the Notorious B.I.G. filmed his "Big Poppa" music video to touring with the legendary artists of Payday Records (Gang Starr, Jay Z, Jeru, Mos Def, and more) as both publicist and writer. She witnessed the rise of the culture. Catch Vikki discussing her books (“Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop” and “Ice Cold. A Hip-Hop Jewelry History”), the evolution of hip-hop jewelry, the blossoming of hip-hop culture, and a lot more on a Dubai day at Sole DXB with Globetrotter's Kennedy Ashinze. Website: http://www.globetrotterlab.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/globetrotterlab

Fresh off his set at Klymax Discotheque in Potato Head Bali, Ron sits down with Globetrotter's Kennedy Ashinze for a wide-ranging conversation. They discuss: His passion for sound design and creating sonic experiences His groundbreaking Africa HiFi party in Chicago (produced with Sonia Hassan, featuring a young Virgil Abloh as his intern) His recent projects The fading art of club curation And much more! Listen to the full interview now! Full video coming soon. Website: globetrotterlab.com IG: @globetrotterlab YT: Globetrotter Lab

We last saw Natasha Diggs at G360 Live in Jakarta in August 2018, but earlier in March, she visited the New Delhi to perform at HG Street, the country’s first ever premium street and sneaker culture festival. While she was there, she also had the chance to meet up with the city’s creative community such as the founders of fashion label NORBLACK NORWHITE as well as sit down for an interview with Globetrotter.     To Globetrotter, Natasha talks about the excitement of sharing the energy of “Mobile Mondays” and “Soul in the Horn” to the emerging street culture in India. “A lot of people came to me and [were, like,] ‘We don’t get what you do here that much. This is special for us,’” she says. Website: www.globetrottermag.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab Facebook: www.facebook.com/globetrotterlab

Laduma Ngxokolo started Maxhosa in 2011. Six years later, with lines for men and women, his creations are stocked all over the world: Cape Town, Johannesburg, London, Tokyo, Amsterdam.  The inspiration for the brand came from Laduma’s own cultural tradition - from a desire to make high quality, beautiful knitwear for Xhosa initiates, who give away all their belongings before a coming of age initiation (between the ages of 18-25) that marks their transition from boyhood to manhood. Having been through the process himself, he's well-versed in the history and symbolism of the rituals.    Maxhosa is home grown. Laduma produces his knitwear entirely in South Africa, with raw material (mostly woolen mohair) from Port Elizabeth. “We have the biggest mohair industry in the world and the biggest wool industry in Africa,” he says. “So I take advantage of those resources to come up with products that are premium, produced locally and yet relevant to the local market and to the people who visit South Africa.” Website: https://www.globetrottermag.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab Facebook: www.facebook.com/globetrotterlab

It seems that fashion designer Ji Won Choi has been anywhere and everywhere. She was born in Seoul, raised in the midwest USA, and educated in New York City and Paris. In November 2018, she once again embarked on a journey, this time to Lagos, Nigeria, where she was scheduled to show her eponymous brand’s latest collection at this year’s GTB Fashion Weekend.   One of the winners at the Parsons x Kering Empowering Imagination competition in 2017, Choi is known for creating designs that celebrate human cultures and champion sustainability.   We met her backstage to talk about taking inspirations from her heritage, living as an immigrant, enjoying Lagos and more. Website: www.globetrottermag.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab Facebook: www.facebook.com/globetrotterlab

Samuel Bazawule turned Blitz the Ambassador after he touched down on American shores after 18 years in Ghana. The mixing of cultural waters woke him up, and he now takes up all tools at his disposal. “We cannot underestimate any of the channels we have available to us,” he stresses, “We must fire on all cylinders.” Instead of allowing non-Africans to shape identity and understanding, he calls for “a new canon of African storytellers” engaging in “non-linear, complex” dialogue to reclaim and enrich African identities.  Website: https://www.globetrottermag.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab

on their 1 year anniversary, we caught up with Indonesia's Museum Macan's director Mr. Aaron Seeto who shared the journey so far, their past and current exhibitions plus new things to come. Website: www.globetrottermag.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab Facebook: www.facebook.com/globetrotterlab

Globetrotter revisits our conversation with world-famous Chef Will Goldfarb at his restaurant, Room 4 Dessert in Bali, Indonesia. In the podcast, the chef, who has been dubbed the Thom Yorke of pastry by Eater.com, shares about his decision to open the restaurant and move with his family in a country so far away from his home in New York.  Website: www.globetrottermag.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab Facebook: www.facebook.com/globetrotterlab

Join Globetrotter as we take a sneak-peek inside Manual Jakarta's office and sit down for a conversation with Hadi Ismanto. Hadi founded Manual Jakarta as an independent lifestyle publication that uncovers the latest happenings in Jakarta with a focus on food, fashion, arts and culture. At Manual Jakarta, Hadi and his team are all about discovering and rediscovering the city, exploring every corner of Jakarta and spotlighting creative visionaries in the city. Website: http://www.globetrottermag.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/globetrotterlab