Roots of Brilliance: Creativity, Innovation & Cultural Impact

Introduction

Welcome to Episode 105 of “talktechto.me,” where technology is the new sexy, Black geeks are the new superheroes, and South Central LA is the new tech mecca. Hosted by Cassie Betts and airing on KBLA Talk 1580, this episode titled “Roots of Brilliance: Creativity, Innovation & Cultural Impact” features Tree of Lyfe, the multifaceted founder of Brilliance Limited. Tree is an innovative digital artist, musician, and fashion designer, redefining streetwear and inspiring a new generation of creators.

The Tea in Tech

50 Cent and the Memecoin Scheme

Rapper 50 Cent recently became a victim of a "pump-and-dump" memecoin scheme involving a cryptocurrency called "$GUNIT." Hackers took over his X account and website, Thisis50.com, to promote the coin, causing its value to spike before crashing. While 50 Cent claimed $300 million was lost, trading data suggests the scale of fraud was much smaller, with a total volume of $19.4 million. Memecoins, often created as jokes or speculative assets, lack the serious development goals of established cryptocurrencies, making them highly volatile and risky investments.

Cartoon Network Death Rumors

Rumors of Cartoon Network's demise trended on social media under the hashtag #RIPCartoonNetwork, sparked by a viral video from "Animation Workers Ignited." The video highlighted broader issues in the animation industry, such as layoffs and financial instability since the COVID-19 pandemic. Cartoon Network quickly denied the rumors, affirming their commitment to creating new content for their global audience.

Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton Workwear Line

Pharrell Williams' new workwear capsule collection for Louis Vuitton has created a major buzz in the luxury fashion world. The collection, featuring a collaboration with Timberland on a branded boot, includes chore coats, dusters, double-knee pants, and Western shirts with luxury touches like embroidery and LV monogram jacquard fabric. Available for pre-order on July 18 and in select stores on August 8, the Timberland boots are expected to cost around $3,000.

AEG Presents and Free Lunch Partnership

AEG Presents has partnered with Tim Hinshaw's creative studio Free Lunch to focus on hip-hop, R&B, and gospel tours for AEG's Global Touring division. This collaboration follows the success of the Juneteenth concert "The Pop Out – Ken & Friends," which broke viewership records on Amazon Music's streaming platform. Hinshaw, formerly head of Hip-Hop and R&B at Amazon Music, brings extensive experience to the partnership, having brokered major events for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, and Tyler, The Creator.

Spotlight on Tree of Lyfe

Origin Story and Artistic Journey

Tree of Lyfe, from Inkster, Michigan, has a rich background in animation, illustration, fashion design, and music production. His brand, Brilliance LMTD, transforms digital art into wearable masterpieces, drawing inspiration from his upcoming animated series, "The Other Side of Paradise." As the soul hop artist T.R.E.E. (Truth Reveals Everything Eventually), he explores the experiences of Black youth in America through his music.

Brilliance LMTD: Merging Art and Fashion

Tree’s brand, Brilliance LMTD, revolutionizes the intersection of art and fashion. His unique blend of digital artistry and streetwear garners attention from artists and brands looking to enhance their visibility and create promotional assets. The brand’s limited edition drops offer customers wearable pieces of art, each collection deeply influenced by Tree’s life experiences and creative vision.

Notable Projects and Collaborations

Among Tree’s notable projects are his Michael Jackson “Life is a Thriller” and Kendrick Lamar “High Morale: The Ascension of Kung Fu Kenny” collections. These collections pay homage to the artists who significantly influenced his work. Tree’s creative process involves a blend of traditional and digital techniques, leveraging platforms like YouTube, Patreon, and Behance to share his art and connect with fans.

Artistic Style and Techniques

Tree's artistic style combines digital and traditional art forms. He utilizes tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Direct to Fabric (DTF) printing technology to bring his designs to life. His ability to merge hip-hop elements with animation, creating a genre he calls Soul Hop, sets him apart in the industry.

Fashion as Healing and Future Vision

Tree believes in the healing power of fashion, seeing it as a means to express identity and creativity. His vision for Brilliance LMTD involves continuing to innovate and inspire, with upcoming projects that promise to push the boundaries of art and fashion. Tree encourages aspiring creators to tap into their own brilliance and pursue their creative passions.

Conclusion

Tune in to “talktechto.me” on KBLA Talk 1580 for more inspiring conversations at the intersection of technology, culture, and creativity. Follow Tree of Lyfe on social media to stay updated on his latest projects and collections, and connect with Cassie Betts and “talktechto.me” for more exciting tech discussions.

Stay tuned for the next episode, and remember, tech is the new sexy!