You’ve probably seen Hidji World‘s artwork, you just didn’t know it. From New York street corners to signage on the subway, custom graphics that have been donned on Kendall Jenner to productions as a member of A$AP Rocky‘s creative agency, AWGE. His success is inextricably tied to fame and luxury, but his comeup was anything but that. “We used to sleep on clothes on the floor, we ain’t have no beds,” the artist told HYPEBEAST, adding, “We was really living that life.”
For the latest HYPEBEAST Diaries, we followed the culture connoisseur and multi-disciplinary artist from his Brooklyn home to his recent Los Angeles music video shoot of Pi’erre Bourne. Between it all, we unearthed the backstory to his practice and the people that he equally shares his creative visions with. “The ideas are just pouring out of him,” said visual artist, OMI, who noted of the energy Hidji evokes in his peers.
“I would’ve painted the baby if I could.”
Hidji has gone on to either direct or edit a number of videos, such as Rocky’s The Kids Turned Out Fine and A$AP Ferg’s Plain Jane to collaborating with Australian label, Ksubi, and adidas. Dabbling in a bit of everything these days, painting continues to be one of the mediums that he enjoys the most. Viewing one of Hiji’s canvases is like witnessing his mind at work — thoughts, recollections, hopes, fears — all are overlaid on one another in a number of equally disparate mediums. When his mind gets going, anything becomes his canvas. “I would’ve painted the baby if I could,” he laughs.
Despite the meteoric rise, one immediately feels invited when on set with him. It’s a trademark that not all creatives have, but only the best exhibit no matter the accolades. Humble as can be, Hiji reminds us to speak with the rest of the crew, stating, “I’m my friends, we all together. I’m not one person.” Check out the full spotlight with Hidji World above.
