Karl Kani on Migos Embracing Him and Helping Relaunch His Brand

Legendary fashion designer Karl Kani chops it up with DJ Vlad about the historical legacy of his brand and the difficult but necessary decisions he had to make to maintain his fashion line. Kani did not mix words as he laid out how his brand was the pioneering streetwear brand that embraced hip-hop and transcended just being something materialistic. He also touched on foreseeing the market becomes over saturated with "urban designers" which prompted him to shut down production in the United States. However, Kani remained hugely popular overseas. Kani later discussed his relationship with the Migos, and how the Atlanta based group helped him relaunch the Karl Kani brand, He even claimed the group only wore Karl Kani in their videos.

[@DukeSaragono]

I 1000% will support Karl Kani. He's one of the few that makes clothes for the urban community. We need to support this dude.

[@notalentbeatz983]

I use to love his clothes frfr

[@presidentfly9235]

Karl Kani didn't sell out like all of the other brands. Salute. Looking forward to the come back.

[@ChrisSmith-rg7ur]

bring dat shit back salute Migos for repping old school shit

[@masterpiece714]

I had the Karl Kani as a youngster. If he starts to sell here in the us again. I will definitely buy.

[@DaveOMatic1980]

Me too.

[@kjdnyhmghfvb]

Moral of the story: Keep Owning what you Create.

[@enzigenes]

Migos learned a valuable lesson. Made a song about Versace, got their brand back poppin in the urban/Hip-Hop space and they shitted on them. This is what these high end clothing brands do. They use Hip-Hop culture to stay above water, but they don't give back or do anything for the culture.

[@Paris__Michael]

enzigenes I Hope way more people read this comment! 💯

[@karenwatson5053]

enzigenes It's because they could care less about us and our culture and really don't want our business for real. We should create our own brands and buy from each other...period...

[@hakeemsd70m]

Real talk though, your comment deserves a million likes. We gotta support our own.Fuck Versace and Gucci.

[@moeynola6747]

Miniortys makes up only 5% of Gucci and Versace etc bottom line..it is a nice Chunk but 95% of there buyers are rich Europeans and arabs from the gulf

[@DaveOMatic1980]

Damn.

[@76yaadie]

Do you know how much crap this man had to go through to acquire the knowledge he has?! Just imagine the hardship, failure, success ... ups and downs. God bless!

[@adrienw.7270]

This dude is a straight Icon!!! Legend in the utmost🔥

[@marromorrison]

Imagine all the black rappers and celebrities stop wearing the Louis's, Gucci's and other European brands and supported kani, Sean John and rocawear, instant revolution, think about it #staywoke

[@YounginBallin]

Marrow Morrison ewww those brands are so 2005

[@lamarsolo]

Didn't jay sell a huge part of rica wear.

[@johnjhnson82]

Dub Nation. Your response is excatly whats wrong with black people. You wouldn't say Louis V is 1890 or Gucci is 1900. gotta break that mentality

[@B82828]

Marrow Morrison That shit TJ Max, never going to be a sale on Gucci

[@yaboyTon]

Marrow Morrison 😂😂😂😂😂

[@akronbronson4785]

Kani, Iceberg, ENYCE. Geard up.

[@kreativkeem6864]

And Girbaud

[@mr.blackculture8111]

We are at the end of the major retail stores era and malls

[@BOBByBISHIP]

I'm rocking my man shit right now

[@bostonbully3660]

Had me my KARL KANI back in the day

[@Alexz_Archivz]

As far as Detroit... those Koreans took advantage of those Kani tees and outfits back in the 90s and made mad $ off the bootlegs!

[@roystongibbs7189]

Same in NYC. It was Africans, Koreans, Arabs......

[@croc313]

Yea I remember that being from Detroit myself. I remember going to some lil Chinese shops. Buying all kinda Knock offs smh.

[@jeremyjman2009]

Big fan of Karl Kani clothing

[@jaysix67]

it's crazy that I watched Martin last night and he was on the show dead ass no bs

[@landocalrisian2014]

Karl I'm so glad you still pushing your line brother. I promise if today's artists wear your clothes like The Migos people will flock.

[@anilgill6846]

I don't know anything about the fashion business, so take this with a grain of salt: If I was Karl Kani I would do a 2yr limited run with nostalgic cultural brands: Karl Kani x Fubu Karl Kani x Cross Colours Karl Kani x K Swiss Karl Kani x Dame Dash Karl Kani x Dapper Dan Etc... Pop up stores announced 24hrs on social media before the doors open. When the merchandise is gone it's gone never to be reproduced again. Phase 2 of my plan would be to do a Netflix deal to sell a show where Shark Tank meets Project Runway- very narrow where you're giving shine and have an opportunity to participate in the next wave of urban street wear that's going to shape the culture. I could be wrong....

[@gullydisciple]

i like how he says "WE" in everything he does not i did this or that

[@unknownsamoan01]

Love this story.. Don't be greedy and stay in your Lane. 👊🙏

[@ChrisSmith-rg7ur]

damn Karl kani looking like Stevie J older brother

[@jasonallen3678]

Chris Smith I promise I thought that was him.They have to be related.

[@bobbybo1245]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@robbstarr3476]

Sounds like Tiger Woods

[@selfishstockton6123]

Chris Smith I thought Orlando Brown at first

[@majorrussell6776]

I loved Kani clothing back in the day and cant wait for it to come back. But there were also two brands that came before him which I really loved one called USED and the other Damaged.

[@roystongibbs7189]

I remember used. They had some cool shit back in the day.

[@boylefranks]

Vlad I respect your opinion about a lot of things but Hilfiger was a well-known brand years before Puba rhymed about the gear.

[@MzSweetzTalk]

Yea buddy!! 💪 I'm ready for it! Karl Kani 💯 I love your clothes! ❤

[@Unorthodox666]

This dudes the fucking shit! Just bought my first Karl Kani shirt and it's so dope

[@glennw7118]

I wore Karl Kani back in the day. I don't want nothing from Karl but I lived across the street from him on E 94 st in Brooklyn before he moved. Good dude. I'm very happy that he's done well and I hope his line does blow up in the US again.

[@THEWRYTERS]

More African American celebrities should stop promoting all these white brands who don't want black people wearing their products and promote more African American products

[@echad6259]

looks like AZ

[@Spacesprocketz]

Echadh thought I was the only one thinking that

[@bobbybo1245]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@jgvtc559]

I think they're family

[@BoSSLeVeLs]

I'm white 38 from London even I had k k 👌🏼

[@chuckgrimes1223]

Shout out KaNi

[@jaaimedalliont.v.503]

He not lying...i use to put on karl kani in high school in the 90s n felt like a king...like a million bukks

[@ChrisSmith-rg7ur]

salute Karl kani still want da sweatsuits wit the plate in middle jus gonna wear it relaxed fit instead of baggy like back in the day salute

[@craigsutton4287]

Karl kani is real . And legit ! 🤪

[@HEEMTEAMKZ]

Champion used to be at Walmart

[@adrienw.7270]

King Zay true

[@hakeemsd70m]

Now they're at Meijer.

[@Johnydogood]

I too support Kani, who remembers the "get kani in your life" commercials... i love there jeans and would 100% still rock them if i could only find them (Maybe ebay?) Also Kani has my favorite cologne, but sad can't find that either, not even at those oil spots

[@bobbymiddleton5153]

That shit had the streets on lock and that shit was fly bring that back

[@keeksneak8786]

Glad u brining it back karl kani respect

[@imtyrone9407]

7:18 doitlooklikeiwasleftoffkarlkani?

[@jajabbaranks6320]

I'm Tyrone LMAO 😅😅😅

[@jameslando8135]

I'm Tyrone damn it really is a running joke

[@bigbsniggayouabitchlookach6604]

I'm Tyrone ""...YEH" -Akademiks

[@burningbackwoods953]

7:18 Karl kani did leave out takeoff lol

[@imtyrone9407]

Burning Backwoods maybe takeoff be so he he dont see the plot and misses out on opportunities

[@MrMajani]

Back in the 90s record sales were doing so well that that was the only cheque musicians cared about. They would do all these brand endorsements for free because of that. Nowadays record sales are so low, artists have to charge for endorsements, which favors the established companies over the start-ups. Also, now that everyone's seen how successful Diddy, Dre and Jay Z have been with their own companies, a lot of celebrities would rather start their own line than endorse someone else's.

[@Daoldhead51]

I have been looking for some Kani jeans for the longest. All i use to wear when it was out.

[@AllAccessConstruction]

Mannn. #karlkani allday

[@_breakoff_sensei7998]

Quavo Offset and all those Guys.. what TF happened to Takeoff my nigga??

[@TONEakaSHOW]

new news lookslikehewasleftoffthemigosgroup

[@SDavis2702]

I was about to make this comment if I couldn't find someone else who had done it already. Same shit I was thinking. Y'all gone stop disrespecting Takeoff! 🚀🚀🚀

[@smauricelilly]

new news Bad and Bougie?! I was left off Bad & Bougie?!?!

[@mikeferland4508]

I wish they'd bring back good hip hop along with the Retro clothes

[@217champion]

Mike Ferland Times have. changed for the worst.

[@greglewis1084]

I need some Kani gear

[@therealmccoy2004]

I def had that Karl Kani back in 98 99

[@Altaquan]

Legend

[@OVERSEEROFRAP]

Van grak was around before kani that's 1😂😂😂

[@djmannystylz1285]

who??

[@craigsutton4287]

Charlie Clips pops the hell is that ?

[@donellis5005]

Karl Kani needs to step his ass out in the community and let people know he's back in the game...... Begin to sponsor these rappers and R&B artist even the comedy shows , fuck make some rims ..... nigga make some sheets too( I'd buy it ) and start cutting deals with these rappers to build his brand up with the new generation cuz I got to be honest I really did like the style of his clothing back in the day he always kept it baggy, and I bet you he could even bring back matching relaxed fit jeans and denim jackets.

[@leepettyway4987]

I support Kani

[@djwalruss4897]

All tommy hill said was he didn't invent his brand as an urban.street gear

[@chennao]

Kani dropping knowledge

[@ssevo8]

Just wanna put it out there... TakeOff def did have on the KANI sweats in the Cross The Country video. Had to go back to catch it!

[@TONEakaSHOW]

fubu phat farm pelle pelle Karl Kani wu wear that was the shit

[@absaloj]

So much class.

[@gavinoctavien1400]

That migos interview killed me. Dude they weren’t talking bout nothing 😂

[@dogsandyoga1743]

I never wore Kani back in the day, but I'd definitely cop some gear on the strength. Go retro on that ass...

[@f3nomeleven434]

Luv Kani gear

[@gregoryglass9040]

The shoes game is going to be insane now he is back

[@rallerallesson408]

"Quavo, Offset and all the other guys" 😂😂😂😂 "those guys" name is Takeoff and is a fuckin beast

[@streetsweeperdetroit]

I am so glad I watched this! I was looking for more inspiration! #DetroitMechanix

[@Tempest666]

TROOP was out before Karl Kani.

[@goldengarbage9646]

Just copped the gold plate kk hoodie it's lit 🔥

[@coachhbosoccer]

I was about to skip the video, I thought this was Stevie J😂 Anyway By the time I was old enough to buy Kani myself I couldn't find any! I hope I can order them from Europe

[@gogolouie7768]

So what's the word. Is Karl Kani coming back? Im now 30+ can I go buy some of his stuff and not be looked at as someone stuck in the 90s?

[@raybaby1866]

Karl kani brand has similarity to sean john

[@MisterJohnson303]

Gogo Louie I'm wearing Karl Kani right now.

[@razorbacks1983]

The still wear Girbaud Jean's in Louisiana today

[@croc313]

I low key miss those pants. Them and Levi's are my favorite

[@FantasyWorldRadio1985]

IN THE 90S WE BURNT ALL OUR TOMMY HILFIGER CLOTHES AN BOUGHT ONLY KANI .. SEAN JOHN.. FUBU.. NOW GUCCI DID THAT BLACKFACE ITS VERY SIMILAR.. WE MUST SUPPORT REAL STREET BRANDING.. 2PAC IS THE FACE OF KANI

[@Bobinanena]

Karl came after Cross Colours... He mentioned this in previous VLAD videos... So what he’s sayin isn’t true...

[@BigDogBNB]

7:18 "Do it sound like I was left off Karl Kani?"

[@birdman3003]

Tommy Hilfiger caught fire in the 90s because Snoop wore it on SNL

[@ianhedge604]

This is the brother Konya West need to team up with

[@WonkaMarijuana]

Since all the kids are into vintage shit now whose trynna bring fubu back? And overalls

[@Tbcz]

Good Tree Burner bro fubu already making a comeback you sleeping..

[@dianarodriguez7698]

I love his designs ! 😂 stop making those Stevie J faces 😂😂 though

[@brandondscott]

i use to look fly in my Calvin kani....

[@lorenzoburton3974]

Versace, LV and Gucci is ugly AF! None of that ish is aspirational. It’s YOU, not the clothes YOU wear. I would love to see Karl Kanj business ties, suits and shoes 👞.

[@treynelson3967]

Ahead of time ⏲️😌, perhaps ya Youngsters just don't know 😏!... South pole 🤔and So on and so on, Levi's

[@nittimack8491]

Did they just sneak diss cross colors

[@MrUmarBey]

Reality is its all about marketing. People want what they think they are not supposed to have. So Black people will buy and give free publicity to any European perceived out of reach brands.. exclusive.. In my high school days it was polo, preppy, members only jackets

[@yeweston1411]

To the few who gonna see this: I'm 98% sure I was named after this brand/dude (pause...? Idk)

[@thelifeofjfire1661]

KZbin j fire team adidas KZbin j fire which way do I go.. Thanks ✌

[@playboi6411]

I would have to say adidas did it before Kani with Run DMC.

[@kobiesboxing4956]

These rappers should never give free endorsement to these racist or not Black friendly companies. They instead should offer them deals where as they'll promote their products if they give them paid sponsorship, or pay them to license their name on a product of theirs. I mean rappers should have learned from Run DMC when they gave free publicity to Adidas with their song "My Adidas". In which Adidas never made any deals with them.

[@ericiriarte6111]

Vlad you nerd. “Girbauds hangin baggy Hilfiger on the top”

[@hollywoodpeezie1]

Karl kani ,maurice malone, Girbaud jeans but I don’t think he’s black 🤷🏽‍♂️ but, I even had a few outkast clothing 🤣

[@B.Wade203]

Marrow Morrison that’s deep.

[@Twovirgils]

They bout ta vote Take Off off the damn Island! Smh

[@pharoahdon1991]

VLAD THE TYPE OF DUDE TO LEAVE HIS SEAT BELT ON UNTIL HE PARKS HIS CAR

[@Kiddingyoumust]

So... Vlad is a smart man?

[@BigBoyO56]

PHAROAH DON wack ass joke

[@TheNotoriousKID]

Take Off gets left off again.

[@tyronejones7470]

I hope he not gonna push that wack ass tight jean shit. I hope he comes correct on some new shit.

[@tomjones3629]

Karl Kani quality was off. His prices were up there but you couldnt build a wardrobe off it.

[@KiambuTheGreatProductionsLLC]

Tom Jones I disagree. The early to mid-90s Karl Kani quality was great! His clothes were the only jeans that fit a certain tailored way, but they were still baggy. Not to mention the material on his collections was unmatched! Nice and thick material! Everybody knows this and use to talk about how great the material and fit was in conversations back in the day! Your statement is simply not true! And you should not put false claims out there if you're saying the quality was off. Out of all the clothes I paid top dollar for including but not limited to Ralph Lauren, #karlkani was the best hands down! l

[@tomjones3629]

@@KiambuTheGreatProductionsLLC nah that shit was falling apart

[@KiambuTheGreatProductionsLLC]

@@tomjones3629 You must have had the knockoff. I stil have some old Kani pants and a shirt in a bag and it looks old mainly the shirt because it's white but it's not falling apart. Now, if you're talking about the cuff area. Yea it's to be expected if we had them sagging dragging on the ground stepping on them.

[@tomjones3629]

@@KiambuTheGreatProductionsLLC nope no knockoffs

[@kurtisgonsalves6860]

i just checked out your website and your biting Supreme s re seller program and your clothes are wack!

[@_breakoff_sensei7998]

this guy needs to work on his 20 year old pitch

[@aaronbryant211]

#JEBUSNIKQUES #AUKIKI #BILDA_BERGIO #AKB211

[@KD-jb9pq]

Migos a wannabe lord infamous

[@Bankdupkennels]

Vlad

[@icadolli]

Gucci died and came back early 90

[@MoneyyMike]

First

[@landosaquatics]

1

[@MoneyyMike]

O's studio no

[@Heats1Fan]

Bro forehead is wrinkled.

[@johnjohnson6200]

HE SHOULD FIX HIS HAIRLINE AND HIS WRINKLY FOREHEAD

[@kenmatthews9928]

Respect, but I ain’t buying no Kani.