THE DISTRICT BLOG RSS
All we've ever wanted to do is create a brand that embodies the creative lifestyle. We've worked with more Creative Enthusiasts than we can count. We just never recorded the process. Until now.
Hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed living it.
Thank you to the producers who provided beats for the project as well.
Produced by .44
Arrogant Watcher via his Fall Apart to Fall In Place Project
For the second time around, Debonair District held down a tent at the annual Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival. The ten-day cultural event features local and nationally-accredited speakers, musicians, artists, poets and craftspeople. Concluding on the week-end after the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the TBBHF promotes diversity and cultural sensitivity. For the last two days of the event, the city of Tampa is rewarded with all day music festivals at Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa.
After locking in our slot as a vendor, we went to the drawing board to create some new ish to drop this year. One of our favorites from this release is the “Herd” cap and from the responses we received at the festival, it is a crowd’s favorite as well.
Speaking of favorites, Demi Nova and Blaq Pocket Music rocked the stage and had the audience in awe! Dynasty also hit the stage with a dope solo performance with the assistance of Dj Sandman. We appreciate the opportunity to share our creative flare with others amongst our community.
You can shop the Heritage collection here.
It’s not often that you come across a beautiful and talented young songstress that plays the ukulele. Ari Chi’s melodious voice is known for doing covers of some of the most popular tunes such as Timmy Turner by Desiigner and Apparently by J. Cole. Something about her voice hypnotizes from the stage, capturing your full, undivided attention.
Hailing from Atlanta, Ari Chi moved to the Tampa Bay Area to establish her music career and we are thrilled to have her put on for the city. Currently in Orlando, Ari travels frequently, performing throughout South Florida. During the week, the majority of her time is spent in the studio working on features or new music for her projects. She also teaches private ukulele and vocal lessons.
Her weekends are jammed packed! You can catch her in a street performance with a live visual artist or on stage at a show. She makes appearances to local shows and she’s definitely a supporter of the arts community. Despite her growing success and attention, She is humble in her efforts to make it big.
When asked about her favorite aspect of being an artist she replied, “being able to warm hearts and touch souls musically with absolutely nothing but [my] vocal chords.” It is evident that her intentions are pure.
As far as inspiration, Ari Chi mentions local artists: Betty Dawl, Shevonne “Shevizzle”, and Ella Jet. She also admires Lady Bug Mecca (DP), Lauryn Hill, The Local Natives, Sampha, and The Xx. Ari studied classical music and was enrolled in three different performing art programs. She also comes from a musical family. Her mother has a beautiful voice and her aunt is a well-known singer in LA by the name of Kimberly Holloway. Her influences allowed her talents to excel.
Outside of her music career, Ari Chi loves cooking and she’s taken an interest in directing music videos. Find more information about Ari Chi on her website: arichimusic.com.
From time to time, we host pop up shops and vend at various events. While vending at Da Cypher, we met Jax Judo. Without hesitation he copped a Centro Mobbin snap back and showed love. We exchanged contacts because we knew at some point we'd cross paths in the city again.
It wasn't long after that Jax stopped by The District with Tampa rapper, Jafarlee (@iamjafarlee), to close a merchandise deal. We caught up and had a dialogue about the state of the Tampa music scene, pressures of work/life balance and pursuing passions.
Who knew days later that he'd be "[Centro] Mobbin" in his next music video.
Written by: Tyana Daley
Photos by: Xavier Martinez
