Ever the businessman, Pugs has clothing store locations in Chicago’s Block37, Bucktown,
and Atlanta. Because he felt there was a market for art on book bags, he started ONLi
Packs. Through his clothing line, he’s presently working on future designs for women’s
sneakers. Fever Magazine’s writer, Cornelus Postell, recently sat down with Pugs Atomz
for an exclusive interview.
Although you were born in Pittsburgh, your family
moved. What was it like growing up in Chicago?
We initially moved here…like my dad came here to do radio.
He wasn’t into how music was changing because he was more
into Jazz and Soul because he felt like the music was going more
“poppy.”
My mother was the Artistic Director of an arts center. It just gave
me a space. As an artist and rapper, you try to figure out where will
I perform. That space let me throw on my first show. Plus, it gave
me a place where I can meet other key artists.
You developed a movement called Nacrobats in the 90’s.
Tell us how that got started.
Initially, I was a graffiti writer, that was what I was focused on.
I have attempted to start a couple of graffiti crews before. As well,
I was looking into the Zulu Nation and watching movies such as
Beat Street and Star Wars.
I was trying to join one and met this guy. He was like, “You
should just start your own thing. You don’t need us.” I was like, “I’m
trying to roll with yall. I’ve been waiting for my whole high school
time.” Probably the best suggestion he could give me. After that,
the gears started to roll.
You co-host a radio show. Tell me how it got started?
The college radio show at that time was hosted by this guy Nat-
ural. He had a partner, but they were also helping this group out
of Chicago. I used to be always up there to battle rap or freestyle
on-air. I was also working Marketing & Promotions. They asked me
if I was interested in taking over their show.
At the same time, my friend was being offered the same spot by
a legendary Chicago DJ. We both found out we were each other’s
competition for the show, I was like we should do it together just to
make sure we get the show because we figured someone else was
also competing.
You presently have a new single called “Sweat” off the
anticipated Highly Irregular (HI) project. Tell us more
about this album?
I was moving back to Chicago from London and started getting
back to making my own solo records. I just wanted to take my time
and make it something that people can remember me.
As the engineer was playing beats, he played the beat for Sweat.
It struck me because my parents used to play Nina Simone to me
and go through the lyrics with me. I just made me reminisce when
I heard it.
Tell us more about your clothing line called Iridium Cloth-
ing Co. and how it got started?
Since college, a lot of my friends were into fashion. Around
2006-2007, I was able to link up with Afro Wear in Chicago. They
made the actual hats used on TV shows Martin and Living Single.
They let me intern and got me started working with American
Needle.
It wasn’t until I moved to London that I started meeting people
from the industry. I came across this brand called Iridium one time
on Facebook. Every time I wore some of the gear, people would
ask me where did I get it. It made me really start taking it seriously
then.
Pugs’ advice for people starting a new venture is, “Try to work with people who
mutually share a love for the thing you want to do together. Respect one another
enough to be honest in the thing that you are doing. But first, write your ideas
down and then follow through. Don’t make it feel like it’s work.”
Pugs Atomz can be contacted on most social networks at Pugsatomz. He gave this
to share, “Be on the lookout for highlyirregular.life. It’s going to be the best place
to get to know me more. Plus, you can catch up on future events and plans.” Tune in
to listen to his CTA Radio show airing Wednesday nights between 9pm-12am CST
on whpk.org.
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