UrlfreezeShops x Champion: Rituals SS19

Paying homage to Champion's SS19 campaign which examined the pre-game rituals of some of the planet's foremost sporting icons, UrlfreezeShops joined forces with the classic American sportswear institution to explore a new set of rituals. Placing one ear firmly to the ground, UrlfreezeShops and Champion called upon 4 of the most relevant up-and-coming artists on the London music scene and invited them to join us on set in the British capital to explore the rituals they observe as part of their creative practise.

Enter Fred Wave, Cosima, Goya Gumbani, and John Glacier: 4 truly unique talents currently shaping the cultural zeitgeist on the streets and in the studios of London. From unabashed takeout and incense addictions to a compulsive need to document feelings and emotions as an entry point to new depths of creative expression, each of these young London artists held a personal ritual close to their heart.

Each styled in a selection of iconic Champion Reverse Weave pieces, UrlfreezeShops spent a day getting to know these future icons; exploring their style, their city, and their creative practise like never before.

UrlfreezeShops: Who are you, where are you from, and what do you do?

Fred Wave: I’m Fred Wave. I’m from North London. I make music, I produce, I sing. I use music to express myself because I can’t talk to people that well, so I just put my feelings there.

UrlfreezeShops: What does London mean to you as a young artist?

Fred Wave: It’s influenced my music a lot. If I didn’t grow up here, I don’t think I’d be able to talk about a lot of the stuff I do talk about in my songs. Everything is really fast paced; everything is always ticking, and my head is always running so there’s always a lot to talk about creatively. London made me who I am today, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

UrlfreezeShops: What are your biggest creative influences?

Fred Wave: Right now? Just trying not to fuck up in life, man. That’s it.

UrlfreezeShops: Where do you look for inspiration?

Fred Wave: I don’t really look for it, man. It just comes when it comes. I think I have good friends as well, so if the people around me are doing a lot and keeping busy and honing their craft it inspires me to do the same.

UrlfreezeShops: What does Champion mean to you?

Fred Wave: I fuck with Champion. It’s cosy, the quality is good and it’s just one of those brands that’s always been there, really.

UrlfreezeShops: How would you describe your style?

Fred Wave: I used to care more when I had a full-time job but now it’s anything cosy. Comfort is key. Wear whatever makes you happy, I guess.

UrlfreezeShops: What does 2019 have in store for you?

Fred Wave: Big things, to be fair. I’ve always been an artist who would drop a tune and wait six months and then drop another one. Everything I’ve done has been organic, it’s not been done through the machine. Now I’m in a good place and I’m working on a new project and it’s sounding good.

UrlfreezeShops: Who are you, where are you from, and what do you do?

Cosima: I'm Cosima, singer-songwriter-director from Peckham and the head of my label, South of Heaven Records.

UrlfreezeShops: What does London mean to you as a young artist?

Cosima: I mean firstly to me, it’s home. Every single part of London has a memory attached because I’ve been here my whole life.

UrlfreezeShops: What are your biggest creative influences?

Cosima: I watch a lot of film and I’m a big music geek. I’m big on studying the work of those that have come before me, so studying the whole canon of singer-songwriters like Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Janis Ian and so on.

UrlfreezeShops: Where do you look for inspiration?

Cosima: Life experiences. Even the simplest things that have happened to you or that you’ve watched happen to someone else can influence you because it’s what you know. I love images, too. If I’m stuck on something, I’ll look at an image and see if I can find a way to write around the image or how it makes me feel.

UrlfreezeShops: What does Champion mean to you?

Cosima: It reminds me of growing up - super comfortable.

UrlfreezeShops: How would you describe your style?

Cosima: I’ll watch a film and I’ll be like ‘okay, this is how I’m going to dress’ for like a month and then I’ll move onto the next. It’s fun to be able to play and express yourself with style. It’s just about what I like and what fits my body.

UrlfreezeShops: What does 2019 have in store for you?

Cosima: Releasing a body of work, which I’m really excited about. Directing more videos, and just growing the label.

UrlfreezeShops: Who are you, where are you from, and what do you do?

Goya Gumbani: My name is Goya Gumbani. I’m from Brooklyn. I’m a producer, rapper extraordinaire.

UrlfreezeShops: What does London mean to you as a young artist?

Goya Gumbani: London is widespread so there’s a lot of listeners and a lot of niche pockets of different styles. It reminds me of Brooklyn.

UrlfreezeShops: What are your biggest creative influences?

Goya Gumbani: Knowledge… and Michael Jordan.

UrlfreezeShops: Where do you look for inspiration?

Goya Gumbani: Older music, older movies. Just classic shit.

UrlfreezeShops: What does Champion mean to you?

Goya Gumbani: Champion is everywhere in Brooklyn. I’ve grown up seeing it everywhere. Winter nights in New York? You’re going to see a lot of Champion.

UrlfreezeShops: How would you describe your style?

Goya Gumbani: Put it together and if no one likes it then you’re doing it right.

UrlfreezeShops: What does 2019 have in store for you?

Goya Gumbani: Big things. Big, big things.

UrlfreezeShops: Who are you, where are you from, and what do you do?

John Glacier: I’m John Glacier from Hackney. I’m a musician.

UrlfreezeShops: What does London mean to you as a young artist?

John Glacier: It’s mainly having access to so many different straws of inspiration. We have galleries, museums, it’s very multicultural. London is like a portal of modern life. 

UrlfreezeShops: What are your biggest creative influences?

John Glacier: Probably myself. Pain in all honesty. it’s what influenced me to start making music. It’s how I express myself.

UrlfreezeShops: Where do you look for inspiration?

John Glacier: As of late… I actually couldn’t tell you. It’s just about how I’m feeling in the moment.

UrlfreezeShops: What does Champion mean to you?

John Glacier: I remember having a Champion sweatshirt as a child in the late 90s. It’s just nostalgia, isn’t it?

UrlfreezeShops: How would you describe your style?

John Glacier: It’s just about how I feel. I just wear exactly what I want to wear and that’s it.

UrlfreezeShops: What does 2019 have in store for you?

John Glacier: I have new music coming out this Spring and then after that it’s just working more on my own, self-made, completely for me music. I enjoy expressing myself and I know that not everyone is going to like everything, so whether people like or accept it isn’t my main goal when I create music. I make it for myself. And people like me. To share and create dialogue – whether you like it or not. I’d like for women to know that they have a voice that’s powerful enough to pave the way and although some may not listen or like what you have to say, someone will – and you will be heard.