Gettin to this product
Pistol City. The “P”. A city that really has a hometown feel and quality to it; vying for recognition amongst its overbearing neighbors like Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Dealing with major societal issues such as its 15.7% poverty rate or an unemployment rate that sits at about 10%; there’s something to say about a city that still has a cobblestone downtown and is home to Americas first naval medical hospital yet has a violent crime rate of 8.95 versus a state average of 2.08. Yet somewhere, amongst this interesting mix of hope and turmoil there is an emotional undercurrent that is gaining momentum.
“I used to wanna be a weatherman FR”
I consume so much music on a daily basis that for an artist to catch my attention and captivate me says something. Ever since his performance at our concrete canvas and wifi festival, I knew I had to get the REAL story of DUCT and the GFL family. So like real ones do I pulled out the jack and tapped in with the homie. Live from his homebase store “HEAT” in the P…………….this is DUCT and GRIND FOR LIFE……..
GS: Sittin here with my man duct GFL from Portsmouth….so my first question for you is where you from / orginally born and all that?
Mt. Vernon and High, Port Norfolk to Midtown….been on Norfolk side, went to Norfolk state for a little bit. Was going for mass comm and music production. But went to Churchland High and Churchland middle…..all Ptown side.
GS: How would you say family life was for you?
Had a good life, mom and pops, my sister, brother….aint want for nothing bro. Mom and pops worked hard…had to do good in classes knowing I gotta do right, knowing my family worked hard ya know?
GS: No doubt. So as a kid did you have dreams of doing what you are doing now or?
I used to want to be a weatherman fam. I used to be scared of thunderstorms as a kid; so I was like “I gotta see what the fuck going on”. But I was always into fashion and all that, always had a hustle or something. It was state for a lil bit then I had moved to balitmore because my uncle, well I got family all through Maryland and Delaware. I was out Mondawmin slash Anne Arundel, all over forreal. So this is back in the time if you remember when the resale game just started to get hot. So I used to go outta town, cop and come back to flip it. Like I was getting really heavy into the sneaker resale game. I had got on with my partner this guy who was heavy into business, millionaire cat, like he sold sneaks that people had already wore no bullshit.
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GS: Oh no doubt shouts to charm city we DAMN sure connected all over….East on the Alameda to West…done shake and bake on Pennsylvania avenue all that from the city to the county. Skinny niggas thats getting money LOL. Okay so after Baltimore take us there.
I was just back and forth. So I would be in Baltimore this week then come back here this week. Did that for about 2 years. Then I ended up just coming home and starting HEAT with my uncle.
GS: In the midst of all that how did you get the name Duct?
Product. Cuz when we was younger thats what it was like I always had something. So niggas just was like “you product”. And then it got shortened to “Duct”. You know that was just regular around-the-way hood nickname. GFL is Grind For Life. Me and my guys I grew up with put that together.
GS: So whats the outward goal with HEAT?
Our goal really is to have chains. Stands for Holding Exclusives All The Time. Be like walmart. Everybody has their own company, we’ll all be in business for ourselves. Everybody can have their own store; its for everybody. Its really urban culture all around…..premium collections, pieces and drops. But its global, worldwide. We got people from Japan, France, Norfolk….we rock with brands from all over.
GS: Whats the biggest hurdles you face as an entrepreneur and owner?
Man just everyday. You gotta think you dont make money everyday. Every day isnt going to boom, so you have to be able to stay on top of it all. Also dealing with people and energy that are around the company. Im big on energy. Your energy gotta be moderate; you gotta give off what you want to see.
GS: But what about your own energy? You know being a boss aint easy…thats a step in itself?
Yeah, I mean its like heavy is the head that wears the crown.
GS: Business moves that helped you get where you are?
Smart investments. Like paying attention to whats hot, the market, etc. Also staying within your means financially. Like I could be doing x,y,z this and that….but it ALL counts.
GS: What about advice for the youngsters? You know sometimes it doesent hit us, but gettting older in the game and really reflecting on it remembering being younger….sometimes its like damn I really need to be present on my conduct, etc….so what would you say to the younger ones trying to do what we on?
Really just do what you wanna do bro. Do what you feel. Because a lot of people are gonna tell you what you should do, but you the one who has to put it out. All you have to do is put something out. Like young niggas run this shit.
GS: Okay. Whats your opinion on the industrys of music, fashion and hip-hop culture, both locally and at large?
I think that the energy with music is fucked up, far as its going. Like alot of cats just be saying shit dont be doing it; not realizing the power in their words. Like you got young niggas hearing this shit wanting to spin the block…not knowing when they get in that cell its 23 & 1. Cant even fight. These kids is followers. You can be gangsta without killing somebody. ALL my niggas gangsta. My niggas stand on what they believe in. THATS gangsta. Far as the local scene, it could be bigger than what it is. We fuck up cuz we dont support each other shit. I guess its pride, but we gotta put that to the side. But im telling you give us about a decent 5 years, maybe 10….we gon run that shit. Now fashion…..I LOVE it. This shit hard. Its getting back to like, wearing what you want to wear. Long as the money keep clickin and we keep making shit…you dont know. The local brands are going hard. But it is some people just throwing a logo on whatever and charge $50/60. But thats why its really like knowledge. I’ll show love, still cop….but take em to the side like “bro you might wanna do this or that”. I’ll support the hustle end of the day, but its like a two-side responsibility; one side gotta show love and one side gotta be open minded to understanding what people like. But forreal just keep having motion. Thats the key.
GS: Okay. Final question….endless money and endless workers….what are you doing to push the Tidewater region forward? Specifics?
Okay first i’m bringing a basketball, football and baseball team. Probably build the arenas in Norfolk slash the Oceanfront and Town center. Tolls is CRAZY niggas dont wanna come on this side. Im def taking them tolls down. But nah im tripping I would throw something on this side but lord. Then I would DEF extend the tide from the oceanfront to downtown Norfolk. Then its free rides from Norfolk to Portsmouth on the ferry. Def making a town center in Portsmouth / every city forreal. Like the P we got one…..but its one street my nigga. Then every city is gonna have a studio….like a bassline type deal. Make this a hub, central area for everyone. Cuz if you build it, the people gonna come. I mean if we had sports teams you know how flocked out the game would be? C’mon man they know. Its business…
GS: You aint lying. I’ma have the seasonpass. Shit gon be super lit we def gone have it flooded if that happens. Anything else want to let us know? Whats good what you got coming up where can we find you at?
You know the stores / working on new music right now. The instagram is @DuctGFL, @Heatclothing_. Man just tap in with me tap in with my guy Brazi. All day every day.
