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Learn How Freak Stewart Became The Basquiat Of Mixtape Covers (And Working With Gucci Mane)

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More Than Mixtape Covers, More Than Art. Freak Stewart Is Taking Over The World Artistically!

Last week, we sat down with Sebastien ”Freak” Stewart to talk about his incredible journey as a graphic designer and how he reinvented the mixtape covers circuit.

Read More: From Youtuber To The Next Mayor Of MTL, Will Tyler Lemco Make It?

Indeed, Freak has accomplished a lot in an industry where artists are not always getting their time under the spotlight. From initially creating a buzz locally, Freak Stewart now works with mainstream artists such as Gucci Mane, Oj Da Juiceman and much more.

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We wanted to understand how he made it. As a curator in the Hip Hop scene, Freak Stewart saw the local and international scene evolve for over 10 years. From Myspace to Facebook, this artist marked the game with his own touch, mixtape covers after mixtape covers.

freak stewart, i got you covered book, montreal graphic designer, mixtape covers, mixtape artwork, designer

Cc: Montrealgotstyle

Being behind the scenes allowed him to play various positions in the game beyond creating mixtape covers. Creatively wise, it seems like there are hypothetically no limits for the creative. Today, he’s releasing his own book called ”I Got You Covered” with a collection of some of his best work as a graphic designer.
Today, you will learn how Freak Stewart became a gatekeeper in this Q&A/Editorial we did (& take some notes because there are a bunch of gems)
freak stewart, nijaz clothing, ixdaily, montreal artist, graphic deisgn, mixtape design

Cc: Montrealgotstyle

MGS: How Did You Start In The Industry And Why In This Specific Field?
 
Freak Stewart: I actually started as an event photographer in 2006. I’ve been working with Photoshop since I was young but I didn’t take it seriously until years later.
After a year or 2 of shooting events, I eventually started to organize events and manage artists. At some point, I started producing albums & mixtapes and when it came time to design the cover artwork, I did it myself. I instantly fell in love with designing covers.
sebastien stewart, guitar hero, freak stewart

Cc: montrealgotstyle

sebastien stewart, guitar hero, freak stewart

Cc: Montrealgotstyle

MGS: You’ve Seen The Scene Get To Where Tt Is Now, What Has Changed According To You?
 
Freak Stewart: I feel like there are lot more artists getting worldwide recognition now because of social networks. I think we got more and more artists from Montreal making waves in the US and all over the world. I’m really proud of all these guys.
MGS: When Was Your Big Break In The Industry?
 
Freak Stewart: Even though I worked with a few big artists, I don’t think I had my big break yet. I feel like I won’t ever feel like “I made it“. But I guess my goal right now is to design a cover for a gold or platinum single, but you can’t plan that out.
sebastien stewart, amusement 2000, montreal graphic designer, photoshop

Cc: Montrealgotstyle

 I Don’t Think There’s A Straight Path To Success

graphic design

cC: Freak Stewart

MGS: Who Was The One Artist You Never Thought You Would Work With?
 
Freak Stewart: Gucci Mane!  I made this cover to announce his release from prison for fun. The next morning the cover was all over the blogs and Gucci’s label used it to announce his release from prison.
 A few weeks later, they used it for a single. After that, I’ve been in contact with his camp and I designed Sean Paine’s (Gucci right-hand man) album cover and Jenka’s (1017 newest artist) mixtape cover. I’m still in shock how a cover I made in 15min had such a huge impact.
MGS: Do You Think An Artist Necessarily Needs To Get Out Of Montreal To Make It?
 
Freak Stewart: I don’t think there’s a straight path to success. You can make it by never leaving your basement really. But I believe in travelling, shaking hands and networking. You create stronger relationships when you meet people in real life.
MGS: Is It Hard To Create An Artwork For An Artist You Don’t Know Or You Have To Listen To Their Music First?
 
Freak Stewart: I definitely like to listen to the music first to get the vibe of the song. If a song is aggressive I won’t design the same type of cover as a slow jam.
graphic design, design on photographe, mixtape, rap artwork, montreal art, interview with sebastien stewart

Cc: Montrealgotstyle

MGS: What Would You Say To Anyone Stealing Your Artwork?
 
Freak Stewart: That happens all the time actually and I ain’t even mad for real. At the end of the day, people recognize real talent and originality.
MGS: What’s Your Creative Process To Really Get In Your Zone?
 
Freak Stewart:  I listen to the song/album to get the vibe and emotion of it. Then I make it happen. Sometimes I’ll know right away what I wanna do, sometimes I’ll look the web for inspiration.
 Even though sometimes you don’t feel inspired right away, it’s important to just try stuff and force the inspiration. Nothing will happen by waiting for the right idea.
MGS: You’ve Also Created Your Own Clothing Line. In What Other Fields You Would Like To Use Your Creativity?
 
Freak Stewart: I’d like to design movie covers/posters. I’ve done a few book covers, I’d definitely like to do more.

At The End Of The Day, People Recognize Real Talent And Originality.

MGS: How Did You Come Up With The Idea Of Launching Your Own Book?
Freak Stewart: I made a smaller book last year to showcase my work when I went to Atlanta. The response was amazing and people wanted to buy a copy. When I came back,  I’ve decided I would make a bigger version and print a large quantity.
 It took me a year to wrap it up because I kept making dope covers and I wanted to include. Even 1 week after I sent the final version to print I made a cover I wish I could’ve included.

MGS:  What Are Your 3 Keys To Success?

Freak Stewart:
1 -Work hard, because, at the end of the day, hard work beats talent.
2 -Be consistent. Working hard is good, but you need to work hard every day. I rarely take days off and even on these days I try to knock at least one design. If you run out of job, do something for yourself or offer someone something for free.
3 -Do what makes you happy. If you do something solely for the money, the odds are you will fail. Do what you love and strive to be the best and you will eventually get paid.

The Book

If you want to learn more about Freak’s work, you need to get his new book called ”I Got You Covered”. He has included some of his golden work from his decade of killing the mixtape circuit.

Tonight it’s the official release of the book at Nestor Bar. You get a signed copy and enjoy live performances from Mtlord & Mike Shabb!

i got you covered book, sebastien stewart, graphic designer of the year

Cc: Freak Stewart

Follow Sebastien ”Freak” Stewart

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This Year Malefycia Is Colliding Horror And The Bible To Make The Thrill Of Halloween Real Again

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Malefycia Is Restoring The Feeling, One Spooky Scream At A Time

Long are the days when I was cruising down the streets on October 31st either looking for candies to devour for 3 weeks straight or even as an adult looking for a popping club where I could tell people ”My costume is ME tonight”.

The truth is, I think Malefycia restored something that I thought was buried inside me. They reminded me that not only I liked Halloween but I just couldn’t find an alternative in my adult life to spark my curiosity on one side and get the thrill going on the other.

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Malefycia been around for a minute but this year they’re trying something different…I mean different.

You’re familiar with the 7 sins in the bible don’t you? You’re aware of what a haunted house is supposed to be don’t you? Well, something in their team had the genius and actually vicious idea to combine these two things who might have nothing to with each other on the outside looking in but in this new adventure/haunted house experience; it all make sense!

their show called V7CE is cross theatre performance, cross the most scary thing you’ve ever seen. The show includes different scenes and interactive plays putting on the forefront the 7 sins from the bible.

What always stand out to me when it comes to Malefycia, is there raw and authentic attention to details.

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Do yourself a favor and come immerse yourself in this universe and your inner child and your thrill-seeking inner adult have some fun.

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Myraï Lavoie Is Taking The Fashion World By Storm With The Glitch Fashion Show

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Myraï Lavoie Is Creating Her Own Universe And You’re Invited

What I appreciate the most about my work is the fact that I get to meet great minds & humans with a powerful story and this time around, I got to cross path with the talented Myraï Lavoie.

Read More: Tawhida Tanya Evanson: When Words Can Really Give You Wings

The city has been quiet fashion wise over the years and as platform that mostly talked about fashion in its inception, we’ve felt it the most over here.

There would be sparks of hope here and there but besides Festival De Mode & Design, not a lot of things really stood out.

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When I heard about ”The Glitch” it’s like I knew what it was about without nothing what it was about.

I mean good branding is good branding but it was more so who’s behind the good branding this time around. I had the chance to work with Myraï Lavoie in the past and one thing I can is : there’s a method to her madness.

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Every artist has an eye and that eye is shaped by our views of the world and life experiences. Myraï had an interesting life.

One where being different is actually the move. One where if you don’t fit somewhere, you don’t try to get in the mold, you bend it.

For all the lack of support or misunderstand she got in Montreal, she found a place to be creative working or being in room with the likes of Paris Hilton & P. Diddy to name a few.

What she’s learned from coming out of her shell and experiencing the world she’s about the share it with us with her own fashion called ”The Glitch” tonight.

”The Glitch” is exactly what I thought it was going to be. A standout experience and experience and something you’ve never seen before just like its creator.

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The 50th Anniversary Of Les Grands Explorateurs Presents A Touching Documentary Exploring Africa And Its Wonders

An Amazing Story by Amazing Creators!

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Les Grands Explorateurs Is Celebrating Africa In A Real Way!

Curiosity has to be the most incredible human quality there is and Les Grands Explorateurs has been putting it on the forefront for the past 50 years!

Read More: Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais: An Unlikely Journey For An Unlikely Unique Success Story

We are now entering an era where we want to know more about what is going on on the other side of the world.

How people are living, their culture and what is their reality compared to ours.

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Sometimes the depiction of such reality is either unfair or made to look down at somebody. Other times, filmmakers have the challenge to depict a reality in a way to uplift what other cultures are bringing to the table.

Milan Bihlmann and Muammer Yilmaz are two filmmakers who know where they stand when it comes to that.

Rêves D’Afrique” is the epidemy of that. The two filmmakers decided to go to 7 countries in Africa to not only paint the picture for the world but to give the good people out there something we forget to give one another : ”a piece of yourself’.

Armed with a backpack, film gear and true altruism, the duo spread love and good deeds wherever they could throughout their trip.

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Watch The Trailer

Les Grands Explorateurs being this platform to uncover the world made the right choice by adding this beautiful piece to their program.

Up until November 1st, you still have the chance to see the beautiful piece in theater and then online starting November 2nd.

Tickets Here

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