This Is Your Freestyle Blast #37
"Cheers to fresh starts and endless possibilities!"
2025—is it just me, or does it still sound futuristic?
Remember when we couldn’t wait for the year 2000 because we thought we’d be living like The Jetsons? I know I did. And while flying cars are still a work in progress, the world has transformed in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
But here’s the big question: Has it changed for the better?
That’s up for debate, and everyone you ask will likely have a different answer. Still, I feel blessed to be here, and to have witnessed the rise of the internet, cell phones, and of course… Netflix!
I may not own one, but autonomous cars fascinate me. Rocketships that land back onto their launchpad? Incredible. And those AI robots are simply mind-blowing. Love him or not, Elon Musk has undeniably pushed the envelope for the future. Thanks, Elon!
Think about it: How did we get anywhere without GPS? How did we feel safe without cell phones? Even when my daughter was stationed in Germany for five years, I could FaceTime her almost daily. I will forever be grateful for that.
I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about what’s ahead. I pray to stick around long enough to see us truly living like The Jetsons.
But until then, let’s dive into the first issue of the year! I’m here to bring you the best of Freestyle—news, events, and everything in between. Lock in and let’s make this year one to remember!
I ONCE ASKED MY MOTHER…
Why do people hug and kiss when the ball drops on New Year’s Eve?
She smiled and said, “Because we are all happy and thankful to still be around, and together.”
That simple answer has since stuck with me, and I find myself thinking about it more as I get older. Recently, my granddaughter Santana asked me the same question, which was what inspired me to write this article.
In 2024, I saw many people leave this earth, and because of Social Media, we’re more connected to loss than ever before, constantly being reminded of how fragile life truly is. On a personal note, I lost two family members who meant the world to me. Only God knows who will leave us this year. It could even be me!
This New Year’s Eve, we celebrated in Chicago. Angel OCG and Shana performed at Salerno’s, and Shana’s husband and our granddaughter Santana joined us. It was an extra special night because Angel is a New Year’s baby, and we got to celebrate her birthday on stage. Big thanks to Gary Sipich, who not only booked the gig but also surprised Angel with a birthday cake. Thank you, Gary!
Shana opened the show, and after Angel’s performance, we all sang “Happy Birthday.” But what we didn’t do, and I still don’t know why, was take a moment to allow it all to sink in. Instead, our instinct to avoid the crowd took over, and we hurried to gather our things and leave.
We slipped out the back door into the freezing cold alley and made our way to the other side of the venue. Just as we stepped back inside, the ball dropped, and the sound of “Happy New Year” echoed through the air.
Our small crew—Shana and her husband, Angel, Santana, and me—stopped right there in the hallway. It wasn’t a glamorous spot, but in that moment, it didn’t matter. We hugged, grateful for each other’s company, and welcomed the new year together.
Growing up, New Year’s wasn’t a big celebration in my family. My mother often slept through it, and we rarely gathered for the occasion. But since Angel and I have been together, more than twenty years now, we’ve made it a point to do something special, especially since it’s her birthday.
As I get older, though, I find myself wanting to do more on this day. It doesn’t have to be a show or a night out, but maybe a gathering with friends and family, a time to appreciate the people we love. Because truthfully, we never know who will be here to celebrate with us next year.
If you’re someone who usually spends New Year’s alone, maybe this year, consider spending it with others. Life is short, and these moments are worth cherishing.
With that said… Happy New Year, everyone!
STYLIN’ FREE APPAREL
What exactly is it? What does it mean? Who is it for?
It was sometime in the late 90s when the idea of starting my own clothing line first crossed my mind. Back then, I was inspired by urban brands like Phat Farm, FUBU, Ecko Unltd, Karl Kani, Sean John, and others that were making waves in the fashion industry.
At the time, the internet was still in its infancy, and accessing the resources needed to launch a brand wasn’t as straightforward as it is today.
Around that same period, I launched my own Freestyle record label, Stylin’ Free, releasing a couple of compilations under the name. The label’s title was a creative play on the word “Freestyle,” giving me the flexibility to branch out into other genres if I ever chose to. Even back then, I thought Stylin’ Free would make a great name for a clothing line, and by 2002, I had already registered my own clothing RN#.
I’d spend hours sketching ideas for the brand. One design I kept coming back to was a jersey with the number 88. The number has always followed me in significant ways. I once lived on 88th Street, was in class 8-8 in junior high, and wore jersey #88 while playing safety for the Elm Jack Flyers football team when I lived in Queens, NY. Even in darker times, like when I was sentenced in 1988, my prison number began with 88. These moments gave the number a sense of significance in my life.
To get started, I experimented with merchandise like pens and coffee mugs. Over time, I expanded to apparel: La’ hats for my management and booking agency, Angel OCG shirts to promote Angel, and La’ Radio Live shirts during the launch of my online Freestyle radio station. Later came shirts for the Freestyle Music Awards (FMA) in 2008, and Freestyle For Life tees to coincide with the release of my first novel.
I loved the creative process, but it was time-consuming and very expensive. I often ended up with boxes of unsold shirts that I would end up just giving away.
By 2009, I seriously considered launching a clothing line but ultimately pivoted to a different venture: Freestyle By La’, an original men’s fragrance designed for the Freestyle market. At the time, it was my biggest business investment, costing me over $23,000 and though it didn’t do too well, I did however smell great!
In 2020, during the pandemic, I finally had the time and access to dive deep into the world of fashion. I studied the history of designers I admired, learning from their triumphs and setbacks. I revisited urban brands I had worn and loved, knowing that their style would shape the direction of my own line.
I began connecting with textile companies and clothing manufacturers, both in the U.S. and abroad. I learned how to communicate my vision clearly, create tech packs, and understand fabrics, weights, and stitching. I reached out to hundreds of manufacturers, dealing with owners, sales reps, and brokers who acted as my guides and safeguards against scammers. Scams are common in this industry, especially with overseas suppliers who can string you along for months before disappearing after a big order.
Today, I work with manufacturers from China, Japan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Portugal, and the U.S. I’ve learned that no single company does everything perfectly, so I use different specialists: some handle the cut-and-sew for my original designs (I refuse to use stock items), while others focus on tags, printing, labels, and packaging.
Now, with the knowledge, connections, and resources I’ve gained—and the funds to bring this vision to life—I’m finally ready to pursue something I’ve wanted to do for years.
Stay tuned as I build this brand, share its story, and define its mission. This brand isn’t for everyone, but it just might be for you. Tap in, and join me on this journey.
To all our Subscribers, Readers, Subjects, and of course our Sponsors, for being a part of this month’s issue of the Freestyle Blast Newsletter, Thank you all so much!
and until next time…
This was your Freestyle Blast!
Latif Mercado has been a part of the Freestyle Music scene for well over 30 years, as well as an integral player behind the genre’s continued success.
As a Booking Agent with a who's who roster of Freestyle Greats, as well as his managerial involvement with such industry icons as Lil' Suzy, Angel OCG, and The Cover Girls, rarely would you find a Freestyle event happening without Latif somewhere in the mix.
Latif loves hearing from his readers, answering questions, and sharing whatever advice he possibly can, whether it be on writing, or maybe something Freestyle-related, so be sure to reach out, even if it’s just to say hi.
So please Follow Him Everywhere @LatifMercado
Very informative thanks for the news letter ❤️🙏🏽💃🏽🎊🕺🏾.
I hope your Stylin' Free brand takes off. I love the logo and what it represents.