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Compound Conversations
Compound Conversations episodes
- Greg Yüna: From Queens to Celebrity Jeweler | Compound Conversations
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Greg Yuna, the Queens-born jeweler whose name has become synonymous with luxury, precision, and culture. From boxing to bodega life, to an unexpected entry into the jewelry game, Greg shares how he transformed a chance opportunity into a world-recognized brand. He talks legacy, New York hustle, working with A-list clients, and why simplicity always wins. Quiet work. Loud results.
Follow Greg Yuna
📸 https://instagram.com/gregyunaFollow Set Free
📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfreeFollow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:
📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#diamonddistrict #nyc #design #jewelry
46 min - Danny Cortes: Miniature Memories of NYC | Compound Conversations
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Brooklyn-based artist Danny Cortes, whose intricate miniature models of NYC bodegas, graffiti walls, and ice cream trucks have gone viral across the art world. What started as a creative outlet during the pandemic became a full-fledged movement — blending nostalgia, storytelling, and raw craft.
Danny opens up about growing up in Bushwick, why forgotten corners of the city inspire him, and how his miniatures preserve the soul of New York in 3D form. From sneaker culture to street art, this episode is a celebration of memory, environment, and legacy.
-Follow Danny Cortes📸 https://instagram.com/dannycortesnycFollow Set Free
📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfreeFollow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:
📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#miniatures #miniaturesculpture #design #miniatureart
47 min - Steven Barter: Legacy by Design | Compound Conversations
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Steven Barter — the visionary behind the streetwear brand Barriers, known for weaving Black history and cultural empowerment into every thread. Barter opens up about his journey from Queens to creating a globally recognized movement rooted in resistance, truth, and storytelling. From his early influences to navigating the fashion world without compromise, this episode dives deep into legacy, identity, and how clothing can be a vessel for change.
TIMESTAMPS
-Follow Steven Barter
📸 https://instagram.com/barterbarterFollow Set Free
📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfreeFollow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:
📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#barriers #rocnation #design #fashiondesign
42 min - Johnny Nunez: The Eye Behind Hip-Hop’s Icons & Untold Stories of Culture | Compound Conversations
Johnny Nunez is a legendary celebrity photographer whose journey from abandonment and foster care to becoming the go-to lensman for icons like Jay-Z, Nas, and Naomi Campbell is nothing short of cinematic. Raised in a Puerto Rican household after being rescued from a dangerous early childhood, Johnny endured racism, poverty, and personal loss before discovering his passion for photography. A life-changing vision and relentless hustle transformed his path, taking him from delivering pizzas to riding private jets as a trusted documentarian of hip-hop, fashion, and culture. His work has graced major publications and historic moments, all built on respect, authenticity, and faith.
---
**Timestamps**
00:00 – Abandoned as a Baby, Rescued by Love05:20 – Racism, Violence, and Survival in Brooklyn11:25 – Losing His Mother, Gaining a New Family15:12 – When Hip-Hop Found Him in Long Island20:38 – The First Camera21:26 – Homeless, Hopeless, Almost Lost25:55 – A Vision from God28:44 – From Pizza Delivery to Private Jets33:14 – Breaking Into the Industry36:54 – Trusted by the Culture---Follow Johnny Nunez
📸 https://instagram.com/johnnynunezFollow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:
📸 https://instagram.com/set_free📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#JohnnyNunez #HipHopPhotography #hiphop
49 min - Tara McRae: The Woman Steering PUMA into the Future | Compound Conversations
Before she was running PUMA, she was building relationships, crafting stories, and learning every layer of the business.
Tara McRae’s journey to the top wasn’t about shortcuts—it was about deep insight, emotional intelligence, and a relentless drive to create impact. As President of PUMA North America, she now leads with a people-first approach—balancing numbers with nuance, and business growth with brand soul. In this sit-down, Tara reflects on her path, the women who inspired her, the lessons she learned through failure, and why leadership today is less about control and more about clarity, empathy, and alignment.---
0:00 - Welcome & Impressions of The Compound
1:05 - Starting the Journey: Childhood and Origins2:45 - Family Background: Law & Entrepreneurship4:42 - Parental Support & Early Life Influences6:08 - Athletic Background: The Intense Soccer Keeper8:39 - Transitioning from Sports to Theater & Marketing11:58 - Championship Mentality at TB12 & Puma15:01 - Return to Clarks: Evolution and Global Reach18:44 - Clarks' Cultural Impact and Authenticity20:53 - Balancing High-Level Career and Family Life23:21 - The Art & Science of Marketing: Creativity vs. Numbers25:14 - The Importance of Storytelling at Clarks26:46 - Favorite Collaborations and Their Impact29:43 - Advice for Women in Corporate Marketing32:45 - Legacy and Impact on PeopleFollow Set Free
📸 https://instagram.com/iam_setfreeFollow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:
📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#puma #streetwear #fashion #sportswear
35 min - Vikki Tobak: Turning Hip-Hop’s Rawest Moments Into Visual Masterpieces | Compound Conversations
In this episode, we dive into the story of Vikki Tobak — the acclaimed author, curator, and journalist behind iconic works like Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop to Ice Cold. From her early days as a music journalist to shaping how we view hip-hop photography and culture today, Vikki opens up about her journey, influences, and the stories that shaped her voice.
Whether you're a fan of music history, visual storytelling, or cultural preservation, this conversation offers a rare look into the life and legacy of a woman dedicated to documenting hip-hop’s most powerful moments.
0:00 Intro
02:55 - Vikki's Immigrant Beginnings in Kazakhstan04:34 - How Detroit Shaped Her Cultural Identity08:03 - Discovering Culture Through Visuals10:42 - Early Subculture Life and Club Heaven in Detroit14:33 - Getting to New York and Interning at Paper Magazine17:07 - Becoming Director of Marketing at Payday Records22:11 - Vikki’s First Interview with Tupac29:58 - Creating 'Contact High' Book Inspired by Magnum33:44 - The Birth of 'Ice Cold' Hip-Hop Jewelry Book39:04 - New Book About Lakers – Culture Through Basketball46:52 - Would Vikki Ever Write a Book About Herself?Follow Vikki Tobak
📸 https://instagram.com/vikkitobakFollow Set Free
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📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#VikkiTobak #HipHopHistory #ContactHigh #MusicJournalism #culturalstorytelling
49 min - Lenny S: The Visionary Behind Jay-Z, DJ Khaled, Roc Nation & More | Compound Conversations
Lenny Santiago—better known as Lenny S.—has been one of hip-hop’s most trusted culture shapers for over two decades. Starting out in the Bronx as a kid with a camera and a passion for music, he turned his love for the culture into a lifelong journey. From printing his own stickers for street teams to landing a position at Bad Boy Records, to eventually becoming a key A&R and creative force at Roc-A-Fella and Roc Nation, Lenny’s career is a masterclass in persistence, taste, and quiet impact.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro0:28 - The Compound's Evolution: From Bronx Gallery to a Quadrupled Creative Space2:08 - The Genesis of a Journey: Born in Puerto Rico, Raised in the Bronx5:14 - Humble Beginnings & Driving Ambition: A Single-Parent Household's Impact7:15 - Discovering a Calling: Falling in Love with Hip Hop & Run-D.M.C.9:14 - Hip Hop's Attainability: The Influence of Def Jam & Slick Rick's Inner Circle14:22 - From Fan to Street Team: The Unofficial Start of a Professional Journey16:49 - The Leap to Bad Boy: Professional Beginnings with No Pay and Big Dreams20:14 - The "All In" Mentality: Passion, Resilience, and Striving for the Highest27:11 - From Street Team to A&R: Ascending at Roc-A-Fella Records35:11 - Beyond A&R: The Transition to Artist Management44:19 - The Photographer's Eye: Documenting Culture & Future Endeavors-
Follow Lenny S
📸 https://instagram.com/kodaklensFollow Set Free
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📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#jayz #rocnation #badboy #hiphopculturenews
1 hr 4 min - Ferg: The Art & Heart of The Hustle | Compound Conversations
On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free and A$AP Ferg connect the dots between Harlem, hip-hop, and high fashion. From painting on Jordans as a kid to drawing every cover of his latest album by hand, Ferg reveals how art and entrepreneurship were passed down through his family. They dive into the early A$AP Mob days, battle rap beginnings, creative control, and the hustle behind launching brands before labels even caught up. This is Ferg beyond the music—raw, thoughtful, and fully in his element.
TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Welcome to Compound BC: A New Energy4:12 - Introducing Ferg: His Eclectic Style and the Meaning of His Name5:53 - Ferg's Early Life: Harlem Household and Family Influences7:19 - A Gumbo Soup of Musical Influences: Calypso, Hip Hop, R&B, and African Dance9:37 - Father's Artistic Legacy: Drawing the Bad Boy and Uptown Cats Logos12:50 - Realizing His Difference: Early Interests in Fashion Shows and X-Games18:59 - The Evolution of His Brands: From "Illegal" to "Devaney"20:55 - Father's Entrepreneurial Wisdom: Charging Your Worth and Making Money23:49 - The A$AP Mob Era: Art, Fashion, and the Genius of Yams30:08 - Solo Career Success and Landmark Brand Deals34:44 - The Artistic Vision Behind His Latest Album 'Darryl'37:04 - Embracing Innovation and Standing Out by Going "Left to Center"39:53 - The Importance of Creative Community and Sparring44:47 - Living the Dream: Manifestation, Growth, and Future Aspirations-Follow Ferg
📸 https://instagram.com/asapfergFollow Set Free
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📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#ferg #asapferg #asaprocky
50 min - Datwon Thomas: From VIBE to Voice In Hip-Hop | Compound Conversations
Datwon Thomas has been telling the story of hip-hop for over two decades. As the Editor-in-Chief of VIBE and a staple voice across media, he’s been in the room for the culture’s biggest moments—chronicling the rise of icons, movements, and legacy. From the streets to the page to the airwaves, Datwon doesn’t just report on hip-hop—he protects it.
00:00 - Welcome to Compound Conversations
01:35 - The Power of Black Genius and Ownership05:02 - From Streetball to Storytelling07:21 - Growing Up Brooklyn: Projects, Manga & Perspective11:45 - Finding His Voice Through Comics and Hip-Hop17:35 - Mentorship, Literacy & Lessons from a Veteran22:10 - Getting His Start at VIBE Magazine28:00 - Building King, Rides, and His Own Legacy36:40 - Shifting Culture Through Media and Innovation48:00 - Legacy, Loss & the Message Behind Daylight-Follow Datwon Thomas
📸 https://instagram.com/datwonFollow Set Free
📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfreeFollow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:
📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
#datwonthomas #vibe #journalism `
55 min - Eric Haze: The Foundation of Style, Graffiti, & Design | Compound Conversations
From bombing trains in NYC to designing logos that defined an era, Eric Haze helped shape the visual identity of hip-hop itself. As one of the first graffiti artists to step into the design world with precision and style, his fingerprints are on everything from Run-DMC’s branding to Supreme drops and Nike collabs. Haze isn’t just an artist—he’s a cultural blueprint.
00:00 - Intro: Eric Haze at Compound
01:35 - Growing Up Surrounded by Revolution05:14 - Influences: Hendrix, Bruce Lee & Breaking the Mold10:21 - Graffiti Roots and Letterform Obsession16:08 - Risk, Respect, and Street Identity22:56 - Entering the Art World in 80s NYC25:14 - Graffiti as the Platform, Not the Destination29:10 - Def Jam Era and the Beastie Boys Breakthrough38:03 - Owning His IP and Launching the HAZE Brand46:07 - Return to Painting and Artistic Liberation-Follow Eric Haze
📸 https://instagram.com/erichazenycFollow Set Free
📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfreeFollow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:
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#erichaze #supreme #streetwear #grafitti
54 min
About Compound Conversations
From the publisher's feed
Compound Conversations is where culture meets legacy.
Hosted by creative visionary Set Free, this series brings you behind the scenes with the artists, entrepreneurs, and disruptors shaping the worlds of music, fashion, art, and beyond. From iconic names like Ferg, Lenny S, Hebru Brantley, and Greg Yuna, to rising legends and unsung heroes, each episode dives deep into the moments that defined their journey — and the philosophies driving them forward.
More than just interviews, Compound Conversations is a time capsule for the culture — raw, reflective, and always rooted in authenticity. Recorded in the heart of the Compound, a creative sanctuary in New York City, these conversations celebrate the people who live at the intersection of purpose, originality, and impact.