PHOTO CREDIT | Johnnie Walker
As you know, Sabrina Carpenter has had a partnership with Johnnie Walker Black Label for awhile and as she continued in her multi-year partnership, she has collaborated on designing a bottle! By drawing inspiration from her album, Man’s Best Friend, it is in a bespoke Sabrina Blue colorway and has a playful dog paw motif as well.
This bottle will first launch in Great Britain along with select global markets. It will be available here in the US in 2027.
PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov
PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov
PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov
PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov
PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov
PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov
Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Red Hot Chili Peppers in mag.
This month has been a busy one and there were a number of events taking place that we navigated between. With JAŸ-Z’s 3 night concert in NYC that took place July 10th - 12th at Yankees Stadium. Leading up to the concert, we were invited to an intimate Armand de Brignac listening party that was hosted by Jermaine Stone (Street Somm, This is Taste, Wine and Hip Hop), a wine expert and hip-hop artist. This listening party celebrated 3 anniversaries of Reasonable Doubt (30 years), The Blueprint (25 years), and Armand de Brignac’s Ace of Spades (20 years).
We assembled at Eavesdrop in Brooklyn where we listened to a curated series of songs as they would pair with Brut Gold, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, and Demi-Sec.
REASONABLE DOUBT X BLANC DE BLANCS
Reasonable Doubt (July 10th show) introduced a young JAŸ-Z fully in command of his own voice and with a pen game defined by precision. Blanc de Blancs is Armand de Brignac’s most singular cuvée, demanding the same level of discipline in the cellar as he had in the booth. Made entirely from Chardonnay, it leaves zero room for error in the blend, much like an artist’s debut album.
THE BLUEPRINT X BRUT GOLD
The Blueprint (July 11th show) gave an entire generation of rappers a new flow to build from, one that’s been echoed ever since. Brut Gold plays a parallel role inside Armand de Brignac’s own portfolio. It’s the house’s founding cuvée, a tri-varietal blend sourced from grapes grown across Champagne’s top-rated crus, and the standard against which every other bottle in the range is measured.
EXTRA INNINGS X ROSÉ & DEMI-SEC
We enjoyed this listening party on July 8th and didn’t know what songs were being performed for the July 12th show. Jermaine imagined fans would explore all of JAŸ-Z’s career-defining songs.
The 4:44 album was JAŸ-Z at his most exposed, a deliberate departure from the persona he’d spent a career building. Armand de Brignac’s Rosé makes a similar departure within the portfolio, built from Pinot Noir through a different production process that sets it apart in color, character, and mood from the rest of the range.
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life was JAŸ-Z’s first album to reach no.1 and remains his best-selling record to date. The album pulled in a wider, more mainstream audience, turning casual listeners into fans. Demi-Sec plays a similar role in champagne: it’s Armand de Brignac’s most crowd-pleasing cuvée, with a touch of sweetness that softens the traditionally dry edge and makes it more approachable to drinkers just discovering the category.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | 9PLAYLIST PG 64 - 76 Roc Nation | Ace of Spades Listening Party PG 79 - 81 Armand de Brignac | 9PLAYLIST PG 86 - 93 The Rolling Stones |
Read the JUL ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see ACE OF SPADE LISTENING PARTY in mag.
Earlier this month, we made our way to Jazz at Lincoln Center to see the premiere episode of the latest series to be released from the 50 Cent (POWER, Den of Thieves, Escape Plan franchise) Universe, Fightland! The night kicked off with words from Kathryn Busby, the President of Original Programming at STARZ. Following her talking about the show, its place within STARZ, and how excited everyone is, she introduced 50 Cent, who is an Executive Producer who brought this series to STARZ and Sky.
He shared how important it was to launch this project through G-Unit Film & Television and what boxing meant to him.
With both of these opening remarks, we saw the first epsiode of this season. At the end of the first season which was full of plenty of action, we enjoyed 50 Cent performing alongside members of G-Unit and special guests. With castmembers from this show as well as those from the POWER universe, it was a great night to enjoy this energy. We continued on to the after party which was held at PH Live at Planet Hollywood in Times Square and enjoyed more performances by 50 Cent and well as hanging out with the STARZ team.
Fightland premiered on July 31st and will drop new episodes each Fri. on STARZ and its app as well. This show is a new high-octane scripted drama set in the cutthroat, high-stakes, cash rich world of British boxing, we navigate the action in the ring as well as what takes place outside of it!
Check out what we enjoyed during the red carpet premiere here, here, and here.
IG @starz
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Fightland/STARZ
Read the JUL ISSUE #127 of Athleisure Mag and see FIGHTLAND STARZ PREMIERE in mag.
PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation
PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation
PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation
PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation
PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation
PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation
PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation
Read the JUL ISSUE #127 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | JAŸ-Z in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | The Rolling Stones
We’re always adding to our playlists and soundtracks of our lives. This month’s cover of Athleisure Mag is Sơn Tùng M-TP who is a singer/songwriter, actor, and is the King of V-Pop. He recently launched his latest single, Come My Way with trap artist Tyga (Rack City, Ayo, Taste). This song blends Pop Rap, Afrobeats, and Amapiano with traditional Vietnamese folk music which makes it all its own!
We sat down with Sơn Tùng M-TP to talk about being an artist, where he looks for inspiration, his sound, and V-Pop’s landscape.
ATHLEISURE MAG: You are a singer/songwriter and actor. When did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?
SON TUNG M-TP: I think it started when I was around 13. I got really into underground rap and hip-hop, and I would spend hours on YouTube listening to beats and just making up melodies and lyrics for fun. I wasn’t thinking about becoming an artist back then—I just genuinely loved doing it.
When I was in 11th grade, I asked my mom to buy me a computer so I could start recording my songs, but she was afraid I would slack off on my studies so she didn’t buy it no matter how many times I begged (laughs). My uncle eventually bought me an old desktop PC instead. It was slow, noisy, and about as basic as it could get, but to me, it was everything. That’s where I recorded my very first songs. They were rough and pretty naive, but that was the moment everything became real for me. Once I started creating my own music, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
AM: What is the music scene like in Vietnam?
ST M-TP: I think Vietnamese music is in a really fun place right now. There are so many talented artists with their own sound, and everyone’s pushing things in different directions. That’s exciting to see.
For me, the most important thing is staying true to who you are. I’ve been doing this for over 13 years, and I’ve learned that trends come and go, but your identity is what lasts. The more authentic we are as artists, the more people will connect with our music, no matter where we come from.
AM: Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to creating your music?
ST M-TP: Honestly, inspiration can come from anything. It doesn’t always have to be something I’ve personally been through. Sometimes I’ll hear someone else’s story and it’ll really stay with me. Other times, it’s just my imagination. I’ll start picturing myself in a certain situation, thinking about how I’d feel, and that’s where a melody or a lyric starts.
I think I just naturally imagine a lot. Even random little moments can inspire me. I could eat something really good and suddenly hear a melody in my head. The other day, I was just sitting in the waiting room on set, drinking a typical Vietnamese iced coffee while waiting for the next setup, and a melody popped into my head out of nowhere. That’s kind of how it works for me. You never really know when an idea is going to show up.
AM: How do you define the Sơn Tùng M-TP sound?
ST M-TP: I don’t think I could define my sound in one sentence, because it keeps changing. Every stage of my life comes with different music that I’m drawn to, and I like giving myself the freedom to explore. I don’t really put limits on genres.
For me, it’s actually pretty simple. If a song moves me, if I think it’s good, then I want to share it with people. I don’t really stop and think, “Does this sound like Sơn Tùng M-TP?” I just follow what feels right at that moment. I guess I’ll leave it to the listeners to define my sound.
AM: You’re known for reshaping the V-Pop landscape through your sound, creative vision and international appeal. What does it mean to you to be one of the most influential figures in your genre!
ST M-TP: It’s honestly a little overwhelming to hear that. I don’t really see myself that way. I just make the kind of music I love and keep challenging myself with everyday.
If my journey gives another young artist in Vietnam a little more confidence to chase their own dream, then that means a lot to me. That’s probably the biggest compliment I could ask for.
AM: You have released 33 songs and built quite a catalog as well as collaborating with artists such as Snoop Dogg - what is your process when it comes to creating your music?
ST M-TP: Everything starts with a feeling, not a plan. Sometimes I’ll sit with an idea for weeks before I record anything. I never want to rush a song just because it’s finished. I’d rather wait until it really feels right.
Looking back, working with Snoop Dogg was one of the biggest moments in my journey and really changed the way I thought about everything. Seeing how people connected with that song made me start asking myself, “What if my music could reach even more people around the world?”
That question stayed with me for a long time. Eventually, I realized I didn’t want it to stay a question anymore. I wanted to find the answer, and that’s really what led me to where I am today.
AM: We’ve been enjoying the song and video of Come My Way. Can you tell us a bit of background about the song, why you wanted to blend Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop together?
ST M-TP: Come My Way wasn’t built around the idea of mixing genres. It was really about following what felt right to me.
People describe it as Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop, but I don’t really think about it that way. I don’t think V-Pop is a sound you can add to a song. It’s something you carry with you. The moment I write a melody and sing it in my own way, that’s already my identity.
As for Afrobeats, I fell in love with it because of the feeling of freedom and the energy it gives me. At the same time, there’s something about the melodies and the way people sing that reminds me of the Quan họ folk songs I grew up hearing as a kid in Northern Vietnam. Those are two completely different worlds, but somehow they connect emotionally for me. Come My Way is really just all of those feelings coming together naturally.
AM: How did Tyga become part of this song?
ST M-TP: Tyga and I have known each other for quite a while, and we’ve talked about making music together more than once. This year, everything finally lined up, and it just felt like the right time.
What made it even more meaningful is that he has Vietnamese roots. I think that gave the collaboration an extra layer of meaning for both of us. It wasn’t just about putting two artists on the same track. It felt like we shared something beyond the music, and I think that made the whole collaboration feel really natural.
AM: The video is amazing! Why did you want to approach it in this way?
ST M-TP: I wanted the video to feel like two worlds coming together. You have the energy of Los Angeles, but at the same time, you keep seeing pieces of Vietnam all the way through it.
We added things that are really close to me, like the Chim Lạc, the jade water buffalo, the Xuân Phả folk masks, and the landscapes of Tràng An. Even a lot of my outfits were designed with Vietnamese-inspired materials and details. One of my favorite moments is seeing the Chim Lạc parked right next to the DeLorean DMC, with Tyga and me standing there. I just thought it was a really cool image—almost like we each showed up in our own cultural icon.
Since the song is in English, I wanted the visuals to do the talking. Hopefully people watch the video, enjoy the music, and at the same time get curious about Vietnam because there’s so much beauty there.
AM: Tell us about your upcoming tour and what we can expect!
ST M-TP: I’m not really the type to talk much before doing something. What I can say is that I’m pushing myself in ways I have never before, and I think people are going to see a different version of me. Beyond that... you’ll have to wait and see. I’d rather let the stage and the music do the talking.
AM: When you’re not creating your music, how do you take time for yourself?
ST M-TP: My life is pretty simple. I think people expect me to have some crazy answer, but I actually enjoy really normal things.
Most mornings, I’ll go for a drive, grab a bánh mì and a Vietnamese iced coffee, then sit in the park with my dog, Chiko, and just enjoy the quiet. Later I’ll hit the gym or go for a run, and at night I’ll usually watch a good movie before going to bed.
That’s honestly enough for me. Those quiet moments really help me slow down and recharge before I start creating again.
AM: What are 3 workouts that you do to stay in shape?
ST M-TP: Lately, I’ve been challenging myself with pull-ups. They look a lot easier than they actually are. (laughs). I’m pretty proud that I can do around 10 in a row now with good form, but I’m still trying to get better.
I also spend a lot of time strength training, especially my upper body, because it makes me look good in tank tops (laughs).
And running has become a big part of my routine. I used to struggle to run for even 15 minutes. Now I can run for about 45 minutes straight without stopping, so that’s something I’m really happy about.
IG @sontungmtp
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Son Tung M-TP
Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see SON TUNG M-TP | TOP OF V-POP in mag.
GovBall has always hit a good vibe for us and this year seemed extra special for 2026. We attended Days 1, 2 and 3 and we have fond memories of cool moments, sets and experiences we had!
Day 1 we enjoyed live sets from Mariah The Scientist, KATSEYE, and more. Mariah The Scientist dropped an exquisite R&B performance and sparkled in a custom Gold Dress designed by Kim Shui. She performed classics from her hit album Hearts Sold Separately. KATSEYE blew out a high energy set working the crowd from all sides. Their vibrant vocals hit and choreography entertained.
We hung with Ayrloom and had a 1MG Cannabis Infused Honeycrisp. You can taste their 5th generation family orchard with the juicy and sweet flavors of the honeycrisp apple. It’s naturally sweet, but never heavy, their hemp infused fresh apple cider is the perfect way to cool down. A lower dosed sip than what we’re typically accustomed, we enjoyed the beverage flavor profile.
It was all about Major Lazer on Day 2, who provided us killer BTS content from their set on Snap Stage. Their tribal anthems and fierce dance repertoire always delivers upbeat party vibes and sticky global anthems you’re humming days later.
On Day 3 we enjoyed live sets from Clipse, JENNIE, A$AP Rocky, and more. Still reigning from their Grammy-award win, Clipse welcomed new fans and die hards alike, noting their code at the outside about loyalty and waiting with grace. They rapped their classics and some from their latest album to cheers from the crowd. JENNIE brought a mix of hits and tik tok dancing trends with a strong dance crew. Due to a minor rain delay, ASAP Rocky’s set ultimately was called off a bit early, but he went through about a dozen hits, his Rod Stewart & Miguel track Everyday was teased, and just hearing the intro gave us a smile and chills. He brought out Dominican rapper Tokischa to perform the unreleased collab, FLAKITO JODYE, definitely a massive standout moment of the festival weekend.
When not jamming to the performances, we refreshed in The Patron House; celebrated 7-11 Slurpee Anniversary with tried and true and upcoming flavors and live DJ; and Cabot Farms served up Pimento Grilled Cheese to the crowd on heavy rotation.
IG @govballnyc
GOVERNORS BALL PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 48 Roger Ho | PG 52 Okay Nicolita | PG 54 JN Silva | PG 50 Paigge Warton | PG 56 Ismael Quintanilla | PG 58 - 61 Major Lazer | PG 63 Rich Fury |
Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see GOV BALL 2026 in mag.
We went to “The One Party By Uber” for its FIFA World Cup 2026 NYC Official Kickoff Party at Pier 36, NYC. Iconic DJ/Producer Mark Ronson kicked the party off, particularly the atmosphere went electric on the eve of Game 5 in the Knick’s Champion winning run, he played some Benito wearing a retro Patrick Ewing jersey, then Empire State New York by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys that was mixed into his hit remix of Valerie.
Then the iconic Backstreet Boys came out and wowed the crowd with an intimate and amped performance for the VIP crowd. All members, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson crooned their hits to the crowd, with generous nods and shoutouts, and strong hit catalog plus their Paw Patrol soundtrack hit, showing love for the sport, NYC, and Uber. The nostalgia was maxed, with most of the audience enchanted with utter glee.
We ran into some old friends, Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko, and caught a mesmerizing dance from Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk, Native Son, Coming 2 America) as well. On our way home, our to-go had a nice bagel and a smear courtesy of Uber Eats.
IG @uber
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 66 - PG 69, 74 - 79 BFA | PG 70 - 72 Paul Farkas
Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ONE PARTY BY UBER | FIFA World Cup 2026 Kickoff in mag,
Without a doubt, The Rolling Stones will have an amazing Summer this year! On July 10th, the anticipated 14-track album, Foreign Tongues will drop and they have been releasing tracks and videos; such as In the Stars dropped earlier this month. While we wait for the full album to become available, The Rolling Stones have another launch that is worth noting! This Spring, they debuted Crossfire Hurricane Rum, a super-premium spirit that celebrates the bands connection with Jamaica in a relationship that has spanned more than 5 decades! This launch and product illustrates the band’s music heritage, its Jamaican provenance, and modern craft.
Starting with Jamaica, this is the first brand to utilize rums from 4 of the country’s most respected distilleries - Hampden Estate, Long Pond, Worthy Park, and Clarendon. These 4 styles come together in a single blend that showcases its complexity and the island’s rum-making tradition and is 100% Jamaican with no added sugars.
“Jamaica got into everything we did in the early seventies - the music, the rhythm, the pace of life. Jamaica was one of the few places that would let us all in. The island said come in and we recorded Goats Head Soup. It’s never let us down since. Crossfire Hurricane is a continuation of that story, more than fifty years on,” said The Rolling Stones.
It’s worth noting that prior to The Rolling Stones’ arrival in Jamaica, they had been recording on Main Street in the South of France; as well as touring in the US. When they arrived in Jamaica in 1972, it became a breath of fresh air their label head, Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records knew that this island was the centre of emerging musical influence. By recording Goats Head Soup in Kingston, they were immersed in a new flow that Keith Richards said that the “1970s Jamaica felt a lot like 1960s England when we started out. There was something in the air - a new rhythm, a new imagery.”
The band continued to record at Dynamic Sound Studios where the connected with iconic reggae authors - Sly & Robbie, Peter Tosh, and more. Mick Jagger recorded, “There was something in the air. You could feel it from everybody on the street - a vital thing happening with reggae.”
The rum brand’s name is from the opening lyric of Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Editor’s Note: The opening lyric: I was born in a crossfire hurricane and I howled at the morning drivin’ rain) as a means to capture the raw energy and enduring spirit of one of the world’s most iconic bands.
The Rolling Stones partnered with Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador to be a co-creator due to his expertise in Jamaican run and its cultural significance.
The bottle reflects the band’s iconic lips logo in a prominent way and is surrounded by wave patterns that showcase echo sound. By visiting the website, the storytelling continues by sharing the band’s time in Jamaica in the 70s, along with the recording of Goats Head Soup in Kingston.
Fans of the band and rum should visit the website to see never-before-seen images of the band on the island along with the moments that established their time there from the music as well as the spirit behind the rum. As their global rollout continues, Crossfire Hurricane Rum’s social account will share upcoming drops, collaborations, and new ways to interact with this story.
The portfolio includes Crossfire Hurricane Gold for mixing and Crossfire Hurricane Reserve for sipping.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Crossfire Hurricane Rum
Read the MAY ISSUE #125 of Athleisure Mag and see BORN IN A CROSSFIRE HURRICANE | THE ROLLING STONES in mag.
We’ve been fans of EDM DJ/Producer Benny Benassi for years! His songs have been in our playlist and when enjoying his music, it’s all good vibes and energy.
We had the pleasure of having Benny as our DEC ISSUE #60 cover back in 2020, with a virtual shoot that took us all the way to Venice! It was great to connect with him again during the first weekend in May for the drop of his latest album, Feel the Bass! During that weekend, he DJ’d a number of events from radio stations, taking over Times Square, being at Marquee and even DJ’ing while biking the TD Five Boro Bike Tour! As we went to a number of events we had the chance to chat with him at various times to talk about the album, his NYC rollout as well as touring internationally!
ATHLEISURE MAG: Great set last night Benny!
BENNY BENASSI: Oh yes, yes I saw you last night amazing!
AM: I was taking footage with my Meta Glasses so I had to be still, but inside I was dancing!
BB: Thank you for coming!
AM: It was also great to have you as our DEC ISSUE #60 cover during the pandemic as we shot you virtually while you were in Venice!
BB: Oh yes, thank you!
AM: It was cool to be able to be “in your studio” all the way from NY!
You have had a busy weekend promoting this album and you have been all over the city! How excited are you about dropping this album?
BB: I’m super excited! I am doing a lot of DJ sets in different places. Like, Fri Night I was at Marquee and then last night, I was at Marquee Skydeck. Tonight I will be at a little club!
AM: We will see you there tonight!
BB: We will have a little block party! It’s amazing! I’m super excited! The public loves me and I love NY!
AM: It was such a pleasure to attend a number of the dates for Feel the Bass album drop while you were in NYC! What was the inspiration behind Feel the Bass and why did you want to create this album?
BB: I wanted to make a record that returned to bringing some physical energy back into the club, like when I started out with my first album twenty years ago. It’s a time when music has gone back to being very electro, very physical, and I really loved this sensation of feeling the bass in your stomach again. That’s where the whole concept of Feel the Bass came from.
AM: What was your creative process like when you were working on this album?
BB: It was a very instinctive process. I have a wonderful team of people I collaborate with, a lot of young guys, and I also receive a ton of music from emerging producers who send me their tracks to listen to. So, some things were born outside the studio, while others we developed directly in the studio.
It was a very “easy” and laid-back creative process, in the best sense of the word: we took our time. Whenever we received something we really liked, we worked on it without forcing anything. I think this is exactly what gave the album its unified feel.
AM: What are your 3 favorite tracks from this album?
BB: Definitely Feel the Bass, because it’s the track that also gave the album its title. Then there are some that I personally love, others that I adore playing live because they completely change the energy of the room, and others that are a bit more experimental, for example Chicago Baby with my longtime friend Felix Da Housecat and Superstar with Chris Nasty.
AM: What do you want listeners and/or your fans to know about this album and how do you want them to feel?
BB: I hope people feel that energy I was talking about earlier. I’d like whoever listens to the record to feel pushed to turn the volume all the way up... almost to the point of blowing out the speakers. I always say it’s a bit like when you test drive a powerful car on the track: you go full throttle until you hit the limit. Well, I want people to listen to this record like that, giving all the power possible to their sound systems, whether they are in the car, at a club, or at home.
AM: You came to NY and you really connected with so many people to launch your album! What was it like when you took over Times Square?
BB: It was pretty surreal, actually. I remember when I was a kid seeing Times Square in the movies... it seemed like another world. And then I remember the first time I took my dad there: he was completely blown away by all that energy, by all those people. He is no longer with us today, so being there playing inevitably made me think of him. It was truly an incredible emotion.
AM: You performed at Marquee and then you were also at Marquee’s Skydeck which we attended - what did you love about being at these venues and having it as part of your launch weekend?
BB: I really liked the contrast between the two. Marquee represents the more club-oriented, nightlife, and quintessential New York side, and it’s a place I’ve been going to for many years. Skydeck, on the other hand, is almost cinematic.
You are on the 100th floor with all of New York beneath you... it’s incredible. Just talking about it gives you a thrill, let alone actually experiencing it.
AM: Why did you want to be at the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?
BB: Oh, because I love biking and I think I will do something special for this because I enjoy riding a bike with family. But this bike will let me play live while I ride!
AM: The TD Five Boro Bike Tour was such a fun experience! We chatted with you a bit before you led the 2nd Wave of riders to take on the race! What can you tell us about the bike that you rode on as we didn’t realize that you would be riding as well as DJing!
BB: I honestly think no one expected me to ride the whole thing! But I love cycling; it helps me so much to mentally disconnect. Plus, New York on a bike has an incredible charm, because it allows you to take your time to really look at the city. I want to thank Canyon again for putting together that setup for playing and biking. It was a lot of fun. It was a beautiful way to wrap up the weekend in New York.
AM: The last event we went to was at Mi Casa Studios. It was cool to see other DJs play their sets, enjoying slices of pizza and watching you DJ - why did you want the event to have these elements?
BB: I liked the idea of something very closely connected to the people. Anyone who came really got the feeling of stepping into my own home. Sort of like saying, “come over to my place, I’ll make you a pizza and play you some records.” It was the same thing there: you come in, listen to music, maybe even spin a few records with me... and it was beautiful like that.
AM: You left NY and you hit the road to continue releasing your album - what are additional dates or festivals that you will be participating in as we begin to make our Summer plans?
BB: Usually, in the summer, I focus a bit more on Europe. This year I’ve also added a small tour in Canada and a few festivals there. Then there will be Mykonos, some dates in Ibiza which I always love doing, something in Sardinia—where I’ll be going shortly to one of my favorite clubs— and also a couple of festivals in Italy. I always like to combine work with a bit of vacation time.
AM: When you are not DJing, how do you take time for yourself?
BB: I always look for simple moments. I also really love the lifestyle here where we live, in the Apennines, an hour away from my home. I like taking some time out with my mountain bike or going for a drive in my old Jeep. They are simple things, but they really help me disconnect.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Paul Farkas via SONY Alpha | PG 85 Kimmie Smith |
Read the MAY ISSUE #125 of Athleisure Mag and see FEEL THE BASS | Benny Benassi in mag.
We always enjoy highlighting artists that are focused on what they create and how they make others feel. Red Bull dance athlete, Marlee Hightower has been in a number of competitive dance shows from World of Dance, America’s Got Talent, and more. From a young age, she has been working in the industry as a Choreographer and Movement Director. Her work can be seen among an array of luminaries in the industry that include Coldplay, Janet Jackson, and Pharrell Williams. She also has her MOTIV Dance Studio that she founded as well as her MOTIV Crew that works with her throughout the world. We sat down with Marlee to talk about her love of hip-hop. dance, how she approaches taking on her projects, and much more!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love, you know, with dance?
MARLEE HIGHTOWER: For me, I started dance when I was really little. My mom put me in dance when I was 3. So I kind of grew up into it. I don’t feel like there was this specific moment for me more so that it has just been such a big part of my identity and it’s just been a big part of who I am!
AM: What style of dance did you start with? I started at 3 with tap.
MH: Really? I did hip-hop.
AM: Oh wow so it has always been hiphop?
MH: I started out doing a little bit of everything. But, I took my first hip-hop class when I was 6. And I was like, this is what I want to do.
AM: Who is, the first dancer or show that made you realize that this is something that you wanted to do?
MH: Honestly, Beyoncé.
AM: Nice!
MH: I was, like, I’m gonna be Beyoncé. I was a kid, but I could have sworn it would be her. She was incredible and honestly the Step Ups. I was obsessed with Step Up 2. I was obsessed with the moves, it was my everything.
AM: What drew you to hip-hop and how do you define yourself? Is there a sub style even within hip-hop dance?
MH: I feel like with hip-hop, it’s interesting because there is like a very foundational version of hip-hop.
AM: Right.
MH: I think that over time, especially in the choreography space, like it has evolved and even in freestyle - it has evolved. You know, you have other styles coming into play, even in New York, you have, light feet and stuff like that.
So, yeah, there’s like, umbrellas. For me, I grew up listening to a lot of like old school, hip-hop - A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, and Mos Def. That’s like so much a part of who I am and even my family. My dad’s a graffiti artist.
AM: Oh wow!
MH: So hip-hop culture as a whole has been like very much a part of my life, so it just feels natural for it to also showcase itself, in my dance.
AM: When did you realize that this passion for dance should also be a career for you?
MH: I started dancing professionally at a very young. Like my first commercial, I did when I was 7 years old, then I went on America’s Got Talent. I made it to the top 10 when I was 10 years old. So, I’ve been working in the industry for a really, really long time. And then I opened up my dance studio in Orlando with my father when I was around 15. I started teaching consistently then and I think that honestly through that and honing my skills in that regard, I started taking ownership in a way that I hadn’t done before. Whereas before, I was just a kid. I think that through having the studio and running my MOTIV crew and just kind of figuring out what my voice. I realized that, I’m doing something, but I’m also making an impact that’s bigger than just me.
AM: Wow, I mean to be 15 and to decide to open your own studio.
MH: I know – crazy! It was actually my dad’s idea. I used to travel a lot back and forth between Orlando and L.A in order to train, but then also like work as a dancer. Whenever I would come back home, there wouldn’t be anything. There wasn’t really that many opportunities to train and dance at a high level and so he said, “what if we start a studio with a drop in class concept?” People could come in and just learn especially to do that with hiphop dance. A lot of what was offered in the area that I was living in was studios where you could do ballet, tap, jazz, and you had to be part of a company so you didn’t have access.
So, it was his idea, and I remember, initially, I was scared because it felt so ambitious at the time. But I was like, okay, let’s do it, let’s get on board. So my mom, him, and I just all came together to make it something. And I think also, through my traveling, I had a lot of relationships and connections with people, and so a lot of my friends were willing to come and offer classes and kind of help it move along and move forward. It was a process. We are in our 11th year, I can’t believe it.
AM: So, did you envision where you are now, with MOTIV that it would be what it is now?
MH: No, not at all. I honestly thought that this is gonna like be a thing for a couple years!
AM: Right.
MH: Maybe we’ll move on to something else. But like, I had no idea that it would be such a thing and such a staple in the community where I live, but also around the world. To be able to travel around the world, and to hear people tell me, “oh, I want to come to Florida and I want to train there, that’s crazy to hear because growing up, no one really wanted to train in Orlando. I’m really grateful. It’s definitely not what I expected at all.
AM: Do you think you’ll have other studio locations in addition to Orlando?
MH: I don’t think so, at least not right now. Just because our main focus has always been to try to bring the people to Orlando. That was kind of the the whole goal. I don’t know, maybe in the future once things continue and it can run itself potentially. This is also so much of a love letter to Orlando.
AM: You raise a good point about being part of companies and troops when you talk about ballet, tap, jazz etc. What were the types of training that you were doing when you were coming up?
MH: I was a convention kid growing up. I was a big convention kid, so I would go to these traveling conventions, one of them was called Monsters, Monsters of Hip-Hop, and so it’d be all these teachers who would come in and teach for the weekend at 6 classes a day, and I was really big on that, and then I would also travel a lot to take different workshops from different teachers. So sometimes I would go to LA for an intensive and then even for me, now I still am big on my training. If I ever get flown out to teach at a camp or something and a different teacher is there, especially like a foundational or freestyle based teacher - I’m in there. I’m trying to get as much information as I can. Even doing dancer style is a form of training for me, because being someone who started out primarily as a choreographer and with the choreography, background freestyle, and freestyle training is such a different mindset and mentality. And so, like getting to do dancer styles and getting to connect with the different dancers that are a part of that network has been such a huge game changer for me and a game changer in the way that I approach my choreography.
AM: How do you approach the choreography, whether it’s for a show or a troop?
MH: My biggest thing, is balancing feeling and then also the visual aspect of it because It ultimately is something that people are digesting and visually looking at. So, I think when it comes to a group, I love to look at shape, but then I also am really adamant on flow. Flow is super necessary because that also coincides with how I want to approach my freestyle, too. It’s like, I want the worlds to merge as best as I can, but you also in choreography, you have to have that understanding of structure.
AM: It’s like a science, but it’s a fluid science.
MH: It is! It totally is, and some of it is intuition based. Some of it is also mathematical.
AM: When you think about competition shows, I mean, I do remember seeing you on World of Dance. How do you approach the competition show environment? You have these panel of people who have varying levels of knowledge on the styles – how does that work?
MH: Dancing for so long, I feel like I was always in a position where I felt like I needed to prove myself, but I feel like going into those competition shows where you’re given such a huge platform, and the stakes also feel so high. I think that yes, it’s important to aim high, but then also don’t sacrifice who you are in the process of it.
I’ve really been like throughout everything I’ve done, like World of Dance. When I did World of Street Woman Fighter, like every single challenge, I was, like, okay, I’m gonna put my best foot forward, but I cannot shy away from who I am, so I have to dig deeper into who that is because sometimes, like, you’re given challenges where it’s a song you don’t necessarily know. Or it can be a challenge movement wise that you have to incorporate. How can I take all of this, but still remain true to me and that’s always at the forefront of those types of competitions. Ultimately, win or lose, that’s what matters most. Who you are and what you’re trying to say when you’re given that platform.
AM: You just got back from South Korea with Street Woman Fighter. Tell us about that as we hadn’t previously heard of it but it is large!
MH: Wow, it was large. It’s crazy, it was larger than I even expected it to be. Like, I didn’t realize how popular the show was in in South Korea. I feel like I was living a double life, almost like going to South Korea, and like everybody’s stopping their cars and stopping me on the street and stuff like that. The show itself, I think, is really cool because it does give dancers a platform. The fans love dance in a way that is, very unfamiliar to me, at least in the States. People like dance, but, I don’t think they see dancers, as you know this thing!
AM: We were in Tokyo and to see how dance was embraced there, we can see what you’re saying. Whether you were in Roppongi, Shibuya, or Shinagawa you could see people loving it and just breaking out into dance.
MH: Yes and they learn the dances like it is such a thing, and I, so I really, really admired how much they highly revered dance in that way. The show itself was very reality based, so that was really interesting coming to set and immediately putting on a mic, and having cameras everywhere. So I got used to being on all the time, but they also don’t want you to be on at the same time!
AM: Exactly! It’s a happy, medium.
MH: Yes, happy medium because I do know the cameras are rolling.
AM: Look at me. Don’t look at me, but look at me!
MH: We would get different missions over the course, of the competition. I always tell my friends like it felt like a combination between America’s Best Dance Crew and America’s Next Top Model.
AM: Interesting.
MH: Different challenges we were given, and I really appreciated them because it forced us to get really creative with how we are presenting who we were, especially because the show was very like K-pop based, and we’re hip-hop based.
AM: Right.
MH: So we were kind of going against the grain, the entire competition, but that was our edge.
The entire season is out now. You can watch it through Prime Video. It’s attached to the channel Mnet which is like the Korean MTV.
AM: What was your biggest takeaway from doing that show?
MH: I think my biggest takeaway was that you have to fight for artistic integrity when it comes to putting yourself out there in any room - in any space! That fight is on you.
AM: So the crew that you were with there was yours, MOTIV. What is the ethos of people who are on your crew and how do you decide who will be on it?
MH: I think mentality wise, you have to be willing and super open! You need to be kind and adaptable, because I think that even in the industry, even in my process, it’s very much like I come to the studio, and we figure it out as we go, and it’s very like organic the process. So, being malleable and just being open and willing. I love to laugh – we also have to laugh while we do it because it’s a lot of hours. At the same time, you have to strive for that excellence.
AM: Right.
MH: So I’m always trying to instill that in people. And I’m the type of person that sees potential over a perfect dancer! I’m like, no, I see where you could go as long as you see it, too, and you’re willing to get there – then I think that you’re in a good spot.
Doing the show was super special because I brought girls who I had been training over 6 or 7 years. It was incredible to see where they were to how far they have gotten to now! Getting to be able to provide experiences to my team is everything! The concept of bringing the world to Orlando and my people to the world!
AM: You have such an impressive resume with people that you have worked with Janet Jackson and Pharrell, and Jazmine Sullivan. What have you loved most about that and what artists/talents and projects would you love to be attached to?
MH: I’ve felt really honored to dance with different people and I’ve loved being given the creative voice. I just recently did a short film for Coldplay, which was so fun. I got to be in Malta for 10 days and I mainly did movement direction, rather than full out choreography, that was really, really nice. I’m a really big lover of film. I’m such a film nerd and so anything in that vein, I’m really excited to work on and with because, dance is one thing, that creative process in that regard is another. Getting to do it alongside the DP and even the producer. Watching the way that the gaffer sets everything up!
AM: Looking at all the blocking!
MH: Yeah, I’m so enthralled with the whole process! I would love to work with more film and with more TV. An artist that I would love to work with is James Blake. I think he makes incredible music and very danceable music. But he doesn’t use dancers, I never see that. I think that it would be really interesting to do something with him. That’s my dream artist of all time!
AM: For those that don’t understand the nuance between being a choreographer and a movement coach can you share a bit about that? Only in the last few years did we understand that distinction.
MH: I think that the biggest difference between movement direction and an elaborate piece of choreography would be that for movement, it’s about understanding, shape, understanding, flow. Maybe you’re working with a model who just needs to like, figure out what poses are going to work best. Maybe you’re working with a group of people that need to walk on the street in a certain way. You’re creating things that feel natural oftentimes.
Whereas, with an elaborate piece of choreography, there’s formations and counts. Even the movement itself is dynamic and I would say that those are the biggest differences, but it’s interesting just how much still of planning and understanding your body is needed, even just in movement direction.
When I did the Coldplay job, I was like, actually, I think we might need dancers just in order for them to move their head at the right time.
AM: Right.
MH: It’s still so synchronized and intentional.
AM: How did you come to Red Bull? We’ve had the pleasure of having a number of people from Red Bull that we’ve been able to work with, whether they were athletes in surfing – Carissa Moore, Griffin Colapinto, or Caroline Marks, snowboarding – Mark McMorris etc.
There is a culture in Red Bull of having these great people who are outside of the box but they are doing things that are pushing the envelope and doing dynamic things.
MH: My first Red Bull Dance Your Style was in 2019. I wasn’t even freestyling that much back then. I got brought on board for that and that was my first initial experience with Red Bull. Then I did a Red Bull Dance Your Style in Florida, and that’s when I made the semi-finals. Then from there, I got put on to be a representative for dancer style.
It’s been a really cool Journey for me as someone who’s working to bridge the gap between choreography and freestyle, so it’s like I’m implementing my practice into this new space and getting the platform to do so. And then along the way, I’m like able to meet up with all these different dancers with such different backgrounds as far as how they came to dance and the styles that they do. It’s interesting to be given access to a community, truly. Red Bull is really putting dancers on and more specifically, free stylers are more of an underground thing. They are being a voice in the way that is not really prevalent in the industry. Usually it’s a choreography based dancer or a modern dancer. Now, we’re thinking, street styles - street style based dancers. We’re being given the microphone and that’s what I appreciate the most about being a part of Red Bull.
AM: Are there any projects that are coming up specifically with Red Bull that you’ll be doing that you can share?
MH: Not anything in particular. Obviously, last year, was the release of The Can coming out, which was an incredible experience. It was all in promotion for the World Finals in the US. This year, I have a film project that I’m doing that Red Bull really helps me in terms of any ideas that I have, helping me connect with different artists, not just even the dancers, but there’s also like different artists that they work with that I’ve been able to connect with as well. I have the National Finals coming up in Tampa that I’m gonna be a wild card for, so I’m excited about that, and then hopefully that takes me to the world finals in Zurich!
AM: Oh wow!
MH: Fingers crossed!
AM: What is the dancing schedule of sorts in terms of, if you think of the Olympians right different things that happened there, obviously NBA, they have their season. What is the season for hip-hop/freestyle dancers?
MH: I feel like it depends on the dancer and the person. It depends on their schedule as well, I think. Dance is such a free thing. For me, specifically, I had to really and still have to really be diligent with how I train, because sometimes I don’t have all of the time. I started implementing training practices in the classes I would teach, or the dances I was creating. Even being here, I know that there’s certain dancers here. I’ll give them a message - let’s dance, let’s dance for a few hours. You know, I’m gonna learn stuff from you. You’ll learn stuff from me. So, it’s very much, just a matter of like figuring out what your schedule is and how you train. I know some people are very methodical about it, whereas I think I’m more free and I find it along the way.
AM: What does an average week look like for you?
MH: It changes every single week and I’m grateful. My everyday feels like a different day. But I would say, an average week if I’m lucky, I get Monday off. Maybe I find myself at home in Florida on a Monday and then I’ll teach my weekly class on a Tuesday at MOTIV Dance Studio. I’ll run rehearsal with my crew. Maybe Wednesday, I get off if I’m lucky. I’ll teach Thursday if I’m still in town also at MOTIV. Then the weekends is usually when I’ll go somewhere in the world. Maybe it’ll be an international trip to teach at a dance camp, or maybe it’ll be something like this where I’m making an appearance or judging a competition or doing a battle that weekend. Then I’ll come back home and reset and do it all over again!
AM: In general, are there projects or things that you want us to know about and keep our eye out for.
MH: Later in the year, I’m going to be coming out with another dance film. I’ve done a few. I did a dance film titled Blackbird, and then I did another one, titled We, the People, which was in connection with Street Woman Fighter that Red Bull helped me out with as well. That did really well and made a big impact. I’m just excited to work on a new film, and to bring it out into the world later this year.
AM: That’s amazing.
What do you want your legacy to be known as? You’re bridging a lot of things, the culture of hip-hop, and being a woman that has been trailblazing and the way you’ve done it, giving love to Orlando - it’s not just Disney and Universal.
MH: Yes – Facts!
I ultimately just want to be what I wanted to see growing up. I think representation is really important and I think that growing up as a young black girl, I didn’t see a lot of myself in people in the dance community, but then also on TV and in movies. I think expressing as much of the different facets of myself is important for other people, to know they don’t have to box themselves in to any one thing, whether that be their pursuit within dance or even just their pursuit within art in general. I think that’s the biggest thing is just to be open and honest about my process and to provide inspiration, but then also representation and for people to feel seen and heard in a way that I wanted to feel growing up.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 108 - PG 112 + PG 122 Digital Branded/Red Bull | PG 115 + PG 116 Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool | PG 119 Daniel Zullani/Red Bull Content Pool | PG 122 Kien Quan/Red Bull Content Pool |
Read the MAY ISSUE #125 of Athleisure Mag and see HIPHOP FREESTYLE | Marlee Hightower in mag.
Next month Governors Ball makes its way to Flushing Meadows for 3 days of phenomenal performances from Jun 5th - 7th. We’re looking forward to seeing Katseye, Lorde, Major Lazer, A$AP Rocky, Jennie, Clipse, and more! If you have yet to get your tickets, now is the time. Over the past few years we have enjoyed being able to see the biggest acts across genres that make their way to the staycation. Add the activations, vibes, and people watching - it’s a very busy weekend!
In the midst of great music and the early days of Summer, the food offerings are another element that makes this so enjoyable. We enjoyed Gotham Burger Social Club last year and we are looking forward
to their return this year as well! With various culinary options across the board, there is something for everyone including: Lobster Rolls & More, Grumpy Dumpling Co, and Tacombi. For those looking for something for their sweet tooth, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, John’s Juice, and Fan Fan Donuts will also be options there.
For those that want to continue the party, their After Dark series is concerts and sets taking place outside of this venue throughout the city. To check out who you want to see, make sure to check out that portion of the site in order to obtain tickets which are separate from your passes to Gov Ball.
IG @govballnyc
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 154 Ismael Quintanilla | PG 156 + PG 158 Taylor Regulski |
Read the MAY ISSUE #125 of Athleisure Mag and see Gov Ball 2026 Pre-Coverage in mag.
We have been fans of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Sammy Hagar whether from his solo career, as a member of Van Halen, or in super bands! He is a noted singer/songwriter, guitarist, an entrepreneur with an amazing portfolio, and philanthropist. Whether it’s his music, restaurants, spirit brands, etc. he is about loving life and enjoying it to the fullest.
His latest venture is one that is important to him as it is about longevity and nourishing your body as he continues to tour and has his residency in Vegas at Park MGM. Red Rocker Essentials is a line of vitamins that he partnered with noted wellness supplement guru, Wayne Gorsek, who founded and sold Vitacoast, and with Nature Labs, has this new line of products, as well as Sammy’s own supplements. We sat down with this duo to talk music, life, and the importance of vitamins as we navigate our day to day.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into Red Rocker Essentials, we’d like to talk a bit about your music.
When did you first fall in love with music? I have been a fan of yours for decades. And so being able to connect with you is definitely a pleasure, Sammy Hagar.
SAMMY HAGAR: Well, I’m thrilled. Thank you! But, you know, I think probably the first time I went crazy and said, “wow, I want to do that,” was when Elvis Presley - I was like 4 years old or something... My teenage sisters were watching his debut on TV or it might have been the Ed Sullivan Show or whatever it was, but Elvis Presley comes on and my sisters are sitting there going crazy right? Screaming, holding their faces - watching a guy in black and white on TV you know.
I’m going, “wow, that’s pretty cool you know?” I might want to do that right? I want to be that guy. But really, my dad was always singing and whistling and he could yodel country music. He was listening to Hank Williams and Hank Snow and people like that. I’d sit in the car and hear him sing to the radio. That kind of got my attention too. I was kind of raised around music, even though no one played music around me. Everyone kind of liked music. My sisters would dance and they’d dance with me, you know, and my dad would sing to the radio. I guess I was influenced by music right away.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be a recording artist? You’re an amazing guitarist, a vocalist, you write songs...
SH: Well, I had an older friend that used to go to school with my brother and he played guitar. I used to always dress the part. My sisters always had me looking like the latest rock star, whoever it was. It was Elvis Presley or whoever the next person was, my sisters would comb my hair like that and roll up my sleeves. I swear, they dolled me up all the time like I was their playmate.
I think this guy who played guitar, he came over to my house to see my brother. He’s going, “did you ever think about being a singer?” And I’m going, yeah, you know, and he played guitar. So he started playing guitar and I started singing a couple songs. I knew a few songs from the radio, same kind of thing. So I started a band with him. He took me to see The Rolling Stones when they came to San Bernardino Swing Auditorium the first time they played in America and that was where I lived. George Babcock from a radio station, 590 AM, brought The Stones and we went to see them. And I just said, that’s it. Boom. I saw their first American performance and I wasn’t even driving a car yet, you know. So this guy had a car and we drove over and I think that’s what really did it.
Then to play guitar, that was just wanting to be a singer. My friend played guitar and I just sang all the time. Then I went to see Cream’s first American performance with Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker at the Whiskey A Go Go, I went into a music store the next day and I stole my first guitar! I mean, I hate to say it, but I wanted to play like that and I knew I was going to sing like Mick Jagger and I’m going to play guitar like Eric Clapton!
That really set me on my course and that’s all I wanted to do. You couldn’t have talked to me out of it. I thought I was going to be rich and famous someday and I was determined. Pretty lucky guy, I’d say, you know? But I did the work.
AM: Oh, you did the work. I mean, you have been part of so many different bands as well as being a solo artist!
Before we delve into Red Rocker Essentials, Wayne, can you tell me a bit about your background and what led you to the wellness industry?
WAYNE GORSEK: I just learned a little more about Sammy! I didn’t realize Elvis inspired Sammy. Look at my shirt (Editor’s Note: Wayne’s shirt is a button down that has Elvis on it).
SH: What a trip!
WG: It’s actually made by the clothier that supplied Elvis in Memphis.
AM: Oh, wow.
WG: It’s made in America. I got like 5 of them. I’ll answer your question 2 ways. What got me into music as I grew up in Illinois. My family had horses, so I started out learning, Glen Campbell, Country Western music. And then as I got in my teen years, I watched Smokey and the Bandit. I got a black Trans Am. I started to get into Classic Rock. First concert was Eddie Money. Then I discovered Sammy.
In fact, Sammy, I grew up by St. Louis. You said that you had the record amount of tickets sold in St. Louis I think you said.
SH: Yeah, I still do! I think I still hold the record of the most tickets ever sold by one artist in in one city in St. Louis and I don’t know how that happened! But you know, Wayne I’d tell you in a second if I knew how that happened! I would have made that happen in every city!
WG: Well, I think Sammy, his songs relate to us folks in the Midwest. I Can’t Drive 55.
AM: I’m from Indianapolis originally. So yes, it definitely syncs in with the Midwest.
WG: Yeah! Trans Am and Eagles Fly. I mean, so many great songs and the St. Louis rock station really supported you.
SH: Yeah, yeah, they definitely did.
But Wayne, I think your question is not how you got into Sammy Hagar. It’s how you got into vitamins, then you met Sammy Hagar, and then we did vitamins together. Now, can you follow the damn questions here, Wayne?
WG: Haha Yes! The way I got into vitamins, I grew up believing that doctors could fix everything. My grandparents raised me, adopted me, and I have a lot of good memories, but the bad memories were when I entered my teen years, they entered their 70s. This would be in the 80s, and they got a lot of diseases. They got Parkinson’s, arthritis, depression, heart failure, you name it. I thought the doctors could fix them, took them to a lot of doctors, and I saw a lot of side effects, a lot of big bills. The bills now are probably 4X higher now if you go to the doctor. I saw lots of side effects with the drugs, and I thought there’s got to be a better way.
So I went to the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Library, nights, weekends, and I studied what is Parkinson’s, and what is arthritis? How do you fix these things? I came across nutrition. I came across herbs, vitamins, foods.
So I take these articles from the medical journals to their doctors, and the doctors admitted they knew nothing about it. They don’t teach them in medical school. So I started going to the vitamin stores and buying 8, 10, 12 bottles of all these herbs, vitamins, and I saw that they helped them. I realized that the average person isn’t going to do all that research and they’re not going to go out and buy 8-12 bottles so I decided to start a company that made a good multi that would work. Put it all in one and it did work. My last company we sold billions of dollars, we did IPO, sold to Kroger, and this is my second now!
AM: Wow I am very familiar with your first company, Vitacoast so you are definitely well versed in this space!
How did the two of you guys come together? Sammy, you’ve always been focused on wellness and longevity. How did the two of you come together?
SH: Well, I guess Wayne came to see me in concert in Las Vegas, and this is a story that he told me. But he said, “wow, this guy at his age, sure has got a lot of energy! Of course he needs that energy to keep doing what he’s doing if he wants to keep doing this, you know.”
We had a little conversation and I said, no, I’ve always been in the supplements and here’s what I take and here’s what I do. He’s going, oh, “you can do better than that. You know, some of these supplements have things in them that really aren’t good for you, or they’re not the best quality of Vitamin B, or the C that has a little bit more, and those organic products out there. He asked me if I read about everything that I take. I’m spending about two seconds on the back of a bottle! It’s got the stuff I want and then he’s going yeah. but where’s it coming from?
He just said come on down to my lab and let’s work on some stuff. So I went to the lab. I didn’t just say, “oh throw my name on some vitamins.” No, hell no man! I went down there and put on the suit, the hairband and went through a sterilization program. And we spent the whole damn afternoon in there. I was really impressed and I was very interested in upgrading my supplements. So, here we go, you know?
AM: Wow.
SH: I also want to say that there were things that were important to me like energy, natural energy without the crash, heart health, and flexibility!
Over time, I have figured out what I needed because I know as I get older, my joints are getting stiff. I need flexibility on stage. If I go out there and I’m not warmed up and I really haven’t really stretched well before I get out there – it can be tough. You get out there in front of thousands of people and your energy level – that adrenaline spikes and you do crazy stuff and if you’re not flexible, you’ll throw your back out, which I have done many times. I have thrown my neck out. You’re coming off the next morning feeling like I have head banged too hard. But, yeah, things like that.
I’m concerned about my heart because my mother had heart disease. My brother had heart disease. It’s in my family. I get myself checked out all the time about that. So, you know, I mentioned that. And I like an energy boost, but I can’t stand the products that are out there. I won’t mention the names, but I cannot even take 1 sip out of 90% of the assortment that exists right onw of those energy drinks. I don’t do it. I don’t drink coffee before a show either because it dries out my throat. So I used to take a little sip of a Coca-Cola and stuff like that with my rum or my tequila in there to get the relaxed buzz for a relaxed energy rush.
But anyway, Wayne says, no, I got you. I got you on all this stuff. The energy without the crash. You’re crashing because of the caffeine. You have to have different intake for it. So he knows all the answers to all that stuff. He’s the one that created this stuff for me to fit my lifestyle and my fans are you know almost my age some of them are my age and older even and um so I thought, “hey this is a good thing to pass on to them.” If it works for me with what I do, it’s going to [likely] work for you in your everyday life and that’s kind of the way I’ve always went about my restaurants, the way I’ve always went about my music.
If I have a message in my music it’s usually something that I wanted to tell my fans that this is a cool way to live. You know, I wrote the song Cabo Wabo, because I discovered Cabo back when it was undiscovered sand I said, “man you guys got to go to this place, you know you got to go there!” I mean, I’m telling you right now you go there you’re gonna be happy. So, I built a place down there for them, it’s really the way I think about my fans. It’s my family first, and my fans, they’re my extended family. So I think about them right along with the rest of my family, you know? And so that’s why I wanted to create this stuff. I want to upgrade them. Everyone takes vitamins. I bet you 90% of my fans take them, but half of them are probably taking stuff that’s been sitting on the shelves too long. It’s about taking a better supplement. So I’m trying to help them out.
WG: Well, you know, Sammy, you’re accurate. The typical multi, there’s tons of studies showing they don’t work because they got too little actives and they use forms of B vitamins that most people can’t utilize and absorb. So, we put in the active Bs that you can utilize. And we put in enough to work, levels that are much higher than the worthless daily values. If you want to be healthy, you cannot take the minimum. You’ve got to take optimal levels, which are much higher than the minimum DVs.
SH: I didn’t mention when I take my supplements. I personally don’t take my supplements until I have a decent meal. You know, like I don’t take them first thing in the morning because I just don’t like the way they feel on my stomach. A lot of times I take my supplements if I have a big lunch, I take them with my lunch, but I take them with food. And I think it’s really important that that’s half of what they do. You’re not living on the supplements. You’re living on the food you’re taking. You take supplements with it and you. get more of the nutrients out of the food and out of your supplements and it goes into your body better. It’s all about assimilation to me.
WG: Well said, well said, spot on.
SH: Yeah, so he didn’t teach me that. I knew that already. It is better with food. It is better with food. I really recommend that. A heavy vitamin can be rough on your stomach in the morning with just water.
WG: When you look at Sammy’s supplements, it’s a vegetarian capsule, you absorb that in just minutes. It breaks down in minutes, not hours. Some of those tablets from other brand never break down.
AM: So you have the initial products that launched last month. Are there going to be additional products that you plan on adding to this line?
WG: Oh, yes. Absolutely. We started Sammy’s line with Men’s, Women’s, Multi Energy Drink Powder.
SH: I’m open to new products as I get older for more brain health and a little bit more cutting edge stuff. Right now, we’re doing a good job. We’re putting good stuff in the normal stuff.
AM: Right.
SH: I’m an experimental guy. I’m willing to say, let’s go for some life extension products here. I rely on Wayne to guide me through that because I don’t want to get out there and just start taking a bunch of stuff and find out later, oh, no, you shouldn’t have taken that. So Wayne’s my guru here, you know. He’s my nutritional guru, substance guru, you know. I’m so happy since I ran into Wayne because he’s just so knowledgeable about all this stuff. You know, a lot of people will just try and do anything. And, you know, you can do more harm than good sometimes. So, yeah, we’re looking to expand as soon as we get everything just right.
AM: And what does this look like in terms of like rolling it out to consumers? Obviously, people can go to the website and different distribution/retailer points. But when you’re on tour or on your residency, will you be sharing this with fans in terms of awareness?
SH: Well, the awareness part, I always wear shirts. Like right now, I got my Red Rocker Beer shirt. I’m always sharing my apparel with my products and I get tattoos on my arm like Cabo Wabo, Santo, Beach Bar products and that’s Bogus Otis. I’m just one of those guys like a NASCAR person, but I don’t have to put the suit on. I just put the tattoos on. I don’t want to take my shirt off. Rather than shove it down their throats or talk about it too much. I drink my tequila on stage. I drink my rum on stage. It’s real. It’s organic with me. I own these companies except for Wayne here, but it’s still my stuff. I can’t make vitamins. So I have Wayne to do it. I don’t just endorse things and I never have. So that’s why I’m willing to get the tattoos. That’s a real endorsement.
I wouldn’t sell vitamins in concert. People that follow me, they go to my website and look at it all the time and tell them where they can get things. You know, the world’s so much about online right now. But I think Wayne’s got it covered. That’s his distribution thing. He’s got it down with his stuff. His stuff’s good stuff. It’s in all the good stores.
WG: I currently manufacture about a million bottles a month for some of the largest retailers – my customers. As Sammy grows, he’ll never outgrow us you know and we do plan to expand as he said - products for brain memory, cognitive, and joints. We can pretty much help people with any health concern with the right nutrients.
AM: That’s amazing. Sammy, We’ve been a fan of yours musically as well as an entrepreneur. Santo is a great tequila, Cabo - we went with friends because we heard the song growing up.
What do you want your legacy to be known as since you have been involved in so many things in your life as a musician and as a successful entrepreneur?
SH: Oh, my! I want my legacy just to say that, you know, I want people to smile when they think of me. I want to make people happy to make their lives better. I want to help people that I can help. You know, Paul Newman said something one time I saw him in an interview and it just changed my life. It was years and years ago after he had died. But it was at a benefit where he said, you know, “when you’re in a position to be able to help people and you see someone that needs help, you have to do it. If you see a person fall down, you’ve got to stop and pick them up.” I thought, wow, it just really touched me. I thought, yeah, I can help people. You know, I got extra money and I’ve got the ability to make people happy. So, when I walk out on stage. I want to make people really happy. I want to bring them joy. And I want to make them cry, too. I want to touch them deep in their hearts. I always want to leave them at my concert with a ballad. I don’t leave you with this big, crazy, high-energy song that makes you want to run out in the street and get in a car wreck. I’m going, no, no, no, no. You’ve got to settle down. I like to touch their hearts at the end of a show so that they remember it. In the morning, they smile. They wake up, and they remember the show, and they think about it, and they start smiling. And it makes them feel good. That’s my legacy. I’m gonna make people feel good and enrich their lives in any way I can.
IG @sammyhagar
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Rob Shanahan
Read the APR ISSUE #124 of Athleisure Mag and see THE RED ROCKER | Sammy Hagar in mag.
We have been a long time fan of June Ambrose who has been in the industry not only for decades, but if you grew up watching music videos done by Hype Williams, saw epic style statements by Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott - you were enjoying a living masterclass by June Ambrose. You were seeing her work. The clothing, the hues, the storytelling that was done that was bordered by the videos, lyrics, dancing, and more. She set the tone and continues to do so in her projects.
This stylist, Costume Designer, and Creative Director continues to push the envelope. She recently launched another capsule collection for Naturalizer X June Ambrose. We talk with her about the shoes, her approach to her work, and what we can keep an eye out for!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with fashion?
JUNE AMBROSE: I fell in love with fashion before I even had the language for it. Growing up in the Bronx, style was survival - it was expression, armor, aspiration. MTV just amplified what I already felt in my bones. I realized early that clothing could shift energy in a room. That was my first understanding of power.
AM: When did you realize this could be your career?
JA: The moment I saw that my point of view could move culture - not just dress it. When artists trusted me to translate their sound into a visual language, I understood this wasn’t just styling and costume design… it was authorship. That’s when it became a calling.
AM: How would you define your personal style and 3 favorite accessories?
JA: My style is intentional contradiction - tailored yet fluid, disciplined but expressive. It’s what I call Authentic Intelligence.
My essentials? A statement heel (always), fun hat, and a fun and iconic shaped bag that feels like art.
AM: Where do you start creatively on a project?
JA: I always begin with narrative. Who is this person? What is the emotional temperature? I build from story, then silhouette, then texture. I’m not dressing bodies - I’m designing moments that add punctuation to your look.
AM: What have been your 3 favorite projects that you have done?
JA: Building Missy Elliott’s iconic persona, starting with her Supa Dupa Fly music video, launching women’s basket and motor sport catergory for Puma, and building the STYLE-LETICS universe. Each one pushed culture forward in a different way.
AM: Tell me about STYLE-LETICS and Naturalizer?
JA: STYLE-LETICS is where fashion meets velocity. It’s a new category where the elegance of pumps and sandals moves like a sneaker. My partnership with Naturalizer was rooted in a shared belief: comfort should never compromise style. Together, we challenged the idea that fashionable shoes require sacrifice.
AM: Tell me about the Macy’s event that took place this month.
JA: At Macy’s Herald Square, we didn’t just host an event - we activated a movement. Women stepped into the arena, tried on power, and walked in confidence. It was immersive, high-energy, and deeply personal. Style became a shared experience.
AM: What was your approach to the capsule collection?
JA: Precision. Each drop was engineered for versatility and transformation. I wanted silhouettes that could move from work to play and dancing all night without losing intention. Every piece had to perform - emotionally and physically.
AM: What do you love about your partnership with Naturalizer?
JA: It’s alignment. They understand that a woman’s life is dynamic - so her wardrobe must be too. We’re not just designing shoes, we’re designing freedom and taking risk.
AM: We always like asking our faves about 3 workouts that you love doing!
JA: Pilates for elongation, strength training for power, and walking - intentional, styled walking - for clarity. Movement is part of my creative process.
AM: How do you replenish your cup?
JA: I disconnect to reconnect. Silence, travel, and moments with my family. Stillness is where my next vision reveals itself.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that we should keep our eye out for?
JA: Expansion of the STYLE-LETICS universe - new silhouettes, deeper storytelling, and hopefully global activations. And of course, continuing to build platforms where style and culture intersect in meaningful ways.
IG @juneambrose
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | June Ambrose X Naturalizer
We had a great time at Prince Street Pizza’s Brooklyn location launch party earlier this month (271 Smith St., Brooklyn NY).
Known for the legendary ‘Soho’ Squares, and as the Original Home of the Spicy Pepperoni, their mission is to deliver happiness in every bite. Indeed, we chowed through many with a smile, including the Spicy Spring, the Naughty Pie, Houston Jalepeno, and the Four Cheese. What a tasty combo!
The launch also featured their sexy new uniform collab with Sergio Tacchini, a cool style that definitely fit the spot well. We were treated to several musical performances, featuring Partner/Actor Nick Tuturro. Check out Nick’s show ‘Delivering Happiness,’ where he used to deliver lines, and now he delivers pizzas. (Brother, Actor Icon John Tuturro was there for a bit, and left on our way in); and beloved recording artist GASHI, who performed several of his hit songs, even to an eclectic group of neighbor pirates next door, who also got some pizza over the fence. We love the song My Year (featuring G-Eazy) - ‘This My Year, This Gonna Be My Year’ for sure!! In between bites and conversation, we snapped some cool pics and took some Oakley Meta HSTN Performance AI videos of the concerts, and were hand-fed tasty mozzarella sticks from Mad Mutz’s Mike Hauke (also Owner, Tony Baloney’s) as we were juggling our gear.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Paul Farkas shot on SONY Alpha |
Read the APR ISSUE of Athleisure Mag and see PRINCE STREET PIZZA | Brooklyn Launch in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Circle Head - NASA/Frank Michaux Main Image - NASA
