Check Out Sam “Basquiat” Moody’s Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Sam “Basquiat” Moody.

Hi Sam, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
When I dropped out of college, I started tattooing. I was tattooing a lot of recording artists and athletes. I used some of my designs and also put in a remembrance of my cousin who passed away to create a t-shirt. I got those tees to my tattoo clients, and it popped off from there.

Now, mind you, I did have a brand before that, but it wasn’t it. Nobody bought it other than my close family because they felt bad for me.

“With Sorry I Was Trapping,” four years ago, I was in this different space, and something told me to take a leap of faith and move to California. Everyone around me tried to tell me not to do it, but I had to listen to myself, so with $400 in my pocket, I moved to California. From there, I can’t say it wasn’t a struggle, but through the struggle, Sorry I Was Trapping was born, and I haven’t looked back since.

I have been able to take care of my family well, see the world, and connect with people across the country and globe from SIWT. It has provided me with an opportunity that I could have only imagined. A brand was created from a t-shirt. From a brand, a lifestyle was created.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road by any means, but through any struggles or obstacles I have had to face, I have learned and continue to learn lessons.

From dealing with manufacturers and retailers to even building my team over time, I have contentiously been able to navigate through anything that has been put in my way. What I can tell you is this: the best thing I ever did was trademark my work from the start and get a great lawyer. Those two things should be a priority for any designer and business owner.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner and creative director of the lifestyle brand “Sorry I Was Trapping.” (I am also the creative director for several other brands and artists).

Sorry, I Was Trapping embodies those who have grit, integrity, hustle, tenacity, and an everyday “get up and go- by any means necessary” mentality. With SIWT, I am known for and proud of being able to create designs that connect universally with multiple demographics and break down any cultural barriers while staying true to what SIWT stands for as a brand.

Also, I am very proud of continuously finding ways to connect and stay connected directly with customers, especially at Sorry I Was Trapping pop-ups that I do and have done all over the country and world. Meeting my customers in person at the pop-ups has been some of the best experiences of my life. I feel that hand-to-hand direct connections and the creative collections I release set me apart from the rest.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Even though for years I have handled a huge majority of things on my own, once I started to get the right team members on board, everything really flourished differently.

I want to give a big thank you to my family, my team, my lawyers, my manager Rockett, and all of those who have taken their time to help me behind the scenes. Also, I have to thank everyone and anyone who has spent their hard-earned money to purchase something from Sorry I Was Trapping. I am forever grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sorryiwastrapping.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorryiwastrapping/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/sam.basquiat/?hl=en

Image Credits
Rockett
Sam “Basquiat” Moody
Blu3Visions
Mike Williams
Eric Kofi Abrefa
GT
Cash The Barber
Forbes 30 under 30
Babyface Ray
Tommy Pham
50 Cent