One Time….

A wise man once said, Once you understand why pizza is made round, stuffed into a square box, and eaten as a triangle…then you will understand women.

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Late 90s Early 2000s…

Growing up in Willy B, I would go outside to the little park in front the building. Me and my friends were fond of wrestling at the time so we used to go hard, day in day out. He had a PPV event one Friday, and throughout our wrestling season we would acquire all the championship belts.

There were some of us who for fortunate enough to get everything as a kid. Then there were families like mine who didnt have enough, or just didnt have enough for no stupid belt. Times were hard so we came together, got as much as $5 a piece, ran to the China man gift shop on Graham Ave, and get whatever belt we wanted.

We were hyped cuz our PPV event was a success, but the bigger reward in the situation, we came together as group to accomplish a goal we all wanted. It was group economics, at the tender ages of 8-13.

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This Summer…

I was on my way to the city to post up, but made a quick stop in the Stuy and I checked my homie April.

It was her first time seeing my work. I had the huge piece on me. She asked how much, I said take a guess…

Before she let out the number she changed her thought. She appreciated my work upon arrival, and with no further questions she goes, we, as black families should be able to come together to purchase another black artist’s work, and share it on for generations to come. I agreed. I understood exactly where she was coming from because the value of my work was starting to be appreciated, it was formula to business in its simplest form somehow. Lately in my life the focus has been building. Sitting outside has been the greatest social experiment, but also experience. There’s a lot happening in these streets, but as I sit there day in and day out, focused on my craft, I witness, disgust and hatred towards one another. Frightening. I’m faced with the reality of how far but not long off from the dream we really are. The people who do stop to show ATTIE some love are genuine. People intrigued by something unusual. So the proceed on their quest, they ask QUESTions. The answers are rewarding. ATTIE is as authentic as it comes, so the interactions are real, the people are real, the times are real. I could see it in everyone’s face, they’re all hungry, but I’m having a hard time putting my hands exactly on what they have the appetite for.

Present Day…

Every morning I kick it with my homie G. We post up at the park for the morning smoke, we call it the ‘yoga spot’. Here we sit and set an agenda, speak on current events, and just put it all on the table, all while feeding and bird watching. The topic of discussion that day had to be women, and how we were struggling in the game. Then George sends me the message, ‘A wise man once said, once you understand why pizza is made round, stuffed into a square box, and eaten as a triangle, then you will understand women’…

I paused for a second, cuz my world shook. I caught up to myself. I told George, I don’t think that theory only applies to women. I said, idk if I’ll ever understand woman but I think I understand life. He wasn’t following, so I broke it down…

I said, if you take a clock which is round, put it in a frame which is square, and make it so rare, it’s best bought in shares like triangle slices, then I pretty much made a pizza my G. We were both stuck for a second, and just like that, I went from flipping art to flipping pizza.

Moral of the story, sometime between winning those championship belts and me creating, ego took over. Not just me, but everyone. IDK who wound up with the belts in the long run, but I know somewhere along the lines, we took on obtaining that championship on our own. Maybe in fear that one day that belt won’t belong to us anymore.

We want it all for ourselves. W/e the case may be, the death of ego is called for. I didn’t set out to have one of the hottest brands, blogs, concepts, present day. I just wanted to obtain the championship belt with some friends. Along the way I heard lots of ego, and self hate. I was a part that too. I am guilty as well. Once I realized who I was becoming, I started to be gentle with my existence. My ego killed the opportunity to obtain lots of championships at the time. Relationships, work development, friendships, etc…whole time I had ATTIE on my mind. My own championship. At the time I told my ‘friends’ about this ‘chip, but we are all in our own bubble’s, looking to grasp the championship in whatever box we find ourselves in. It’s our nature. We’re animals. But never forget no matter the conditions; the hood, the game, there’s a food chain. It’s always best to remain amongst your herd in certain situations, just in case the king comes around.

RIGHT NOW….

Now here we are. Too many voices in my head, pies, pizzas, belts, and someway, somehow, I have to deliver. In return, my clocks are my pies, and The ATTIE Project is the championship. I’m going to continue to break down time, us, experiences as much as I can, but don’t get caught up focused on this championship. Instead just start small and get you a slice. All these pies spewing city to city. Brooklyn, the tri-state area, Russia, South Africa so far..soon coming to a town near you.

As for the women…I’ve got a few leads so far, but you be the judge. As for now, I’ve got pies for sale, come and get you a slice. hit the comments. THIS IS MAXWELL, MY YOUNG BULL FROM PHILLY, I’M OUT HERE PUTTING OUT PIES FOR MY YOUNG BULLS now.

The 1080pizzeria.