The name NIKE is a globally popular name for an American sportswear company. In Greek mythology, the name NIKE means victory in battle and peaceful competition. In the streets of New York, a legend by the name of NIKE Hare wood, owner and urban tattoo artist of Murda Ink Tattoos 2, is as influential as the company and triumphant as the Greek myth. From angel wings to skulls to area codes, stars, crosses, and my favorite crowns, NIKE has inked hip-hop artists to local celebs to basic individuals across the country. Also known for his pioneering efforts in Hip-Hop fashion in the late 80's as one of The Mighty Shirt Kings, this entrepre neur has taken his artist craft to amazing and remarkable business-savvy levels. Urban Life News got a chance to stop by the Hempstead, New York Murda Ink Tattoos 2 (tattoo parlor) to explore the life, art-of-the-game, and wisdom of a true King and master illustrator. Before the dookey gold rope chains, before the 3 finger rings, before the inventive merging of air brushing to clothing, where does NIKE Harewood hail from? I hail from Bedstuy Marcy Projects. I went to the High School of Art and Design where I discovered I was talented in art. I explored my talents throughout the high school years and as time went on I graduated and continued with my artwork. I worked a couple of odd jobs in and out. In 1986 I got with some schoolmates and we formed what we call The Mighty Shirt Kings.
How did The Mighty Shirt Kings originate? The Mighty Shirt Kings originated back in 1986. It started with myself Clyde aka NIKE Harewood, my friend the deceased Rafael KASHEEM Avery, and the other partner Edwin PHADE Sacasa. We went to the High School of Art and Design together. As time went on I got a job doing construction with KASHEEM. KASHEEM got laid off and PHADE was making T-Shirts and selling them Uptown in Harlem. PHADE got a hold of KASHEEM and he said listen I got an idea that we should airbrush and I want to teach you how to airbrush. He said, where's NIKE? KASHEEM told him I was working at the job he recently left. They called me and said they wanted to airbrush some T-shirts in the mall. I told them I didn't know how to do that and plus I was still working. He said, "We will teach you. If you lose your job give me a holla." Low and behold I lost my job that next week. I got laid off. I called and said, "What's that shirt stuff y'all were talking about?" Next thing you know we got together. I started off with hand painting shirts because I use to do it back in Marcy Projects for a lot my friends. As time went on I picked up the air brush because KASHEEM and PHADE made me. I learned it and mas tered it in a matter of a week. Low and behold we called ourselves K&N Shirts, KNP Shirts but it didn't sound right to us. I said, "We are better than that we are kings of this here." They said, "You're right we are kings, we are the shirts kings." I said, "That's right that's who we are the shirt kings." That's the day June 6, 1986 The Mighty Shirt Kings were formed.
When did your talented flare for art flourish? My talent for my art flourished when I was about seven years old. I was watching my older sister make her own patterns and clothes and sew for herself. She went to the High School of Fashion Industries back then. It fascinated me to watch her. I said to myself, I wonder if I can draw? It was something that came to me. I grabbed the Sunday paper. There was a cartoon strip named Beetle Bailey. I started looking at it and picked up a pencil and paper and next thing you know I'm drawing. I realized I really had a knack for this thing. My sister wasn't the only one in the house with the flare for art. That's when I realized I had the talent and that's when my art started to flourish.
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Those were the glorious days back on Jamaica Avenue back in the 80's. Like I said The Mighty Shirt Kings came about in 86.
