The Paradise Projects: More Than a Haircut w/ OGK & G-Eazy

It was a nice February day in LA - the sun was shining, it was the warmest it had been in weeks, the birds were chirping and the city was moving. I received a text from my brother and the best barber in town (and everywhere) Kevin "OGK" Kellett asking if I was available today, and that G-Eazy was pulling up to his kitchen to shave his head, and wanted me to come film it and do a piece on it. Naturally I said "I'll be there as soon as I can," and I headed out to Venice.

Kev has been cutting G's hair for over 10 years now and is the one responsible for his iconic fade slickback, what OGK likes to call "everyone's favorite fade." Image in hip-hop is one of the most important elements an artist can hone in on and make their own, setting them apart from the rest. With OGK's help, G-Eazy's iconic hairstyle has played a major role in his career and will go down as one of the most iconic hairstyles in hip-hop history. Hair has always been a major part of hip-hop and will continue to be a fine art form that contributes to the success of the artist.

Upon arriving in Venice, Kev comes and meets me outside and we walk in and catch up. I pick his brain on the vision briefly and start shooting b-roll. Shortly after, G pulls up and we walk outside to greet him. It's always funny documenting someone candidly you've never met before, especially when it's someone who's music had a formative impact on your life. We said hellos and headed back inside.

Cutting at multiple high-end barber shops and salons from NY to LA for years led ultimately to a change for OGK. Now residing in Venice, as he refers to as "The Paradise Projects," Kevin has curated his own experience - one where you can escape to, "drink a beer on the balcony, smoke a blunt, and talk some shit" joked Kev one day in conversation as we were doing the same exact thing on his balcony. But that's really what it's all about - feeling like you're going to hangout with a friend and have a good time but also get cleaned up and feeling and looking good. At the paradise projects, human connection is at the core of what it's all about. Not only is OGK the best barber in the game, he's one of the most authentic people I've ever met - and it shows in everything he does. I could make a list a mile long of the things this man has done for people and humanity in general. This carries over into his personal relationships, and values each person he cuts as one of his friends. "To call them clients would be disrespectful" said Kev. What is essentially a converted kitchen turned barber shop has allowed him to get back the authentic roots that he began in, cutting his friends' hair in the kitchen.

This time was unique. He was about to shave G's head for the first time seemingly in his professional career, or at least before Kevin started cutting his hair over 10 years ago. In the kitchen. After maintaining the fade for years, going on tour, and preparing for everything else, cutting at high class salons all over the world - it was time to be back in the kitchen, where it all began, for this moment in history. G said "I'm ready" and Kev's reply was "fuck yeah, let's do it." Here's how it went ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-7SRTp3epc

We spent the time during the cut talking about what this meant for G and his image, and how engrained his hairstyle had become to his image, and general life shit, amongst other things. It was an honor getting to create this piece with one of my great friends and a hip-hop legend. True authenticity and relationships always win at the end of the day.

"Sometimes it's just about what makes you fuckin feel good. Sometimes it's just as simple as a haircut." - Kevin "OGK" Kellett

Written by Braden Walker. Photos by Braden Walker.