How Basketball Affects Chicago Culture
LaJethro Jenkins and Vincent Goodwill visit Drew Henderson, owner of No Cuts No Glory in Chicago, to talk about Michael Jordan, Jordan Chicago Collaborators Collection, basketball, and Chicago culture.
Video Transcript
VINCENT GOODWILL: Why is basketball still-- you know what I'm saying? Kind of sacred. Is it like a respect thing? Is it--
DREW HENDERSON: You can't take away the fact that MJ was here. You can't take away the fact that Derrick came from Chicago. And still holds it down. I think we continuously have a consistent enough roster coming out of Chicago where you can't really argue with it too much.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LAJETHRO JENKINS: I'm from LA, you feel me? I'm a Midwest dude.
VINCENT GOODWILL: That's a whole different ballgame, man.
LAJETHRO JENKINS: Man, you from Detroit.
VINCENT GOODWILL: What's going on, Drew?
DREW HENDERSON: What's up, boy?
VINCENT GOODWILL: What's up, playa? How you doing, man?
DREW HENDERSON: How about you?
VINCENT GOODWILL: Good to be back in the city?
DREW HENDERSON: Welcome back, man. Get that hat off.
VINCENT GOODWILL: No lie. The most important relationship a man has when he moves to a new place is with his barber.
LAJETHRO JENKINS: Yes, sir.
VINCENT GOODWILL: You know what I'm saying?
LAJETHRO JENKINS: So how did the Jordan collab come out?
DREW HENDERSON: Got a phone call one day, and somebody wanted to schedule a meeting. But they explained to me the project, and it was something that I really thought was a good look. Not only for the city, but it really does align-- the UNITE really does align with a lot of the things that I stand for, and try to build inside of the shop as well.
LAJETHRO JENKINS: Born and raised in Chicago, right?
DREW HENDERSON: Born and raised. So not in the city. I grew up in the south suburbs. Country Club Hills, to be exact. I'm really proud of where I'm from. I'm very happy to represent Chicago, and try my best to be a positive light out here. And in the process, getting people pretty fresh, man.
LAJETHRO JENKINS: Chicago was like over the last what 15, 20 years you were talking about has been like the epicenter of cool, it seems like. With these like this, you know, Joe Freshgoods. You know, as far as music, I feel like Chief Keef has led the way like when it came to like even the drill music that's going on now in New York.
Chance changed what people approach, you know, like being in the business of music. That's crazy, though. What does it mean to you, to be connecting with like Jordan?
DREW HENDERSON: It feels good, man. Like, I can imagine that you not being from here, you're getting the Jordan collab would feel, you know, something special. So to be from here, to see the effect that he had the city, and to now, essentially be a part of that movement. It's very humbling, man. Me, I was born in '87. So you know, Iverson was really kind of more so my speed, as far as like when I was really, really, watching. And what was attractive to us at that age. You know what I mean? But MJ definitely holds the cake in that conversation.
VINCENT GOODWILL: So I don't think people understand that Mike's been gone from Chicago over 20 years. You associate him with Chicago. He has a certain foothold business-wise here. Everything you see has a Jordan logo on it right now.
DREW HENDERSON: He definitely left a footprint here, man. Stood the test of time this long, man. That speaks volumes to affecting, the affect he had while he was on the court.
VINCENT GOODWILL: Drew, you have a relationship with Derrick. I mean, what do you make of Derrick's connection with the city?
DREW HENDERSON: I was actually around him yesterday, and we walked out. They were chanting MVP. And I think that stands volume to-- it speaks highly of like the way he's loved here. Like people really, really, support Derrick. The city does, even though, you know, there's been a lot of ups and downs, man for-- we respect him. I think there's few generational players that have that type of tenacity.
VINCENT GOODWILL: So-- so we've got the Jordan creators, right? You know, what is it about Chicago, and the people here, natives, that has birthed so many, just like creative, vibrant people. Like what is it about? Is it the city? Is it the people?
DREW HENDERSON: I think we all inspire each other. I think no matter how great you are, you're inspired by something or someone. The continuous encouragement of the possibilities of what is possible just kind of keeps circulating, a different breed of creatives, too.
LAJETHRO JENKINS: A lot of the people that are creating together now initially, they met the through hoops. Like, their love of basketball brought them together.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
DREW HENDERSON: Get out!
[LAUGHTER]
Oh, boy. Appreciate everything, man.
VINCENT GOODWILL: Yes, sir.
