Compound Conversations is where culture meets legacy. Hosted by creative visionary Set Free , this series brings you behind the scenes with the artists, entrepreneurs, and disruptors shaping the worlds of music, fashion, art, and beyond. From iconic names like Ferg , Lenny S , Hebru Brantley , and Greg Yuna , to rising legends and unsung heroes, each episode dives deep into the moments that defined their journey — and the philosophies driving them forward. More than just interviews, Compound Conversations is a time capsule for the culture — raw, reflective, and always rooted in authenticity. Recorded in the heart of the Compound , a creative sanctuary in New York City, these conversations celebrate the people who live at the intersection of purpose, originality, and impact .
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Episode #36
Yu-Ming Wu: He Said No to Nike to Build Sneaker Con
Jun 25, 202659 min
Yu-Ming Wu is a sneaker and streetwear media pioneer, entrepreneur, and co-founder whose fingerprints are on nearly every major chapter of sneaker culture's rise into the mainstream. Born in China and raised in New York's Lower East Side and Sunset Park after immigrating at age six, Wu grew up immersed in the city's overlapping immigrant, punk, and early hip-hop cultures — an upbringing that would later define his eye for what's next in streetwear and sneakers. He founded Freshness Mag in 2003 while still in college, one of the earliest digital sneaker publications, before launching Sneaker News in 2007 — famously turning down a Global Digital Director role at Nike Sportswear to do it. He went on to co-found Sneaker Con, the largest sneaker convention brand in the world, and later Stadium Goods, the premium sneaker resale marketplace that became one of the category's defining retail businesses. From Freshness Mag to Sneaker News to Sneaker Con to Stadium Goods to his current ventures in spring break vodka seltzer and brick-and-mortar retail, Wu's career traces the entire arc of sneaker culture — from message boards to media to marketplace to physical experience. 00:00 - Intro — Welcome to the Compound 02:53 - Immigrating From China at Age Six to the Lower East Side 06:26 - Growing Up Fast on Canal & Essex 11:19 - The Air Jordan 5 Moment That Started It All 16:54 - Sweatshop Work & Earning Every Sneaker Himself 20:22 - Chelsea, Liquid Sky & the Birth of Streetwear 27:12 - Parsons, Magazines & Finding His Eye for Design 33:18 - Discovering NikeTalk & Building Freshness Mag 43:24 - Turning Down Nike's Dream Job 44:20 - Launching Sneaker News on His Own Terms 47:12 - Saying No to Sneaker Con — Until It Finally Clicked 50:49 - Building Stadium Goods & the Exit That Follow Yu-Ming Wu 📸 https://instagram.com/mryumingwu Follow Set Free 📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture: 📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork 📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon 🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
Conway The Machine: From Getting Shot to Building Griselda | Compound Conversations
Apr 17, 202643 min
From Buffalo basements to New York stages. From being shot and paralyzed… To becoming one of the most respected pens in hip-hop. On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Conway the Machine for a raw conversation about survival, faith, art, and business. 00:00:00 — Welcome Home to the New Compound 00:02:20 — Growing Up in Buffalo & Learning From His Uncles 00:03:55 — Rapping at Six Years Old 00:05:34 — First Time Visiting New York City 00:08:23 — The Moment He Knew He Was Really Nice 00:09:31 — Getting Shot & The Turning Point 00:14:15 — Meeting Derringer & Finding the Sound 00:18:06 — Paralysis, Doubt & Fighting Back 00:22:46 — Getting Stamped by New York Legends 00:26:32 — The Origin of “Conway the Machine” 00:28:18 — Art, Fashion & Building a Timeless Brand 00:37:16 — Learning the Business Side 00:39:16 — Staying Hungry in Today’s Climate 00:42:40 — Legacy: “I Did It for the City” Conway breaks down: Learning to rhyme from his uncles in Buffalo West Coast inspiration in an East Coast body His first time ever visiting NYC as an adult The moment he knew he was really nice Getting shot and thinking it was over Fighting self-doubt and paralysis The rise of Griselda Derringer shaping the sound Getting stamped by New York legends Building Drumwork as a legacy move Why he feels like he’s just getting started Follow Conway 📸 https://instagram.com/whoisconway Follow Set Free 📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture: 📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork 📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon 🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
Kid Super: The Artist Who Built a Fashion Empire by Having Fun | Compound Conversations
Apr 8, 202643 min
Before Paris. Before the runways. Before the celebrity co-signs. There was just a kid drawing, playing soccer, and refusing to choose one lane. On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with KidSuper founder Colm Dillane for a deep dive into creativity, risk, and building something that doesn’t fit into one box. From backyard games and basement fashion shows… To guerrilla marketing in New York… To Paris Fashion Week domination… This conversation explores what happens when you treat life like art. KidSuper breaks down: Why fun is a competitive advantage Building a brand without traditional fashion training Community over clout Turning doubt into creative fuel Why collaboration beats ego The mindset behind global expansion Staying experimental even when you “made it” 00:00:28 — Introduction to Colm Dillane & The KidSuper Name 00:01:35 — Inspiration & The Compound Atmosphere 00:03:05 — Family Origins: Irish Fisherman & Spanish Artist 00:05:05 — South American Adventure & Fiery Romance 00:06:53 — Street Vendor Roots of KidSuper 00:07:37 — A Nomadic Childhood: Mexico to the Midwest 00:10:13 — Socioeconomic Perspective & Identity 00:14:54 — High School Culture & The Supreme Store Incident 00:16:46 — Brick Oven T-Shirts & Lessons From 10 Co-Founders 00:18:28 — Choosing KidSuper & Staying Childish 00:20:44 — Building a Squad & Community 00:24:54 — The Dorm Room Store & Academic Trouble 00:26:42 — Finding the KidSuper Space on Craigslist 00:30:10 — The Magic of Buildings & Ed Sheeran’s Theory 00:32:59 — Strategic Collaborations & Independence 00:38:26 — Career Milestones: Ronaldinho & Louis Vuitton 00:41:15 — The Future: A Walt Disney Vision for KidSuper Follow Kid Super 📸 https://instagram.com/kidsuper Follow Set Free 📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture: 📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork 📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon 🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
Ice-T on Business Strategy, Protecting Legacy, and Learning from a $2M Loss | Compound Conversations
Apr 1, 20261h 12m
In this episode of Compound Conversations, legendary rapper and actor Ice-T shares the story behind his journey from growing up in Newark and Los Angeles to becoming a pioneer of gangsta rap and a mainstay on network television. He talks about the 3 types of humans , the street lessons that shaped his "hustler" business acumen , and the profound impact of literary legends like Iceberg Slim on his persona. Ice-T also reflects on the evolution of hip-hop’s four elements , his transition into acting after a chance "bathroom discovery" by Mario Van Peebles , and why he believes a billion dollars is nothing more than "ego." Follow Ice-T 📸 https://instagram.com/icet Follow Set Free 📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture: 📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork 📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon 🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/
Godfrey on Chicago, Stand-Up, and Speaking Truth Through Comedy | Compound Conversations
Apr 1, 20261h 19m
In this episode of Compound Conversations, comedian Godfrey shares the story behind his journey from growing up in a Nigerian household in Chicago to becoming one of the most respected voices in stand-up comedy. He talks about the cultural influences that shaped his comedic style, discovering comedy in college, and the impact of legends like Richard Pryor and Red Foxx. Godfrey also reflects on the evolution of comedy, the entertainment industry, and why humor has always been a powerful tool for truth and storytelling. 0:00 Intro 5:12 Early Life & Chicago Background (upbringing and roots) 5:32 Nigerian Heritage (Igbo background + Biafran War) 11:12 Cultural Influences (films, animation, early inspirations) 13:17 Discovery of Comedy (Pryor, Foxx, sitcom influence) 26:11 Career Beginnings (first roles + Original Gangsters) 44:06 Breakout Roles (Zoolander, Soul Plane, transition to film) 52:32 Industry Perspective (Hollywood diversity + critiques) 57:05 Top Comedians (influences + comedy legends) 1:01:34 Impersonations (technique + iconic impressions) Follow Godfrey 📸 https://instagram.com/godfreycomic Follow Set Free 📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture: 📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork 📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon 🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/ #Godfrey #CompoundConversations #StandUpComedy
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