Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Max Raymond . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Max, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Growing up in the suburbs of Miami Florida I was never too far from the inner cities and the chaos that came with it. I was raised with some of the city’s most infamous drug dealers, killers, and scammers; all of us walking the same path but arriving at different destinations. I am able to stand here today a free man full of life not because I was the biggest gangster or the richest on the block, but because of the guidance and the supervision of those before me; my brother was born in the early 80’s when the crack era was at its peak. If you think todays streets are a jungle you don’t have the first clue of what it was like growing up when the cocaine cowboys and the John Doe Gang controlled the economy.

As the era grew though there was always a sense of “code” amongst the notorious ones of the city, there was respect, morals, and understanding. Components we have lost since moving on from those simpler times, our OGz have lost their voice in todays society which has left a new generation to raise its self and forge paths to destinations unfitting of their true beings. This is from a direct lack of guidance and leadership from the generation before, with many of the OGz locked away or buried we are now seeing new rules with no order be put into action creating chaos amongst our very own. This is where the mindset shifted, I knew with the environments I was raised around there are a lot of lessons to be learned and through the graces of God I am here to be able to pass these experiences along to the next ones up. Being an OG doesn’t come from the body counts or the licks an OG is a voice of reason and wisdom; when you can live life and be able to tell the story you have gained one of the most precious treasures in life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Max Raymond also known as HitSquadOG. I am a multifaceted creative but I am known more for my work as a Creative Director. I have been the mind behind some of the dopest projects to come across your screens from a Odell Beckham Jr. campaign to a SniperGang Apparel clothing brand ad, the ability to sit back and analyze a person’s brand and be able to direct it is a gift that I once took for granted, but as many of my peers and supporters made me realize that gift is something many people can’t really say is easy to come by. My ability to relate to all demographics helps me in so many ways and has given me the ability to mix imagination with relatability.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the finished product. Growing up I’ve always been the man of few words but with so much to say, becoming a Creative Director has given me that platform to finally be heard thru the projects I have worked on. Being able to see something that I imagined in my head come to life on screen or thru a photo is so rewarding because it says what I have to say is being heard, respected and admired.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The beginning of my entire career as a Creative Director was a whole big pivot. Before I was HitSquadOG the creative I was originally HitSquadOG the football player, since the age of 8 my place of business was a football field or weight room. Making it all the way to the college level I soon realized the business side of the sport I grew up loving and in all honesty it was a dark story from dealing with injuries, coaching changes, and unfair political practices; as I got to the end of my football career my childhood best friend and fellow creative __Scope reached out to me and would ask for my input on projects he would be working on while I was away at college, after a full year of just be an advising voice he made me realize what he had me doing this whole time was an actual career and from there I became the Creative Director that I am known to be today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitsquad_og/
• Youtube: @maxraymond1680

Image Credits
@__Scope @Purplemountains