Peace and love my good people. First off, let me start by thanking you for visiting my site. You are appreciated! I am an author, musician (broadly known as Sicko or Bx Sicko), sketch artist, cartoonist, and clothing designer. From the streets of New York to becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Victory Lift Publishing and Victory Lift Children, and founder of KOMPLX by Ladarius Bleu (clothing line). My goal in life is to leave a legacy, not just behind, but installed in the spirits of creators. Over the years, inspired by my role as a mentor in the New York City public school system, I've helped young men and women find peace in their creative minds. Helping them has helped me be a better leader.
My three beautiful children inspire me daily to pursue my purpose relentlessly. They are my most sacred motivators. I now use my platforms, as a creator, to revive talents in adults and harvest confidence in the young and gifted. I am currently residing in Maryland, enjoying the beauty of life.
Simply put, "Sicko" is Kwame King
aka Kwame The Musician
The tag name "Sicko" once represented the underground hip-hop musician. For decades, Bronx natives and industry professionals addressed Kwame as "Sicko" (the gangster rapper), mostly for his gift as a lyricist and integrity as a street dude. As for where he got the name from, he gave a good explanation in an old article for Spoken Magazine, interviewed by Phil Gates - formerly of Russell Simmons Music Group (RSMG).
French Montana, BX Sicko, Oun-P - BRONX TALES
BX Sicko live at PS 209 - Bronx, New York - "Let It Rain" ft Tony Sunshine
Kwame recorded his first hip-hop single as a solo artist with Tony Sunshine (Fat Joe's Terror Squad own), which was premiered by the renowned DJ Envy on a mixtape called "Sicko The People's Problem."
My love for art began as a pre-teen. I remember raising one of my sketches to the living room light, and the details was so accurate that I had no choice but to acknowledge the gift. I was indeed an artist. But as the years passed, although occasionally sketching a few portraits and painting a few murals for non-profit, the passion for art was fading away. I was focused on other things; like being a parent and maintaining my nine-five, while still composing music and radio streaming on the side. Eventually, I developed a love for writing, which transpired into a desire to become an author. I even had a release date for a book I wrote. Until… along came the pandemic.
The pandemic put a halt to my plans. It was an era where I was forced to shut down and slow down. Granted time to meditate, reevaluate, and recreate. But in that time, I was also dampened and disheartened by the systemic murder of brother George Floyd. It was a tragic loss that brought unity to Black folks. Whether furiously or peacefully, it was a unity like I’d never seen before. And it was in the midst of this very phase - feeling disconnected from a historically bloody America, returning to my apartment where there were loads of hand sanitizer and mixed emotions, that I came up with the name “KOMPLX”.
The name was to emphasize the “complex” that this country was leaving me with: A powerfully conscious complex. One that really began to see things for what it’s worth. For that reason, you’ll find that many of my pieces represent melanin strength and beasty immunity. The logo itself is a black tiger comfortable in its natural habitat. Because truthfully, comfort in our habitat (here on earth) is all we as colored folks want. Otherwise, we will roar.
Over the next few weeks, I placed custom orders through Vistaprint just to see the sentiments of my designs on actual cloth. That's when my vision expanded. I fell in love with the expression my brand would represent. I went on to order a few samples from various vendors across the world, on a quality hunt as a fashionista, which transpired into fabric understanding and vendor relationships. The passion for fashion was intensifying then. Before I knew it, what started off as a t-shirt idea, is now a full catalog of clothing, footwear, and accessories.
- KOMPLX by Ladarius Bleu.
Photo taken by Angle 26 Images
Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook
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Tyler's Little City speaks inspiration to keen imagination. This children's book will have your child operating in the mind of an entrepreneur at a young age.
TYLER'S LITTLE CITY
by Kwame King
In stores June 15th, 2024
For children ages 7-10