After paying tribute to legendary acts like James Brown, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Curtis Mayfield, Supreme NYC will salute the late, great Marvin Gaye with a capsule inspired by one of his greatest works.
On Thursday, the streetwear imprint will drop a range featuring the cover art for What's Going OnâGaye's seminal 1971 LP. The project marked the singer's transition into more socially conscious material, as it addressed themes such as poverty, drug abuse, and the Vietnam War.
"In 1969 or 1970, I began to re-evaluate my whole concept of what I wanted my music to say," Gaye said about the album in a 1971 Rolling Stone interview. "I was very much affected by letters my brother was sending me from Vietnam, as well as the social situation here at home. I realized that I had to put my own fantasies behind me if I wanted to write songs that would reach the souls of people. I wanted them to take a look at what was happening in the world."
The What's Going On art was photographed by Jim Hendin, who shot the image in Gaye's backyard. Supreme's forthcoming capsule will feature the picture on a range of pullover hoodies, tees, a skate deck, and a sticker. You can take a look at the collection in the images below. The items will be available online, as well as the brand's NYC, Los Angeles, London, and Paris locations this Thursday. The capsule will hit Japan on Saturday.
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