Upendo is a Watts, California native...

As an artist, designer, and lover of life, Upendo’s inspiration is drawn from the streets, sports, music, fashion, friends, political and social issues, pop culture, cartoon characters, and his favorite food - the hamburger. Through hand drawn skills, computer design, and a can of paint, Upendo has developed an original design aesthetic that opened doors to collaborations with Reebok, Nike, Adidas, World Industries, Skateboards, Akademics, Burton, Guess, Gatorade, Columbia/Sony Records, Vh1, Raphael Saadiq, Stones Throw Records, Strong Arm Steady, Black Milk, and Danny Brown. Fonts, verbiage, illustrations, apparel, abstract art and design are combined elements in creating what Upendo calls Graphic Poetry.