Lo-Life tells the remarkable true story of the Lo-Lifes’ OG founder, Rack-Lo, aka George Billips, who, at a young age, simultaneously formed an infamous Brooklyn street crew and introduced high fashion to street life. Now a veteran of a near-fatal gangster lifestyle, his story transformed into one of self-determination, culminating in a career as a successful fashion entrepreneur.
Rack-Lo was deep into street life in the late 1980s, when he united teenage crews from the notorious Brownsville and Crown Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn to found the legendary gang Lo-Lifes, who made a name for themselves dressing head to toe in highly coveted Ralph Lauren’s Polo brand clothing—or “Lo.” They acquired this “preppy” fashion by any means necessary: stick-ups, shoplifting, and hustling.
What started as an informal gang uniform, organized around clean designs and bright colors, became a devotion to a lifestyle brand, and eventually created an association between street-level crews and the luxury brands that would fundamentally change the pop culture foundation of the fashion industry. Rack-Lo’s personal testimony captures the Lo Life era (1988-2005) like no other.
Presented by Love People Records
17th annual Kensington Day of the Book Festival
The Kensington Day of the Book Festival is a family friendly street festival, held rain or shine, spanning three blocks of Howard Avenue in the heart of historic Kensington. Come meet authors, poets, literary and community organizations. Live music on a few stages, special guest speakers, poetry readings, cookbook demos, children’s program, and much more. Not your average book festival! Now in its 17th year, this festival offers something for everyone! dayofthebook.com