Nestled deep in the South Bronx, the birthplace of Hip hop, resides the Compound. A black-owned creative collective and gallery where Art, Music, Fashion and Sports are fused, inspiring an atmosphere of innovation and creativity. The gallery space, in partnership with Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def served foremost as a brick and mortar art gallery until the COVID-19 pandemic came along affecting businesses alike. Compound has since evolved to become a prolific virtual platform elevating the voice of the culture by any means possible: through art, sport, music, brand partnerships and education. Creating content and experiences both physical and digital that tap deep into every fiber of the culture.
Born in The Bronx and raised in Philadelphia, Compound founder Set Free Richardson is known for implementing his experiences with urban culture into breakthrough ideas. His role in creating the AND1 Mixtapes propelled the AND1 brand into a multi-million-dollar franchise and international sensation. His ability to bring unique and authentic marketing ideas to the table have made him one of the most sought after creatives in the industry working with clients like Nike, Adidas, EA Sports, among many others. Always on the pulse of what’s happening, Set Free has leveraged his ties to various industries to become the creative go-to in the entertainment field and tastemaker to the public. Featured in several national magazines, such as The New York Times, Slam Magazine, Adweek, Huffington Post to name a few, Set Free and the Compound team have become known as a cultural nerve center tapping into big name sports figures, musicians, and artists on a daily basis. Set Free has also evolved into a talented director and has fine tuned directing virtually throughout the COVID-19 crisis working on a multitude of projects.