Wattup Doe? Liberty's Ghost Lion Ringer Tee

Design by Rob Nerl

The design titled "Liberty’s Ghost Lion" is a multifaceted creation that draws inspiration from various cultural, musical, and geographical elements, primarily focusing on New York and Detroit. At its core, the design features a lion skull engulfed in flames, reminiscent of the Detroit Lions football team and the Ghost Rider comic character, symbolizing a powerful and untameable spirit. The lion dons the iconic crown made famous by rapper Biggie Smalls, reinforcing the lion's status as the "king of the jungle" and mirroring the design's connection to hip hop culture.

A prominent feature is the inclusion of a fist clutching a microphone in the lion's mouth, a nod to the Joe Louis monument in Detroit and an embodiment of the impactful nature of a good hip hop track—striking listeners with the force of a punch. This element also pays homage to the old Smackdown wrestling stage setup, adding another layer of pop culture reference.

The design intends to incorporate a gold ring on the fist, akin to the ring worn by John Stewart, the African American Green Lantern from Detroit. This ring will bear an upside-down M, styled after the Motown logo, cleverly transforming it into a W as a dual homage to Detroit's Motown heritage and a playful reference to WWE's The Miz.

Encircling the lion's skull, the flames also represent liberty's torch, drawing a parallel to New York as the birthplace of hip hop and alluding to the New York Liberty basketball team. The color scheme—blue tones for the fist and warm yellow and orange hues for the lion and flames—echoes the colors of the New York Islanders, Knicks, Detroit Tigers, and adds to the design's visual appeal.

Finally, the entire composition is framed within a diamond shape, a tribute to Jay-Z and adding a layer of sophistication and meaning, symbolizing resilience and brilliance akin to a diamond's qualities.

"Liberty’s Ghost Lion" is not just a design; it's a rich tapestry of symbols and references that celebrates the essence of hip hop, the spirit of Detroit and New York, and the personal identity of its audience.