The vibe on Saturday, October 22nd, was set at 1100 Broadway. As the designers, models, and show attendees began to arrive, Ape $terling (@ape_sterling) was coolin’ inside his matte grey, Sport Camry, getting ready for what would be his introductory party to the city. With the assistance of local artist and overall badass Swerv O Harold (@swerv_o_harold) and his venue, the NOM-MOC-NI Art Gallery (@nommocni), Ape $terling was ready to present his new mixtape, “LONG $TORY $HORT” through a live performance mixed with a fashion show.

Four local streetwear brands were on full-display on the runway, BACNAF (@bacnafclothing), THE 8SIS (@the8sis), Takeover Brand (@takeover.clothing20), and Orange Noir (@theorangenoir). The outfits ranged from Halloween themed streetwear fits to original one-of-one handmade pieces. The 8-song long event started with L$$ standout, “The Sudds.” The song’s menacing beat and thumping 808’s flowed in perfectly with the slow-tempo, cool and intriguing walk of each model. It made for an atmosphere not felt before in San Antonio’s underground rap scene. A perfect mixture of what can only be described as a “grimey yet sophisticated” type of event. Midway through the event, however, the vibes were drastically changed through the wavy, playful, and sometimes slurry lyrics and beat provided by “Tied Up Freestyle”, a collaboration in L$$ between Ape $terling and $lim Douja. The event concluded with a serious and reflective Ape $terling taking inventory and making amends with old relationships and demons that needed to be shed with the project’s namesake song, “Long $tory $hort.” A memorable lyric, “Moving at high speeds, the more I look at you, the more I realize that it’s not me.”

We caught up with the homie Ape $terling prior to the show to get his thoughts on the new mixtape, the inspiration that sparked the idea of embedding a fashion show within a live performance, his message to the city, and his future endeavors.

Me: What’s good homie. Talk to me, what’s the story behind L$$?

Ape $terling: LONG $TORY $HORT tells a story of hiding from who I really am. In the last few years, I’ve only been perceived at face value. However, as of late I’ve realized that I must be a bit more vulnerable to break out my shell and show people a new perspective of me. L$$ is relatable because WE ALL going through it. The last song of this project explains the last two years of my life. Hence the title of the project. The other songs are just me over talking, HAHA!

Me: Fck that’s deep! Where did the idea to embed a fashion show into your performance come from?*

Ape $terling: The inspiration for the fashion show came from the LV Show that Kendrick Lamar was a part of. I wanted to give it a different flavor by giving local streetwear brands the shine rather than designer. Through the performance people will have a chance to have a real conversation with me and network with the city.

Me: Are you a bit of a Kendrick disciple?

Ape $terling: Respectfully.

Me: Hahaha! Dope man, second to last question. What is your message to the city and local rap community with this event?

Ape $terling: My message would be this…we have so much to accomplish. We can literally be the “New Atlanta.” We have the TALENT, VENUES, and PEOPLE to do it. If we remove the PRIDE and EGO, we will ascend at a much faster pace! Let’s cut ties with the old state of mind and adopt love and support. If one makes it, we all make it. I’m trying to open that door and let my people swarm the industry!

Me: That’s beautiful man. Last question. What’s next for Ape $terling?

Ape $terling: Expect another EP soon and most definitely some a merch rollout for Long $tory $hort. Collabs, content, and overall growth and scaling man. Stay tuned for that! Oh and on November 18th, I will be performing at “Conscious Fest IV” presented by the homies Apollo Black and ConceptTheAstronaut. Finally, I also have a collectables item in the works. Excited for what’s to come to fruition.

Me: Well, thank you for your time Ape $terling. Any last words?

Ape $terling: Shout out WAVEZMOVEMENT, ya’ll really the voice of the culture here in SA! Shoutout my homie, OmiDaHomie, Michaela and HOMEGROWN ENTERTAINMENT baybeh!

Ape $terling’s Long $tory $hort Album Release Party Goes Off!!!