Jet Life Lounge RAW Edition 2018: A Retrospective Tribute
In February 2018, Los Angeles was alive with energy. NBA All-Star Weekend was in full swing, and the city became a melting pot of music, sports, cannabis culture, and creativity. At the heart of it all was the Jet Life Lounge: RAW Edition—a collaboration between Curren$y, Jet Life Recordings, and RAW Papers, hosted at Hitman Coffee Shop.
This wasn’t just an event. It was a cultural landmark—a convergence of artists, fans, and tastemakers that embodied the true spirit of independent hustle and lifestyle branding.
🚀 The Opportunity
The stars aligned when I landed this opportunity through my work in the music festival scene. The call came with less than a week's notice, and while 5th Quarter Digital was still in its early concept phase, this moment felt like divine timing.
It was a whirlwind, from booking last-minute flights to coordinating logistics (shoutout to Airbnb and car rentals) and locking in the camera gear. I met with my Jet Life Snacks contact and his team at WeWork in Hollywood for a pre-event rundown. The mission was clear:
Capture Curren$y in action
Film an exclusive interview about Jet Life Snacks
Document the entire vibe of the event
DIY spirit was in full effect: one Sony cam, a backup phone setup, and pure creative drive.
🎤 The Main Event
When I arrived at Hitman Coffee Shop, it was wall-to-wall culture. Curren$y, Cornerboy P, T.Y., Trae Tha Truth, MadeinTYO—all under one roof. The air was thick with excitement (and smoke), and everywhere you turned, there were fans repping Jet Life and RAW.
Curren$y moved through the crowd like a pro, cool and focused. I captured it all: merch signings, crowd reactions, and moments of authentic connection—including him autographing a leather Jet Life basketball that I made sure to document up close.
The highlight? The on-site interview with Spitta. Despite the chaos of a live event, we got it done, covering everything from Jet Life Snacks to his creative process. And in true Curren$y fashion, he blessed us with unscripted gems, sealing the vibe of the day.
Another unforgettable moment: Trae Tha Truth’s Bumpboxx entrance. Before long, Curren$y and I were rapping side-by-side to "On Gs," the camera rolling as we mirrored each other's energy. Pure magic.
📝 Why This Moment Matters
This wasn’t just another party. It was a moment in time that captured the ethos of a movement.
And yet—search for "Jet Life Lounge RAW Edition 2018" today and you’ll find barely a trace: a flyer, a few Instagram posts, a short recap video. No deep dives. No official archive.
That’s why I’m writing this now: to preserve a moment that deserves recognition and respect. As creatives and cultural workers, it’s our responsibility to document, celebrate, and archive these milestones.
💡 Lessons & Legacy
Looking back, this experience taught me a few key lessons:
The power of digital documentation. Without it, cultural moments risk being forgotten.
DIY spirit wins. Even without a huge production crew, passion and preparation can deliver lasting impact.
Culture is bigger than any one event. It’s the sum of the people, the energy, and the shared experience.
This event was a turning point for me as a Creative Leader and shaped the foundation of 5th Quarter Digital’s mission: to ensure no iconic brand moment fades into obscurity.
✊ A Salute to the Culture
Jet Life Lounge RAW Edition 2018 was more than a gig—it was a culture-shifting experience. Whether you were there or just discovering it now, I hope this retrospective brings the moment back to life and cements its place in digital history.
Stay tuned for exclusive footage, photos, and behind-the-scenes gems we’ll be rolling out as part of this tribute.
Here’s to keeping the culture alive—documented, celebrated, and unstoppable.
#JetLife #Currensy #JetLifeLounge #RAWpapers #AllStarWeekend #CulturePreserved #5thQuarterDigital