Illegal Civilization Explained

Illegal Civilization
Industry:Skateboarding, media
Founder:Mikey Alfred
Products:Clothing, accessories, skateboards, videos

Illegal Civilization, also known as IC or Illegal Civ, is an American skateboarding company and movie studio founded in North Hollywood by Mikey Alfred. The brand produces clothing, accessories, skateboards, and videos. Outside of skateboarding, Illegal Civilization produces music videos, documentaries, and original short films.[1]

Illegal Civilization is affiliated with the hip-hop collective Odd Future. They filmed documentaries following the creation of Tyler, the Creator's albums Wolf and Cherry Bomb.[2] [3]

Founder Mikey Alfred was a co-producer on Jonah Hill's debut film Mid90s, and the film featured Illegal Civilization skate team members Sunny Suljic, Ryder McLaughlin, Olan Prenatt, Kevin White and Na-Kel Smith.[4]

History

The company was founded in 2008 by Mikey Alfred and his friends. Initially, they filmed skate videos and handed out t-shirts around North Hollywood. When Alfred was 15, skateboarder and rapper Na-Kel Smith introduced Alfred to Tyler, the Creator, and Alfred became Odd Future's personal videographer. Alfred passed out merchandise and DVDs while on tour with Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean, and Illegal Civilization began to gain recognition.[5]

In 2016, the skateboard distributor Baker Boys Distribution began distributing Illegal Civilization merchandise.[6]

In 2020, Illegal Civilization released the critically acclaimed Godspeed (2020) skate video directed by Davonte Jolly. After the release of Godspeed, IC turned Alex Midler, Kevin White, and Zach Saraceno pro.[7]

In May 2022, Alex Midler, Kevin White, and Zach Saraceno all quit illegal Civ after not being paid for over a year.

Filmography

In 2017, Illegal Civilization released a short film starring Mac Miller.[8] Later that year, they began releasing their original mini-series, Summer of '17, starring Illegal Civilization members alongside cameos from rappers Tyler, the Creator and Aminé.[9]

Feature films

Short films

Mini-Series

Collaborations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mikey Alfred & Malcolm Washington, Director/Producers. Toofanian. Rana. WestwoodWestwood. 2019-03-28.
  2. Web site: Watch Tyler, The Creator And Illegal Civilization’s Cherry Bomb Documentary. Dandridge-lemco. Ben. May 30, 2017. The FADER. 2019-03-28.
  3. Web site: Illegal Civilization's Mikey Alfred Talks About His Plans To Conquer The Film World. Starling. Larkin. March 8, 2016. The FADER. 2019-03-28.
  4. Web site: From skateboarding to Hollywood, Mikey Alfred dreams big. Ducker. Eric. October 10, 2018. Los Angeles Times. 2019-03-28.
  5. Web site: Illegal Civilization is more than just an LA skate crew. DeMarco. Nicole. Sunnucks. Jack. March 13, 2019. I-D. 2019-03-28.
  6. Web site: Illegal Civilization Joins the BBD family! « Blog « Bakerboys Distribution. June 15, 2016. bakerboysdist.com. 2019-03-28.
  7. Web site: 2020-12-27. Midler, White, & Saraceno Are Now Pro for Illegal Civ ⋆ SKATE NEWSWIRE. 2021-05-17. SKATE NEWSWIRE. en-US.
  8. Web site: Mac Miller Stars In Illegal Civilization Short Film. Carey. Jonathan. June 23, 2017. HotNewHipHop. 2019-03-28.
  9. Web site: Mikey Alfred tells the story behind Illegal Civilization’s new film, Summer of ’17. Kochhar. Nazuk. December 7, 2017. The FADER. 2019-03-28.
  10. Web site: Meet Mikey Alfred, the filmmaker building a media empire alongside Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator. Jones. Taylor. March 30, 2017. mic.com. 2019-03-28.
  11. Web site: IC2 Out Now. September 2, 2014. TransWorld SKATEboarding. 2019-03-28.
  12. Web site: October 8, 2018. IC3 Premiere. 2019-03-28. TransWorld SKATEboarding.
  13. Web site: Members of Illegal Civilization will appear in three episodes of HBO’s Ballers. Hussein. Wandera. September 5, 2018. The FADER. 2019-03-28.
  14. Web site: Illegal Civilization's Mikey Alfred on Working With Frank Ocean, Kanye West and His Apparel Line. Chin. Mallory. March 8, 2017. HYPEBEAST. 2019-03-27.
  15. Web site: Lil Wayne Launches 'Tha Carter V' Limited Merch Collection. Cowen. Trace. September 26, 2018. Complex. 2019-03-28.
  16. Web site: DeMarco . Nicole . 2019-03-13 . Illegal Civilization is more than just an LA skate crew . 2022-03-13 . i-D . en.