Khia Jackson Interview | Respect the Founder
Interview was curated by Abby Lee Rose
Hi! My name is Khia!
I'm the owner, designer and all around do-girl for the brand The 1998 Deck. To tell you a little more about my project: The 1998 Deck brings the iconic rap wars of the '90s to your kitchen table. Designed for true spades enthusiasts, this card collection features six decks celebrating the biggest rivalries and legends of '90s hip hop. From the infamous beefs of Biggie vs. Tupac (with decks titled Who Shot Ya? and Hit 'Em Up) to Nas vs. Jay-Z (featuring Ether and Takeover), each deck captures the intensity and drama of rap's golden age.
The collection also includes Nolanta, a deck that pits New Orleans against Atlanta, and a Dancehall deck showcasing Jamaican icons like Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton.
This isn’t just poker or spades—it’s a journey through hip-hop history. Shuffle the deck, deal the cards, and let the legendary battles of the '90s unfold. Play cards with the Gods of Rap!
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
I don't think I had a choice. Art has been a passion of mine since I was aware it exists. It may sound cheesy but I just don't feel comfortable if I'm not creating. The first thing that caught me was an art teacher I had. I was living in the caribbean and he taught us how to draw two palm trees on two humps of sand with a few coconuts but drawing some simple shapes. I was mesmerized. I haven't stopped creating from that moment.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
I cry, pout, whine, moan, take a nap, fade out in front of Netflix...I take all the time I need then I get back to work. What choice do I have? What else am I going to do with myself?
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
My mom and dad. My mom just believes in herself. She taught me by example to just start something and the path will appear. I've seen her make amazing things happen. My dad is just this cool interesting guy who lived life on his own terms and was really successful at it. Two very glamorous people. They defined freedom for me.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
I look at my everyday responsibilities as part of the dream. Now this doesn't always work, but I tend to look at feeding myself, paying my bills, reading instructions as building blocks to the entire dream. So in effect your life is the dream, some parts are just more fun than the others.
Now, this technique fails miserably when it comes to doing my taxes. But other than that...lol
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
As I've gotten older I've made my life more flexible for myself. It allows me to not do things when I feel negatively about them. I used to just knuckle down and get through it, which was really unpleasant and stressful. But if I'm doing something I dont feel sure about I step away from it and try to work on what is causing the doubt before I get back to it.
When there is something so urgent that I can't do that, usually i'm too busy or pressed for time to allow myself to even entertain the the self-doubt.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
Got a job working for a famous person in New York years ago. I would take the chinatown bus for hours from my city to Manhattan. I did that like 6 times. I was pretending that I was way more important than I am, and i just HAPPENED to be in NY, and 'let me check my schedule', sure I can slip out of me meeting and swing by the office. How does 3 sound?'. I would catch the subway til i was a few blocks away and hop in a cab to pull up to the front door. The truth was I was being tortured on these bus trips. I would get out in Manhattan miserable with my bladder ready to burst (i refused to use the bus bathroom! eew!) dragging my dry-cleaning along with me. It was the most NYC faking it til you're making it-est story ever told. But it worked! Got the job, more than doubled my salary and have a few wild stories under my belt for dinner parties.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
I think about the future a lot. Probably a little to much, if I'm being honest. It the times that I'm derailed the image I have painted for myself in the future puts me back on the path. Again, I have to say. What the hell else am I going to do with my life but try?
What dream are you living right now?
I am currently living the dream of using my design skills to look after my family. That makes me happy. I also created a product that uses pop culture and everyday items to send a message to my community. The message mirrors 'The Rose that Grew from Concrete' - by Tupac Shakur.
The 1998 Deck depicts rappers as kings and queens that you can play at your kitchen table. I discovered that a lot of those rappers test at a genius level. Biggie, Snoop Dogg, Jay Z. Missy skipped several classes. A lot of them are overlooked for their brilliance because we don't respect the vehicle that is hip hop. But this is what brilliance is when it grew out of the concrete, and this is what means to make everything out of nothing. If they look and act like you it stands to reason that you have it in yourself as well, right?
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?: Each and every idea and point of view is a valuable one, and one that is necessary for the earth to turn. Don't doubt yourself and do the thing. And always do it in a manner that makes you feel the most happy and excited possible.
Photography credit: Photograph ( green): Derek Allen @everybodylovesBamm
Photograhs "WhoShotYa_LaidOut_The1998Deck.png" & " WhoShotYa.png" : Vurde Brand
Website: http://www.The1998Deck.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/the1998deck
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/The1998Deck
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