Hip-Hop has always been about the “AND.”
Beats AND Rhymes, DJ’s AND MC’s, Two Turntables AND a Microphone, Music AND…Rugs?
Seeing this less-than-obvious connection has helped Marshall Fox of Def Rugs combine his love of Hip-Hop with his family’s three generations in the flooring business and his own craftsmanship to carve out a unique place in the entertainment industry. If you follow any rappers on social media chances are you have seen his creations as he has crafted custom rugs for pioneers like Run-DMC to pop culture icons like Snoop Dogg to newcomers like Lil’ Yachty.
Fox has been a Hip-Hop fan since the ’80s and began DJ-ing and producing in the early ’90s. Over the years he has worked with a wide assortment of MC’s ranging from underground legends like Tame One to more well-known acts like Doodlebug of Digable Planets. His focus shifted from music to carpets when he was commissioned to make a custom rug for Erick Sermon (The “E” in EPMD).
Sermon was so impressed with the finished product that he partnered with Fox to form Def Rugs. That partnership has flourished as Marshall has presented custom rugs to a seemingly never ending list of legendary Hip-Hop personalities. Social media has allowed him to share his creations with people unable to make it to his workshop in Ocean Township, New Jersey possible.
Def Rugs is a great example of combining seemingly unrelated passions into a viable business and creating a lane in the entertainment industry that didn’t previously exist. Marshall Fox should serve as inspiration for anybody trying to utilize their talents and skills in new ways to blaze a new trail.
The Pop Break’s Angelo Gingerelli recently got a chance to visit Fox’s workshop and find out more about one of NJ’s best kept Hip-Hop secrets…
How did Erick Sermon get involved? How does that partnership work?
I made an EPMD logo rug for Erick and we hit it off. Now we are partners in Def Rugs.
What’s the most “star struck” you’ve ever been to make a rug for somebody?
I wouldn’t say “star struck,” but a lot of times in my head I’m like “Holy s**t how and why am I here?” It never gets old meeting these MC’s that I grew up listening to. But hanging with Snoop Dogg in his hotel room with his rug was probably the most surreal thing ever. And every time I see DJ Red Alert, we talk about music and my rugs, and I still can’t believe my all-time idol, DJ Red Alert, knows me by name, it always bugs me out.
What’s the strangest request for a rug you’ve ever received? Have you ever received a request that was so crazy you refused to make it?
Not really any strange requests, but some people don’t realize I cut them all by hand. They want some crazy detailed logo or image that is nearly impossible to create a handmade rug with.
(Editor’s Note: Def Rugs is very active on social media and most of the rugs are posted online, but it’s hard to grasp the level of precision and craftsmanship in these pieces without seeing them in person. Check out their Instagram.).
What advice would you give a young person that wants to get into the entertainment industry, but might want to go in through a non-traditional channel like you did with Def Rugs?
My advice is just do what you love. Not for the money, but if your passionate about something and it happens to relate to or enhances the world of music/entertainment just keep doing, and if you think it’s dope that’s all that matters.
If other people like it, that just makes it even better and you can share your passion with the world. Just be prepared to dedicate many years of your life grinding towards your goal, but if you love doing it, it doesn’t feel like work.
What’s next for yourself and Def Rugs?
I just want to keep pushing the envelope of carpet & design while adding my own twist to the family business & the carpet industry. For Def Rugs, we are currently building up our catalog of licensed rugs featuring classic Hip-Hop logos.
Rapid Fire Questions:
5 – Your Top 5 Hip-Hop Logos of all time: Run-DMC, EPMD, Naughty By Nature, Public Enemy and the Nervous Records logo
4 – Your Top 4 Celebrities you’ve met through Def Rugs: I’ve met a lot, but one of the coolest things is being with a complete rap group at the same time with all the members of the group in one picture. So… De La Soul, Public Enemy, Pete Rock & Cl Smooth, Nice & Smooth to name a few…
3 – Your Top 3 Coolest places you’ve seen a rug you made: Warren Buffett’s office, DJ Jazzy Jeff’s studio, Lil Yachty’s living room.
2 – Your Top 2 Toughest Logos to make into a rug: Generally portraits our tougher than logos. The portraits I did of Jon Bon Jovi and Neil Walker from the Yankees were challenging.
1 – One reason everybody should check out Def Rugs: Because it’s like no other!
Fox Floors is located at 3212 Sunset Ave. in Ocean, NJ and you can follow Def Rugs (@defrugs) or Marshall Fox (@marshallfox.fiberartist) on Instagram or at www.defrugs.com
