Kyren Williams is widely recognized as one of the key pieces to the Los Angeles Rams. The 25-year-old running back signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension in the offseason after being named the 85th-best player in the NFL.
While Williams has experienced his share of ups and downs this season — including a crucial fumble in an overtime loss against the San Francisco 49ers — he has also delivered a strong start overall. To date, he has rushed for 586 yards and three touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry. He ranks ninth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and 10th in touches heading into the Rams’ Week 10 rematch against the 49ers.
Despite the Rams’ roster boasting major names like Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, and Puka Nacua, it’s no surprise that the young star running back was selected for the team’s collaboration on their “LA Bold Collection” with renowned Los Angeles tattoo artist Mister Cartoon.
The LA Bold Collection is a six-piece apparel set that embodies Mister Cartoon’s unique style and his deep connection to Los Angeles culture. Mister Cartoon, a native of LA, has made his mark across various artistic fields—including screen printing, wall murals, and clothing design.
The collection features a snapback hat, short sleeve t-shirt, skull hoodie, coaches jacket, and a clown mask. Known for his influential work in the Los Angeles hip-hop scene, Mister Cartoon has tattooed legends such as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as countless celebrities including 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Justin Timberlake.
“His murals, his artwork, his pieces, the things that he’s able to do with old cars, and how he paints the hoods of cars—it really represents what LA is,” Williams said in a one-on-one interview, reflecting on Mister Cartoon’s legacy.
The well-respected tattoo artist detailed the inspiration behind the LA Bold Collection: “The influence behind the collection was the streets of LA and the colors that make you think of the team. In addition to the unique fonts that have become synonymous with LA, I wanted to make sure they were represented.”
At 55 years old, Mister Cartoon shared insights into his artistic background, which spans graphics, murals, and airbrushed t-shirts. “My background as an artist started with doing graffiti in the harbor area of Los Angeles. I then went to trade tech to study sign graphics. From there, I was painting signs and murals on lowriders, boats, and off-road vehicles,” he explained.
“I started doing album covers for rap groups and became involved in hip-hop culture, doing magazine illustrations. Eventually, I got into tattooing, fell in love with the culture, and started studying the tattoo life and doing tattoos myself,” Mister Cartoon continued.
He added that airbrushing t-shirts one at a time became limiting, so he transitioned into silk screening and designing clothing for various brands. “I continue to challenge myself and explore different art forms, such as fine art canvases and large exterior wall murals.”
Of the collection pieces, Mister Cartoon named the coaches jacket as his favorite. He also noted his history working with a variety of Los Angeles-area sports teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Kings, and LAFC.
Williams, who hails from St. Louis, Missouri, first learned about Mister Cartoon’s legacy and impact on Los Angeles culture after joining the Rams in 2022.
“I didn’t really know much about Mister Cartoon, but I saw a documentary that captured his ability to bring life to his art and represent everyone who’s a part of that culture,” Williams said. “I guess that’s the LA boldness we talk about when collaborating with the Rams. If you look it up, his work is all over the place—tattoo art for big artists, murals on cars, collaborations on clothes, and more.”
Williams echoed the key sentiment that Mister Cartoon’s artwork truly comes alive and resonates with people. “He’s really taking his artwork and expanding it into something bigger than just art. He brings it to life and to what people want to see,” Williams remarked.
Kathryn Kai-ling Frederick, the Rams’ Chief Marketing Officer, shared a similar view on why the collection stands out: “We’re proud to collaborate with Mister Cartoon on a collection that celebrates the culture, creativity, and community that make Los Angeles so special. Dropping the LA Bold Collection alongside our LA Bold game makes this moment even more meaningful. It’s a tribute to the city that inspires us and the fans who bring our team to life. Mister Cartoon was the perfect partner to make this happen.”
To promote the collection, Williams and Mister Cartoon filmed a video set in a barbershop where they get haircuts and watch sports together. When asked which piece from the six-item collection is his favorite, Williams said it’s the mask and the sweatshirt. He explained that the mask represents Los Angeles and Mexican culture, while he loves the detailed stitching on the sweatshirt’s sleeves.
Looking ahead, Williams expressed a personal aspiration to have Mister Cartoon’s artwork permanently on his body. “I want to be able to get his artwork on my body somehow,” he said. “We talked about an old school car. I had to do all the paintwork and paint job on it because I like what he represents. He brings his art to life, and it really captures the culture and vibe of Los Angeles.”
The collaboration between Kyren Williams and Mister Cartoon reflects not only their individual talent but also a shared passion for representing the spirit of Los Angeles through art, culture, and football.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/los-angeles-rams-kyren-williams-talks-about-influence-of-la-bold-collection-and-working-with-mister-cartoon/
