From Music to Rugs: Gee’s Creative Evolution Gains Momentum

Nov 29, 2025
5 min read

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Gee, a multidisciplinary artist with a background in music, has found his stride in an unexpected medium: rug making. What started as a creative experiment quickly evolved into a full-fledged business, fueled by passion, strategy, and purpose.

Gee initially began crafting rugs out of curiosity. What started as an art form quickly transformed into a unique business venture as his skills sharpened, and his vision grew. He realized this wasn’t just a hobby, it was a brand in the making.

The shift wasn’t overnight. However, with a music career already behind him and nearly 11,000 Instagram followers from that era, Gee had a digital foundation to build on. Once he began sharing his custom rug designs online, his following exploded. His authentic connection with his audience quickly turned fans into loyal supporters.

Gee credits his success to a blend of identity, grit, and geography. As a Black male artist in the rug-making space, he views his presence as both distinct and intentional. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Black-owned businesses grew by 28% from 2017 to 2021, and creative industries are a significant part of that expansion.

“I make things cool,” he explained. “I make things look better. What people don’t understand about what I’m doing is that it’s not just about making a rug; it’s about how I put everything together.” A study by The Urban Institute found that creative initiatives in marginalized communities can significantly boost economic and social vitality, a concept that resonates with Gee’s approach.

Gee’s time in the music industry taught him how to push through creatively and strategically. “I make rugs faster than everyone else,” he said. While the average person takes between 336 and 504 hours to make a rug, Gee has figured out how to make his designs smaller and zoom in on the visuals, creating the same impact in much less time.

Social media has been a powerful tool for Gee's business. While he calls the internet “Hollywood” and “fake,” he recognizes its potential as a creative platform. After dedicating a full year to studying marketing, trend cycles, and viral content, Gee admitted, “It’s super easy now. I don’t really think about the content at all. I have hundreds of thousands of comments across multiple videos. I just pick one and make it.”

His engagement with his followers is crucial to his brand's success. Gee often asks his audience what rug he should make next. “I’d hop on TikTok and make something that felt right in the moment — whether it was a trending cartoon, a holiday theme, or something random.” This interactive approach keeps his content fresh and his audience engaged.

Gee tags followers in his posts to make them feel seen, which boosts emotional connection. “They want to feel like they matter,” he said. “And with that personal touch, I always have a steady stream of content to share.” According to Harvard Business Review, brands that create emotional connections with their customers enjoy a 306% better customer lifetime value, and Gee’s approach taps directly into this.

More than just rugs, Gee is shifting culture. His brand reflects originality, community, and hustle. No one on the East Coast is doing it quite like him. “I make things cool,” he reiterated. “I’m proud to be at the forefront of something new.”

Although Gee initially downplayed the influence of his environment, he later acknowledged how his surroundings have shaped his work. Currently, he is developing a visual lookbook that highlights small, underrepresented businesses in the Greater New Haven area. “I want to give businesses a platform,” he said. “People don’t know what’s out here in [Connecticut] besides Yale. I’m creating a circuit, a visual ‘rug tour’, where I’ll visit local businesses and trade rugs for their services.”

Through these bartered trades, Gee designs logos for businesses and helps shine a light on local gems. He hopes to distribute the lookbook in area stores and schools to raise awareness for the people and places that make New Haven unique. “If you don’t have a car or phone, or if you just don’t know where to go, you might not realize how much is right here,” he said.

Gee’s creativity has attracted high-profile collaborations. He has worked with Modern Apizza, an iconic New Haven staple, and artist Michael Pollock. He’s also partnered with one of the internet’s top livestream personalities, Kai Cenat. These collaborations have strengthened his credibility, positioning him at the crossroads of art, business, and entertainment.

While Gee recognizes that rug making has deep historical roots, he believes its cultural respect has faded. “It’s way less respected culturally now,” he said. “Everybody’s just doing cartoon characters. But Egyptians, Peruvians — they’ve been making rugs for tens of thousands of years. I’ve done the research.” Gee’s interest in the craft runs deep, as seen in his studies of ancient Persian carpet weaving and the discovery of the Pazyryk Carpet, the oldest surviving carpet.

Despite his success, Gee doesn't subscribe to the typical “grind culture.” “What I do doesn’t feel like work,” he said. “I don’t like perpetuating the ‘hard work’ narrative.” When he feels overwhelmed, Gee listens to his body. “I just stop what I’m doing. I do what feels right. When I need a break, I take it.”

In the next five years, Gee plans to open an automated shop; part creative space, part immersive experience. “It’s going to be like a moving museum,” he said with excitement. “All glass walls. On the other side, machines will be fulfilling orders, creating rugs on full display. Think of it like a candy factory. You can see everything happening, but you can’t touch anything.” His vision blends technology with transparency, allowing visitors to experience artistry in motion.

What keeps him motivated? “We can do all things but fail,” he said, drawing from his deep personal philosophy. Gee is constantly in motion, always seeking new ways to elevate himself. Whether spiritually, creatively, physically, or mentally, he is intentional about growth in every aspect of his life. “I don’t believe in staying still,” he shared. “Every day is an opportunity to be better — to think better, move better, feel better.”

Gee’s mindset extends into all areas of his life. He is committed to unlearning and evolving. “If I only did what worked yesterday, I’d never evolve.” His daily habits reflect his approach: studying ancient cultures for spiritual wisdom, reading marketing books to sharpen his brand, and listening to podcasts on mental discipline and mindfulness. He has even adjusted his diet to optimize focus and energy.

“There’s a blueprint in everything,” he said. “I just look for patterns in nature, in people, in my own behavior. Once I see a pattern, I know where I need to break it or build it.” To Gee, mastery is not a destination but a process of constant refinement, guided by awareness and intention. This hunger for self-betterment is part of what makes his artistry so magnetic.

“I’m not chasing perfection,” he said. “I’m chasing peace and I create best when I’m at peace with myself.”

Gee’s humble beginnings have shaped who he is today. As one of ten siblings, all of whom share a creative streak, Gee credits his family’s resourcefulness and work ethic. “It’s in our blood,” he said. “We find a way. We make a way.”

Gee is not just making rugs. He’s threading legacy into every fiber.