History
Mission:
The term ‘coup d’etat’ means ‘a (sudden) blow (or strike) to a state’ and embodies the understanding that life is a blessing and it must be used to create change for the betterment of all of humanity. Art, Fashion, Film and Politics are just some of the mediums we use to achieve a harmonious social equality. Through this site, let us embrace this notion, as we “Live To Change Something” – coup d’etat BROOKLYN
Brand History:
2004
Coup d’etat Brooklyn launched in the Fall of 2004 by Daoud Abeid and Rasu Jilani, serving as an artistic fusion of expression and life philosophy, merged into attention-grabbing designs that everyone- no matter his or her creed, can fully embrace. As a T-shirt line, the first two designs were “Yoda” and “El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.” The original tees were picked up by three of NYC’s most exclusive boutiques: Pieces of Brooklyn, Stackhouse, and Union NY.
2005
In 2005, we bought in the year with the groundbreaking Ali -“Allah is the Greatest” and “Teach the Babies” designs. Artist, Suhail Smith, joined CDTBK as a designer for the brand. Coup d’etat Brooklyn launched it’s site (www.cdtbk.com) soon after.
2006
Coup d’etat introduced both the “Poison Hip Hop” and the “Vote 4 Huey” designs, embarking two of the line’s biggest selling items to date.
2007
In 2007, Spin Magazine featured the “Teach the Babies” T-shirt on the cover of the May 2007 Issue and Complex Magazine featured the M-65 Jacket, in their September 2007 Issue. In another medium, Green Bay Packer running back Ryan Grant wore the CDT Arabian Hoody for an ESPN interview. “Tools of Freedom” “Baby Solider” and “Guerilla Solider” became some of the lines top selling tees that year, bringing the coup to mainstream media.
2008
Superstar musician T-Pain wears the “Dum MCs” T-shirt to the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and Justin Tuck of the New York Giants was spotted wearing the “Teach The Babies” design during an ESPN interview. By way of success, CDTBK launches their online store, introduces coup d’etat Art Collective and collaborates with Afro-Punk for various events throughout New York City. In celebration, the line introduces the Art Collective First Annual Art show, presented by CDTBK at the Sly Art vs. Robot City loft.
2009
Coup d’etat Brooklyn brings in the New Year with the “Punk-N-Paintball” event in collaboration with Afro-Punk, after a successful end of year. Coup d’etat Brooklyn is also stockpiled and worn on BET’s College Hill and Sunshowah Film’s “Shades of Brooklyn Vol. 1,” which premiered on HBO.
