By Ismael AbduSalaam
Influential New York DJ Funkmaster Flex has announced a brand new partnership with The Topps
Company to unveil the Funk Master Flex autographed card, the first ever awarded to a DJ.
Topps has remained the leading name in sports cards since debuting in 1938. The company now manufactures cards for Major League Baseball, the NFL, and the NBA.
Also a giant in the confectionary market, Topps’ brand names include Bazooka bubble gum, Rung Pop, Push Pop, Baby Bottle Pop, and Juicy Drop Pop.
Since breaking open New York’s radio market in the early 80’s, Flex has gone on to have one of the most successful DJ careers in Hip-Hop history.
He hosts a decade and counting top rated mixshow on Hot 97 and creates custom cars for companies such as Spike TV and Ford.
Through his extensive brand partnerships, his team the Flip Squad (now the Pitbulls), and memorable parties at New York’s legendary Tunnel venue, Flex helped usher in a new era where DJs could become autonomous entities on the level of their emcee counterparts.
According to Topps Director of Product Development Clay Luraschi, these achievements enticed Topps to secure Flex for the launch of their Mayo Football line, due out next month.
“Funkmaster Flex is an icon in the Hip-Hop world and we’re excited to be able to incorporate him into our new Topps product,” stated Luraschi to AllHipHop.com.” "The autographed Funkmaster Flex cards are sure to be a hot collectible and give fans yet another reason to be excited for our new Mayo Football product coming out in January.”
The Flex card will be included in rare packs of the new line, which is a re-design of the first ever football product from the turn of the century.
The 2009 Topps Mayo Football line will retail for $3 per pack.