Nostalgia (Hakeem Rowe)
Nostalgia (Hakeem Rowe)
Hakeem alongside Bryan Gallagher with his All-County Linebacker Award
Hakeem Rowe, known by the moniker Nostalgia, is an American musician, photographer, fashion designer, model, and artist. He grew to prominence after being featured on numerous occasions on Adam22's No Jumper vlog. Hakeem is currently based in Los Angeles, California.
Early Life and Athletic Success
Hakeem grew up in Boonton, New Jersey, a suburb that is 30 miles west of New York City. He attended Boonton High School where he was a standout athlete. Playing linebacker for his school's football team under the tutelage of head coach Bryan Gallagher, Hakeem led his squad with 11.6 tackles per game and earned All-County and All-State Honors. In addition, Hakeem was a member of his school's basketball team. He graduated high school in 2014.
After High School and Move to California
Hakeem throwing back a shot of Courvoisier
Initially, Hakeem intended to play football in college but failed to attain a sufficient Math SAT score to be academically qualified to do so.
Knowing that he did not want to stay in North Jersey, Hakeem was in between whether to move to New York City and California; he ultimately decided to move to the West Coast in order to be forced to fend for himself rather than have the comfort of home a short distance away. Hakeem bought a one-way ticket to San Diego and slept on his friend's couch for over a year while he found work in the area.
Living in Los Angeles and Rise to Prominence
Hakeem and friends outside the ONSOMESHIT store
In 2017, Hakeem moved to Los Angeles, California and found employment at a clothing store on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax section Fairfax Distict. By chance, he happened to work next to the ONSOMESHIT store where Adam22's No Jumper Podcast is recorded. Hakeem first met Adam in March and by the summer was a mainstay on a number of No Jumper Vlogs. Being featured on No Jumper bolstered Hakeem's social media presence and as of July 2017, he has over 2,200 followers on Twitter and almost 10,000 followers on Instagram. [1]
Artistic Ventures and Upcoming Projects
Hakeem's Instagram aims to capture his aesthetic vision
Hakeem is involved in the Los Angeles Underground Scene and is pursuing several artistic endeavors.
In the realm of music, he works under the name Nostalgia and his first project, The Olajuwon Ep, is slated to be released in the summer of 2017. He says the inspiration behind his moniker is that he often feels like he is living in the past and is trying to process the events that happen to him; the name Nostalgia reflects the state of mind he most identifies with.
Hakeem's Instagram, which is also under the name Nostalgia, features photoshoots he has with a variety of personalities including Lena The Plug, Adam22, Warhol.ss, Post Malone, Lil Peep, and more. In his Instagram, Hakeem attempts to express a certain aesthetic that shows his appreciation of attention to detail and balance of colors. [1]