Peace, listeners, HB•R is back with a brand new 10-episode season and a new host, Senior Editor Robert Marshall. Don’t worry, our format hasn’t changed, we’re still HYPEBEAST Radio‘s all-encompassing conversational podcast, where guests from all walks of street culture dive into their upbringing, accomplishments, pitfalls, industry perspectives and so much more.

For episode 52, we sat down with conceptual artist Daniel “Dan Life” Jacob, best known to our readers for his Swarovski’d-out Air Jordan 1 sculptures and wearables. Stopping by our office on his way back to California after spending the weekend out in Sag Harbor, Long Island exhibiting his newest collection of crystalized pieces, the Chicago native breaks down just exactly how he went from flipping wine on eBay at 12 to commissioned work for international celebrities.

During our 30-minute chat, Dan tells us about his ”somewhat strict but also lenient” upbringing in suburban Chicago, where his whole family took classes together at the Art Institute. From there we learn about his teenage years selling everything from Livestrong bracelets and wine, to fine writing instruments and home decor pieces on eBay, which led to a client base of wealthy art lovers from around the world for the then 19-year-old .

Quickly realizing ”eBay reseller” wasn’t exactly the career he wanted to bring into his 20s,  Dan had an epiphany, “I need to just start something myself, like do something cool. I have a lot of wealthy clients, I was like ‘what can I do that I like?’” Turning to childhood passions for collecting gems and experimenting with art, Dan soon began producing crystalized sculptures, starting with a pink panther.

From there, Dan’s Life took off. For the rest of the interview we talked about becoming an artist over a brand, how to choose the proper gallery to exhibit one’s artwork, blessing J Balvin with a custom piece, wanting to collaborate with KAWS, and so much more.

Enjoy the episode, then go follow Dan Life on Instagram. Also, be sure to like and subscribe to HYPEBEAST Radio and HB•R on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Overcast or wherever else podcasts are found, and please, don’t forget to leave a review.