Pop. Popp. Poppp.

Porpp. Purp. Puurp.

Puurple...World? Yes.

Have you ever started on a road-trip going one place, and ended up somewhere completely different? Have you ever manifested something far better than you could have ever imagined? From his career path to his craft, to the very name of his company—Nik Popp has always done things differently. A perfect blend of organic authenticity and divine manifestation, the man first known as Puurp—(thanks to his bestie since high school Ben Seitz adding the letter 'r' and a goofy accent to his last name.) And now by the infamously cool moniker Puurple World—has been making this grape, wavy world of videography turn since 2015.

EYES & EDGE: How the hell are you handling COVID-19?

Puurple World: Taking every day, day-by-day. I don't know what to do anymore. Definitely still writing. Just chilling. I've smoked way more weed than I ever have in my life.

E&E: Where are you from? And where do you call home?

PW: Portland, Oregon my whole life. NE Portland my whole life. Grew up NE, went to OSU.

E&E: We recently featured your video, Gucci in the Park on EYES & EDGE, (a super dope, small team crafted joint crafted amidst COVID-19.) It was more fashion focused than a lot of your work--your reputation in the music video world precedes you.) This was way more fashion focused. Gorgeous composition--how did that develop?

PW: It was really organic working with Ashley Walters and Gabby. I didn't expect it to look like that even. It was only supposed to look like BTS, In fact, most of my work is just showing up with no expectations. Shooting, and then coming out with something much greater than I even thought it was going to be.

E&E: Your reputation precedes you in filming music videos, but you really shined with this fashion facing piece. I mean, this easily could have been a fragrance campaign.

PW: Thanks. One of my goals is to get more into filming fashion. Right now fashion is mostly work with my girlfriend, Gabby—a really talented model with an excellent aesthetic eye.

E&E: Oh wow, we didn't know you were dating. That's so dope.

PW: Yeah, there's a whole different level of intimacy creating with someone you're close to. But though she's my GF we each have our own craft.

E&E: We love it. Ok. So exactly when and how did you first start making films?

Gabriella Salazar, (Gabby) in Happy Valentines, a fashion collab by Purple World.

PW: That's interesting and quite the story.

E&E: We got time—let's hear it...

PW: When I went into college, my goal was to be an Astronomer. So I double majored in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering. Did that for a year, had a professor I really didn't like and that made me reevaluate. So I switched over to strictly Computer Science, failed miserably. One day, I picked up my roommate's camera, and realized I didn't want any of that {that I was studying}. So I switched to the closest thing--graphic design. Dropped out. Wasn't my thing--but holding that camera was.

I told myself that if I didn't succeed in one year--I'd go back. I've worked for myself and only myself ever since. It was hard. My mom is Asian, and telling Mom I was going to leave college was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm the only boy and my sister didn't go to college--our culture takes education really seriously.

My mom didn't even believe I was making a living off videos until almost 2 years ago...and I've been at this since 2015. Recently though she got it. It was really heartwarming. It's the greatest moment when you realize that your family truly believes in you.

E&E: We alluded to it in the intro, but how exactly did you form your company, and when did you get your company name?

PW: It's literally a whole other story. You'd have to meet my best friend Ben Seitz--we actually share the same birthday--ha! In college he started calling me Puurp.

E&E: Oh, like Smoke Puurp?

PW: No. Totally different. This guy is one of the funniest people I've ever met. He was clowning and added an 'r" into my last name Popp and a funny ass accent, (diphthong). Sounded like 'Puuuuurp'. He called me by that so much, that my whole friend group started calling me it. And there ya go.

2015 we were Puurple Visuals.

2016 we were Puurple World (when I realized this path would take me around the world.)

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E&E: What's your process like?

PW: It’s all very organic. I follow my first instincts. Everything I do or have done, has always been true to myself. Following my destiny.

E&E: What are your preferred cameras, or ways to capture content? What do you like to play with?

PW: In late 2015 I bought a Sony A7S2 and a 35 millimeter prime lens from one of my best friends. I have been using the same set-up since then. 80% of my films are shot on that setup. But if I get the chance and budget, I will rent or borrow.. It's really about composing a shot though—and knowing your camera. Understand your tools.

E&E: Did you start with video, or do you start with still images and segue into it?

PW: Pretty much knew video was it, and jumped both feet in. The feeling I got of exporting my first video—I just knew. I filmed a college party and did a simple sync to some Hippie sabotage song popular at the time. It was the most exciting feeling—I just knew I had to feel that the rest of my life.

E&E: What's your favorite product/project you’ve made?

PW: Easy. My favorite project was probably the music video, Supply Luh, by Childish Major. It was produced by favorite artist of all time, J Cole. (So I'm hoping at some point he watched this and thought, "damn this is fire.")

E&E: Hit us with the deets on that project.

PW: So, I found Childish Major on Twitter via. some random re: tweet in 2016. And I tweeted at him trying to shoot a video way back before he dropped Woosah. He never replied or said anything—which I get, he’s a busy man.

Then, a year and a half later, my friend Jailin and KJ from Atlanta hit me up. Said he had a friend in town that wanted a video. So we linked and I ended up flying to LA and shooting a video for him. Serendipity. It was manifested through Twitter. Ha! I shot that on a red camera with my best friend Connor Limbocker (DP). He's my dude when I need to create something crazy.

E&E: What inspires you?

PW: It changes so often, sometimes I don't even know until it just is. I love movies, cooking, food, dialogue, being social—but I couldn't pin-point what actually triggers or inspires me. And I know that sounds really corny, but I am just inspired by what is in the moment.

E&E: Are you more about filming, or post production with your craft?

PW: A little bit of both. That unexpected shot that you never thought you were going to get. Wow. But post production, you go through all this footage and it can become a whole different thing. There are times where I plan out the video and every shot, and that’s what it is. Then there are times where you have a moment that is magic and can change the whole scope. Being attentive in the moment is very important in film, because anything can happen.

E&E: Most challenging project you’ve ever worked on?

PW: Probably the Bambi video I shot for the artist, ISSA. Most challenging, but most rewarding. Left at 4 am and had a 9-10 hour drive to shoot in the Alvord Desert. Then drove back returning home around 5 am the next day. That one set of shots took almost 24 hours. I had never done anything like that with other shoots. But the team chemistry and final product made it all worthwhile. I had never experienced team work like that, or such a natural connection. Amazing experience.

E&E: How are you staying balanced on the day today? How are you standing balanced with COVID

PW: Smoking Resin Ranchers.

E&E: What do you do when you hit a creative block?

PW: Shit. I'm still learning right now. To be really honest with you, I just keep shooting until I don't feel a block no more. Like I said, I'm always in search of what inspires me so typically when I find that—it sort of cures my creative block.

E&E: Any other fun hobbies or things you like to do? Traveling? Activities?

PW: Lately I've been making random merchandise for Puurple World. I do it more just for the situation we're in—finding things to entertain me. Cooking food, reading books. I don't know. My fun hobbies really are shooting videos.

E&E: What projects are currently in the works?

PW: The project I’m Currently most passionate about is an album from Portland by a rap artist named Stotle, called The Good Earner. In fact, we just shot one of the songs, Frizzy Braids. It’s out now. It’s a really important project for me both personally and professionally. Not only is Stotle a Portland homie born and raised in NE Portland—the first music video I ever created was for him. He’s an amazing artist, and like family. It’s next level building people you not only respect but love.

The album itself is a drama—the Sopranos, the Godfather all rolled into a hip-hop anthem. With sick visuals of course. I’m very invested in this and can’t wait for people to experience it.

A man as mysterious as the world which is his name, before Puurple World, Nik Popp started life in a totally different direction. Through organic authenticity and what seems to almost be a beautifully pre-penned path, he’s blessing us with beautiful art. And whether it’s the Resin Ranchers, or that elusive thing called destiny—we’re just happy to be part of your world. Thank you for your time, and your art!