Steven Victor on cars, culture, and creative alignment

American rapper Pusha T’s manager, Steven Victor, recently became a member of Tokyo’s exquisite Magarigawa racetrack. Located in the mountains of Chiba, Japan, it is Asia’s first private driving club and the ultimate race spot for Ferrari collectors. An avid Ferrari enthusiast, Victor’s automotive passions are secondary to his reputation in the creative industries. As the founder of Victor Victor Worldwide and a key executive force behind G.O.O.D. Music and Def Jam, the Haitian-American manager and A&R has helped guide the careers of artists including Pop Smoke, Pusha T, and Desiigner while operating at the intersection of music, fashion, and global branding. That influence has increasingly extended into adjacent industries, evidenced by projects such as the Victor Victor x Nike Air Max Dn8, which he released via SNKRS on September 13, 2025. Rather than signaling a break from the past, these moments underscore how cultural power built through music translates into broader commercial and creative impact. In this Jing Daily interview, Victor reflects on automotive culture, creative intuition, and brand alignment. From Ferrari’s uncompromising design philosophy to the ways rap translates aspiration into consumer desire, he offers a pragmatic view on why long-term cultural relevance depends on authenticity, patience, and clarity of vision. Jing Daily: Tell us about your supercar collection. Do you have any favorites, and what was the last car you bought? Steven Victor: The last car I bought was a Ferrari 296 GT3 race car. It’s not as big as I want it to be, so I definitely plan to expand. I’m looking to buy some Nissan Skylines from Japan, and I want to continue racing, so I’ll be getting more race cars. Right now, my collection is mostly Ferrari, but I definitely want to grow it. JD: In your opinion, which automotive brand is winning in culture right now, and why? SV: I think Ferrari does well because they’re very unapologetic in their approach. They don’t try to follow trends. A lot of the time, when they introduce new cars — especially halo or special models — the initial reaction is often more negative than positive. But after a year or two, everyone changes their mind. They have the patience and strength to move forward with their vision without worrying about backlash. They don’t listen to outside noise — critics, press, consumers — none of that matters. What matters is executing their vision. Eventually, that approach always wins. Even when people complain about engine choices or design decisions, they come around. Ferrari just builds beautiful cars. JD: How do you see automotive culture helping rappers translate identity and aspiration into real consumer demand for luxury products? SV: Different car brands have different identities. Some people like cars because they’re expensive and represent success. Others like them for how they look or what they symbolize. Then there are people like me who love how cars drive, how they perform, and their design. Rap is expressive and flashy, just like cars can be. Some people express success through jewelry, others through cars. Whether it’s a Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Rolls-Royce, it’s all a form of expression. There are so many layers to why people are into cars, and that crossover with rap culture feels natural. JD: How do you advise artists to think long-term about brand alignment, especially when luxury partnerships can shape their public image for years? SV: Ideally, you collaborate with brands you already use or aspire to use. But sometimes an opportunity comes along that can massively expand your reach. In those cases, it’s worth doing your research. Even if you don’t use the product now, you might find that the company’s values align with yours. Luxury partnerships can have a lasting positive impact, so you should strongly consider opportunities that help you grow as long as the alignment is real. JD: Do you have a favorite moment in popular culture that combines your love of cars and music? SV: I love car movies — Rush, Fast & Furious, the F1 films. But honestly, my favorite moment is my own car show with Nike. Even if someone else had done it, I’d still say it was amazing. That’s just my honest answer. JD: You’ve spoken about traveling to Japan often. Do you have any favorite spots in Tokyo that tend to inspire you creatively? SV: Honestly, all of it. I just walk for hours. But recently, I joined Magarigawa — it’s an invite-only racetrack about 40 minutes outside Tokyo. I have to complete driving tests before I can race there, but it’s incredible. JD: What does music’s relationship with luxury and advertising look like in 2026? SV: I think it’ll be the same as it’s always been. Music is the soundtrack to everything. Even brands like Hermès or Chanel, whether they admit it or not, are influenced by music culture. Music influences fashion, design, and creativity across the board. Designers are always listening to music while they work. It’s always been that way, and it always will be. Sometimes music influences fashion more, sometimes fashion influences music — it ebbs and flows. But music culture is always at the center.

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Steven Victor on cars, culture, and creative alignment