Minnesota’s Own Partners with Topps

Topps has introduced Project 70 with this context, “Topps celebrates 70 Years of baseball cards with a new program that pushes boundaries while paying homage to our heritage. Founded in 1938 as a chewing gum company, Topps released their first baseball card set in 1951. Now seven decades later, artists and creatives around the globe are revisiting and reimagining 70 years of iconic baseball card designs, each selecting their own MLB players and Topps designs to craft a unique story.”

Participants for Topps Project 70 come from many different mediums, and that couldn’t be more evident than with Minnesota’s Scott Keeney. The 37-year-old known as Dj Skee, launched Dash Radio, and has partnered with Grammy winning artists as well as some of the biggest brands in the world. He’s also a sports fan and heavily involved in the world of trading cards.

I recently caught up with him regarding his involvement in Project 70.

Twins Daily: Let's start with baseball as a whole. You're from Minnesota but we're a kid when the Twins won their two World Series titles. What does your background and experience as a fan look like? What are some of your favorite memories at the Dome or Target Field?

Dj Skee: I moved to Minnesota as a kid in late 1990… luckily for me, the 1991 Twins happened. This was my catalyst into being a sports fan in general. Our childhoods set the stage for the rest of our lives, and experiencing the energy is what ignited my passion and love for all sports that has become a huge part of my life, and now bled into my work. The obvious best memories without question would be the '91 World Series. My dad took had us in center field game 6 and we watched Kirby make that catch, before watching the home run land 5 rows in front of our seats. Game 7 was even more magical. I wanted to be a catcher, and Bryan Harper threw me his batting gloves before the game (I have them still- and a picture of him throwing to me!). Watching the historic inning to the greatest World Series in person was unlike anything else, and I remember crowd surfing as a 7-year-old after the win (and it being the loudest noise I ever heard!). Besides this though, my favorite memories were just generic games in the 90s- I'd always try to be the first person in the stadium, usually sitting in the left field bleachers (they were open seats, so I tried to sit right at the foul pole) and trying to catch BP home runs.

At Target Field I have two great memories: 1) Throwing out the first pitch (lifelong dream) and 2) DJing between every inning during the Playoff game in 2019 (even though we lost, it was electrifying and one of my favorite gigs ever).

TD: Where do cards come in? Has collecting and the hobby been something you've always been passionate about? What are some of your favorite cards, and what would be some of the favorites you own?

DS: Absolutely. My first entrepreneurial endeavor was selling cards in my garage! After the '91 World Series I became obsessed with sports and cards and used to live in the local card shops. Obviously, everything Minnesota was my passion: Kirby, KG, etc., but I also loved Ken Griffey Jr., MJ, and all the icons of that era. I loved the Topps Finest sets of 93/94, as well as Stadium Club- but was into pretty much everything! Currently, my favorite cards are all the Kirby rookies I have (around 100 now- all brands), the '98 Upper Deck SP Authentic Moss cards, and Topps Finest KG rookie cards. I also am really big into vintage and just picked up my first T206 cards finally!

TD: Talk about Project 70. What did Topps approach you about, and why did you find yourself excited about the collaboration despite not dealing with traditional print media?

DS: I started a Topps Project 2020 Artist Interview series with them last year where we did livestreams on CardHouse with the artists involved. I was a huge fan of the project in general- especially as someone who started as a remix/mixtape DJ, so conceptually the product was right in my wheelhouse. As I got closer to the Topps team, I told them ideas I had and said if there was ever an opportunity that made sense to work on together, I would be down- and they mentioned Project 70. The rest is history!

https://twitter.com/djskee/status/1362084349215080450

TD: I believe checklists for each artist will differ somewhat. What are some of the things you're most excited about with your subjects and is there any specific idea that you can't wait for collectors to see?

DS: I am so excited because I get to tie my two passions- sports and music- together in a tangible product. My entire series will be themed around music and in-essence "remixing" or creating album and mixtape inspired themes that relate to all the players in a variety of ways. I've gone super deep on who to use and what music/artist/album to pair the cards with… true baseball fans and collectors as well as music heads are really going to flip out on some of the concepts. I also am creating a curated music show playlist for each card that will only be accessible through a special QR code on the back of each card! Since I am talking to a Twins fan and someone from Minnesota, the flagship product in my set will probably be your favorite card in the entire series… you'll know it when you see it later on this year, but there also will be several other non-traditional MN tie ins you see throughout the series!

TD: Did you follow Project 2020 from Topps? How did you feel that went if so, and how do you foresee Project 70 differing?

DS: I loved it- from the moment I heard about it, I thought it was such an incredible and relevant idea for today. The artists they had were amazing, and the evolution and energy behind the entire series was so fun to watch! I'm even more excited about P70 not only because I am in it, but because you will see so much variety as we aren't tied down to 20 specific cards. The elements of mixing players with different years are going to bring out such creative products, I personally am going to try to collect the whole set , haha!

TD: We've had innovation in terms of game used materials placed within cards, as well as autographs. What do you see as the next opportunity for hobby growth either from product or companies?

DS: Two areas: digital collectables and memorabilia. Cards will open the door for many other alternative investments, and as people get priced out of certain items- like game used RPA's etc. that go for so much- they will turn to the actual game used items, which seem cheap compared to cards that feature a sliver of them. Someone will figure out digital collectables too. We are seeing the first wave with NBA Top Shot and this type of item will evolve into something major for the next generation who don't have the same ties we do to physical items and are used to spending significant money in games like Fortnite on digital goods.

TD: Let's wrap with the Twins. Chicago took things up a notch this offseason and the rivalry should be great in 2021. How does the year go for Minnesota and who's the team MVP?

DS: It is- but let's be real, the Twins are still a superior team for the moment. I actually watch every single Twins game (and probably read your Twitter posts more than anyone to stay up to date from LA!) and am so excited for a full season again- hopefully with fans at some point. Last year was strange for so many reasons and it just didn't feel right at any point. For 2021, more than anything I hope everyone can stay healthy. There is no one as exciting to watch as Byron in CF, and if he can stay healthy, I think he takes the honor in a tight race between a (hopefully healthy) Josh Donaldson, the future AL batting champ Luis Arraez, a balanced Sano, healthy Polanco, or electrifying Kepler… man the team is stacked when you say it out loud. I also really hope we get to see not only Kirilloff but Nick Gordon (who is due and finally healthy!) and maybe even Royce at some point. Most importantly, let's get a playoff win!!

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