Rising solo act Preston Pablo has been making major headway across the country after making his debut at just 17 years old. The Juno-Award-winning artist, originally from Timmins, Ontario, is still riding high from his hit single “Flowers Need Rain,” the 2022 radio-hit record with Montreal producer-songwriters Banx & Ranx. The track went viral, reached Top 5 spots around the globe and currently has a staggering 60M global streams. The hype didn’t stop at the quadruple platinum-selling single; Pablo has been continuing to grab momentum touring across Canada and capturing new audiences with releases like “AY AY AY,” “For Keeps,” “Believe,” and his latest smash single, “Dance Alone.”
Pablo became interested in music at a young age. He taught himself to play guitar and drums, and by his teens he was writing and recording his own songs. In his senior year of high school, he released his debut single “OMO,” which went viral…and the rest is history. Since signing with 31 East/Universal Music Canada back in 2021, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been racking up the streams and homing in on what he describes as a “modern vintage” style.
“It’s a blend of pop and R&B with a different twist,” Pablo says. “But I’m keeping all of the doors open."
Blending styles doesn’t apply only to his fresh perspective on pop and R&B; it also applies to Pablo’s own personal sense of style. In fact, the 23-year-old is seen as one of Canada’s most stylish young music talents.
“I feel like my personal style revolves heavily around comfort. What I’ve learned is that I look my best when I’m comfortable and confident in what I’m wearing,” Pablo recently told Complex Canada. “I lean towards clothing that’s loose or baggy fitting but very proportionate to my body.”
Throughout his short career so far, Pablo’s personal style has become a big part of his image, and he’s been showing us a thing or two about what it means to truly show out in sneakers that turn every outfit into an photo worthy moment. Need proof that he has rocked his fair share of fire fits? We asked Pablo to show us how he would style one of PUMA’s most memorable shoes.
“PUMA Easy Riders are a…vintage-looking sneaker, which is exactly what I look for in an everyday type of shoe,” says Pablo. “There are tons of colourways, which makes it an easy sneaker to incorporate into your wardrobe. They’re versatile and can be used for many different outfit combinations."
“One of my favourite outfits to wear is a pair of shorts and a long-sleeve top,” he adds. “I would grab a pair of red Easy Riders, pair them with a pair of jean shorts and add some white socks and a white flowy long-sleeve top, preferably with a collar."
PUMA’s Easy Rider was born in the late ’70s, when running made its move from the track to the streets, but the silhouette has made a serious comeback since it was rereleased earlier this year as part of PUMA’s “Rewrite the Classics” campaign. The retro sneakers are one in a string of rereleases from PUMA’s vast archive that are designed to turn heads while staying true to the shoe’s original design.
Today the Easy Rider comes with fresh colours and retro running vibes, ready to be remixed and reinterpreted by a new generation. Featuring an exaggerated gum sole unit, a textile base and suede leather overlays, the Easy Rider is an easy go-to to help bring a touch of retro style to everyday looks, turning them into Instagram-worthy fits this summer.
“PUMA is one of those brands that I’ve just always known about. It’s such a staple household brand for pretty much everyone,” Pablo says. “It’s one of those brands that’s been cool even when your parents were your age.”
As for Pablo, he plans on continuing to turn out fire fits as he prepares for the next steps in his career. With more music on the way, Pablo looks to continue growing his global fan base in 2024.
“I’ve been taking a lot of time to write new music,” he says. “This year I wanted to refocus and become intentional with what I create. I’ve been making some of my favourite music ever, with people I love. A lot of it is now done and for the first time in a long time I’m super proud and excited to share it with the world.”
We can’t wait to see what’s next.
You can follow Preston Pablo on Instagram at @prestonpablo as he continues to make major headway in the world of R&B and pop music. PUMA’s versatile Easy Rider, $110, which was recently pulled out from the sneaker giant’s archives, is available at select retailers across the country including Foot Locker, as well as online at puma.ca.