Future’s Dirty Sprite 2 is a cultural heavyweight. Dropping in 2015, the trap classic reshaped the genre, pairing raw grit with aching melodies and hazy lyricism. Its singles went global, its deep cuts became anthems, and the album cemented Future as a superstar while setting the tone for rap’s next decade.
Now, ten years later, Future is reimagining the project with DS2 Remix: The Ballet — a live stage performance debuting at BAM in Brooklyn on Friday, September 19, in collaboration with Grand Marnier.
The Origin:
Grand Marnier wanted to reintroduce its bold mix of cognac and orange to a new generation. But to truly move culture, the brand needed more than just buzz — it needed a fresh way to spark connection. That’s where Team Epiphany came in.
Founded by Coltrane Curtis in 2005, Team Epiphany was the first “influencer agency,” built on the idea that culture is driven by real people shaping the moment in real time — long before social media fully took hold.
Along with its product, Grand Marnier handed Team Epiphany two major tools to fuel its mission: a legacy of staging “grand encounters”—moments where unlikely corners of culture collide to spark something electric—and a cultural heavyweight in Future as the face of the project.
That legacy inspired the big idea: mark the 10-year anniversary of DS2 by merging it with the world of classical ballet.
The Squad:
Great ideas demand flawless execution, especially when the goal is to fuse two worlds as far apart as trap music and ballet. To bring DS2 Remix: The Ballet to life, Curtis and Team Epiphany pulled together a powerhouse crew alongside Grand Marnier.
The lineup itself feels like a “grand encounter”:
- Rene McLean — music executive, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Influence Media Partners/SLANG, as well as a partner in Future’s catalog.
- LaQuan Smith — fashion innovator known for bold, sophisticated designs and fearless use of color.
- Ebony Williams — Emmy-winning choreographer and dancer who’s toured with global pop stars and choreographed films like In the Heights.
“Grand Marnier, Future, BAM, LaQuan Smith, and Ebony Williams were strategically assembled to create something new, innovative, and category-shifting,” Curtis said. “We blew up the mold and challenged all of our partners to collaborate and raise the bar—our consumers deserve it.”
To bring DS2 Remix: The Ballet to life, Rene McLean lined up brand sponsors and strategic partnerships, LaQuan Smith designed couture costumes that reimagined the French ballet silhouette with bold modern flair, and Ebony Williams blended ballet with contemporary choreography. Together, the trio built an experience unlike anything else.
“After partnering with Future on his catalogue, NIL, and his go-forward publishing rights, our next step was straightforward: leverage his natural marketability in luxury categories by identifying synergistic brand sponsors and unique partnerships,” McLean explained. “We turned to Team Epiphany and Grand Marnier—they did just that.”
The Impact:
Even before opening night, DS2 Remix: The Ballet has already made waves across culture and industry. The creators are buzzing with excitement.
“With over 21 years at the helm of Team Epiphany, I’ve been doing this for a while,” Curtis said. “I’ve led other groundbreaking programs in the spirits space—Moet’s Rose Lounge, Heineken’s #Heineken100, Glenfiddich’s Wardrobe 21, Absolut’s Truth Campaign… this is one of those moments.”
Sonia J. Pirolo, Category Marketing Director at Campari Group, echoed the sentiment:
“The Ballet is honestly one of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on for Grand Marnier,” she said. “We’re taking Future’s iconic album that turned 10 this year and reimagining it through ballet—talk about an unexpected remix!”
The Show:
When DS2 Remix: The Ballet premieres tonight at BAM, audiences will witness cultural boundaries being rewritten in real time. The performance blends Future’s iconic tracks with LaQuan Smith’s couture costuming and Ebony Williams’ groundbreaking choreography, all elevated by fresh arrangements from Future’s longtime collaborator DJ Esco — backed by a full live orchestra.
Once again, expect Future to redefine the game.
