Representing the Boogie Down, Spanish Ran shares his New York favorites and how he soaks up the simple pleasures of a city where even the quietest corners feel alive.
Bronx-based Spanish Ran keeps his city time low-key and high-vibe. The producer behind cuts with Ab-Soul, Al-Doe, Bun B, and UFO Fev invites us into his version of the city. This New Yorker values the little things: good food, stimulating art, and spending time with the people he loves most. From a coffee shop in Lower East Side that feels like home, to browsing crates in Donimo Park, to his ideal day in the city that spans Harlem to the Village — this edition of How to Be Outside is one to bookmark.
Okayplayer: When you want to be “outside” without being OUTSIDE, where do you go in NYC?
Spanish Ran: I slide over to Café Colmado on the Lower East Side. It’s one of those rare New York spots that still feels alive but not loud — like you can be around people, music, and energy, without losing your peace. You walk in and it hits different — the smell of fresh espresso mixed with that warm Latin soul. The walls feel like home: old photos, records, and that soft hum of conversation that reminds you of a block gathering, not a café chain. It’s the kind of place you can post up for hours — sketch ideas, being inspired, and chop it up with strangers who feel like cousins.
Photo by Llesenia Rodriguez.
Where do you go when you want to be around people, but not overwhelmed by crowds?
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I head out to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s one of those places where the energy’s always moving, but you can still find your pocket. You might catch me walking along the waterfront by Domino Park, or flipping through records at Face Records — just soaking up the vibe without feeling boxed in.
What does your perfect NYC day look like, from morning to night?
My perfect day in the city starts uptown — early morning gym session to get the blood moving, clear my head, and set the tone. After that, I hit Inwood Farm for breakfast with my wife — quiet corner table, black coffee, maybe some pancakes or eggs while the sunlight hits the windows just right. From there, I hop on my bike, and my wife and I ride downtown. That ride's therapy — Harlem to the Village, feeling the city shift block by block. You see the skyline change, the noise, the people — it's like watching New York breathe.
By the afternoon, I'll cool out, catch a movie - something indie, something that makes me think. Then I end it off at the MoMA Design Store, picking up a few artsy pieces or books for the apartment. I like having my space feel inspired — little things that remind me of how much culture this city holds. It's simple but balanced — movement, food, art, and a little solitude inside all that New York energy.
