Kenneth Dabney Gives 'Below Average' A Voice With Seven-Track EP

What started as a clothing brand in New Orleans is becoming something much bigger. All thanks to Kenneth Dabney giving the movement a soundtrack.

As Founder and Creative Director of Below Average Clothing, Dabney has built the brand around perseverance, self-belief, faith, and pushing beyond the expectations placed on you. Now, through the release of the Below Average EP, those same principles are finding a new form of expression.

Released in August 2026, the seven-track project brings together New Orleans artists Willhebe, 3dNatee, GreatWhite, MaxxP, Jay Jones, and Kidd Kidd across records including “Purpose,” “Rose,” “Psalm 56,” “Mothers Prayer,” “The Process,” “Little Ole Me,” and “The Benediction”.

Together, the project explores faith, family, adversity, ambition, perseverance, and the journey of becoming.

More Than A Brand, It’s A Mindset

For Dabney, “Below Average” isn’t about limitations. It represents the moment someone is told they aren’t good enough, talented enough, smart enough, or capable enough—and chooses to keep going anyway. That mindset is what connects the music to the clothing.

Rather than simply creating a branded music project, Dabney brought together artists whose experiences reflect the mentality behind Below Average. Their perspectives give the EP a distinctly New Orleans foundation while expanding the brand’s story into music, culture, and community.

The evolution is also visible beyond the studio. In 2026, Below Average hosted a back-to-school car show and giveaway outside its store, distributing approximately 250 backpacks to children while bringing together families, local businesses, organizations, car enthusiasts, and supporters.

The EP and community work represent two sides of the same vision. To create something people can experience, connect with, and carry forward. At the heart of that vision is Dabney’s “BIG GOD little me” philosophy. A faith-driven reminder to stay humble while keeping the mission bigger than yourself.

With fashion, music, storytelling, and community continuing to intersect, the Below Average EP becomes more than seven songs. It is another chapter in a movement built on perseverance and purpose.

New Orleans gave Kenneth Dabney the perspective. Being underestimated gave him the motivation. And now, through Below Average, he’s giving that perspective a sound.

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Minnee is a vibrant Hip-Hop renaissance woman, who has a perfect ear for music and an innate understanding of the genre's deep history and evolution. Her appreciation for the old school innovators of the genre and admiration for the new school trailblazers has seen her rise from a protege and Hot 97 Street Teamer/ Promotions Assistant to content creator, publicist, and entrepreneur. In doing so, she became renowned for her blog posts and ‘Minnee Tells it All’ on air segments. Today Minnee can be found as a sought-after contributing correspondent and journalist to publications such as KAZI Magazine, Hip-HopVibe.com, We Are Jersey Magazine among many others. As a multifaceted media mogul contributing to various prestigious publications, she also keeps her mic warm as a public speaker touching on topics relating to media and marketing. With her hustle, sharp musical acumen, and authentic voice, Minnee has firmly positioned herself as a major movement in the music realm, especially within Hip Hop culture.