Im strictly here for the networking: explaining the allure of Drake’s pop-up

Nicholas, the connoisseur: You should do it, and youll probably look fly

Under the midday sun, Nicholas Hernandez is standing in line, wearing a black T-shirt, a black hat, with another black shirt flung over his shoulder.

I keep myself cool, Hernandez said in complete contradiction of his wardrobe. I do this often.

This isnt Nicholass first rodeo. The 17-year-old high school student is a pop-up shop connoisseur. If theres a pop-up thats trending or hype, he said, hes there. Its also a business. He buys multiple of everything and sells most of it at double the price. He already has a network of customers so its sold before he even buys it.

Today he travelled from Jersey City at 8am to wait in line for the Summer Sixteen gear.

Its like fun for me, he said, before suggesting: You should do it, and youll probably look fly.

Mike, the blogger: Im currently building my own brand

Mike Egotanda was at work during the pop-up. He stood at the front of the line to film the event.

I want to make a quick video for social media, Egotanda said. Showing that I was out here. Hitting big events and things like that.

Mike doesnt miss anything in the city. He runs the Twitter account @PesoParis where he keeps his almost 10,000 followers informed on whats happening in the world of rap.

Going to events such as these is important because Im currently building my own brand, and working to be the best in my industry, he said.

Its also a great place to network with other industry insiders. His friend and rapper Levi had stacked up emails from the biggest blogs on the internet who he planned to blast when his new EP drops next month.

Levi waited in line from 5am, only to let Egotanda take his place when the doors opened.

Im strictly here for networking purposes, he said. Power moves.

Marco, the patriot: He represents our city, our country

Most fans there were under 21, some even had their parents to boot. Marco Siola, his parents and his brother were visiting New York from Toronto this week. Siola saw on Drakes announcement on Instagram and, as a Canadian, he felt compelled to attend.

He represents our city, our country, Siola said. Hes a good role model, and ambassador. To, like, us, and Canada as a whole and our cities.

Siola, who is from Toronto suburb Oakville, got into Drake in the ninth grade when he started getting more into the culture of rap music.

His mother and father didnt seem too familiar with Aubrey Grahams work, and Siola failed to mention that attending a pop-up would involve waiting in line for hours. Hes buying us dinner tonight, his father said.

Jeremy, the annoyed boyfriend: Personally, I think its stupid

Not everyone was happy to be there. Jeremy Torres was visibly exhausted as he slumped on a chair outside a Chinese restaurant on Bowery Street, while waiting in line. Like a few others, hed been dragged there by his partner.

Im not getting nothing, he moaned. I just came for her. Ive been standing for so long, Im tired.

The East Village native was unimpressed by the entire event. While hes a fan of Drake, he doesnt see what would compel someone to wait in line for his clothes.

Personally, I think its stupid. Just doing her favor.

The 19-year old wasnt sure what his girlfriend was going to buy, but he guessed it would be a hat with an owl on it.