Toxic Todd Is the Kandi God

In just the span of six months, Todrick Cooper has gone from kandi kid to Toxic Todd, the Kandi God. What began as a hobby stringing singles to give out at shows has turned into his creating helmets, swords, gauntlets, spirit hoods and more. His creations are 100 percent made by him and 100 percent kandi (meaning no glue or other adhesives are used to hold his pieces together).

Cooper now runs a successful Etsy shop where he sells his items. He once had to make and ship three Predator helmets, 100 singles, a knight helmet and a mask in a matter of a few weeks (especially daunting, considering one helmet can take up to 20 hours to create).

When he’s not making kandi, the 24-year-old South Florida resident works for his city’s Parks and Recreation department. His ultimate goal is to make kandi-making his full-time profession, and with the way things are going, that day may come sooner rather than later.

You make unique items like helmets and kandi sabers. Why did you choose to make these unconventional items, and how long does it take you to make one?
I like accomplishing something that’s never been done, or taking an idea to the next level. It can take about me 20 hours of actual work to make a simple helmet (that timeframe is constantly shrinking, however). Most of my other projects can be completed in three hours or so. The positive and negative feedback that I receive also really push me to want to do more. When I see comments from people saying my creations are too over-the-top or that I take kandi too far, it motivates me to push myself even more.

What do you say to people who think kandi should never be sold?
People tell me that all the time, and I always responded by asking them the same question: Do you ask singers or DJs why they sell their music or sculptors why they sell their statues? Art in every medium is sold every day; kandi just happens to be what I’m good at. A lot of time and work goes into each piece I make. Besides selling pieces, I’m constantly trading and giving away things for free to people I know—random people I meet and people online—because it feels good to give away a helmet to someone that enjoys my work. It’s like passing on a part of me.

What’s the most difficult piece you’ve created?
The hardest thing I’ve ever made was my Predator helmet. Coming up with a way to make it completely made of kandi was extremely difficult to do. I could have made it easier by using foam or cyberlox to make the dreads (tentacles), but I wanted the challenge of forming each one.

What’s your favorite piece you’ve created?
My first helmet would have to be my favorite—not only because it was my first, but because it represents a skill accomplishment for me. That helmet gave me an idea for what I could do. I didn’t realize that I did something big until people started reposting it all over social media, and it went viral. Someone even added the words “Kandi God” to the picture I posted.

Do you ever get carpal tunnel or other issues with your hands when making so many intricate pieces?
I can’t say that I’ve ever had carpal tunnel, but I do prick my fingers often enough that I’ve switched to using round-tip needles. Since I use a strong nylon thread, I’ll sometimes cut right into my hand while trying to keep tension.

What’s something you haven’t created yet that you would like to?
I have a large list of things that I haven’t been able to make yet, but on the top of that list are two things. I really want to make a motorcycle completely from beads; it doesn’t have to actually work, but it would still be amazing to have. I’d also love to make a full Iron Man suit that lights up, with a helmet that opens up.

What do your parents think of what you do?
My parents love what I do. They are both super supportive and like seeing what things I come up with. They’re both creative themselves and like to argue about which parent I get my talent from.

What does kandi culture mean to you, and why are you a kandi kid?
Kandi culture is all about creativity, being open to others, and PLUR. Kandi kids don’t judge you; they love to embrace what most people consider to be flaws and use them as strengths, and that’s me in a nutshell. I have close friends from all walks of life, and even though the media tries to separate us by categories of sex, race, orientation or religion, when you don your beads it’s like washing away all of that, and you instantly see others as your family.

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