In early 2021, Yiyang approached Drake to create a signature yoyo, and Drake based the design on his favorite, the yoyofriends Sync. Collaborating with Yiyang and the designer in a lively group chat, they focused on achieving a concise and elegant appearance, emphasizing smooth curves and comfort for catching.
Particular attention was given to the response area, inspired by the Float by Andrew Bergen and Smashing Yoyos, ensuring it facilitated flashy binds without snags. After meticulous fine-tuning pre-prototyping, the initial yoyo, a light blue prototype used since September 2021, proved near-perfect, with only gap width adjustments in subsequent iterations leading to the production of Shine.
Gratitude is extended to designer Jacky, yoyofriends, and FPM for enabling the realization of Drake’s envisioned yoyo. The name “Shine” was chosen, drawing parallels to the versatile move in competitive smash bros, mirroring the yoyo’s ability to excel in various aspects.
With positive feedback and a sense of accomplishment, releasing Shine feels akin to showcasing one of his best tricks. Proud of his yoyo journey, Drake express’ thanks to yoyofriends and everyone involved. Thanks for learning about Shine!