The idea was to redesign this iconic character and reimagine one of the most important icons, the bandana. TMNT has a very strong street aspect and since they are from New York, Hip-Hop fit perfectly.
The main references were B.I.G. and Raekwon, two rappers from New York, hence the idea of the cap instead of the bandana. As well as the more robust shape.
Still with Raekwon, the iconic phrase "protect ya neck" from Wu-tang Clan stayed in my head, so I mixed the group's logo with the ninja turtles logo and put it on the neck.
The kanji on the helmet means "Anger" and his tattoo of a red dragon, as the character was once called.