When was the last time you  (Support Local Artist and Musicians) S.L.A.M.’d?

Reason Number 6. It’s More Affordable

How many times do we purchase art locally that is better than something produced by a big name artist?… All the time right! I’ve found that 90% of the time the only thing that separates your local artist from being the celebrity artist is their platform, publicity and marketing.  Home-grown skills are no less valuable and in a lot of cases even more valuable than half the stuff that gets into mainstream. Yet and still local artist are more affordable. Why?! Because with bigger celebrities you are paying for their brand/image, their entourage etc.

When you buy directly from artist in your community it is always more affordable.  You avoid unnecessary taxes and shipping and handling cost.

Check out this scarf. Valued at $20. I purchased 2 for $15 from a vendor at Warm 

Wednesday (a poetry venue in Baltimore) by the name of Hilton.  You are spending money somewhere. Why not in your own community with people you know?

 

 

 

 

 

This hat was custom made just for my head by Mwa Campbell. She also made me some matching scarfs and even made a hat for my daughter with her name crocheted in it.

Reason Number 5. It’s Intimate

 

For example:   Aquil Mizan’s  album cover has several people, some known some may be not as well-known on his tenth and latest album titled “People who wear thongs are high on crack”. I asked him the significance behind the people he chose and I learned first-hand why it was important to him to do it that way.  In talking with Love The Poet, she shared with me who designed her cover and even helped me to locate them online. I’ve had conversations with Azya about her inspirations for her latest album This is how we heal: The Obligatory Love Album. David Ross and aka Native Son’s CD is not featured here because it stays with me in my car.

Derek McGowan, author of The End of Money, shared with me his philosophy on capitalism and even shared some insight into more books to come. How many times have you read something, heard something or saw some art and wondered what the inspiration was behind it, why was a certain color used, why does the composition of the CD symbolize, what experience led him/ her to such a great awakening…All of the CD’s and Books you see below I purchased directly from them artist themselves. Not only does this avoid shipping and handling cost but I get to ask them about their inspiration and their process.

Face to Face, heart to heart, belly to belly, you get to know them more than you would an artist that you only hear on radio or in an interview.  It is time for us to stop allowing others to decide who and what we should listen to, who we should read and what art work deserves praise.

With local artist you get to know the artist behind the art.

Reason number 4. If you don’t support them they will either stay local or go BIG elsewhere

There is a certain level of celebratory pride when someone homegrown blows up.  It gives others artist hope and inspiration that one day their message will reach beyond their local communities. The artist I know personally all have messages to share, world messages. No (wo)man is an island. Wouldn’t you love to be an instrument in the elevation of one of your own?  Edifying another does not diminish your greatness, on the contrary. When one of us do well we should all be doing good. When you don’t support your local artist (especially those that have determination and passion equal to their talent) they will go where they are appreciated.

Reason Number 3. It is your opportunity to add to the Collective 

Be part of an initiative that lifts every voice to add to the collective consciousness that exist beyond your area code.  Add to the mosaic that is expressed by including someone you know that carries a message you resonate with. We all have something unique to add to the tapestry.

When we uphold and support artist their echo carriers and so does our message and experiences.  Elevate them and the platform they use to shed light to the things you care about the most. In the process you will find your own voice elevated.

Reason Number 2.      It’s Mutually Beneficial

“The best way to get what you want is to help others to get what they want.”  -Zig Ziglar

Put your City on the map. Elevating one of your own puts your city, your community and your space on the map.  It can even draw more attention to what you are personally up to. Make such an impact with the people in your community that it causes a ripple effect throughout the globe so that when people are looking for artist they know that there is something dynamic about your area. No one wants to visit a dead city with little to nothing happening. People want to go to places where the scene is on fire. So set your city on fire by promoting, celebrating and supporting your local artist and watch people come from miles to watch you burn.

Reason Number 1. Reciprocity

If you sell, then you should buy. If you are buying, buy from people you know. If you are making purchases put money back into your community.  If you are an artist, consider making an artist exchange. Let’s not let paper and coins come between us when we are trying to elevate hearts and minds.

When we don’t support our local artist we give the impression that we do not appreciate those artist, musicians, authors, poets, filmmakers et cetera in our own community. If we don’t appreciate them and toot there horn how will anyone know how are awesome they are. If we don’t care then who will?

So I pose to you the question…. When was the last time you Supported a Local Artist or Musician?  If your answer is ” Not Lately” Then check out some of the artist above, or some in your community. This Holiday Season give the gift that keeps on giving and S.L.A.M. and feel free to support The Be More Movement with the purchase of the CD   The Be More Project or a ‘Why be less when you can Be More?” T-shirt.

 

Share with us when was the last time you S.L.A.M.’d and who was it?

 

Posted by Rasheem on Monday, December 23rd, 2013 @ 2:43PM
Categories: ARTistry, Personal Note
Tags: ARTistry