Tag: Baltimore artists

8 Baltimore Independent Media to Watch for Artist News in 2021

Where do you find information about artists and entrepreneurs in Baltimore, MD? A question I get from my friends who aren’t truly into the things that I’m into. I have groups of friends that differ in taking many interests such as the medical field, the military, and even family life. I get questions often about where I find out news for local entertainment. It doesn’t cross my mind how it can be hard for people to find exhibitions and performances from local talent if they aren’t frequently visiting areas creatives roam. 

I must keep track of where I get my art news just like how I get a high from keeping abreast of regular news updates. Every so often I refresh my feed for who to look out for information because social media algorithms can be a pain. But as an artist myself, I’m submerged in all things artistically that interests me in this city. So it comes naturally when finding what’s good art I enjoy.

[Read Today’s Issue and Subscribe to the Doc’s Castle Digital News Paper]

In addition to following artists directly on their social media, these are the platforms that keep me tuned to everything that is Art in Baltimore and DMV. This is a list of 8 Baltimore Independent Media where anyone who doesn’t know about art from Baltimore and DMV could find out about local talent.

BmoreArt

Platform: Website

BmoreArt is the only outlet on this list that may give the most variety of the kinds of art highlighting mediums from photography, paintings, music, and more. They’re diverse. But if an artist were to be considered reaching “mainstream” status, I’d say we’d find them being highlighted on BmoreArt because they don’t play around about who they feature. I’ve discovered some very dexterous creators and designers simply being subscribed to the BmoreArt newsletter. Out of the box originator of all sorts, exhibitions are promoted through their events calendar.

The Orange Pop Show

Platform: YouTube- Visual interviews

Countdown to their 50th episode is one of The Orange Pop Show’s most recent campaigns published on their Instagram. A very eye-opening campaign, at that, because The Orange Pop Show definitely introduced some new faces on my radar. They conduct visual interviews via their YouTube channel. Interviews of artists from across Baltimore and DMV. A few Baltimore artists that have blessed The Orange Pop Show’s mic is Shwaze Collins, Elle Cook, and Jasmin Manning.

The Demo Tape 

Platform: YouTube – Visual interviews

The Demo Tape interviews of hip-hop group The Creek Boyz and MC Detranada were brought to my attention and place this Baltimore underground media on the map. Both interviews grew a combined viewership of over 7k views. The Demo Tape has the most reach out of all podcasts included in this media list, and why they are someone to watch for more content in 2021.

Liquor with Friends Podcast

Platform: YouTube – Visual interviews 

Baltimore Hip-Hop artist Rickie Jacobs uses his camera, charisma, and care to give us a put merely podcast Liquor with Friends. Authentic conversations with artists sipping spirits in his car. His style of podcasting is pretty “chill.” I often picture myself pulling out my bottle of spirits to relax alongside him and the guests each time I listen to the car conversations. (I’ll settle for making Tipsy Decor.) Rickie also brings us Carcerts, a short series of concerts in his car featuring live performances straight from Baltimore artists. Watch Carcerts featuring Al Rogers Jr., Zadia, and Mike C via the Liquor with Friends channel.

The Working Title Podcast

Platform- Apple Podcast | Spotify 

What I like most about The Working Title Podcast is that it is always expected to be sweet and straight to the point with their conversations and consistency. The hosts bring consistent content since 2018, episodes are always expected to be between 30 minutes to an hour and a half show. Podcasts are published almost 2 to 3 times a week and maybe the most binge-worthy on this list because of the amount of content archived. Episodes have topics from society, culture, and music. They are THE talk radio of this 2021 Baltimore media to watch on this list.

Breaking Through Glass Ceilings by Brian H.

Platform – Apple Podcast | Spotify

Breaking Through Glass Ceilings gives us a broader range of topics from medical advances in science, highlights of influential entrepreneurs, and sports talk radio. Brian’s gives us Sunday Morning show vibes for the yearning professional’s ear. His podcast is my more newsy channel to gain content other than arts and entertainment. So I seek his podcast when I need to level myself out. My favorite interview on Breaking Through Glass Ceilings is Baltimore’s own news journalist Ashlee Banks, who is also featured as our most recent YouTube Video Alert on Doc’s Castle Media. Read Protect Your Mental Health During Covid with Ashlee Banks and Brandon Johnson.

True Laurels

Platform – Magazine | Website

Shout out to True Laurels for their magazine and website highlighting artists in Baltimore and DMV. But I suck at keeping up with music like I used to. Lawrence got me, no doubt. Other than the very rare occasion that I get to see platforms sharing playlists, I just knew I could count on getting an update of the 2020 Tracklist from True Laurels. If you know nothing about Baltimore Hip-hop artists, finding them featured in True Laurels’ playlists A Decade in Baltimore Music is a good place to start. See True Laurels’ 2020 Tracklist below.

Source: True Laurels Instagram

Untitled Interviews by Ryan Chance

Platform – Apple Podcast | Spotify

Chance, the man with the roses. I love Ryan Chance’s latest promo for DreamsFindYou delivering roses to a bunch of deserving ladies at the beginning of the pandemic, and the massive DreamsFindYou hat and hoodie wave promoting DreamsFindYou Radio, another talk radio podcast hosted on the ZenoFM App. But his podcast Untitled Interviews, though matured and sophisticated, brings me back to vibes of what was formerly Vivid Vision, a blog Ryan hosted highlighting local talent in 2014. Untitled Interview features interviews with artists in Baltimore, naming two; Zadia and John Wells.

There are numerous other podcasts, websites, and media platforms emerging in Baltimore and DMV that deserve recognition on this list. But these are who I subscribe to that I enjoyed in the year 2020. I look forward to following these platforms for more about local talent.


Let’s work better to support local and follow these platforms. Have you heard about Doc’s Castle Media’s Best of 2020? Read now!

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Rewind by HazmatCaz Official Music Video

I love the Hazmat Chicks; Caz and Remy! We go way back to kicking it in former recording studio The Dugout Dojo in Baltimore, MD. Whenever I see my girlies making things happen, definitely will share what pride I have in their work. This week’s Doc’s Thumbs Up is Rewind by HazmatCaz Official video.

[Watch Doc’s Thumbs Up: Hazmat Remi “Evolve X” Official Music Video on Doc’s Castle Media]

hazmatcaz
Photo from Hazmatcaz Instagram

Hazmatcaz, since having gone viral in early 2019 for her “Hood Siri” interpretation, has been featured by multiple news outlets such as Yahoo News, Fader, ViceTV,  and even snagged an interview with Kings of Comedy mogul and talk show host Steve Harvey. Caz’s blow up even caused her to start her own web series on YouTube to keep up with the hype of her newly found fame as Hood Siri.

But…Caz is a rapper first and has expressed plenty of times that she’d rather be recognized for her music. So I want to bring it back to highlighting the official video for Rewind because it’s dope like her.

Rewind is visually vibrant! Like the rainbow in Caz’s hair, every color of the rainbow appears in this video. Life looks great. It’s a life anyone who’d enjoy having a good time would want. Caz personally directed the video and did well creating that very visual of being young and fun. She talks about rewinding back to a time she’d love to relive “over and over.” Take her back to a time where she’d bask in the idea of doing these things “again and again.”

Rewind is an exclusive video from Hazmatcaz that can be found on her SoundCloud and YouTube channels. Watch the full video.

Hazmatcaz also released a new music video over the Christmas holiday for her new single Me. Watch the video via Hazmatcaz YouTube Channel.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CJRuNDIjjmN/?igshid=7z1p6bp48ier

So what do you think about the song? Is Hazmatcaz someone you want in your playlist?

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Faded by T.ali Official Music Video (Halloween Release)

Yes! Yes! Yes! I’m still sharing Halloween treats well into November. That’s what you’ll get, and should expect from me anyway when I share in the spirit annually participating in the holiday each year. For Halloween 2020, I chose dressing as a Covid Germ. But the Halloween treat featured as Doc’s Thumbs Up this week is hip-hop artist T.ali’s official music video for Faded. 

[Read: Baltimore Artist Contracts Coronavirus on Halloween and Infects 2 Seniors at Owings Mill Red Run Stream Valley Trail (Halloween Recap)]

T.ali, formally known as Kaseo, released visuals for his single Faded from his April album Since We’re Being Honest this Halloween. Finally! Listeners anticipated the video dropping as early as mid-September when casting calls for extras were first mentioned. A month and a half later, we can now feast our eyes on what’s been cooking. I just couldn’t wait to write about it because I already knew T.ali would push some greatness.

I was tuned into the hype posted every couple of days promoted on T.ali’s Instagram and other social media feeds. Mini clips of the mini horror film that advertised to us, the audience, as the official music video was finally pieced together into a full masterpiece. 

The video is relatable and reminiscent of growing up watching short, but somewhat lengthy-for-a-music-video, films. Music videos like Thriller and Bad created by the King of Pop Michael Jackson always come to mind as the greatest short musicals ever made. So when fresher artists take on the challenges to carefully create references that skew inspiration within their work to reach heights many other talents have previously succeeded in completing, pure greatness is bound to shine through. That’s what’s seen in T.ali’s performance; an artist who’s challenging himself to own and exploring those heights a plethora of talented people blueprinted. And he’s doing it while collaborating with many other dope artists, bringing them along for the ride too.

The video was produced by filmmaker Juba Productions, styled by Al Rogers, and makeup by Yeah Shae the MUA and Kay L.A.. The team of artists putting this project together is phenomenal. It’s right to assume that Faded would be a hit amongst the listeners because of the magnitude of dopeness. It’s not many times a group like this can come together and not produce great art. Some other Baltimore artists, just to name a few, featured in the video were Forty the Plug, Doowy Lloh, Da’Rious, Brandon Woody, Teddy Alexander, Miss Kam, J Lovey, and various others amazing dancers, actors, and singers. These guys really put on a show.

There’s a second release for the album Since We’re Being Honest this week Friday, November 6 for the deluxe edition. Listeners can get an even deeper listen to other tracks from T.ali and hear a few features from some of the artists spotted in the video.

Watch the full video to Faded:

Would you say this video is creepy? Would you bump this in your car? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Baltimore Artist Contracts Coronavirus on Halloween and Infects 2 Seniors at Owings Mill Red Run Stream Valley Trail (Halloween Recap)

Halloween 2020 is a little different this year because of what’s happening all over the world. People are being more cautious celebrating because of the country’s current status and are uncertain when making decisions navigating how to live during these covid times. Times are crazy and I decided to be a visual representation of what’s causing chaos around the world in 2020.

[Read I Wanted To Be Triggered for Halloween on Doc’s Castle Media]

I dressed as a coronavirus germ this year because it was literally all that was talked about in mainstream culture. I started hearing about Coronavirus towards the end of January before the virus reached the United States. At the time, I wasn’t so sure that disease would reach Americans. It seemed so far removed from my life as Wuhan, China was shut down on the opposite side of the world. Every day I rode public transportation during peak hours to work at the office in Downtown Baltimore. But now, 7 months later, sitting on a packed train never seemed so dangerous in my life.

[Read timeline of how coronavirus got started on ABC News.]

This world being consumed by Covid 19 affects not only human bodily functions. It’s infectious to our everyday lives affecting us in every area and physical function. People are seeking ways of dealing with mental stress and financial hardships. I’ve even seen churches battle with government policy to continue having Sunday service. This disease affects everyone everywhere even if you don’t contract it. 

The holiday season is here. It doesn’t come as a surprise that many people are finally peeking out of their doors to explore the new world. We’re ready to socialize with our friends and family after being quarantined for nearly a year. Sadly, covid cases are still rising. Earlier in the week, American’s were warned of a third Covid 19 surge taking place as predicted. So I chose to be a walking reminder of what’s lurking in our atmosphere ready to penetrate our respiratory systems if we decide to ignore the rising cases.

The makeup artist behind this masterpiece is Nelli from GlambyNelli on Instagram. Nelli is a Baltimore Artist well versed in a multitude of talents but she wow’s us away with this project! I told her my vision and boom! She turned my head into a covid germ and still made me look pretty!

Nelli began taking her Halloween makeup artistry seriously just a year ago in 2019 while doing makeup for family and friends and sharing images of her work on social media. But she’s always had a love for art. While visiting her art studio for my appointment, I found she surrounds herself with inspiration from her own creations. She told me she’s an artist for many years. I learned she’s a makeup artist, painter, and photographer. She absolutely loves creating. I could tell from the creative aura that surrounds her studio.

I was drawn to contacting Nelli for my services after seeing her recreation of the 2009 science fiction film Avatar. The makeup was done so well, the client looked exactly like an actor from the movie. I had to see if she would accept my challenge to make me germy. I believe she had it in her to do it. She definitely succeeded.

Afterward, I went to find a safe socially distanced park where I could take pictures of me infecting others with my germs. It was so funny to hear people murmur to each other their guesses of my costume. “She’s so pretty,” was not what I intended to hear but it’s nice to know that I’m an attractive infectious disease. I continued my stroll through Owings Mills Red Run Stream Valley Trail with CtrlMyCamera taking shots of me jokingly pretending to spoil the other walkers on the trail. 

View more from my Coronavirus photoshoot in the slideshow below. *I do not own the rights to this music. The song is titled Coronavirus by Imarkkeyz on YouTube.*

I hope that people remain cautious while celebrating the holidays this season. These are crazy times we’re living in. We should have empathy for human life during these times as always. Even though it sucks as our more thankful and merriest time of the year approaches, we’re pressured to keep socially distancing. We should remain vigilant in protecting ourselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally as best as we can while socially distancing. We can still be there for one another. Humans need to stay connected. But we should be extra cautious and remember what steps to take to remain safe as we visit and spend time with the people we love.

Are dressing up for Halloween? Have you seen any cool costumes? Let me know in the comments below.

Catching the Beat at Beet Trip Episode 60 (Photos)

Baltimore has some of the most unique artsy events any art lover could love. One worthy of being mentioned a second time on Doc’s Castle Media is the Open Mic Series named Beet Trip. This was not my first time attending Beet Trip, but my 3rd time and years later from when I first stepped into experiencing the open mic in 2014. Back then, Beet Trip was brand new, and when I first saw the name, I was turned off because I intentionally thought of the disgusting purplish vegetable beets, thinking it was some veganism attempt to push their health agenda to me using hip-hop. But I digress…

Beet Trip was established over five years ago by a group of beatmakers and rappers seeking to find a place where music artists could share their gifts over crafted beats created by local producers at a nontraditional open mic. Beats from the producers are heard for the first time, just like the freestyles from rappers who spit over the tracks. It’s a true “freestyled” event. For 6 years, the open mic series has ran in numerous art venues across the city.

I thought it would be nice to peek into the festivities to catch some of the vibes and check out some of the talents. It’s been so long since and spectatorship has definitely grown.

Gatherings like these are reminders for artists of the many possibilities and things they can achieve, even while it’s such a small event. Artists start off wanting to take part in something small because they believe in it. They participate in it because it’s an original idea. They support it because it looks cool. But we don’t realize how the pure fun of it manifests into opportunities for so many local artists creating names for themselves.

[Read about another open mic series in Baltimore called Baltimore Beat Club on Doc’s Castle Media.]

Beet Trip is where I discovered a style of rap called Basement Rap, a genre coined by a couple of local hip-hop artists, to name a few Butch Dawson and Zheep DZ, two artists who frequent attending and getting involved in Beet Trip over the years. Since taking part in the open mic series and collaborating with other local talents, the rappers build combined followership of over 24,000 monthly listeners on Spotify from just being their authentic Baltimore rapping selves and enjoying creating art.

Beet Trip Episode 60 was hosted by local talent Al Rogers, who’s currently making waves with his very own Ice Cream flavor that can be purchased at Baltimore ice cream shop The Charmery, artist & curator of underground collective showcase 808s and Sadbois Qué Paqueño, and rapper & founder of The NASA8 Bito Sureiya. All artists put in work or had some kind of influence in Beet Trip historically. It’s inspiring to see these guys continue to work hard to make ways for other talents that’ll come episodes later.

In Episode 60, I saw lots of new faces and lots of new artists paving a way for their manifestations. Make sure you check out Beet Trip’s Instagram to view more pictures of highlights from the night. 

What are some open mics you’ve attended in your hometown? Have you ever experienced something like this? Leave your comments below.

Baltimore Creatives Become the Forefront Activists For Perception of Baltimore Housing and Community Change (Support Vacants Tour and The People United Exhibition)

From arts and culture to small business successes and housing developments, the entire country is looking at Baltimore, MD with a microscope wondering what defines who we are and how we compared to other metropolitan areas. 

I’m proud of my city being a leading example of peaceful protests after the death of George Floyd because sometimes a painted narrative that Baltimore is bad and vastly promoted negative visuals of violence and crime in a 3rd-world-looking neighborhood does not help create an optimistic view for potential. It’s good people of Baltimore that can prove to doubters the positivity that comes out of here.

Source Andrew Burton (Getty Images and NPR)

Since the world had it an eye on Baltimore during the 2015 Uprising, outsiders discovered it to be a visually neglected community which faced years of increasing neighborhood blight. National and international media caught images of an area that had many in disbelief in the conditions of the neighborhoods in Baltimore. But what people were seeing was how the population declined rapidly for decades and the city’s inability to keep up with the costs of these growing vacant communities appeared.

Source: The Washington Times

In 2017, it was reported over 16,000 vacant homes in Baltimore City with plans from organizations like Project C.O.R.E. to rebuild in underdeveloped neighborhoods suffering blight. Over 16 thousand vacant buildings is a large number. But that’s an improvement from 1997 when the city’s census was depleting and over 40,000 abandon buildings were accounted for as vacant homes. Even still two decades later, the city continues to have a declining population but at least the vacant numbers reach a point of stabilization. In June 2019, Baltimore celebrated a breakthrough from blight as it marked the 4,000th building unit demolished over a four-year period through a special state-city partnership started by the governor.

Some of the city’s largest organizations, corporations, and institutions get involved in the evolution of the Baltimore architectural emergence. Big names like John Hopkins helping bring new homes to East Baltimore, and Underarmour’s $5.5 billion investment in the waterfront development plan for Port Covington, just to name two, play a major part in the improvement. There are questions about how some organizations get approved for funding projects and raise eyebrows about the inequality of urban investments. In 2017 there was an analysis done by the city, “Looking at budgeted capital spending over five years in neighborhoods where more than 75 percent of residents were either white or black, the analysis found that white neighborhoods got an average of $15 million for projects and minority neighborhoods got only $8 million.” It raises concern for why lower-poverty areas receive more funding than that of communities with high poverty rates.

http://www.instagram.com/p/BvEtgs0g6HD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Multiple Baltimore creatives step to the forefront being the activists for the perception of Baltimore. Many are creators who live, breathe, and eat everything that is the Baltimore city lifestyle. The creatives who take pride in Baltimore continue to bring everyone back to the message and show onlookers what needs to be done to make a difference.

Outsiders to Baltimore are intrigued by how people still have pride in neighborhoods that look like this. They wonder what possesses someone to stay in these neighborhoods or get involved with sharing the history of Baltimore. But these creatives become activists to share a message that people see what is only surface level and a result of years of neglect in broken promises, not the proper resources being put into the communities, and a simple disinterest in preserving these neighborhoods. There are people who take pride in where they come from and how it’s shaped their life experiences. These people are working to improve and create new origins for emerging generations. 

Vacants Tour

Cheyanne Zadia created a project coined from Baltimore’s housing crisis called “Vacants” with a group of other Baltimore artists to “spread the message which is really to spread love, to seek self and to spread community.” Starting Juneteenth, they performed six pop-up styled concerts on street corners from East to West Baltimore. The project has now evolved into a tour featuring Zadia, Al Rogers Jr, Josh Stokes, Brandon Woody, Bobbi Rush, Mike C, TAli, Prettiman and AyeFinney; all accompanied by live instrumentation.

[Donate to the Vacant Tour.] 

Another project you can support in Baltimore is The People United Exhibition located in the display windows of the Baltimore art gallery Current Space.

Photo Credit: CtrlMyCamera

I went to The People United exhibiton to support some photographer friends who are advocates of documenting the changes in Baltimore city’s neighborhood developments. 

http://www.instagram.com/p/CDFjVYRpCtb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Each photo exemplifies life in Baltimore. Each image possesses the in your face message that can never go ignored if you’re a resident of the city. These artists document history, a story of how Baltimore was and its current status. They do it in hopes of a bringing attention to these neighborhoods for an optimistic future because these streets and blocks are home. 

Check out the work of some of these awesome artists at their Instagrams below:

Devin Allen @bydvnlln

Cynphany Brown @curiouscyn_

Rob Ferrell @bmore_radical

Andrew Koritzer @drew.koritzer

Charles Mason III @traem3

Shae McCoy @shae.mccoy.photos

Philip Muriel @philip.muriel

Would you donate to artists with these very visions to share their love for their hometown? Visit the Vacants Tour GoFund Me page.

The Lost Kings Series Premiers at Baltimore’s Charles Theater July 24th

Has Baltimore found it’s new Wire series? It’s possible to say after viewing the premiere of the Lost Kings Series this week at the Charles Theater July 24th.

Terrence Smalls, director at 89 Crowns and writer of the independent film, may be onto something with his new series because it’s been a long time coming since Baltimore had such rich production embedded with its culture. In Lost Kings, Smalls shares his perspective of the city trenches, finally giving a glimpse of the inside from an insider of Baltimore City.

Any Baltimorean can tell the world is ready for more insight into how we live our lives whenever our radar flashes anytime tourists compare the lifestyle of the residents in Baltimore City to actors in the phenomenal HBO Series The Wire. Watching the Lost Kings at its premier made me realize it could have the same potential. From people’s accents to the infamous dirt bike riding in Baltimore streets, this fictional story portrays our city life artistically instead of, in recent years, the common factual documentary.

Through Smalls’ enactment of Max, played by Baltimore’s dirt bike Wheelie Queen, we watch her journey to avenge her brother’s death and thrive in an arena full of corrupt men. According to the premiere’s Facebook e-vite, Lost Kings’ purpose is to “bring Baltimore Culture to the forefront, while also highlighting and examining factors that contribute to psychological trauma.”

The film did great in portraying its purpose. Many artists throughout Baltimore’s art scene had a part in the production of the film. So it was easy to pick up on the city’s culture naturally as we watch the native actors. The film also highlighted characters having Post Traumatic Stress in situations highly aggravating and aggressive.

The series premiere is broken into 3 chapters in a total length of 30 minutes. It didn’t feel like 30 minutes at all with its many break in-between scenes acting as identifiers for the audience to refresh their attention on a new direction the story will take lead. We can see Smalls create a signature of his artistry while implementing this playwright style into the first episode. It also sets the series apart from independent “hood films” of its time, labeling a little more cinematic than that of what I can find “googling” indie hood films or come across on YouTube. So let’s say in three chapters Baltimore’s rawness is indeed depicted authentically and successfully in a swift 30 minutes.

I also did my part as I was a production assistant for the film, which is always great. Woo! I enjoyed having met many of the cast a crew since last year in 2017 at the start of shooting. Other participants in the production took to social media to share that they felt the same.

Terrence Smalls shares his appreciation for the turnout of the Lost Kings Premiere:

Justin Moten posts a picture with other cast members.

 

Hell of a time last night with my cast mates @bmore_lucky_lilman @justcallme_smoove

A post shared by jmo1305 (@jmo1305) on


Ramona Rideout shares a scene of her character at the premiere:

 

OMG 😯…..seeing myself on the screen in the #movie #theater for the VERY FIRST TIME!… Was thee #BEST feeling in this whole world !!!! Lol I can’t even type the words on this screen to explain … there’s only one way from here to go…👆🏽UP ….I pray I work and I don’t give up 🙌🏽 #thankgod #alwaysbegrateful This project involves so many AMAZING people but @tonyasays you are the real #MVP and @4th.eye.diaries there’s no other like you… you guys are the epitome of #friends turned #family #lostkings #2018 Annnnd @smallroomzsuck @36seagulls this project is so freaking dope Annnnnnnd I couldn’t have done it without @bmore_lucky_lilman guidance and greatness! And I had awesome scene partners @jmo1305 ! Lol this was just so great !

A post shared by Ramona Rideout (@rideout365_) on

Does the Lost Kings series look like a series that you’d tune into? Leave your comments below.

If you missed out on the Lost Kings Series first premier, you have the opportunity to check it out really soon. The producers are expecting for the Lost Kings Series second premier to be held this August 2018.

Why Every Baltimore Artist Should’ve Attended the Grand Opening of The In My Lifetime Mini Hip-Hop Museum

On the weekend of Jan 19, 2018, history was made in Baltimore. For the first time, there’s a Hip-Hop museum opened in Baltimore city! As a follower of the culture in Baltimore, I speak for many when I say this is a much-needed space for aspiring artists in this city.

Located in the same building as The SAND Gallery, an art museum formerly known as the Incredible Creations Art gallery geared to showcasing the talents of the visual arts of people in the DMV and Baltimore region, the In My Lifetime: Mini Hip-Hop Museum premiered with a similar mission and to also to preserve and educate about hip-hop culture. There has never been a place in the history of hip-hop to be solely dedicated to the preservation and advancement of hip-hop culture until now.

The grand opening took place the entire weekend; from Friday to Sunday. Each day had events catered to educating and informing artists about discussions in hip-hop. The weekend at the museum was filled with book signings, workshops, and discussion panels. Each day was geared toward helping people who were seriously passionate about improving their career in hip-hop.

I decided to attend the grand opening on Friday for the Put Yourself On Discussion Panel. It was a panel that every artist in Baltimore should have made their duty to not miss because it had the right information needed to be heard for any artist who wants to take their career to the next path.

Four panelists who are participants in Hip-Hop Culture shared valuable information on how knowledge gained through fully indulging themselves in hip-hop helped push their growth in their individual fields. To name a few professions that took the floor were artists managers, producers, DJs, publicists, former rap artists, media, and brand ambassadors. Each panelist came from a seasoned background within the industry and with useful input of more than what’s in the forefront of our television screens.

These curators came with tips from avenues many artists who are eager to excel in Baltimore’s art culture are quick to omit. Some advice shared were tips on how to study people who inspire an artist’s craft, how artists should measure progression through monetization and not online attraction, the importance of staying relevant and aware of current events and entertainment news, and staying genuine to what’s desired instead focusing on being ahead of the opponent.

The material picked up at the panel could be applied to anyone pursuing a career in arts, not just people invested in hip-hop. I believe that’s why the audience was so engaged in the conversation. It was more than just about rap and the Baltimore Rap Artist. There were producers, songwriters, and even visual artists present nodding their heads in agreement with what they took in. Because the information was presented generally, I make the statement every artist should have come to the museum’s grand opening. These are resources artists in this city often complain about lacking.

As mentioned before in the first installment of my blog series Quality Vs. Quantity (Part 1), Baltimore’s art culture needs more resources to help artists improve their approach to building a legacy of brands. The In My Lifetime: Mini Hip-Hop Museum is well on its way to becoming one of those sources to help artists improve their quality. The kickoff Put Yourself On Panel was an eye-opener and extremely helpful first attempt at its premiere.

It’s looking up for the “urban” art culture in Baltimore as we see more avenues readily available to help artists. Places like Impact Hub and events like the Baltimore Beat Club help provide resources for improvement and exposure. Artists need to be aware of taking sacrifices with choosing to invest in their career progression. There are more than studio sessions and basement rap.

There has to be a way to publicize the importance of improving their quality to artists. I assume the best way is to keep talking and sharing the little things we do have and spreading what the benefits are when utilized.

But what do I know? I’m just writing myself into existence….

What do you look forward to with the opening of the In My Lifetime: Mini Hip-Hop Museum in Baltimore? What do you think it can offer to the DMV? Leave your comments below.

Have you read Quality Vs. Quantity (Part 1): The Saturation of Wanna Be Artist In Baltimore’s Art Culture? Check it out on Doc’s Castle Media.

#HipHop4ThePeople: There’s A Mini Hip-Hop Museum Coming to Baltimore

Who’s a die-hard hip-hop fan? Everyone enjoys claiming the title. In reality, it’s rare to find the truth behind who can truly be labeled a fan because many so called fans lack the knowledge of hip-hop’s true origin or how it fits into society.

Hip-hop holds history. Enough that there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of books written about this art that emerged and continues to thrive since the early 1970s. Even in its birthplace there’s a grand opening scheduled possibly in 2018 for the country’s first ever hip-hop museum in the Bronx, NY. Now, Hip-hop is more than music that we dance to in our aunt’s basement celebrating birthdays. It’s a way of life.

Hip-hop does not stop at New York. All over the world, it has created a culture that people now eat, breathe, sleep and live by. Over the weekend, Baltimore artists exhibited a piece of what hip-hop consists of to them at the #HipHop4thePeople Cypher: A Mini Hip-Hop Museum fundraiser held at the SAND gallery, formerly known as the Incredible Little Art Gallery.

I attended the cypher expecting it to be like any other I’ve gone to in the art scene. But what made it different this time was majority it’s location, and that the event served a bigger purpose for the creative community.  

There has never been any platform in Baltimore created to solely pay homage to hip-hop. In fact, artists in Baltimore often nag about lack of support in the city from their peers. So when there’s a notion that a Mini Hip-Hop Museum is coming to town, local culture fanatics become excited because there is finally a place that will represent their way of living. Not only will we finally have somewhere that will represent the history of hip-hop, but also there will be a place to symbolize hip-hop from a Baltimorean’s perspective.

#HipHip4thePeople was exactly what it stated to be; for the people emerged in the culture of hip-hop. The atmosphere mimicked what hip-hoppers find familiar in a cypher’s circle. MCs took turns hopping in spitting their most vicious lyrics. Many were caught freestyling and others brought recycled hot 16 bars.  

President Karl Keels opens the evening.

Mini Hip-Hop Museum President and Creative Director Karl Keel, also known as Karlito Freeze, opened the night up as the host and DJ of the event. Event goers were queued in on where donations towards the cypher were being made. Partial proceeds were gifted to hurricane relief for Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria to aid victims in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Other funding went towards the opening of the Mini Hip-Hop Museum expected to open in early 2018.

The cypher went for an hour and was followed up with another event sponsored by the SAND Gallery, Adult Game Night. To drop a few names of MCs who participated in the evening’s cypher were:

Kontrah Diction , Da’Rious, Donnie Breeze, Ollie Voso, Mobish Rico, and Tony Ray

All rappers are from Baltimore making a name for themselves in the “game.” Hopefully, we will find them on the walls of the Mini Hip-Hop Museum in the future. Thanks, guys, for your contribution to the culture over this weekend. I know I definitely enjoyed it.

See more photos of participants in the gallery below.

When the Mini Hip-Hop Museum opens in Baltimore, what local artist do you expect to be exhibited in its halls? Leave your comments below.

Have you seen photos from the 3rd Annual Madonnari Arts Festival? View awesome chalk work done on the Baltimore street here on Doc’s Castle Media. 

Art from A New Perspective (The Incredible Creation Art Gallery Grand Opening)

This Saturday, December 19, 2015, there’s a new attraction opening for people seeking to quench their “eye” thirsts. Those who appreciate admiring the beauty of an exquisite painting can now see what Baltimore’s most underrated visual artists have to share with the world.

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In October, I had the opportunity to take a sneak peek of what I assume should be expected, along with a lot more admirable pieces, at this up and coming art gallery with my attendance at the Jerrell Gibbs art exhibit.

Jerrell Gibbs is one of the many artist who submitted to Doc’s Castle Media in 2014. Art has always been a passion of his, whether it was drawing sketches of his favorite cartoon characters or his favorite athletes. He adopted a lot of his influences from his dearly departed cousin Carlos Batts, “Tatman D”, Ron Bass, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Voka along with many others. While creating pieces stimulating the audience by exuding positive under tones through his work,  he aspires to become a well- known freelance artist. I assume beginning with the Incredible Creation behind him during his cultivated, artistic exertion.

It wasn’t until three months ago, I’ve made the connection with my DCM submission box. I’ve finally seen with my own eyes the artwork of such a talented artist.

 

 

 

 

 

(I honestly stress that all artist get out there, talk about your work, and never give up! It’s the only way you’ll get the attention you’re seeking.)

Gibbs work is remarkable and I believe he has what it takes to pull the support of a new generation of eyes. He even has a documentary named “Got Gibbs?!” releasing this month, which follows him on a journey towards achieving his freelance arts aspiration. I know there is so much more to expect from Gibbs. I can’t wait to see what more he has to offer.

The Incredible Creation is a brand I started following at the closing of Fall 2013 beginning with the Incredible Creation Blog. Since its emergence, they have expanded in providing a broad band of products and services with a mission created by its founder Milly Vanderwood as an outlet “that artists from all mediums should be able to display their talents, regardless of traditional standards of the “art spectrum.” The latest addition to their extended list of products is the divinely scrumptious Incredible Little Cupcakes.

With exhibits inspired by today’s pop culture, there’s lots to look forward to from this gallery. From exhibits honoring the late Tupac Shakur & Aaliyah, to displays commemorating the artist themselves, the Incredible Creations is providing the leisure for the artist to tell us a beautiful story visually.

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“Got Gibbs?!” Trailer

http://youtu.be/rEKAbaENNxA

Come out this Saturday to see more art from Jerrell Gibbs and other Incredible Creation artists at the Grand Opening of the Incredible Creations Art Gallery.

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Have you seen photos from the Incredible Creation fashion show? Read The Incredible Creation Art Meets the Runway Recap by Tony Bonez Sinatra on Doc’s Castle Media.