THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Just as an alchemist transforms led into gold, do you feel that being an artist relates to that of being an alchemist? Do you view the artist journey and your creative expression, as alchemy?

JAMEL SHABAZZ: As a practitioner of the craft of photography, it affords me the ability to transform a chemically based roll of unexposed film that has been placed in a camera, measuring light and adjusting speed towards a particular subject, conceptualizing and composing by the third eye through a glass lens, before applying pressure on the camera shutter release button, freezing a moment in time, thus preserving history. So yes, I would say that there is a direct correlation between being an artist and an alchemist. Any creative artist, whether they are a painter, musician, sculptor or photographer, who uses their innate ability to create something from nothing, is in fact dealing with the science of Alchemy. The various schools of artistry all use science in their creative process and it may consist of the mixing of chemicals, arranging sound, or creating shapes, but when these practices are applied, the results are magical manifestations of a high form of alchemy.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Artists are often labeled as “stars.” Just as a star radiates light and the planets then reflect this light, do you see your work as an artist like that of a star? Is this “light” that stars radiate merely the evidence of this journey of becoming a star/learning to radiate light?

JAMEL SHABAZZ: As a young man coming of age, I was told by a very wise man that I was the equivalent to the sun which was a giant star in the center of the universe, and that through studying the nature of the sun along with the solar system, I would better understand my purpose in life. It was that wisdom that placed me on the path of enlightenment and provided me with light, guidance and purpose. Like the sun, I would learn that my primary purpose in this universe was to use my kinetic energy to stimulate life and matter through my creative process in hopes that I would create other forms of light and energy in a world that was slowly becoming cold and gloomy.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: When an artist is not “creating” it is often labeled a “creative block.” How do you navigate this space, how do you find the creative spark in the dark, and does it require courage to create from this unknown space? Describe this process.

JAMEL SHABAZZ: With all honesty, I have never been confronted with a “creative block.” My creative energy is in constant motion and the light that guides me seems to always be illuminated. During the course of my many expeditions, I have accumulated such an abundance of photographs, negatives, and other forms of research, that are readily available to me. This keeps me in a constant creative mode to the point that I no longer travel outside my space to take images like I once did. At this stage in my journey, it took courage for me to realize that I needed to reevaluate my assignment in life, and I have been blessed to create a space where I can meditate, reflect and process what I have been blessed to document. In this undertaking, I continue to seek ways to share what I have with the universe and young visionaries who are fresh on the path of self-discovery.

You can also find this story at THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT and on FUSICOLOGY.

Photo Credit: Jamel Shabazz

www.jamelshabazz.com

The Museum of Light is curated by: Billy Johnson Jr., Adell Henderson, Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.

 

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The post CONVERSATIONS IN LIGHT: JAMEL SHABAZZ, THE LIGHT THAT GUIDES ME appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Museum of Light launches a new weekly blog, Sounds of Light, where music journalist Billy Johnson Jr. reviews introspective songs that inspire, exploring the likes of family, the arts and politics. First up is a spotlight on Miami hip hop duo Social Club Misfits who just released their new album The Misadventures of Fern & Marty that includes the featured track, “A Song for Cami,” a record Fern penned about his children.

If we only listened to the songs on the radio, we would think that artists have nothing more to sing or rap about than partying and having sex. So, I’ve tasked myself with finding the music, mainly album cuts, that are more introspective and enlightening. Welcome to Sounds of Light, a new weekly feature on the Museum of Light.

I’m kicking off Sounds of Light with a track from the Miami-based hip hop duo Social Club Misfit’s new album The Misadventures of Fern & Marty on Capitol CMG Music. “A Song for Cami,” is a solo offering from Fern, who has a tradition of making records for his kids, Camila Bella, 5, and Santino, 2.

Hear Social Club Misfits’ “A Song for Cami”

Over a comforting jazzy, piano and snare-driven music bed reminiscent of early 1990s hip hop, Fern reflects on everything from the joys of putting his son to bed at night to instilling a strong work ethic in his children. During an exclusive interview with Sounds of Light, Fern explains that emphasizing hard work was the song’s main inspiration.

In one lyric, Fern is critical of using crowdfunding to raise money for projects as opposed to generating startup expenses from working: “Why don’t y’all start making money and stop raising funds / Cause all that GoFundMe is a bit much / Told my daughter hard work only is the way to stay up.”

Fern explains the motivation for the song. “I encourage my son and daughter to work hard,” he tells Sounds of Light. “I see a lot of GoFundMe pages. Regardless of the situation, some people need it. But I encourage hard work, and I put that on that song. I want to make sure when [my daughter] hears this song in 20 years from now that she hears me encouraging hard work. ”Fern says Cami remembers the days he had a regular job, pursued his music at night, and had to drive his wife to work. “I literally did not have time to be with them,” he recalls.

Marty, who got married last year and does not have any children yet, gives Fern props for how he’s managed to balance family and music. “The fact that [Fern] travels while raising children, that’s a huge deal,” Marty says. Marty also rhymes about family life — his new bride — on the album’s song “Love 4 Real.”

Fern, who has been married for seven years, says to expect more personal songs from him in the future. “Don’t be surprised if you hear more family songs from me,” he says. “I’ve been blessed. I want to promote the family unit, my kids, my wife. I want people to know there are so many other things to talk about.”

Fern and Marty cover a lot of bases on The Misadventures of Fern & Marty and it’s appreciated.

You can also find this story on THE MUSUEM OF LIGHT and RESPECT Magazine.

The Museum of Light is curated by Billy Johnson Jr., Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Malik Buie, Matt Smith, and Adell Henderson.

The post Sounds of Light: Fern of Social Club Misfits Pens ‘A Song for Cami,’ an Ode to His Kids appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Billy Johnson Jr., Adell Henderson, Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik K. Buie

Veteran music journalist Billy Johnson Jr., a producer and curator for the Museum of Light, stresses the importance of discussing the artistic process. “The artists light up when asked to explain their art, their intentions, and connecting with their audience,” Johnson says. “Each of these stories are incredibly motivating.”

The Light has been in the works for a few years. When Joslyn Rose Lyons, who conceptualized the project, called me to get involved, I got the butterflies.

I said, “You mean, we’ll talk to artists about purpose? Whether they compare their work to alchemy? No buzzy moments?”

I was in.

I figured creatives prefer to discuss more substantive topics, and we found this to be true with every artist we’ve interviewed. Seeing how Pharoahe Monch, V.Bozeman, Michelle Williams, TiRon and Ayomari and so many others light up when asked to describe their creative process has been fulfilling.

Considering the need for more platforms for artists to express themselves beyond the scope of their latest promotional efforts, I’m that much more thankful to be a part of helping generate more Light.

One of the coolest aspects of The Light is how it takes shape in different forms. It’s a documentary in the works. It’s shareable inspirational quotes from artists. It’s an online interview series. It’s constantly evolving.

Another incredible part of The Light, for me, is getting to work alongside esteemed colleagues who share The Light’s vision. We’re grateful to have editorial support from RESPECT. mag.

Below, meet the curators.

With light,

Billy Johnson Jr.

Billy Johnson Jr., Music Journalist
@billyjohnsonjr

“There’s an over saturation of salacious media coverage on the internet. The intent of this project is to add more positive affirmations into the mix. The artists we have interviewed for the light thus far have shared with us the philosophies of their triumphs and we know people will be blessed when they hear these stories. This is just a taste of what’s to come… Those who are determined, fearless, and accomplished will find affirmation in the light. Those who are hopeful, apprehensive, and in need of direction, will use the light as a guide. That is our purpose.”  

Billy Johnson Jr., Music Journalist

billyjohnsonjr.tumblr.com
@billyjohnsonjr

Adell Henderson, Music Journalist/Editor in Chief at RESPECT-MAG.COM
@adellhenderson101 @respectmag

“As a leader, a student and a die hard fan of hip-hop, my responsibility as a journalist/producer is to showcase the greater good of the lifestyle, and preserve the culture that raised me. My decision to unite with influential, like minded peers to bring the light to the world was a no brainier.”

Adell Henderson, Music Journalist/Editor in Chief 

RESPECT-MAG.COM
@adellhenderson101 @respectmag

Joslyn Rose Lyons, Producer/Director
@itsjoslynrose

“It inspires me to explore the creative process and to understand more about the artists’ journey. The museum of light creates this space. It’s a platform where we highlight this process. All the content we are creating here, allows people to see a glimpse of the job of an artist and the magic that happens along the way.”

Joslyn Rose Lyons, Producer/Director

JOSLYNROSELYONS.COM

@itsjoslynrose

Rafael Casal, Writer/Producer/Performer GETRAFAEL.COM
@rafaelcasal

“As history shows, it is hard not to be drawn to the light. Both in people and in projects that resonate. When Joslyn first asked me if I was interested in a  project dedicated to giving language and focus to what drives the creative mind,  I realized was experiencing her creativity at work during that very conversation, excited and energized by the brainstorm that was stirring between us in collaboration. Realizing that the very feeling I was experiencing in that moment was the focus of the light project itself, how could I not contribute? It was already happening, and it hasn’t stopped since.”

Rafael Casal, Writer/Producer/Performer

GETRAFAEL.COM
@rafaelcasal

Matt Smith, Producer/Director REVOLUTIONLABORATORY.COM @mattsmif

“The light represents the power of the arts. I find it fascinating to
examine the truly gifted artist, who has not only mastered the
technical aspects of their craft but is also able to connect with,
influence and inspire an audience through their artistic light.”

Matt Smith, Producer/Director 

REVOLUTIONLABORATORY.COM
@mattsmif

Malik Buie, Director/Producer BET Networks & REDSUMMER.TV @RedSummerTV

“I would be crazy to turn down the opportunity to work with the
producers and curators for this project. I make it a habit of working with creative and inspirational people, and that’s who I’m working with for The Museum of Light. It’s important to explore the light and an artist’s journey in order to get a greater understanding of them, their process, but most importantly, its cool when you find commonalities in their journey that you relate to, and that speaks to you…That is inspiring.”

Malik Buie, Director/Producer

BET Networks & REDSUMMER.TV
@RedSummerTV

The post Curating the Alchemy of the Artists’ Journey appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Museum of Light digital platform that explores the alchemy of the artists’ journey teams with Fusicology to create a content partnership.

The post Museum of Light and Fusicology Form Content Partnership appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Rafael Casal, who appeared on seasons 4,5 and 6 of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, explains how he and the Grammy and Tony Award-winning Diggs are using #BARS to shine their light.

“#BARS is a workshop I founded with my long-time collaborator Daveed Diggs as a place for artists to explore the intersection between contemporary verse/rap and theater. It came about as a joke suggestion from a friend, and turned into a force all it’s own through the excitement and genius of the artists who have been a part of it…: I think it’s a place for us to peer into the future of our individual and collective art through games and exercises. We just bring our skill sets like ingredients. Some people can rap, some can sing, some can write, some can do all of the above. The mutual ground is the love for pushing the boundaries of the forms, of using verse to tell heightened stories, and to see what new configurations of language can emerge when dope people get together to do dope shit.” – Rafael Casal

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR #BARS MEDLEY VOL. 2

The #BARS MEDLEY VOL. 2 drops November 14th! So many fantastic surprise guests, performances, and an amazing moment for new and emerging aesthetics in theater. Check it out at:

Bars Workshop NYC: barsworkshopnyc.com

Instagram.com/barsworkshopny

Learn more about #BARS here.

You can also find out more about this story at THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT.

Photo Credit: Lavell Wells, Vincent Morris, Matt Smith. 

The Museum of Light is curated by: 

Billy Johnson Jr., Adell Henderson, Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.

 

The post Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs using #BARS to shine their light: #BARS MEDLEY VOL. 2 drops November 14th appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: What inspired you to create #BARS workshop, and what do you hope this unique platform will provide to other performers?

RAFAEL CASAL: #BARS is a workshop I founded with my long-time collaborator Daveed Diggs as a place for artists to explore the intersection between contemporary verse/rap and theater. It came about as a joke suggestion from a friend, and turned into a force all it’s own through the excitement and genius of the artists who have been a part of it.

It has three components: a masterclass series with seven different guest speakers, a workshop period where we write, stage and create new work together, and a culminating video medley that we create for YouTube. The medley and the masterclass talks are all documented and put online, so we can spread the conversation and creation to others who are invested in this kind of art.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: You also hold the Monday conversations at #BARS with artists from both the Hip Hop world and from Broadway, such as Black Thought of The Roots/Jimmy Fallon, Hamilton director Tommy Kail. What have been the highlights from these conversations so far?

RAFAEL CASAL: Because this conversation feels so new still, it has all been a highlight. But there were exciting themes that continued to prevail in each conversation; points about authenticity, about methodology as an artist, the importance of verse throughout the history of the arts, what it means for new voices to continue pushing into the Broadway realm, and things like what vegetable would be the best playwright if vegetables wrote plays.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Are people surprised by how much the Hip Hop artists know about Broadway?

RAFAEL CASAL: I am not of the impression that an overwhelming amount Hip Hop artists are super savvy on Broadway and it’s goings-on, but who knows… maybe Young Thug was super into Shuffle Along. I think it’s fantastic that Hamilton summoned some of the rap elite into a Broadway seat, and that The Hamilton Mixtape features a crazy list of Hip Hop and pop artists that Lin-Manuel Miranda picked out to do some next level shit yet again.

But Hamilton isn’t all of Broadway. It can only do so much as one show, and it’s important that the creation of new work continues so it doesn’t become THE Hip Hop show; an exception to a rule of a continued tradition of a separateness between the highest levels of Hip Hop and theater. It still feels like Hip Hop is in the early ‘80s on Broadway, and Hamilton just proved it’s financially viable in the mainstream marketplace. It’s an exciting time, but a time to start asking a lot of questions, like now there is a one rap song in the new The SpongeBob Musical, performed by the villain… what does that say about rap music? Are we about to re-experience the real VS fake dialogue that the early 90s Hip Hop scene, but with Broadway shows? What is the relationship between Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Chance the Rapper’s “Sunday Candy,” Hamilton, and the Lyricist’s Lounge Show? That is what I’m interested in asking Hip Hop artists about.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: You mentioned that #BARS could be a kind of portal (portal being defined as a doorway, gateway, opening etc.). How would you define a portal in this context as it relates to #BARS?

RAFAEL CASAL: I think it’s a place for us to peer into the future of our individual and collective art through games and exercises. We just bring our skill sets like ingredients. Some people can rap, some can sing, some can write, some can do all of the above. The mutual ground is the love for pushing the boundaries of the forms, of using verse to tell heightened stories, and to see what new configurations of language can emerge when dope people get together to do dope shit.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Portals are often connected to light (how light gets in, how light shines through, etc.). How does #BARS provide a portal to performers and in what ways have you seen performers find new openings from this experience?

RAFAEL CASAL: It’s really too early to tell, but everyone seems to be excited by the possibility of it. I had a cohort member tell me that the workshop changed the way she approached art, and that she felt a whole new world of possibilities had opened up to her. Sometimes we just need a space that gives us permission to be the best, most full version of our artistic selves, and we flourish.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: #BARS is shining a spotlight on the stage for both Hip Hop and Theater, creating a bridge between Broadway and spoken word. What is it that allows these two worlds to so naturally shine their light together?

RAFAEL CASAL: I mean… they are both about beautiful language. They are both inherently theatrical, they are both musical. I don’t know that #BARS is the bridge by any means. I think that bridge has existed for a long time within the duality of people who love and exercise themselves in both worlds. #BARS is just a space for those people to improvise and create. #BARS is just a place that “Yes, and”’s the creators own forwarding plot line.

Learn more about #BARS here.

You can also find this story at THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT.

Photo Credit: Lavell Wells, Vincent Morris. V Matt Smith. 

The Museum of Light is curated by: 

Billy Johnson Jr., Adell Henderson, Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.

The post REFLECTIONS IN LIGHT: RAFAEL CASAL EXPLAINS BRIDGING HIP HOP & BROADWAY FOR #BARS appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Just as an alchemist transforms led into gold, do you feel that being an artist relates to that of being an alchemist? Do you view the artist journey and your creative expression, as alchemy?

ROBERT GLASPER: I feel like the transforming of something into another thing as far as the alchemist goes in music is basically understanding all of the elements of the genre that I’m in. Once you understand the element, you’ve got to study the element, and you actually can authentically replicate that element, then, at that you point, you know the ins and outs of it, and you can change it. I feel like that’s what my band does. We’ve all studied and we know the history of the music and all these different things and we know sonically what makes one thing sound different from another thing. So that allows us to have the tools to be able to go from one thing to another and change things. And even have the tools to try to do something that is different that we haven’t really heard as far as we know. A lot of that really comes from studying all types of things. Some people know genres from a far when they hear it and never really played it or lived it. So it’s very important to be in it and then that really helps.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Artists are often labeled as “stars.” Just as a star radiates light and the planets then reflect this light, do you see your work as an artist like that of a star? Is this “light” that stars radiate merely the evidence of this journey of becoming a star/learning to radiate light?

ROBERT GLASPER: I see my work as a light to people. I feel that because I’ve been able to read feedback from people from social media, talked to people at shows, I get a lot of insight on what my music does for them. And even for some music, my intention wasn’t for a certain feeling, but for somebody else it resonated a certain way. I was like, ‘Wow. I didn’t have that in mind when I wrote this song.’ For them it’s like something else. It’s great. You never know what your music is gonna do for people. It’s very good to be open and honest about your music because people are going to interpret it different ways anyway. So being a cookie cutter and doing what somebody else does, for what? They’re going to have their feeling about what it makes them feel like. People can feel when something is pretentious. They feel it when it’s not honest. I try to always be honest because that’s what’s gotten me this far. People telling me how my music has changed their life or changed a situation. It let’s me know that was a light for them. I think that’s great and what motivates me.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: When an artist is not “creating” it is often labeled a “creative block.” How do you navigate this space, how do you find the creative spark in the dark, and does it require courage to create from this unknown space? Describe this process.

ROBERT GLASPER: What’s helping me create and find that spark? It’s funny a lot of people when they create, musicians, we tend to say, All right tomorrow at 2 o’clock, I’m going to sit down and write a song. Like they got the universe on lock. Like at 2 o’clock that’s when the Gods are going to give me this beam and the song is gonna be written and this amazing thing. I don’t do that. Pretty much since I started playing, recording music, I’ve always had voice notes on my phone because I get inspired by so many things in my life: riding a train, walking down the street, in the bathroom. Like a song might play in the bathroom while I’m taking a piss and it inspires another thought. And as musicians, thoughts come and go really fast. So we let go of more than we keep, just naturally. So I try to record as much as I can to keep as much as I can. Immediately I pick up my phone and I sing whatever idea it was in my phone. And that’s how I recorded 95 percent of my music by doing that because I get inspired when I’m not in front of the piano. Seeing the piano doesn’t inspire me. Life inspires me. So whereever that might be, I always carry my phone so I can try to capture that moment. Then, I’ll work on it later. Flesh it out and make it something. But that’s what I’m inspired by: life. It could be anything. Any person, any song, a bird. The other day I saw this hummingbird flying around the tree. Somebody had a little hummingbird feeder with sap in it and boom. It inspired me somehow. I took out my phone and sung a melody. I might not use it for six months, but when it’s time, I’ll go back and listen and will be like, Oh, I can use that as a tag for that song or ending or bridge or anything. I just try to record all my ideas.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: If you want to know what alchemy sounds like, listen to Robert Glasper Experiment’s work. His new album, ArtScience, out today, is transformation at its finest. It’s among pop music’s most eclectic merging of genres, incorporating jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, drum and bass, and more.

In addition to addressing the fusion of Art and Science in the album title, Robert also expounds on it on the album’s opening track, “This Is Not Fear.”  As the production moves from battling, frantic saxophone and piano solos, the music calms to allow Robert to speak. He says, “The reality is my people have given the world so many styles of music, so many different styles. So why should I just confine myself to one. We want to explore them all.”

As Robert’s voice fades, the music shifts again and so on. He follows this course for the duration of the album, refusing to limit himself creatively. It’s the way alchemists transform lead into gold.

Photo Credit: Mathieu Bitton

The Museum of Light is curated by: 

Billy Johnson Jr., Adell Henderson, Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.

Fore more on The Museum of Light visit:

http://themuseumoflight.com
https://instagram.com/museumoflight/
Tweets by museumoflight

The post Conversations in Light: Robert Glasper – This Is What Alchemy Sounds Like appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.