Boston Compass #126

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AN INDEPENDENT ARTs & CULTURE GUIDE

art by:

LAYOUT DESIGN: PHOEBE DELMONTE |p.1,4,& 5 HANNAH BLAUNER |p.2 Jenny bergman |p.3 ADRIAN ALVAREZ |p.6 & 8 JULIA BARONI |p.7

Hello to my dear art-worker family, culture-producers, dreamers, planners, storytellers, and community2pm , builders. Our society is not set 9 1 ield 8/2 wn Fster o up to understand the immense @ T orche E D FRE value that we bring to this world. And that is why I’m In the local music scene, there aren’t too many coming at you with a few tips on a free concert record labels with a plan. However, when you look at how to advocate for yourself and your & celebration of the mainstream landscape, labels like Quality Control, work in this day and age. black culture OVO Sound, and the legendary Roc-A-Fella have always 1. What’s your hourly rate? Get informed! Track Public outcry for the protection stressed the importance of being bound by loyalty. your hours. Research what creative workers get paid by googling of Black lives from the hands of But, NNCHVLNT is different. Not only are they bound by “BLS Wage Data.” I guarantee that most people asking for creative White Supremacy and poloyalty, but they are bound by blood. With Sylus Gambilabor do not know these stats. When you inform them, you are helping lice continues to sweep the no and Trippy at the helm, the two wousins (yes, wousins) yourself and artists everywhere. 2. Who’s asking? Recognize that there nation following an incident recruited their own wousins, 26 Rari and Eway Nef, who is a difference between community collaborators and well-funded with Minnesota police that left are also brothers, as well as their best friend, Vanni Allan clients. DO NOT give out ideas, insight, or connections for free to 46-year-old George Floyd dead. Poe, to kick off the indie label roster. “We felt like businesses, orgs, or institutions that can afford to pay you. Research Black Lives Matter activists and allies the city [didn’t] have a household label,” said Trippy. whoever is asking you for labor and find out what their annual budget are considering what they can do to put “We don’t have a solid team putting on for Boston is. 3. Don’t accept payoffs! Especially for our BIPOC fam, it is all the rage an end to centuries-old cycles contributing just yet, although, there are some heavy hitters now for companies to appear woke by collaborating with diverse artists. to Black death and struggle. As protests and working. So, essentially, we built this label with Refer to point #2, and consider that a request for your collaboration initiatives erupt all over the globe, Boston artist, the goal to bring awareness to who and what could be used to leverage a more meaningful commitment to Lance Jackson, has taken an introspective approach the Boston hip-hop scene really is.” Not limitthe BIPOC community. Play the long game, and realize that your on how he can support his community through his ed to music, the label also has its own clothresponse to these offers is absolutely an opportunity to support passion for art and exploring a front on which his art ing line, NNCHVLNT Clothing. A lifestyle the movement. All of these conversations can be handled firmly and activism align. Jackson says he’s seeking to “fit into brand, NNCHVLNT Clothing is described and respectfully. Brain Arts is happy to consult for free to any something that more so aligns with the ultimate mission as “promoting a lifestyle of empowerment.” creative who needs advice on how to maneuver around of revolutionary change.” He asked himself, “what can Using a koala as their logo, the emphasis on these situations. Use your brain! We are here to help— I do for all Black artists, and all Black businesses and the lips and nose was not only a response to reach out to info@brain-arts.org or DM us at @ all Black organizations, while keeping it in the mindthe racist use of blackface but to make a point brain_arts_org on Instagram or Twitter. set of being an artist?” His answer? “Power to The that to be “NNCHVLNT” is to be “unbothered People!” A local music festival with the goal to by society’s views on all minorities.” Since starting —Emma Leavitt, “unify all Black-owned things like businesses and NNCHVLNT Records in 2019, the label has recently BAO Director organizations that work toward the betterment of been picking up pace, releasing four projects under the [Black] community overall.” His idea comes the imprint and six singles. When asked about the fujust in time as COVID restrictions shift with the ture plans for the label, Gambino stated, “more or less [we phased reopening of the state. The festival, slated want] to be a force in Boston and make a mark in the industry. for August 29 at noon, will occur at Town Field in Not just on the local scene, but internationally.” As far as what’s Dorchester. It will include a host of local Black organext musically, NNCHVLNT’s Sylus Gambino has a record comnizations and businesses, such as Fairmont Innovation ing with Atlanta artist, T.K. Kravitz, titled “Down For Me” featuring Labs and Dorchester Art Project, that will provide enterVanni Allan Poe and 26 Rari, with production handled by the city’s tainment and education. There will be food provided by local own Humbeats. “Down For Me” serves as a follow-up to Gambino’s vendors, too! The festival, despite being free, will pay involved artists March single, “Kill Or Be Killed.” with funds raised by festival-goers, aiming to act as a liaison between the two parties. Power to the People is also a collective, spearheaded by Jackson, focuses —Tahisha Charles, on identifying and creating solutions for issues facing the Black community that often www.miixtapechiick.com result from white supremacy. “We’re an advocate of making the change happen instead of waiting for it,” said Jackson. —Nisaa Jackson THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL, A LOCAL AGENCY THIS PAPER IS AN ONGOING PROJECT OF BRAIN ARTS ORGANIZATION, INC., A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT. PLEASE CONSIDER WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL, AS ADMINSTRATED BY THE MAYOR'S DONATING TO, VOLUNTEERING OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTING US: BRAIN-ARTS.ORG OFFICE OF ARTS + CULTURE

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