In This Issue music
6
Quez
8
Bobby Midas
10
Jeff Sanon
film
12
written
16
fashion
24 Illmob Premium Streetwear
art
30 34
Jasmin Savoy Brown Tyson Amir
LZY GENiUS Keyani Watkins
THE TEAM AT REAL ARTISTS WANTED Editor In Chief
Mason Taylor
Editorial Assistant
Jared Quick
Men’s Fashion Analyst Earvin Sulapat
QUEZ
CHICAGO, IL story by: Mason Taylor
Chicago has a knack for breeding unique talent. This trend is continued by, Quez. He has the ability to cross genres and stay true to himself. Smooth grooves paint a backdrop for his laid back flow. We caught up with Quez just before the screening of his film Damzel to see what he was all about.
Can you tell us about your vision behind your EP and the short film Damzel? My infatuation with romance & the psychology behind it. I love women, this is me expressing my appreciation of women. However during the process of creating this EP I experienced the most turmoil from the women in my life. It was all bad. It was mixture of me messing up & a little bit of over dramatization from the other side.
6
I’ve actually dealt with the most drama related to women during the process of creating these songs for sure.
How have your surroundings influenced you creatively? Living in a place you’ve been yo whole life can become uninspiring - however I’m blessed with several different examples of what’s possible from Chance to G Herbo to joeFreshGoods to Brandon Breaux to
Campaign Season
stitchGod to Cam Obi etc. My surroundings (Chicago) has influenced me creatively to do & say whatever it is I want & own it.
What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep creating? I know the feeling of being on the cusp of something great but being sideline from making excuses. Allowing myself to believe the stupid shit like paying bills, not having enough bread for mixing & mastering, not having the perfect whatever to release whatever, waiting too long to release whatever, complaining about not having a manager etc. I was dumb enough to allow that to hold me back. When all ii had to do was make music. Now I’m inspired by feeling like I have something to prove to myself. I for real believe some people think I either (A) Fell off or (B) never was cold in the beginning [lol]. Either way I’m at everybody’s head now.
Who has played the biggest role in your life creatively? Me. I’ve oddly played the biggest role in my life creatively. Through trying to find my light in music & film making I’ve experienced the most rigorous ups & downs creatively. My mood is a direct line to my creativity; I prefer to feel invincible when I’m creating. I prefer not to be worried about things that make me feel lesser than. I sometimes can convert negative experiences into art but it’s like [damn] that’s all I had to work with these past two years. But other than myself, Tyler the creator has for sure played a huge role creatively. Kendrick Lamar’s “To pimp a butterfly” album changed my whole POV of creating an album, I could teach a class on that album. Anderson Paak’s Malibu album. I can go on forever with different artists that
have influenced me but the biggest influence have been the different women in my life. I’ve learned so much about women this past year it’s scary; even more scary that the learning curve on women is never ending.
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why? Hack into billionaires bank account. Definitely to feed the poor but also just for clutch situations. For example my homie Ralph Gene, great on the drums, keys overall a great musical director. My mans was making beats on his phone because he didn’t own a laptop. I’m like bro, WE NEED TO GET YOU A LAPTOP MY G! Genius level talent walking around w/no laptop. That’ll be a clutch moment where use my superpower & take $2k from a billionaire and buy my mans a laptop. I mean would a billionaire even see or care $2k missing? No? [aight we good then]
What does a day to day look like for you if you’re not making music? At the casino trying to win some bread to get a boot off my car. Buying musical equipment. [Or] paying my rent.
Who did you grow up listening to that influenced your sound today? Lil Zane, Petey Pablo, Sisqo, Bow Wow [Nah I’m playing for real though below:] Ludacris, T.i, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Fabulous, Clipse, Jay-Z, Eminem, NERD, OutKast, Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, Nas, T-pain, Trey Songz, Neyo, Lloyd, Linkin Park, Nirvana.
Real Artists Wanted
7
BOBBY MIDAS
OCEANSIDE, CA story by: Mason Taylor
Clef House Records founder, Bobby Midas is a multimedia creative with a style unlike any other. From music, both production and creation, to film, to business, he’s paving a path for himself as well as other artists to push forward. We got the chance to link up with Bobby to get to know the artist behind the art.
Where are you from and how has that influenced you creatively? I’m from Memphis, TN. However, the areas of the era most influential to me were outside of my hometown. I played in the marching band but never saw a future in music until my late teens. Most people automatically assume I’m a huge Three Six Mafia fan. But early on I was more into Outkast, Timbaland, Devin the Dude, etc. Can’t forget Anita Baker.
8
Is your approach to video production different compared to music production? Completely different. To me, visuals have to be more open to compromise. Some shots are impacted by factors beyond your control. Weather, access, budget, that kind of stuff. Music production, however, is just a matter of your creative mind. There’s always a potential musical production at your fingertips. I can’t always say that for visuals.
Campaign Season
What is your favorite creative medium and why? Despite visuals having more factors that can have a negative impact on film. It’s still my favorite medium. Angles, edits, the pace I love it all, hands down. I feel like imagery puts people so much closer to an artist than an audio. That’s why I feel touring is the bread and butter for artists.
Who has influenced you the most in your life and how do you channel that energy into your different projects? Overall, life as a whole. Life influences art, it’s that simple. Musically, Kanye West. During an era of mafioso rap, College Dropout resonated with me, being that I wasn’t really in the streets at the time [that came later]. Visually, Hype Williams, JeromeD, Steve McQueen, & Spike Lee all for slightly different reasons but overall, to me they’re icons, with dope signature shooting styles.
Can you tell us about Clef House Records and your goals through that? Clef House Records is my homage to the culture that I love and want to be a part of until I’m gone. We offer and provide a number of in-house services; from production, visuals, management, artist development, the whole shabang. My goal is to give the hungry and talented unheard a platform and opportunity to leave their stamp, while remaining sustainable as an indie label. That’s what I feel Clef House Records is about, the culture being for the artists and vice versa. The Clef is the House.
When did you first know that music was something you had to do? Spring 2004, College Dropout, by Kanye West. That’s when I realized I wanted to be involved in music for life. I mean I was and always will be a fan of that era of music, but I never wanted to pursue it until that album. So yeah, thank you Yeezy.
What are you working on right now? Right now, I’m finalizing my independent label, Clef House Records. I’m currently managing my first rap duo by the name Deaf2Authority (D2A), based out of Oceanside, CA. It’s a timely process learning as I go but I love it. Check for them on YouTube, especially 3AM & Built4Dis...[shameless plug lol]
Real Artists Wanted
9
Between Huey And Malcolm (2015) by Tyson Amir
Dr. Huey P. Newton had an epiphany and then said, I don’t expect the white media to create positive black male images. He wouldn’t be surprised to see how Evening networks accumulate their net worth of billions off assassinating the character of our children they objectively report the news about black lives matter of factly they spin white lies that evolve into black lies about black lives because we don’t matter to them only in terms of their bottom line. Our worth in their eyes is somewhere between feline and pigeon. Y’all, we still less than k-9 because ninjas remember how they sent that boy Mike Vick to prison but be the color of George Zimmerman a private citizen and you can legally murder a nigga and walk off Scott free but Walter Scott can’t flee and Eric garner can’t breathe, and Tyeisha Miller can’t sleep and Oscar Grant can’t see his daughter no more This ain’t no folklore Oh no, there’s so much more Four score and 7 years ago nah, before that 1619 the first time these white beings
brought us to these shores and since then it’s been all out war Their strategies and tactics have adapted de jure to de facto ipso facto they’ve tormented and attacked us to extinguish the light of black souls theirs is a pathological praxis rooted in a xenophobic, schizophrenic, racially insecure culturally immature social apparatus which forced them to concoct a reality that confers to them an unearned status of unmerited advantage to make them feel adequate. In turn we are termed the thugs and the savages. The whole system stacked against us we victims of bell curves intelligent quotient averages recipients of jail terms residents of a ghetto pan’s labyrinth. Very few can survive the madness. And for those that do government issued bullets fly faster than light travels from the sun to our planet. That 3rd rock from the sun Got me Malcolm in the middle, nah, I’m Malcolm in the window on third watch watching over our daughters and sons Kalashnikov 47 cocked for them when they come and we know they will come
because for us this land is a Robert Kirkman graphic novel for it feeds off the blood of our young We are the walking dead just channeling our inner Tyrese not destined to make it passed the first few letter boxes of the first few sheets We are akin to proteins and fatty lipids in the belly of the beast Our appendages are the meat of fleshy mangoes stuck in teeth to be plucked and sucked in moments after the feast now let that digest I know these words hit hard to the gut like dysentery or hard to the brain like religious missionaries colonizing souls and minds no matter how you reduce it, pain is the protocol you either die or revoke your past and try to pass for something you not on that Rachel Dolezal but we can’t opt out, can’t drop out, especially when them cops is out index itchy when them guns come out we go to sleep dreaming at night wishing it would all run out and be replaced by something different when the sun comes out. But day breaks and the morning is here
and we find ourselves in mourning again and I don’t want to see anymore mornings where we mourning kith and kin So I guess that means that we’re back on that Malcolm again In essence it only means we want one thing. We declare our right on this earth to be a man, to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary!
photography by: Kerbens Boisette @therealkerbens
JEFF SANON
OTTAWA, CANADA story by: Mason Taylor
For all of you R&B heads, we have the artist that should be on your playlist in, Jeff Sanon. R&B has been in a transition phase for a minute now, hate it or love it. If you’re looking for that feel good bounce, he’s got the hook up. From sining to rapping, Jeff’s got a sound you need to hear. Get to know him.
with it and wondering how something so great is even created.
What is your favorite part of the creative process and what drew you to music to begin with?
Who is Jeff Sanon, behind the music?
I would have to say my favorite part of the creative process is the production side of things. I just have so much fun experimenting with sounds and mixing them together to cohesively make them one. After 13 years of producing, it’s still astonishing to me how starting with a single kick drum or a clap sound can turn into a whole banger. That’s what drew me to the music in the first place. Being amazed by it, falling in love
12
Jeff Sanon is a kid from Ottawa with a vision as big as the world. When it boils down, I’m genuinely just a passionate being, a lover of the arts and a hopeless romantic.
Campaign Season
If you could choose one superpower what would it be and why? My one superpower would be to fly. I think that’s the answer most people lean towards as I’m sure everyone would love the ability and freedom to just fly anywhere in the world to get away sometimes. It would also help with not having to spend any money on flights and traveling fees!
If you could describe your music with one color, what would it be and why? The color would have to be black. First, black is my favorite shade. I feel like if my soul was a color, it would most likely be black. My music reflects my soul; therefore, black is the color of my music by default. Besides, black goes with everything and that’s my approach when I make music. I use my versatility to make people from different walks of life feel included in my art.
There have been a lot of Canadian artists making noise in the game lately, in your opinion what sets you apart?
Who are you listening to right now? Right now, I’m bumping that Brent Faiyaz “Sonder Son”. That’s that heat! Maurice Moore & JYDN cause that’s family right there, and other artists from my city that I like. Pretty much anything Migos & Metro Boomin related is fire to me. Any videos on the way, in particular for your track “Miss Solana”? I’m more focused on the music aspect right now, but you never know what the future holds! When people ask, I tell them I refuse to do a video for Miss Solana if I can’t have SZA popping up in slow motion at the end of the video; so, pray for your boy and maybe we’ll make it happen!
What’s next for you? Working on my upcoming project, more music, more production, more songwriting and more growth as an artist, as a father and as a man. I’m excited for 2018 and what it has in store for me!
I’ll refer to my last my answer and say my versatility. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a very strong attention to detail when it comes to music. I literally studied every producer that inspired me one by one from Dr. Dre, Swizz Beats, Timbaland, Scott Storch, ‘Ye etc. I’ve also been inspired by all genres of music my whole life which taught me to compose music outside of the urban genres and I honed that craft over the years.
What kind of music did you grow up on? I remember listening to a lot of Bob Marley and the Wailers when I was very young. My mom would play that often. I also grew up on a lot of Kompa & Zouk, which is very dope Haitian music. I got into Hip Hop after that and fell in love forever. Real Artists Wanted
13
14
Campaign Season
photography by: Luiz Lima @luizlimaphoto
Jasmin Savoy Brown Alameda, CA
story by: Mason Taylor
Jasmin is a force that you don’t want to get in the way of. The multi-talented performer is going to be starring as Allison Adams in ABC’s new series produced by Shonda Rhimes “For The People”, and we got a chance to get to know her. She’s taking names in the game and rightfully so. Along with being so active through entertainment, she’s also extremley passionate about supporting womens rights.
Real Artists Wanted
15
Who is Jasmin Savoy Brown the person, when the cameras aren’t rolling? When the cameras aren’t rolling, I drop the Savoy. Everyone back home calls me Jasmin Brown and it feels more simple and easy going, which is how I feel when I’m not on set. I don’t often wear makeup, my hair is up on top of my head, and much to the chagrin of my girlfriend, I am usually wearing socks and sandals. I love staying in to read a good book or watch a movie, and I love to cook. I try to call my mom and my best friends back home every time I have a long drive in LA, which is about every other day.
disappointment, joy, passion, dreams, disappointments and so on. But the way we respond to what life throws at us, is what distinguishes us so drastically from the people to our left and to our right. The characters I’ve played have taught me different ways of looking at the world and existing in it. They’ve also taught me that there is always, always something to learn from everyone I meet. I must remain present.
What do you like to do in your off time to keep your creativity flowing? I write and play music, read fiction, spend as much time outdoors as possible, and play with my dog. I also try to spend as much time as possible around other creative people that I find inspiring. Fortunately for me, all of my friends are bad ass creatives, so it’s not that hard
What was your upbringing like? My upbringing was humble. I grew up in Springfield, Oregon and spent every afternoon as a kid riding bikes, climbing trees, and counting stars. The neighbourhood kids practically lived outside in the summer time. We didn’t have much. I was an only child, and didn’t have a video game console like a lot of my friends, so as a result was forced to get creative. I spent thousands of hours entertaining myself in my room, putting on shows for my stuffed animals or anyone who would take the time to stop and listen. My mom was my best friend, and we watched a movie every single weekend for years. We laughed a lot and loved each other.
What have you learned about yourself through playing different characters? I’ve learned that I am not limited in who I am or who I can become. Every single person shares a universal human experience - we all know pain, love,
16
to find myself inspired.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced up to this point in your career, and how did you beat it? What has been your biggest accomplishment? My biggest challenge has been remaining true to who I am. Occasionally a role will come along that I disagree with as a feminist, or on a personal or moral level, and it feels wrong to decline the opportunity when I know what it could do for my career. I beat that by constantly surrounding myself with people who know me for who I truly am, and engaging them in honest conversation. This
Campaign Season
includes myself. It’s very easy to lie to myself, so I have to keep myself honest. My biggest accomplishment, I would say, is I have consistently played roles that are different from one another. For that reason, I don’t feel that I have been put in a box, and I will be able to continue to play different roles and expand myself as an actor.
Who are you listening to right now, who’s in your top 5?
on behalf of myself to live in a state of peace.
We heard you are working on an album. Can you tell us what we can expect from it? I’m very excited about it! You can expect to experience a different side of me. More raw and vulnerable, and hopefully poetic!
Brandi Carlile, Sarah Jaffe, Julia Michaels, Bette Midler, and In The Heights Original Soundtrack.
You have “lover of words” in your Twitter bio. What is your favorite word, and how does it relate to your personality? At the moment, my favorite word is peace. I struggle with anxiety and I’m currently learning my triggers and methods of proper, healthy self care. I think we’re all on a quest for peace, whether consciously or subconsciously, but that word takes on a whole new meaning when dealing personally with mental health. I am working hard Real Artists Wanted
17
18
Campaign Season
Tyson Amir San Fransisco, CA story by: Mason Taylor
The best way to describe Tyson Amir and his ability to paint with words is, a writer for the ages. The man behind “Black Boy Poems” is also a freedom fighter, as well as an educator that has the knoweldge to speak directly to the culture. Raised around revloutionaires, he was able to pick up on things and learn how to move efficiently at an early age. Driven by heart, soul and struggle, Tyson aims to educate and uplift - and from what we’ve seen he’s paving the way for the younger generation to do the same. We got to talk with him about his debut book and find out a little bit about the person behind the pen.
Real Artists Wanted
19
How does your perspective influence your writing when it comes to connecting with people who come across your work who may be outside of your regular audience?
times universal.
That’s what’s up. It’s a good question. At all times perspective influences any and everything that I do, especially when it comes to my writing. If something does not come from a deep and sincere part of who I am, then I can’t even do it. In terms of my writing, my pen wouldn’t even be able to put it on paper. That is one of the things I feel I am the most consistent with when it comes to my writing, I write my experience and the experience of my people. That experience is deeply shaped by the perspective granted to me through my lived experience. Its’ where it begins and it’s why I write. And I have to be true to that regardless of who is reading/ listening.
I appreciate this question too. I’ve found many folks with all different types of theories about the book title. Some think it’s only a collection of poems, and others think its a group of poems for black boys. None of that is true. Black Boy Poems is a revolutionary manifesto which uses the Hip Hop format to enhance the delivery and understanding of revolutionary principles. I called it Black Boy Poems because one of my favorite writers, Richard Wright named his autobiography Black Boy. That book was incredible to me. Wright’s ability to write his thoughts and experiences showed me the power of writing in a way I never imagined. I wanted to pay homage to him in the title of my book so that’s part of why Black Boy is part of the title. I also wanted Black Boy to be there because that is a major part of my context/ perspective. I was raised as a black child in America. That experience shapes everything about me. Lastly, the poems part is because the cultural technology I inherited from my people was hip hop. I am an offspring of the Black Power Movement, and we grew up in communities that had some political understanding and began to pioneer hip hop. My Hip Hop and poetry is one way I combine the political understanding I received from my elders with a modern way to express it. That is part of how we arrive at the title of Black Boy Poems.
My elders in the Black Panther Party stressed the concept of speaking to the people in a language that they understand. That was part of what they did in their paper The Black Panther. It was a way to take the analysis of the concrete conditions and arm the people with that information. Hip Hop is very similar in its ability to take information and put it in the hearts and minds of the people. Regardless of the listener on the other end I do my best to speak with the power, clarity and authority of my perspective and experience. In doing so, it resonates with the listener/reader because it’s real. Wether you see me in person, hear a recording, or read it on the page the message comes across with authenticity and realness. That’s what’s moves the people, and that’s what makes the message powerful and at
20
There’s a lot in a name, can you tell us about your process in titling “Black Boy Poems” ?
Campaign Season
What was growing up like with your father being a part of The Black Panthers, and how has that shaped your outlook today? I owe everything that I am to the tradition of struggle that our ancestors put forth in order for us to be here. I come from a very strong people who fought long and hard for their children to have a chance at a better world. My father is an example of that. The Black Panther Party is arguably the most important revolutionary group in the United States in the 20th century. It’s possible to same the most important revolutionary group in the history of the United States. The education that I was able to receive from my father and his time with the party was immense. He made it very clear that the men and women who made up the Black Panther Party were to be my role models. I needed to learn from them and find my way to carry that struggle forward. It wasn’t done in a way that was overbearing and overly militant, it was done with love. One of the revolutionary personalities the BPP learned from was Che Guevara, who once said, “At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love.” That was a major part of the lessons, it’s not about anger or hatred, it’s a fight born out of love for the people and for what’s right. I’m thankful for that because it gave me a proper foundation to stand upon so I wouldn’t be swallowed up by the madness of pop culture. It also gave me focus and direction. I knew who I was and I knew what my people needed from me. I’ve done my best to honor that understanding everyday.
What was your experience like getting your first book published? It was a great process for me. I had never attempted to do anything like it before. I’ve released multiple albums but never even had a thought of a book. I honestly never set out to be an author. I never had a great relationship with writing aside from writing verses and a few poems every now and again.
I had a few homies who put out books over the last 10 years and I was definitely inspired by them but I couldn’t do something just to follow the homies. If it wasn’t authentic and real, then I didn’t need to do it. I also come from a tradition that says if you have the ability to do something that can benefit the people, then it’s your responsibility to do it for the sake of the people. Once the idea for the book came to mind there was no doubt that I would do it. The only thing was figuring out how to get the book edited, permissions, copy written and published. When I think of the BPP starting free health care clinics and breakfast programs for kids, they didn’t know how to do all that. It was something the people needed so they found the means to make it happen. It was the same for the book, I didn’t know how to do it but I was definitely going to figure it out. I did some research, made some phone calls, shot off some emails and in a short period of time the book was being edited. I had secured the majority of the permissions for the quoted text in my book and I was just about ready to go to print. I’m thankful for that process because now I know what is needed to publish a book. I have a great team of people that I can work with now on future projects; and most importantly I can teach somebody else the process so they can publish their own work.
Who are you listening to these days that inspires you? Sadly, I’m not inspired by much in terms of content these days. Hip Hop is cool but it’s a lot of folks just talking. Bruh, it’s not a time for talking. We live in a time where people need to be about actions that dramatically impact the conditions of our communities. The actions can’t just be “pursuing” money. That’s wack. You can’t out capitalist the capitalists. And in many ways mainstream and underground hip hop has been degraded to a constant soundtrack for black and brown kids trying to pursue white, racist, imperialist/capitalist dreams. That don’t move me at all. It certainly doesn’t feed me the way I would want my music to.
Real Artists Wanted
21
I respect the talent of many artists out. There’s great production and quality in a lot of the music, but content is an entire different story. We are an oppressed/colonized people, bruh. We have to change that. We don’t win by trying to adopt the worst aspects of the people who colonized and oppressed us. In many ways that’s what we’re singing in our songs because we believe that’s where some power and respect comes from. As Chairman Mao said, “Political power comes out of the barrel of a gun.” We have to acknowledge that the gun is not revolutionary in and of itself. What makes a gun revolutionary is the philosophy in the mind and body of the person holding the gun. This is the same with any source of “power”. The philosophy in the minds and bodies of our potential revolutionary soldiers is off. That is why we engage in so much counterproductive and counter revolutionary activity that only benefits our oppressors. We need to find our purpose and our struggle again. If we do that, then things begin to change. One positive consequence of that would be the music would improve content wise. A few folks that I have been slapping over the past year have been: Kendrick, Quincey White (fka DUBB), and Rexx Life Raj.
When did you know that being an author was the path you wanted to take? There’s a quote I often share by Ho Chi Minh who said, “Today we should make poems including iron and steel, And the poet also should know how to lead an attack.” That quote means so much to me in terms of its depth and focus. We have to respond to the times properly. It’s not enough to just be an artist or a poet when you live in a time that calls for revolution. It’s not enough to just want to be the best rapper ever when your folks are literally dying in the streets daily. I try not to
22
ever lose sight of the fact that we live in a time that demands we fight for the freedom of our people. And that is why I identify as a freedom fighter first and foremost. I’m not an author, emcee, educator, or any of the other titles that can be ascribed to me. I believe in doing what I can to ensure the freedom and liberation of my people. If I have to write a book and become an author to contribute to that effort, then so be it. If I have to learn how to master the art of hip hop and release several albums to make that happen, then so be it. If I have to pick up a gun and help fight in battle to make that happen, then so be it. The goal is always the same. The means adjust depending on what can be accomplished based on specific conditions, but the goal remains the same. Becoming an author was an important opening to take advantage of. It was a means to sharing my material with a much broader audience while allowing me direct access to young people all throughout the country. Huey P. Newton said, “The youth are the inheritors of the revolution.” I had to find a way to bring the information to the youth. I had to do it. And I’m still doing it. We’re building an incredible movement with this book. Young people are being exposed to revolutionary peoples and theories that they normally wouldn’t have access to because of this work. I’m thankful for that and there is more to be done.
If you weren’t writing, what would you being doing? Hopefully something that honors the struggle of my people and contributing to the eventual freedom and liberation of our folks. I mean that with all the sincerity I possess. That is very real for me. I have a few lines in a piece that go: The judges, the police The government on the sneak The saga never cease The cycle on repeat
Campaign Season
The enemy on the creep The torch was passed to me I’m trying to carry on tradition for my people to be free. That’s as real as it gets for me. I hope I’d be in the middle of something that represents carrying on that struggle for freedom.
What’s up next for you? There’s so much work to do. I’m currently finishing up a curriculum for my book to make it easier for teachers to teach it in classrooms. I’m doing a lot of work with jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities to help bring this info to the people. We’re also working on building some housing for our folks out here in West Oakland. I have the honor and privilege of working with Sista Elaine Brown, the only woman to ever lead the Black Panther Party. We have a non-profit named Oakland and The World Enterprises. One of our projects for 2018 is to build a 79 unit 100% affordable housing complex in West Oakland, the home of the Black Panther Party. There is so much to do and I’m doing my best to stay in the middle of all I can contribute to.
I have a few book ideas that I plan to break ground on in 2018 as well. There’s a book project I hope to work on with Sista Elaine Brown real soon. I can go on but I’ll stop it there. I’m thankful for this opportunity to build with y’all. I respect the mission and vision of RAW. I appreciate y’all taking a moment to look at what I’m cooking up over here. I also look forward to seeing more from RAW. Bring these real stories to the people, keep inspiring the people. We need it.
Project wise, I’ll be releasing a second edition of Black Boy Poems and an audiobook for it. I’ll also be dropping my latest musical project, Tradition. I’m really looking forward to that. Real Artists Wanted
23
26
photography by: Cedric Johnon @blvqxcellence
Campaign Season
Illmob Premium Streetwear San Diego, CA
story by: Mason Taylor
Illmob has been making alot of noise around town as an intricatley curated streetwear brand founded by San Diego native Earvin Sulapat (EJ). Illmob Clothing recently made the transition to Illmob Premium Streetwear in an effort to further elevate the brand, and establish themselves as a team that’s here to stay. Streetwear can get tricky - navigating the scene through trends, hypebeasts and culture vultures, while finding a way to maintain a true, core, audience can be a challenge. Through highs and lows, Illmob has been able to weather the storm and stay resilliant in times where people looking from the outside in just thought it couldn’t work anymore. On the brink of releasing their latest collection “The Resistance” we got to sit down with EJ and get a closer look into the lifestyle of this growing brand. 27 Real Artists Wanted
What was the inspiration behind naming your brand “Illmob Premium Streetwear”? To break down the name Illmob we just wanted to come up with brand and a lifestyle that’s Relatable for the streets. Bringing in “Premium Streetwear” in the mix simply because I wanted to make our customers to feel like they’re not just getting your typical streetwear brand. Basically I wanted to be the bridge to the gap between upscale fashion and the streets.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from day one until now through creating your own brand? I’ve learned a lot the past years and still learning to this day but one thing that always stuck with me the most is to not take everything too seriosuly and enjoy the process. I’ve had moments when I took things too personal and it just hurt me in the long run. Moral of the story know how to separate business and personal.
Why streetwear? It’s such a cliche/corny answer but it just found me. Growing up I remember seeing my older cousins being interested in Hip Hop and everyone knows that Streetwear plays a big role in Hip Hop. I remember one of my cousins keeping all of the hang tags of the brands he would buy and as a kid I would look through them. Not sure if that answers your question but I just thought that was a good story to tell.
Over the years we’ve seen a few different faces, can you tell us about your team changes, as well as who’s currently on the roster? Honestly this is a tough subject only because all the past years and people I’ve encountered I had no Idea what I was doing and who the team was. All I wanted to do was make clothes for my friends to wear. Everything was a
28
learning experience and I appreciate everyone that ever lend a hand to help create Illmob. To answer the second part of the question, the roster now consist of myself and Mason Taylor. Mason and I have been working bouncing off ideas on collections every since we made H O O L I G A N S, a capsule collection we made around year 2014.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your newest collection, The Resistance? Every collection we make usually comes from personal experience and we use the brand to express our emotion artistically. With The Resistance in particular, Mason had the name in mind for a while and I just felt like it was missing something. I felt like it was missing a message that would motivate and relate to everyone. There was a moment in time when we both were forced in a few situations that had us make tough decisions in both our personal lives as well as professional careers. That’s when I realized that’s what was missing - long story short, everyone is always resisting against something. It’s a constant struggle.
How has San Diego culture influenced your brand? San Diego influenced my brand in every way I am definitely a product of my environment. Everything about the city inspires me in everyway, I cannot stress that enough. All of the love and the hate, The success and the struggles. Everything man shout out to San Diego one time, I appreciate you. Who are some of your designer influences, and how has their work helped you create your own? Too many to name. With that being said I’m just going to take this time and say thank you to everyone that has ever show support to the brand. Each and everyone of you, It means the world to me and I just want you
Campaign Season
to know that all of the love is appreciated. Stay tuned for future projects and collections. I promise we won’t let you down.
Real Artists Wanted
29
Tradition by Tyson Amir Verse 1: We on a mission Trying to carry on tradition I know the government listen They fighting for extradition They wishing my right to the first amendment be rescinded cause when I’m penning these lyrics them brothers and sisters in tenements hear it They look in the mirror and start feeling fearless They follow me marching down the block Marcus Garvey appearing in the flesh for the second time it’s red, black and green on the crest black star line We been oppressed because they been obsessed they trying to suppress this intellect since Imhotep the architect but we stay building I’m on my Benjamin Banneker, Lewis H. Latimer giving em light the reason they mad at us. They preferring the shadows while we shining immaculate they green with envy because they can’t manufacture it got the African continent on my amulet feet color of burnt brass like Jesus of Nazareth every revolution needing a catalyst from the passages of The Spook Who Sat By The Door the protagonist I’m moving like I’m Sam Greenlee in green fatigues
while these Uncle Tom Kermits sipping they green tea, In these mean, the beast just want to feast, he just pulled up a seat, unfolds his handkerchief like, dinner is served, monsieur bon-appetite The judges the police the government on the sneak, the saga never cease, the cycle on the repeat, the enemy of the creep the torch was passed to me. I’m trying carrying on tradition for my people to be free.
LZY GENiUS San Diego, CA
story by: Jared Quick
LZY GENiUs is two black visual artists using multiple streams of art, from photography, videography, paintings and poems to connect and Captivate an audience.
Who are you, and where are you from? We are LZY GENiUS aka The World Class LZY GENiUS Swim Club, [comprised of WZA and Capt.] - and we’re from everywhere.
How did you become the artist you are today, where did you study and who would you say taught you It was just natural, we never considered ourselves artist, just ones that like to ask questions and find answers. After while we just realized that we were artist. We did a lot of our own studying but, we also attended The Art
Institute of San Diego where WZA got his bachelors in photography and Capt. dropped out.
Would you say that you have a style? Yes, LZY G Double Ninja style.
How did you come up with this style of art? We both identify as writers first and foremost so our own personal styles [just] clicked to create the LZY G style. We’re a lot alike, with similar ways of viewing things, so everything was natural and easy.
filming for the 48 Hour Film Festival in San Diego, but the main artists we work with are; Looswachin - a dope painter out of San Diego. Joseph Mustin, a great photographer who runs, “The Wall Art Show Collective” in San |Diego. As well as Frank Dutch the Producer, a dope producer, engineer, and all around creative based out of Virginia.
What would you say influences your style? Life and love is the great influencer and the bond we share as brothers makes it stronger
What inspires you to be different and to want to create art? Creating is second nature - it’s something that drives us to create, we listen to it and go. Being different was never the intention, we are just us and we influence and inspire each other. If you ask us separately we both would say that first before we said anything else and we let each other know that too. Besides each other, there’s a list of free thinkers, artists, black panthers, and family members that are influential.
What would you say is the hardest thing about being an artist? The hardest thing about being artist is identifying as artists all the time. Art is the way we communicate and it’s second nature. Our work has taught us things about life, like learning to shake loads off and to swim good.
Have you ever been inspired to create Have you done any collaborations with art that was based on a social or political influence? other artists such musical artists or fine artists? Yes. We’ve worked on a few music videos with recording artists and have been involved in
34
Yes that’s apart of life, you take in everything and like Nina Simone said, “You can’t help it. An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.”
Campaign Season
Can we be looking forward to any art shows or major projects in the future? Right now we have a few things in the vault we’ve just been sitting on that can drop at any time on our website lzygenius.com. WZA has been writing a lot more and getting work together while Capt. is working on a new series of paintings for Capt.’s log II. Capt. is also going to be in residency at the Arts Letters and Numbers in Averill Park, New York. He will also have paintings in, Diversity & Inclusion: The Influence of African American Art in Southern California exhibit at The Ontario Museum of History and Art that just opened on January 27th.
Real Artists Wanted
35
KEYANI WATKINS
MIAMI, FL story by: Jared Quick
Keyani Watkins Is an artist who creates mind blowing artwork with his usage of pop culture and nostalgia. He articulates the personification of what it means to be a Neo pop artist.
How did you become the artist you are today, where did you study and who would you say taught you I’m a self taught artist. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember but did not take it serious until college. College taught me the background and business side of art and how art is literally EVERYTHING that exists! I graduated with my BFA/BVA at MIU, Miami international University of Art & Design I would say that practice makes perfect and by
36
studying different artists old and new taught me more than anything.
Would you say that you have a style? Yes, I have unique style. Not even sure how to categorize it, but it’s definitely pop art.
How did you come up with this style of art? This style came about searching for inspiration on Instagram. I love cartoons and I can’t live
Campaign Season
without music so by just browsing art categories on those topics in Instagram I ran into a dope person and now good friend named Mykol who did a similar unique mixed media style of art.
Have you done any collaboration, with other artist, such musical artist and fine artist? I’ve done a couple collaborations with my fellow fine artists named Alain Georges (@mindgasum) and Alvin Hernandez (@alvin_arts) we call ourselves “NBA” because were a little art team together. We do a lot of exhibits and live art events together here in Miami. NBA stands for Natural Born Artists. I have yet to collab with any musicians of a high caliber but a lot of them do own some pieces of mine, the collaboration is coming soon for sure!
What would you say inspires and influences your style or make it stronger? Music and Cartoons. But, Life just in general inspires my art. Current events and my environment.
anything. After you start, you take what you can get and the only way is up! Always believe in your end goal and your dream. I’m still in that process myself. Being a full time artist is very hard because it comes with managing your money right for sure. With getting paid you’ll have up days and then really really low days. So it’s a challenge if that’s your only means if income like myself at the moment. So I’m definitely learning that along with PATIENCE!
Have you ever been inspired to create art that was based off a social or political influence? Yes! I actually have a few Martin Luther King Pieces and a Malcolm as well. Along with a controversial Barak Obama piece.
Can we be looking forward to any art shows or major projects in the future? Yes! MOST DEFINITELY! Without a doubt. Big things coming BUT, I don’t know the future so you’ll have to stay tuned and find out just like myself!
Who would you say influences you, what inspires you to be different and to want to create art? A lot of people inspire me. This list just goes on. Not only artists like painting but sculptors, musicians, dancers, etc. What inspires me to create art is to be immortal. My whole reason for doing art is to live forever. I aspire to be taught about in history with other greats as some one who influenced and changed things in a particular way!
What would you say is the hardest thing about being an artist, what lesion and skills have you had to learn through you r process? The hardest thing about being an artist is the starting process! Starting is always difficult with
Real Artists Wanted
37
FROM THE EDITORS DESK
It’s hard for me to really belive that it’s been 2 years since the day that this idea became a reality. Before I really went all in on this, one of the things I heard the most was, “ Print is dead. Why would you even think of making a print editorial?” I stand strong on my answer, it’s because of you. The consistent support you guys show us is literally the reason we’re still here. There’s something about holding a tangible product versus a digital one and I knew I wasn’t the only one out there who felt that way. I want to always continue to elevate the value of the magazine. You might notice this issue has a different look and feel than others in the past. We’ve made some changes, and we aren’t done yet. I’m going to take this time to add in a shameless plug for our newest Podcast, The RAW Report. For all of you iTunes users out there - it’s a weekly morning show filled with interviews, debates, exclusive releases and some other things that your’e just going to have to tune it to hear. Stay Real. Stay Righteous. Stay R.A.W -Mase
Real Artists Wanted Magazine Issue 008: Campaign Season