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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, November 17, 2021 5
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SYDNEY ROSS
Lead Culture Reporter saross@aggies.ncat.edu
The Artist Bloc is an organization that is dedicated to serving and inspiring artists through cultivating creativity and celebrating diversity.
The Artist Bloc was founded in 2014 primarily as an art supply store and coffee shop by three artists and educators in the Greensboro community.
However three years after the initial launch, founders Darlene J. McClinton, Watricia Shuler and Sunny Gravely Foushee decided to revamp the business as an arts venue where creatives could come together and overcome their creative obstacles.
The spelling of Bloc is signifcant to the organization’s mission. McClinton explains that “block” places a hold on the creative mindset.
“B-L-O-C-K means an obstacle you cannot go through,” McClinton said. “We don’t want this to be a place where people cannot get through their creative blocks. We want this to be a place where they can.”
The Artist Bloc is known to host many artistic events and operates as a full bar and coffee shop and holds an art gallery displaying the works of many current and aspiring artists.
Nicholas Harper, a senior marketing student, is an avid performer at the Artist Bloc.
After the release of his two EPs “The Simp Tape” and “Cincy Flower” he has used the platform to perform some of his favorite tracks.
“The Artist Bloc has provided me a place to feel safe and welcomed. It has given me the opportunity to grow in a safe environment and also meet many like minded people that I have met during my different visits and performances,” Harper said.
“These are people that inspire me and keep me on my A-game and I believe any artist needs that.”
In addition to the arts, The Artist Bloc also hosts a podcast called the Artist Bloc Podcast.
During the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Artist Bloc was forced to shut down and move to virtual operations. However, the co-founders still wanted to reach the community even in a virtual setting.
Through their digital platform, The Artist Bloc Studios, they launched the Artist Bloc Podcast. The show is for artrepreneurs, a person aspiring to be an artist and entrepreneur. It is dedicated to helping those pursuing art to gain practical knowledge and assist them in their career.
“We want to share our expertise on how we became who we are,” McClinton said. “We want to educate people on how they can make a living from their artistry.”
The podcast is available on multiple platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and Copy RSS.
The organization also prides itself in establishing a community that helps to build up the future generation of professional artists.
In the wake of the pandemic, the Artist Bloc launched the frst “Unprecedented Awards” Competition.
This was a digital media competition among communication students attending N.C. A&T State University, Winston-Salem State University and Elon University. It challenged students to create a project that related to loving, accepting and embracing a world where everyone is welcomed and celebrated.
For more information, be sure to visit the Artist Bloc website and follow their social media to stay up to date on all upcoming events and opportunities.
DJ Bitty’s growth, infuence on Greensboro nightlife
TANASIA MOSS
Culture Editor tlmoss@aggies.ncat.edu
Jaden “Bitty’’ Frazier has become one of the most sought after DJs in Greensboro. Hailing from Chicago, he is a junior business management student with a focus on entrepreneurship attending N.C. A&T.
Frazier’s frst gig was his brother’s high school graduation party. He only had two computer speakers, a laptop and a DJ software flled with classics. Even though he struggled in the beginning, this inspired him to continue DJing in hopes of getting better.
After being a local DJ for six years, Frazier decided to take a leap of faith to pursue his career. He has performed at backyard parties, weddings, concerts, corporate anniversaries, fashion shows and parades. His main source of experience comes from the local nightlife and parties that students from N.C. A&T attend weekly.
After hosting small parties, Frazier knew that he was on the right track when he realized that his talent could bring a certain feeling to the room when he performed. He enjoys seeing people have a good time.
Mykol Mallory, a junior psychology student, shared her experience of hearing Frazier perform at a party.
“He knows how to get a crowd hype,” Mallory said. “All of his music fows together and he defnitely knows the type of music to play.”
He takes pride in being an entrepreneur with his clothing line VXNITY by JF, created to promote the superiority of African American culture. VXNITY by JF features a line of graphical t-shirts and hoodies that he personally designed. It launched on New Year’s Day, 2020.
“I feel like it’s better to be ahead of the curve than behind it. It helps to always have something else to fall back on. Anything outside of the box will catch my attention and I’ll change myself to entertain it,” Frazier said.
After the pandemic started, things changed for him. He could tell that the feeling of the nightlife parties had shifted.
Homecoming was something that was very important to Frazier as a DJ because it created great opportunities for exposure. To prepare for this event, he arranged his music weeks in advance to make sure it was right for each event that he performed at. “I really looked forward to GHOE because it gives me cookout/family reunion vibes. I knew that I’d have to stay ready to perform the best I could
Contributed Jaden “Bitty” Frazier says being ahead of the curve is key to success.
no matter the circumstances,” he said.
As his DJing career continues to advance and he is being booked full time to perform, Frazier is looking forward to the future. Although he is not certain what his life will look like in the next six years, he envisions himself on tours and having DJing gigs outside of the country. This past month he was named Mister Cream 2021-22 of the Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Society.
When asked what advice he has for others, he answered with this simple statement, “There’s no way you can elevate in life if you never risk falling. Walk by faith and not by sight.”
To keep up with Frazier as he continues his DJ journey, you can visit his social media pages, @708litbit.
