By Adrian Tonon, Jabari Jefferson and Andre Reed
Photo Lil Monsterr
Musicians play a crucial role in a 24-Hour Economy. As stages were mandated to close, touring came to a halt. Artists were forced to pivot, oftentimes not knowing where to focus their music or brands. Join us for the eighth series to hear from six Detroit emerging artists who ‘blew up’ and grew their audience globally in 2020.
The artist was asked the following: how has your line of work adapted to the current state of the world and what have been the biggest challenges you had to overcome? Coming into 2021, what advice would you give to artists pursuing careers?
Pariiis Noel
“In my honest opinion, this current state of the world is about perspective and learning to adapt. As a multi-dimensional creator it’s a true bittersweet situation because it forces individuals like myself to do what we do best, and that’s create! It gave us time to sit back and reflect and dig deeper, especially being from Detroit. We are bred differently, so it’s like being boxed in and forced to trigger some real change.
The biggest challenge has been the mass shut down and observing all that the world has been harboring, but it allowed me to create and not take things for granted. For example, it’s like we spend money because we know how much we have but we waste time not knowing how much we have, so think about it? Why waste it, so I decided to use it better and keep that same energy moving forward and get things done RELENTLESSLY! And balancing better spiritually, mentally, and physically…
Best advice I give is to create something that outlives you to help others live on. If you’re not doing that then you’re not living right. Become a pipeline, live for a legacy, be legendary. Keep GOD first”
Forever Golden
“Our line of work has adapted in the sense that we’ve been able to use the internet to optimally connect with people. Connecting with one another due to our mandated social distancing rules.”
“Embrace the failures fearlessly because with that you can accomplish ANYTHING within your own misery.” – Jay Squared
“We work better when we’re together so we had to figure out how to work better remotely in doing so, our creative thresholds have been pushed and ultimately this will make us better especially when we come together as a unit.”
“Where there is chaos, there is opportunity. Failures are to be used as lessons, not lesions” – Whyandotte
“The way the world is going currently has created a different approach to the type of music we want to portray with all of the things that are happening at this time, we want to make sure that what we create is impactful and connecting.”
Build your catalog as much as you can, stack up on content and learn trends. Social media is your greatest resource to advertise not only your music but yourself so don’t be scared to showcase who you really are” – Santana Davinci
“The condition of the world forced us to become innovative. One of the biggest challenges we had to overcome was truth of self and character. “What do you believe in? What do you stand for? What is your message?” Were questions we often faced both in and out the studio. The best part of it all was we got a chance to express and build an even stronger connection with our fans better than before.”
“Take risks and don’t be afraid to be yourself! Stay vigilant and always challenge yourself creatively. Go beyond and don’t live in fear of failure, we all got to bump our heads once or twice. When you see it coming you just got to bob and weave it, with confidence!” – B Free
“The current state of the world gave us room for space and innovative change creatively”
“Be your authentic self. Don’t worry about numbers or opinions. Treat your art like a flower. There’s no rules to how you make your art just have as much fun and be free with it.” -Curtis Roach
In order to look back on these historical times, it is crucial to have those who document and champion the stories and the people who are leading change and shaping the culture. In the ninth series, meet four story tellers and change makers who are preserving and championing moments that will live on in history.
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