“I didn’t think I just made moves”-Tabi Bonney
Artist/Director/Designer Tabi Bonney always has always been one to watch for grind inspiration in various endeavors from managing a music career to launching a fashion brand. He’s a guy that is living the dream. Just a few years ago he was working a day job as a teacher and said I am about do it, and did it. Now… he has traveled the world, shot numerous videos, directed some videos, and has a new album dropping November 23 rd.
As I was rebuilding my business plan, I stopped to check twitter and the first tweet that hit my timeline was an intellectual Nicki Minaj basher complaining that they don’t understand her appeal. Which made me think— What did she do to catapult herself to the top of pop culture consciousness, and to the top of my timeline daily? What I came up with inspired some tough questions that I had to ask myself. As you read through this post ask yourself these questions and let me know what you come up with.
1. Are you utilizing cultural references to your advantage?
Just as Wu tang Clan, co-opted Kung Fu culture to create a new global lifestyle Nicki has effectively co-opted 2 global movements in one swoop.
a.The All-American Barbie Brand: Taking what was once a one-way relationship idolizing a dolls impossible dimensions and turning it into a celebration of one’s own beauty.
b. Harajuku Culture: A youth driven Japanese culture where girls actually become human version of Dolls. By her labeling herself a Harajuku Barbie she instantly becomes a part of the global conversation.
2. Are your ideas setting you apart from your competition?
A graduate from Laguardia High School (The FAME School) Onika is no stranger to character development. But to have the ability to translate that talent into a pop art is what sets her apart from most . 2 years ago, Minaj wasn’t executing on her characters which means in between living , touring and writing she found time to spend in the mirror crafting personalities to garner attention.
3. Whats your Transmedia Story?
Nicki is hyper aware when it comes to utilizing all of the tools to communicate with the audience. Her audience knows where to find her daily. If she says something they don’t understand, they know to refer to her Nicktionary on her website. Bottom line is that you have to make it easy for your consumers/clients to be apart of the story.
4. Do you Stand Strong even when you stand Alone?
The first Time I encountered Nicki was on the America’s Most Wanted Tour [the night Drake took that fall in Camden New Jersey] . She was standing in the hallway in seemingly deep thought, which is not strange if she were in her own space. But here she was, the lone female amongst all of these dudes rolling hard on minimum scrilla, city to city sharing a bus with a bunch of rappers…[check this pre-fame video for reference...all dudes and she handles her bizness and keeps it moving]
Then I thought to myself…. No matter what’s going on around us, your dream is yours and you are the only one responsible for them. There are going to be plenty of times when you are the only one of your kind whether its (race, gender, tax bracket, etc.) and the higher you climb the frequency increases. None of it matters, you have to do your thing.
5. Are you bitching or doing the work? No matter how many people attack her music, lyrics, or the origin of her colorful wigs, every week she’s on a new record, has hosted some show, or is tweeting to her fans about performing in their town.
How about you?
D Nice is back at it again with his True Hip Hop Stories series; a recorded, oral history of hip hop, given by the artist themselves. At first, these short stories may appear to be simple background fodder, but at the core they are a valuable historical reference on a culture that is often dismissed as disposable.Not to put too much on it… but this is the type of work you will see in the MOMA in the year 2020…. Hopefully, D will continue taking time from things he gets paid for, to do this series that he apparently does out of love. [watch episode]
“I’m at work. I aint gon’ lie. When they turn their back I ‘mma steal some supplies.”