March 2023, I was invited to join the Inaugural Cohort of the Brand Storytelling Diversity Imperative (via my KTQ association). Regrettably, a priority project diverted me from completing the certificate, but the program was (is) an invaluable professional development and networking opportunity! I’m very thankful for the illuminating, sharpening experience, and the many dynamic people I continue to meet (organizers, mentors, fellows, etc.).
Equally important, I learned how I fit and how I don’t. I’m not a behind-the-camera filmmaker; I’m a Music, Arts & Culture Journalist-as-Presenter-and-Producer (think Anthony Bourdain). I’m also a socially-conscious, globally-minded creative, with an extensive urban arts background (as an artist and administrator).
I often find compelling, under-reported stories, that could be leveraged by brands (organically and ethically) for the desired “halo-effect” .with audiences —so I work best as an initiator of ideation. Responding to rigid RFPs isn’t necessarily my strength or interest; although some creative ideas are reasonably adaptable. That said, my focus is to identify (and cultivate relationships with) culturally aligned, open-minded brands, that can recognize my authenticity, to trust my vision.
In that respect, Morgan Spurlock was (is) an inspiration and model for me, so I was saddened to learn of his recent passing from complications of cancer. We met in 2011, during his promo tour for The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, which had a big impact on me. We kept in loose contact and last corresponded in 2021.
I can’t really claim him as a mentor, but I believe he saw me as a kindred hustler, and he’d always get back to me whenever I’d reach out with a question. That small-but-helpful interaction was much-appreciated and is greatly missed [RIP].
Finishing the series led me to check out some of Rainn’s interviews for it (and for his own books, Soul Boom and The Bassoon King). But a lightbulb moment occurred, listening to Questlove’s recent interview with Andre 3000 —they discuss woodwinds (flutes/oboes/bassoons), creativity, enlightenment, success & celebrity, life in Los Angeles, and reference the 70s TV show Kung Fu — all subjects Rainn also talks about. That sent me back to Geography of Bliss, Episode 5 (Los Angeles), in which Rainn visits some young influencers to discuss among other things, “how to make the bassoon go viral…”
I’m also still a semi-active beatmaker, from my earlier days as a “true-school” hip-hop artist. Re-watching Episode 5 sparked me to produce BLISSOON (stream via player above), which contains multiple sounds from the episode. The track is built around the bassoon riff Rainn teases at about 31:55 (before the moment dissipates in laughter), and it opens with a soundbite of the influencers explaining how they use audio bits —which struck me as similar to what sampling producers do…
I’d sampled the Tom Browne classic Funkin’ For Jamaica (N.Y.) .(FFJ) years earlier. I discarded my first idea, but always intended to return for the powerful “I feel it inside my soul” .lyric. I was reminded of this in 2020, when I learned FFJ lyricist and vocalist, Toni Smith had passed (RIP). BLISSOON features her immortal FFJ vocals: edited, tuned and arranged in call-and-response, to match the bassoon progression. And the “soul” .lyric fits Rainn’s recurring theme (Soul Boom, Soul Pancake).
As a beatmaker, I usually produce downtempo, “boom-bap” style hip-hop (rarely over 100 BPM). But I wanted BLISSOON to be more dancey/bouncy/fun (like Native Tongue-type “everywhere music”, as explained by Will.i.am to Talib Kweli). For drums, I started with a full FFJ loop, but decided I didn’t want that much essence from the same source. So I chopped out and self-sequenced a kick, snare and hi-hat to keep rockin’ while I searched for new drums. Later, in a full-circle moment, I decided to audition Questlove’s hella-groovy Ludwiggy breakbeat…
I’m a huge fan of The Roots. I regard them as the foremost representation of “true-school-hip-hop-as-high-art”; and our several meetings as personal highlights —the most notable during filming of The Legendary, a short Hennessy Artistry (2010) doc by Cam Be, which I co-produced & hosted. But I almost passed on Ludwiggy for BLISSOON, because I’d used it once before and already had another use in mind.
But when I randomly discovered Rainn Wilson and Questlove share the same birthday (Jan. 20), that struck me as a wild coincidence, given how BLISSOON was conceived, plus all its audio files were saved in a folder I’d titled “Blissoon 120” —for the BPM, not the date. I then felt compelled to make Ludwiggy work, so I chopped out another kick, snare and hi-hat, stacked and EQ’d them with the FFJ set, and used some other parts at full and half tempo (120/60 BPM)… enjoy!
BTW: I’m a casual fan of The Office, but I started following Rainn via my curiosity about the Baha’i faith, of which he’s a prominent voice. I live in Chicago and the beautiful North American temple is nearby in suburban Wilmette; I occasionally attend events there (see flyer) or visit just to sit and journal in the surrounding gardens when the weather’s nice. During my active rap days, that’s where I wrote Soul Oasis and Coolin’ on the Lakeshore.
About an hour before showtime, I ran over to check-in with “my dude”, The Lion of Lucerne for good luck (below). I made that background beat not long after my 2015 visit (originally intended for the soundtrack of my TOWNIE program). It’s called A-YO! for the traditional Swiss alphorn and yodel samples (the Busta/Dilla vocal was a logical afterthought -iykyk).
On a sidenote, I suspect Jonas and I inspired a 2023 Switzerland Tourism ad with Roger Federer and Trevor Noah. The optics and banter —“we are brothers”— are just too coincidental. See @ 2:35 in our recap video (below) and @ 2:57 in their fun promo spot.
April 2022, I embarked on a month-long, 5-city Euro Grand Tour for my various, independent media and arts ventures. I started with flights to Rome —for the yearly International Journalism Festival in Perugia— and Zurich, to refresh my Cultural Ambassador activity in Lucerne; then direct train travel to Geneva, Paris and London (including the Eurostar through the “chunnel”).
Though mainly a business endeavor, I of course had some fun too. Highlights included visiting the United Nations Office in Geneva (with its resident peacocks), and productive meetings at Maison de l’UNESCO in Paris, and BBC Broadcasting House in London (see slideshow and videos)…
A Zoom meeting last week, reminded me of my experience with (and appreciation for) Kartemquin Films (KTQ). In 2014 (after my time with AXS TV), I wanted to create urban music, arts and culture content that was more eclectic and socially conscious. This led me to the DVID Fellowship (the doc film program is a partnership with CFW Chicago).
The idea I brought for an international project was too ambitious at the time. But the fellowship experience helped me to better define myself as a storyteller and refine some elements that are emerging in The DOWNNOW Project, as it continues to develop.
[above] DVID 2014 Pitch Day and Reception [left] Screening some of my best/favorite work for the review panel (including the Blitz clip behind me). [right] Post-pitch chat with Lauren Pabst (MacArthur Foundation) and Dan Andries (WTTW Chicago).
[above left] DVID 2014 Graduation award and [right] class photo. [below left] Gordon Quinn, KTQ co-founder and [right] #thumbsup with Chaz Ebert, our keynote speaker.
[below left] DVID 2018 Graduation with fellow alumni Jamaar (center; 2018) and Cam Be (2017). [right] The three of us with doc godfather, GQ (these guys are very talented, and some of my best work has been with them).
Historian, Sir Hilary Beckles is Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission. Zeinab Badawi, one of my favorite international journalists, traveled to Barbados to interview him for Hardtalk (BBC).
They discussed reparations and justice for the descendants of enslaved Africans, and I thought: “Big Bro is straight fire, somebody needs to put Nas’ Ether beat under this!”
After a replay, I realized Barbadian Ambassador and National Hero, Rihanna’s BBHMM was an even better fit. The full interview is 23 minutes, but enjoy this excerpted (and unauthorized) BBHMR mash-up.
While planning The #DOWNNOW Project, I was happy to be recognized as an Emerging Producer by the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers —WCSFP. I was impressed by the entire cohort and really appreciated participating in Congress ’21.
A major highlight for me was Jeff Goldblum’s Spark of Inspiration session with Arif Nurmohamed. Their excellent Nat Geo show is a model for the kind of smart, fun television I aspire to make; and their insights aligned with my experience (global arts, journalism, documentary, music TV).
I appreciated my invite and small feature with Christiane Amanpour and Humberto Tan (above). This was an indirect result of my National Geographic award for The DownNow Project.
Just to be clear though, I’m a Music, Arts & Culture Journalist and a Cultural Ambassador, not a Sports Journalist. See the full session at UNESCO’s YouTube —my clip’s at 29:05.
The #DOWNNOW Project is my original journalism/storytelling and music series, conceived in Summer 2020 through my Chicago Music Ambassador role. Promoting the “Year of Chicago Music” began to feel increasingly tone deaf and out-of-sync during a crucial election cycle, the disruptive arrival of COVID-19, intense social upheaval for racial justice, and the convergence thereof.
The pandemic ultimately forced The City to suspend its celebrations, but The #DOWNNOW Project —as in, “It’s goin’ down now!” and “Are you down now?”— had already occurred to me as a way to continue showcasing Chicago music, while conscientiously addressing current times and issues.
The project is an ambitious intersection of urban music, arts & culture, with high ideals of social justice, human rights and press freedom. It will present dialogues for healing and action, and create original movement anthems. My inspirations are the legendary Studs Terkel (a primary influence as an interviewer/broadcaster and social/cultural critic), and Chicago’s rich history of Black music activism (exemplified by iconic artists like Curtis Mayfield, Oscar Brown Jr., and The Staple Singers). I’m also heavily influenced by the brilliance of Don Cornelius and Soul Train.
I’m happy and honored to be named a Chicago Music Ambassador, and to join the City of Chicago’s Office of the Mayor, its Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and its official destination marketing organization (Choose Chicago) in celebrating the Year of Chicago Music (2020), and the 35th anniversary of the Arts & Business Council of Chicago.
As a Music, Arts & Culture journalist, I’ve worked with some of Chicago’s most beloved media outlets. As a documentarian and multimedia artist, I’ve been supported by key civic arts initiatives and some of the city’s prominent arts organizations. And for years, prior to my current work, I was an active “true-school” artist in the local hip-hop underground. So as a proud, almost lifelong Chicagoan, this new appointment is both appropriate and much appreciated. Click the pics or links for more info.
Jeff Baraka's Planet Boom! 