Fitting In To Standing Out

One of the biggest struggles as an artist, is accepting your path and embracing your own individuality. Speaking from experience, the desire to be received paired with the uncanny inclination to compare with other artists becomes a heavy weight to carry. It's through craft maturation that we become aware of our ego-driven behavior and can grow to come into your own. You know, those moments where an artist finds their pocket and become comfortable in that creative process. And that is where we begin to see an artist's best work, once they begin to climb to their peak. Leading up to that though, it's important to constantly add to your creative palette. Find new inspirations, play around with different styles & subject matter, explore the boundaries of your own mind.

The beauty in this area, is it's untapped potential. We've compared ourselves to artists in the country and through comparing, we diminish whatever power we innately possess. DMV has had artists from each generation break through the politics of the industry and make noise on a national level. Bad Brains, Chuck Brown, EU, Wale, Tabi & now the current wave of talent, I think the DC art scene is getting closer and closer to receiving it's respect. It's on us as artists to keep pushing the bar and challenging our own creativity, collectively. I'm getting more and more excited for 2018.

It was a blessing and a humbling moment to shoot with Tabi. Growing up in the DMV, his artistry became one of the only artists from the area to receive national acclaim. From MTV 2, to working with Dame Dash, Tabi made waves for the city. In fact, the unorthodox style that he came with time and again, could arguably be said to have made room for some of the artists that are emerging today. Was also glad to hear that there is new content coming from him as well. Much love to the bro for the link up.