Ethiopian-Eritrean rapper Heno. grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland, on the nexus of a number of worlds. As an honor roll scholar with avenue smarts, Heno skilled each the privileges and injustices of his setting. His household’s house was situated subsequent to his elementary and center colleges, a library, and a police station — a mixture of locations that will form his perspective on life.
As a toddler, Heno. explains that one in every of his earliest recollections concerned a traumatic encounter with the police once they unlawfully entered his house, shining a flashlight and pointing a gun at him. He says he was additionally wrongfully accused of promoting medication in first grade and handcuffed. These occasions influenced his perspective on life and his place in it and contributed to his consciousness of the excessive incarceration charges in Maryland.
At this time, Heno. is utilizing his artwork and blockchain expertise to create significant influence in his life, the lives of his ever-growing digital group, and in his communities within the U.S. and Ethiopia.
Social change by artist empowerment
In his upcoming album, I’m Tired of Being Hypersurveilled, Heno. intends to name consideration to problems with racism, police brutality, psychological well being, and privateness. “Each facet of the digital world is monitored to some extent,” Heno. explains on the venture web site. “I really feel a lot safer offline and off the grid. […] I’m uninterested in hypersurveillance.”
And it isn’t nearly these platforms gaining access to our telephone information, monetary information, and facial recognition knowledge, he explains, it’s additionally in regards to the methods they revenue off customers. Social media customers can construct followings by sharing every day content material, however in doing so, they’re additionally creating worth for the platform.
In keeping with Heno., blockchain expertise is especially well-suited to fight these issues. “[In Web2,] we publish our content material, however we don’t personal it. In Web3, we personal all the things,” he mentioned in an interview with nft now.
However Heno.’s artwork isn’t simply centered on elevating consciousness about such points, it additionally instantly contributes to social change. Proceeds from his drops go to The Bail Mission, Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform, and the Baltimore Motion Authorized Group, making a tangible influence on the lives of individuals in his house state. Additional, as a volunteer for Wegene Ethiopian Foundation, Heno. helped open a information middle in Ethiopia, offering laptop labs and different expertise to native youngsters.
These endeavors are a big a part of why he believes he’s made a reputation for himself in Web3. “Individuals care extra in regards to the intention behind a venture in Web3 than within the conventional music business,” he mentioned. “As soon as I figured that out, I knew I’d discovered the precise place.”
The monetary advantages of blockchain expertise
Although Heno. sees himself within the “proper place,” his profession initially started in web2. His transition into Web3 highlights the benefits of belief and transparency that blockchain expertise affords artists.
“I come from the standard music business, the place I paid 1000’s of {dollars} to draft contracts to do enterprise with individuals,” Heno. defined. “If I would like 20 pages of clauses to do enterprise with you, possibly we shouldn’t be working collectively.” In distinction, sensible contracts allow artists to collaborate and conduct enterprise with out the necessity for advanced authorized agreements or intermediaries.
Heno. additionally emphasizes the significance of every artist understanding their compensation and possession, which blockchain expertise makes extra clear and accessible. This ease of entry empowers artists to take management of their careers and monetary futures, thus enabling their continued inventive expression.
“Clearly, I receives a commission extra in Web3 than I acquired paid for streaming numbers,” he mentioned in an interview with nft now. “That’s nice, however that’s the short-sighted profit.” Having the liberty to decide on each his monetary and inventive path is a privilege he wouldn’t have loved beneath a conventional file contract.
Many artists grapple with imposter syndrome, assuming they should accept much less and depend on bigger entities to succeed. Heno’s expertise in Web3 proves that this isn’t the case. “I believe when individuals see you serving to your self, they need to help you extra,” he mentioned. By way of Web3, Heno. has been capable of construct relationships with individuals instantly, fostering a supportive group and connecting with audiences on a deeper stage.
Heno. additionally notes the significance of humility and studying in constructing group in Web3. Given the technological studying curve, artists should strategy the area with a real need to study and adapt. This mindset has been one in every of Heno.’s most vital property, permitting him to evolve alongside the quickly altering panorama. His need to study has helped him collaborate with artists like Mick Jenkins, JPEGMAFIA, Chaz Bear, and extra.
By way of his collaborations with the group and his need to drive social change, he has managed to create a novel digital world round his music. Of explicit significance is a brief movie titled In the Meantime, which was launched as a sequence of NFTs on March 22.
Heno.’s objective is to create paintings that stimulates conversations, fosters connections, and facilitates transformation. Whereas driving social change by their craft is actually essential, artists should additionally champion themselves. One technique to attain that is by experimenting in Web3.
He believes blockchain expertise permits him to interrupt down his work into digestible items, making it extra accessible and fascinating for audiences. By pushing the boundaries of what’s attainable in Web3 and leveraging the distinctive alternatives it presents, Heno. and different artists can proceed to drive social change by their artwork, but in addition by advocating for themselves.