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 surroundings. His household’s residence was positioned subsequent to his elementary and center colleges, a library, and a police station — a mix of locations that will form his perspective on life.
As a six-year-old, Heno explains that one in all his earliest reminiscences 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 medicine 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.
Immediately, Heno is utilizing his artwork and blockchain know-how to create significant influence in his life, the lives of his ever-growing digital neighborhood, and in his communities within the U.S. and Ethiopia.
Social change by way of artist empowerment
In his upcoming album, I’m Uninterested in 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 accessing our cellphone information, monetary information, and facial recognition knowledge, he explains, it’s additionally concerning 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 line with Heno, blockchain know-how 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 pieces,” he mentioned in an interview with nft now.
However Heno’s artwork isn’t simply centered on elevating consciousness about such points, it additionally immediately contributes to social change. Proceeds from his drops go to The Bail Venture, 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 Basis, Heno helped open a information middle in Ethiopia, offering laptop labs and different know-how to native kids.
These endeavors are a big a part of why he believes he’s made a reputation for himself in Web3. “Folks care extra concerning the intention behind a venture in Web3 than within the conventional music trade,” he mentioned. “As soon as I figured that out, I knew I’d discovered the suitable place.”
The monetary advantages of blockchain know-how
Although Heno sees himself within the “proper place,” his profession initially started in web2. His transition into Web3 highlights some great benefits of belief and transparency that blockchain know-how gives artists.
“I come from the standard music trade, the place I paid hundreds of {dollars} to draft contracts to do enterprise with individuals,” Heno defined. “If I want 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 complicated authorized agreements or intermediaries.
Heno additionally emphasizes the significance of every artist understanding their compensation and possession, which blockchain know-how makes extra clear and accessible. This ease of entry empowers artists to take management of their careers and monetary futures, thus enabling their continued creative expression.
“Clearly, I receives a commission extra in Web3 than I bought 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 artistic path is a privilege he wouldn’t have loved beneath a standard document contract.
Many artists grapple with imposter syndrome, assuming they must accept much less and depend on bigger entities to succeed. Heno’s expertise in Web3 proves that this isn’t the case. “I feel 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 immediately, fostering a supportive neighborhood and connecting with audiences on a deeper stage.
Heno additionally notes the significance of humility and studying in constructing neighborhood in Web3. Given the technological studying curve, artists should method the house with a real need to study and adapt. This mindset has been one in all 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 neighborhood and his need to drive social change, he has managed to create a novel digital world round his music. Of specific significance is a brief movie titled Within the Meantime, which will likely be launched as a collection of NFTs quickly.
Heno’s purpose is to create art work that stimulates conversations, fosters connections, and facilitates transformation. Whereas driving social change by way of their craft is actually essential, artists should additionally champion themselves. One methodology to attain that is by experimenting in Web3.
He believes blockchain know-how 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 way of their artwork, but in addition by way of advocating for themselves.