#arifitz

1000 Words of Deconstruction

Contextual Understanding

While unpacking this area I had become aware of my processing. I also started to see my strengths and weaknesses. I have more of an understanding on the areas I need to work on but I genuinely find it difficult to go in depth about myself. Anyway back to context. My music form comes from Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop Culture has influenced me with all of its movement. KRS ONE published a book called The Gospel of Hip-Hop which I read with ore. Within the book he speaks about the roots of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop is not just a Genre its a way of life. I find that subconsciously I have been living in alignment with Hip-Hop my whole life. I like exploring the unknown. I am a very deep person and you will get that in my music, no doubt. I am not afraid to speak truth in songs. But I advise my listeners that if they want to listen to ratchetness with a melodic tone.  then I am not the one you should listen to!

Lauryn Hills artistry really ignited a flame within me. When I first heard her Unplugged 2.0 album it had me sitting listening with both ears to Freedom Time out like “Yo, this women is saying so much of what I think, not only that, she is doing it unapologetically. Now coming from a Black Women. That is powerful!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kMEGdw_VF8

www.soundcloud.com/nirobi

Image and Identity

Tomboy

Growing up I have had a tomboyish style. I would rather wear trackies then a dress, or skirt. I don’t really show much but not because I am ashamed though its cause I like boyish clothes and plus I wear what I like with no fucks given. The media portrays Women as if we our only good at being sexual objects, like show off your assets then you will get respect from us. But I say fuck off to that! My looks do not define me inside. And respect definitely shouldn’t be judged on how you look! Whether I choose to dress feminine or not, it still does not justify what people’s opinions on having a lack of respect for oneself. It just says a lot about you as people if they choose to base respect on what is seen on the exterior layers.

Creative Output

I currently have a few songs on Soundcloud which to me I find are a bit too old now. However, I have some ingredients boiling away in the pot. I keep noticing that I can get really picky with my art which doesn’t allow me to share as much as I want to. I need to break out of this habit so that I can put out more. I attend Open mics occasionally but not as much as I would like to. Mostly down to the lack of knowledge on bars and nights that are on.

Experience

My years in theatre have played a big part in developing my stage presence. I really enjoy the intimacy of having a live audience. No matter how nervous I get now I can still keep it 100. I believe my character shows this. Seeing the audience reactions, having the view of eyes live on you rather than a Microphone in a sweaty boxed room is what I get the most out of. My most memorable moment on stage is when I was performing at the Royal Albert hall in the upstairs venue about 4 years ago (this was my first big performance) I was performing with a live band. Nerves where bubbling up in all directions, as I was going half way through the song, I whispered to the other vocalist ‘Shit, I forgot my lyrics!”. She whispered back “don’t worry Ive got you”. Then she improvised with some harmonies, at this moment my heart was literally spitting its own bars in my chest!. The audience felt like a court room and I was in the sentencing stage. But eventually after about a minute which felt like life I managed to remember my lyrics and got to the end of the song successfully. Lol I will never forget that!

Products

I have aspirations for creating my own brand & Clothing line. Representing what I stand for. Still on the theme of No box no label. I am aware I don’t have a lot of knowledge on how I can go about doing this, I will have to explore this area much more. But currently it isn’t what I am focused on. But it is in the pipeline of my branding.

Market Awareness

This was the hardest thing to process within my mind map. I noticed that I literally have been neglecting this area because I really dislike marketing, it sounds like jargon to me and  a lot for my brain to get my head around. I think its because of what I stand for so this is where the Red lights alert! lol. Reality shows me that I actually still have to work with it. So I guess I got to put up and step into this very uncomfortable zone so that I can source correctly.

Fanbase/Client Relationships

I need to perform more to create a core fan base. When I perform at open mics I have people coming up to me like ‘Where can I hear your stuff man?”. Im like oh follow me here and there but I don’t really deliver enough material online to have a core fan base. I am excited to experience this though I want to see the type of people that will follow me and my journey.

Industry Awareness