Ethiopian-Eritrean rapper Heno grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland, on the nexus of a number of worlds. As an honor roll pupil with avenue smarts, Heno skilled each the privileges and injustices of his surroundings. His household’s condo was situated subsequent to his elementary and center colleges, a library, and a police station — a mix of locations that may form his perspective on life.
As a toddler, Heno explains that one among his earliest reminiscences concerned a traumatic encounter with the police once they unlawfully entered his residence, 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.
Right this moment, Heno is utilizing his artwork and blockchain know-how to create significant impression in his life, the lives of his ever-growing digital group, and in his communities within the U.S. and Ethiopia.
Social change via 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 challenge 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 data, monetary data, and facial recognition knowledge, he explains, it’s additionally concerning the methods they revenue off customers. Social media customers can construct followings by sharing day by day content material, however in doing so, they’re additionally creating worth for the platform.
In response to Heno, blockchain know-how is especially well-suited to fight these issues. “[In Web2,] we submit our content material, however we don’t personal it. In Web3, we personal every thing,” 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 Workforce, making a tangible impression on the lives of individuals in his residence 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 challenge in Web3 than within the conventional music trade,” he mentioned. “As soon as I figured that out, I knew I’d discovered the correct 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 the 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 would like 20 pages of clauses to do enterprise with you, possibly we shouldn’t be working collectively.” In distinction, good 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 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 inventive expression.
“Clearly, I receives a commission extra in Web3 than I received 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 underneath a conventional report 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 believe when individuals see you serving to your self, they wish to help you extra,” he mentioned. Via Web3, Heno has been capable of construct relationships with individuals immediately, 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 method the area with a real want to be taught and adapt. This mindset has been one among Heno’s most vital belongings, permitting him to evolve alongside the quickly altering panorama. His want to be taught has helped him collaborate with artists like Mick Jenkins, JPEGMAFIA, Chaz Bear, and extra.
Via his collaborations with the group and his want to drive social change, he has managed to create a singular digital world round his music. Of explicit significance is a brief movie titled Within the Meantime, which was launched as a collection of NFTs on March 22.
Heno’s purpose is to create art work that stimulates conversations, fosters connections, and facilitates transformation. Whereas driving social change via their craft is actually essential, artists should additionally champion themselves. One technique 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 interesting for audiences. By pushing the boundaries of what’s doable in Web3 and leveraging the distinctive alternatives it presents, Heno and different artists can proceed to drive social change via their artwork, but in addition via advocating for themselves.
