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 atmosphere. His household’s residence was situated subsequent to his elementary and center colleges, a library, and a police station — a mixture of locations that may form his perspective on life.
As a six-year-old, Heno explains that one in all his earliest recollections concerned a traumatic encounter with the police after they unlawfully entered his dwelling, 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 affect in his life, the lives of his ever-growing digital neighborhood, and in his communities within the U.S. and Ethiopia.
Social change by means 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 side of the digital world is monitored to a point,” Heno explains on the challenge web site. “I really feel a lot safer offline and off the grid. […] I’m bored with hypersurveillance.”
And it isn’t nearly these platforms accessing our cellphone data, monetary data, and facial recognition information, 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.
Based on Heno, blockchain expertise 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 little thing,” he stated 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 Undertaking, Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform, and the Baltimore Motion Authorized Group, making a tangible affect on the lives of individuals in his dwelling state. Additional, as a volunteer for Wegene Ethiopian Basis, Heno helped open a information heart in Ethiopia, offering pc 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. “Folks care extra concerning the intention behind a challenge in Web3 than within the conventional music business,” he stated. “As soon as I figured that out, I knew I’d discovered the correct 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 gives artists.
“I come from the normal music business, 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 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 creative expression.
“Clearly, I receives a commission extra in Web3 than I acquired paid for streaming numbers,” he stated 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 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 believe when individuals see you serving to your self, they wish to help you extra,” he stated. By way of Web3, Heno has been in a position to construct relationships with individuals instantly, fostering a supportive neighborhood and connecting with audiences on a deeper degree.
Heno additionally notes the significance of humility and studying in constructing neighborhood in Web3. Given the technological studying curve, artists should method the area with a real need to be taught and adapt. This mindset has been one in all Heno’s most important belongings, permitting him to evolve alongside the quickly altering panorama. His need to be taught 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 singular digital world round his music. Of specific significance is a brief movie titled Within the Meantime, which will probably be launched as a collection of NFTs quickly.
Heno’s objective is to create art work that stimulates conversations, fosters connections, and facilitates transformation. Whereas driving social change by means of their craft is definitely essential, artists should additionally champion themselves. One technique to realize 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 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 by means of their artwork, but in addition by means of advocating for themselves.
