Category: Out N About

ZENtheRapper 02/17/25

I’m thinking about the privilege I have just being here in this moment and in this place, the privilege to be able to enjoy veteran musicians, as a young musician trying desperately to find my place, wanting desperately to be a leader for my community and a messenger for the world.

The Show: Candlelight Concert: An Evening with Miles Nielson and Kelly Steward

The vibe of this show was very cool. In this room, The Dollhouse (recently-named deep listening room of Fire Doll Studio), the performers were literally elevated above the rest of the crowd (I really like the elevation when I’m performing personally, even if it’s subtle.) They were presented in a way that commanded a certain respect. This is the kind of treatment I long for as a Rapper. Especially as one who’s spitting philosophy and poetry for drunk bar-goers, usually.

They were given the space and respect to perform the skill they had honed. This sort of thing seems appropriate. I think… I think of the metaphors that guide my life often. In terms of my personal religious-spiritual-theistic beliefs, I’m rolling with some provisional version of enchanted humanism these days, but growing up, I spent a lot of time in a Baptist sanctuary. Those experiences undoubtedly inform one of the personas I tend to practice as a Rapper: Rapper as spiritual leader, as community guide, as divine messenger.

I often wonder just how much of my delivery and my tone comes from the preacher who raised my spirits all those years while growing up.

This show, it reminded me – more specifically though – of youth group summer camps. I’m thinking of those kumbaya, by the fire, religious, reflective song-sharing times. Good ole’ Jesus Jams and roasted marshmallows — fun for the whole family.

I’m also thinking – as I do – of ancient times, of those stories told through the ages, set to meter, to rhythm, to the pulse of time and human heartbeats; those stories that have sustained us, uplifted us, informed us, and connected us during times of evening convenings.

These performers… they talk on stage about the process of song-making, and about their experiences as musicians. They represent a unique perspective… this “musician’s perspective,” informed by the invariable instability of trying to sell a talent and make life out of it. These musicians seem like they are still working, as in –  they havn’t “made it” yet. Though, in another, very true sense, they seem very much like they have “made it.” I would love to be in their position. I think they love to be in their position. The crowd seems to be on their side, in a way that one roots for the dreamer, roots for the weird kid that no one really understands, but whose company pleases everyone.

As worker-musicians, they did a great job helping the crowd to connect with their musical journeys and with the creation process of each song. They came ready with cutesy stories (that felt extemporaneous, but were no doubt prepared) about the things that inspired each song. I particularly liked when they talked about this song that was inspired by a kitty, and was renamed to Kentucky, in the name of representing something more brand-aligning. They showed us how the hot dog was made. I was intrigued, personally, and it seemed that the crowd was generally pleased. 

They had this really friendly banter with the crowd, a banter that included local references reflecting their long-time connections to the community. This felt like a pair of musicians coming back home after some success out on the world, after a taking their show on the road.

This… This is this type of place I’d like to perform at. Many times when I perform, I am competing with all kinds of other stimuli for the crowd’s attention. It reminds me of a Chance The Rapper Line: “This is my part, nobody else speak,” in his song “Ultralight Beam” with Kanye West. In that same song, Chance also said “I met Kanye West, I’m never going to fail.” That one sure aged interestingly, huh. Either way, please be quiet while I perform.

I want people to be able to feel the energy I am conjuring, because I feel that the energy is very special. I feel it rings authentic, it rings true, and it reaches out for the infinite… in ways that no other Musician’s, that no other Rapper’s, can. I can see myself having the opportunity to perform here one day. I plan to be back plenty of times before then. Check em out huh: firedollstudio.com

Thanks for the invite, Mike. I’ll be back.

ZENtheRapper☀️♾️