The UnStarving Artist

In this episode,  award-winning spoken word artist, father, mentor and host,  Hoodraised shares the origins of the beloved Chicago Westside poetry collective, "3 Brothers & A Mic" (3BM). He details how he started writing and taking spoken word serious as a career, and drops gems on producing your own show.

Guest:
Ollie "Hoodraised" Woods (@Hoodraised_Poetry)

Music:
George D. Jackson III (@KingGeorgeTheMagnificent)

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

In this episode,  Shihan Van Clief : super dope, full-time creative, co-founder/host of Da Poetry Lounge, shares how he started writing and performing poetry,  the origins of Russell Simmons: Def Poetry Jam and drops gems on negotiating contracts, accepting and declining offers.

Guest:
Shihan Van Vlief (@TheRealShihan)

Music:
George D. Jackson III (@KingGeorgeTheMagnificent)

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

In this episode, we CONTINUE to beat the drum around encouraging performance artists to produce lyric books. Producing a lyric book in long-form with QR codes embedded with audio and commentary is the new standard that'll surely give you a competitive advantage in your arena as a poet, MC, singer, comedian and musician. 

Music:
George D. Jackson III (@KingGeorgeTheMagnificent)

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

In this episode, talented actor and thespian Kamal Angelo Bolden schools us on the benefits of union membership regarding the AEA (Actors Equity Association),  SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and WGA (Writers' Guild of America).

Guest:
Kamal Angelo Bolden (@KamalBolden)

Music:
George D. Jackson III (@KingGeorgeTheMagnificent)

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

In this episode, I share a story about throwing my first stageplay "The Yard: An A'Capella Hip-Hop Musical" at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale as well as a few pointers regarding throwing your own open mic. 

Music:
George D. Jackson III (@KingGeorgeTheMagnificent)

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

In this episode, I discuss how the "psychology of pricing" plays a role in the life of independent artistry (especially regarding in-person events and the menus we spoke about in Episode 37).

Music:
George D. Jackson III (@KingGeorgeTheMagnificent)

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

Here we discuss the 3 main types of menus that every performing artist needs:
1. Booking Menu - At least three items that illustrate pricing for a performance "set".
(Example: 15min for $500, 30-45min for $1,000, 60-75min for $2,500)

2. Performance Menu - Some artists refer to this as a setlist or playlist. This is for internal use only. This outlines what all happens during each type of "set."
(Example: 15min set (Poem #1, Introduction, Poem #2, Short Story, Poem #3 with instrumental, End of Show)

3. Merchandise Menu - This is pretty much the pricing for each item of merchandise that you will sell at a live event. This should also include bundle discounts.
(Example: CDs: $10, T-Shirts $20,  Books $25, Hoodies $40 | T-Shirts are 2 for $30)

Music:
George D. Jackson III (@KingGeorgeTheMagnificent)

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

Due to spoken word being poorly marketed as a "cheap" performance art, poets often have a hard time establishing their worth and comfortably asking for that value. In this episode, I detail different types of deal structures that I've received and demanded on my behalf more than once. I hope this helps! 

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot

We cover a list of Do's and Don'ts BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER an open mic.

Website
https://linktr.ee/ModernDayGriot