BLACK HISTORY MONTH STILL IS . . . BECAUSE IT JUST IS!

BLACK HISTORY IS HISTORY. BLACK HISTORY IS EVERYDAY!

It can’t be replaced and can never—will never—be denied. Happy February! It doesn’t need to be Black History Month. Black History is ALL the time!

Even though we don’t need a month because Black History is ALL the time! Black History is happening ALL THE TIME!!!

Perhaps we need to move past what was though. Thanks to the clumsy and callous, evil and underhanded behaviors of some, perhaps it’s time for US to expand upon what was to make it even greater! Change—Change for the better—sometimes happens out of chaos and destruction. Perhaps to rebuild and rebuild better!

BECAUSE BLACK HISTORY IS ALL THE TIME…

…we’re making efforts to fill the voids by creating and sharing and appreciating Black Art. While it’s our belief and agenda to bring Black Art and Creativity to the forefront, it’s always a special case when we do these things during the Arts Quarter. As so much is under fire and being dismantled for the interests and intentions of others, we’re committed to not only investing in Black Art but sharing them with others. We want to further build and strengthen those Communities of Color that see oppression and repression especially as a response to all that needs to be addressed. We believe that thru chaos and destruction come greater and better things. Innovation has its roots in being resilient in the midst of trial and change.

Within the Arts Quarter we’ll be doing all that we can to not only create but to discover and shed light on those positioned to make an impression to enhance, innovate and strengthen the various communities that have added to the GREATNESS that has become the United States and those nations around the world.

HATE IS NOTHING. HATE IS NOTHING BUT FUEL FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD!

We encourage others to create. CREATE! Create and innovate. There’s opportunity in adversity. There’s power in change. There’s truth in persistence and resilience. There’s a Future in Hope and the act of doing for all that is truly good and right. Creating that which supports and reinforces is in the essence of Promise. We encourage Artists and Creatives to break beyond the barriers of engineered dysfunction, creative blocks and the distraction of issues to inform, educate, encourage, inspire and celebrate others. Peel back the curtains of lies and deception to further the cause of truth—forceful unrelenting truth. This is the time. This is most certainly the time!

Let nothing hold you back! Let nothing hold you back from adding to the tapestry of this world…because this world is ours! This world that is full of plentiful and ample wonder and treasure. Big enough for us all—this world is our home. It belongs to us all and not just one segment or group that wish to plunder and conquer. This world is ours and thru our creative genius and ability, we must take on the mantle of doing greater and greater things. We must be compelled to change because change is happening whether we like it or not. Let us change to implement change and not have “change” be set upon nor against us. Be beyond ‘Happy Black History Month” because Black History is still being written. The stories are still being experienced to be told.

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*In honor of what they’re trying to erase, we share our thoughts for the Power and Spirit of Kiah Duggins, Incoming Howard Professor, Harvard Law School Graduate and Civil Rights Lawyer who was killed in the recent Potomac River plane crash. Prayers and Blessings to her family and friends and all those lives for whom she’s touched, improved and fought for—we honor you Kiah Duggins. May her memory and all that she accomplished fiercely encourage, inspire and empower us all.

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CONNECTED: BLACK HISTORY MONTH STILL IS . . . BECAUSE IT JUST IS!

LIAM IAN™ - LIAM IAN LLC™ - LIAM IAN-Ai™ - www.Liam-Ian.com - © 2025 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC) - © 2025 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC)⩀ All Rights Reserved.

Hip Hop and It’s Relationship To Art

A Synonymous Relationship

Take it back to the Golden Era, most recently celebrated with Hip Hop 50th, when you hear anyone tell the stories of the emcee combining with the DJ rocking the party, the story always includes graffiti street artists as much as it does crews and park jams. Initially considered just as taboo as getting caught tagging a building or subway car. And honestly not even considered to last as long as spray paint would on its subject.  It continues to grow like art continues to evolve; the Modern Era of Hip Hop has the Marvel Hip Hop Variant covers. Which, wow, was something I never would have imagined I needed to see until it happened, and it was epic. Look up the comics and the albums they complement; how spot on they are yet still so comic-like it doesn’t seem forced.

But what is to come of current music? Yo! To turn into this point where we say the music isn’t like it was… something I thought I would never say. This current era definitely needs to be separated from anything ever. During/Post Covid we made it to the point of self-publishing the emergence of Drill music  (if hip hop started in NY, then Chicago started drill) but the beats no longer catch the rhymes. You could say the poetry of what started Rap no longer is a part, songs are comprised of verbal gun shots, naming what block you are on and who you hate. The talent you had to have to make it to a record deal can be surpassed by views or spins, (all which can be a good BOT software let’s be honest) In the Art world contracts and funding are “grant agreements”.

Recently a banana duct taped to a wall sold for $6.2 million.  Sexyy Red is a night of karaoke at best in a performance and Ice Spice’s flow you would expect to hear from someone aged 4-8 years old, these two of many male and female rappers out there are charting on Billboard charts and winning awards.  What is it going to be when we look back? The banana I believe was eaten. The rappers don’t seem to be going away, Red has a totally inappropriately named lip gloss line and Spice is in Fortnite. Anyone else asking why? And how?  Get out your Elmer’s Glue or don’t have any performance talent and make a name for yourself while you can I guess. Just wake me when we take art back in general.

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—Levonte.

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CONNECTED: Hip Hop and It’s Relationship To Art

LIAM IAN™ - LIAM IAN LLC™ - LIAM IAN-Ai™ - www.Liam-Ian.com - © 2025 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC) - © 2025 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC)⩀ All Rights Reserved.

MY SPIRITUALITY

From Christianity to Mysticism.

I’m no longer defined by the constraints of structures that would define who, how, why, when and where to show my honor and respect to those POWERS I know to be True and Real—those POWERS and THAT Power that has kept me alive enduring beyond the issues of others. As an artist, I understand the concept of being a creator. I understand the special place that my life and existence does, has and is to have within this reality. As an Man of Color, Ethnicity and Culture descended from those who were colonized under the brutal subjugation of commercial interest and terror reinforced by Catholicism and Christianity, I stand to resist the idea that what was used to oppress, suppress, represss, degrade and diminish only to serve and empowers others is to be accepted—or further accepted—without due diligence and scrutiny. Additionally, I refuse, rebuke and resist the concepts that what was culturally significant and key to cultures of others conquered and seized by the Euro-Christian cultures, organizations and entities are of less importance in this modern day.

West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbol & Meaning: ADINKRAHENE - “Chief of Adinkra Symbols” - Greatness, Charisma and Leadership

I aspire for those projects, products and productions of the artistic nature to reflect the importance of the individuality stolen, negated, diminished and destroyed by others who sought nothing else but to conquer or reign. As I further research and seek to incorporate those historical impactful aspects of those cultures that possibly make up my own composition, I’ll seek to be further encouraged by them as well. Ranging from the African and Adinkra Symbols, the Egyptian and other Subsaharan to the Native American and others, I show my respect and honor to those that came before me yet diminished and dissolved by the dominant ideologies.

I incorporate your works within mine as my true identity is only but a mystery to me but I shall use it to honor you for as much as I can. Respectfully. With Humility and a recognition of your existence before my own.

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This project to better incorporate my particular perspective of Spirituality and Mysticism is to develop those products that are to encourage and inspire those People of Color, Ethnicity and Culture that are our audience.

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CONNECTED - PERSONAL NOTES OF LIAM IAN BLACK - © 2023 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC)

MY SPIRITUALITY IS CUSTOM...

…BECAUSE OF MY CREATIVITY AND ARTISTRY.

Society depends on us to conform. The hierarchies of society depend on the people to believe what’s been put before them and live accordingly. Dangerous are the outliers. Risky are the ones who resist conforming with the established norms. It is only acceptable to stand out when the ones who do can still be moderately encouraged and motivated to do and act in those directions that the higher ups need others to. If the standouts cannot be manipulated then their environments should and so much so that ultimately the standouts are either muted or who they are and their actions are less impactful to change the norms…too much.

What I love the most about being the artist that I am is that I can easily tie my inner ambitions to what I want to create and develop with stronger associations to represent who I am at my core. Because I’ve spent a substantial about of my life having to examine my identity (as not having a father present and abandoned by my mother), what I often contemplate within the creative process often has much more to do with “What to do with a MASSIVE CLEAN SLATE?” than just producing something for the sake of producing.

Because of the condition and situation of African Americans, opportunity stands prominent to define, refine and redefine who and what we are as a people. If not for others, this is the charge for me.

☉

My spirituality governs me. My spirituality informs and directs me…and it is NOT dependent on a religion to be believed. I believe in God—a God—and the association of God to the Expanse that is the Universe. I believe in the Spiritual and the existence of things that we may not ever fully understand let alone perceive. If nothing else however, I believe to my connection—our connection—to things greater than just us because we all…come from…something.

Thru my artistry and creativity, I’ve chosen to also use the condition and canvas of my Life to do greater and greater things for others and other souls.

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I firmly believe that difficult times are before us. Financial. Social and Societal. Access to Resources and the comparative value of Human Life. I believe that because of technology, we stand at a place of change that will change not only the nature of our realities but who we are as people among this planet. I believe that Art and Artistry is one of the only things that helps to reinforce who and what we are as conscious creative multifaceted creatures.

I believe change is coming and one of the only ways to start preparing and create a structure that endures is thru and within the arts.

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CONNECTED - PERSONAL NOTES OF LIAM IAN BLACK - © 2023 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC)