Heno’s Journey to Ignite Social Change

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 setting. His household’s house was positioned subsequent to his elementary and center colleges, a library, and a police station — a mixture of locations that will form his perspective on life.

As a six-year-old, Heno explains that considered one of 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.

Immediately, Heno is utilizing his artwork and blockchain expertise 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 undertaking 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 getting access to our telephone 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 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 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 Challenge, 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 data 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 undertaking in Web3 than within the conventional music business,” he mentioned. “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 some great benefits of belief and transparency that blockchain expertise gives artists.

“I come from the normal music business, the place I paid 1000’s of {dollars} to draft contracts to do enterprise with folks,” 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 bought 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 artistic path is a privilege he wouldn’t have loved underneath a standard document contract.

Many artists grapple with imposter syndrome, assuming they should accept much less and depend on bigger entities to succeed. Heno’s expertise in Web3 proves that this isn’t the case. “I feel when folks see you serving to your self, they need to assist you extra,” he mentioned. By means of Web3, Heno has been capable of construct relationships with folks 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 need to be taught and adapt. This mindset has been considered one of Heno’s most vital property, 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 means of his collaborations with the group 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 likely be launched as a sequence of NFTs quickly.

Heno’s aim is to create art work that stimulates conversations, fosters connections, and facilitates transformation. Whereas driving social change via 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 via their artwork, but additionally via advocating for themselves.