Ethiopian-Eritrean rapper Heno grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland, on the nexus of a number of worlds. As an honor roll pupil with road smarts, Heno skilled each the privileges and injustices of his surroundings. His household’s house was positioned subsequent to his elementary and center faculties, a library, and a police station — a mixture of locations that might form his perspective on life.
As a six-year-old, Heno explains that one in every of his earliest recollections concerned a traumatic encounter with the police once 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.
As we speak, Heno is utilizing his artwork and blockchain know-how 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.
![Heno side profile portrait](https://nftnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/heno-head-hunter-1200x600.webp)
Social change by artist empowerment
In his upcoming album, I’m Bored with 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 venture 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 gaining access to 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 day by day content material, however in doing so, they’re additionally creating worth for the platform.
In keeping with Heno, blockchain know-how 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 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 Mission, Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform, and the Baltimore Motion Authorized Group, making a tangible impression on the lives of individuals in his dwelling state. Additional, as a volunteer for Wegene Ethiopian Basis, Heno helped open a data heart in Ethiopia, offering pc labs and different know-how 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 venture in Web3 than within the conventional music business,” he mentioned. “As soon as I figured that out, I knew I’d discovered the proper place.”
The monetary advantages of blockchain know-how
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 know-how affords artists.
“I come from the normal music business, the place I paid hundreds of {dollars} to draft contracts to do enterprise with folks,” Heno defined. “If I would like 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 advanced authorized agreements or intermediaries.
Heno additionally emphasizes the significance of every artist understanding their compensation and possession, which blockchain know-how makes extra clear and accessible. This ease of entry empowers artists to take management of their careers and monetary futures, thus enabling their continued inventive expression.
“Clearly, I receives a commission extra in Web3 than I obtained 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 inventive path is a privilege he wouldn’t have loved beneath a conventional file 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 feel when folks see you serving to your self, they need to assist you extra,” he mentioned. By way of Web3, Heno has been in a position to 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 strategy the area with a real need to study and adapt. This mindset has been one in every of Heno’s most vital property, permitting him to evolve alongside the quickly altering panorama. His need to study has helped him collaborate with artists like Mick Jenkins, JPEGMAFIA, Chaz Bear, and extra.
By way of his collaborations with the group and his need to drive social change, he has managed to create a novel digital world round his music. Of explicit significance is a brief movie titled Within the Meantime, which can be launched as a collection of NFTs quickly.
Heno’s aim is to create art work that stimulates conversations, fosters connections, and facilitates transformation. Whereas driving social change by their craft is actually essential, artists should additionally champion themselves. One technique to realize that is by experimenting in Web3.
He believes blockchain know-how permits him to interrupt down his work into digestible items, making it extra accessible and fascinating for audiences. By pushing the boundaries of what’s potential in Web3 and leveraging the distinctive alternatives it presents, Heno and different artists can proceed to drive social change by their artwork, but in addition by advocating for themselves.