Author: Visionary Artistry Magazine

Benny The Butcher: The Butcher Comin’

November 15, 2020 was a day that hip-hop fans collectively held their breath. 

Baton Rouge rapper Lil Boosie was shot in the leg upon leaving a funeral in Dallas, paying his respects to slain rapper Mo3. The concern for Boosie was more life-threatening and potentially life-altering than in Benny’s case. As Boosie has publicly battled diabetes for quite some time. A few hours away in Houston, Benny The Butcher, 35, was also shot in an attempted robbery. Both incidents had fans concerned, but for different reasons. The concern for Benny wasn’t just about him, but more about rap culture as a whole, and how we’ve become so prone to losing young black men that have yet to reach their potential far too soon. Thankfully, both Boosie and Benny’s injuries were not life-threatening or life-altering, although Benny will be in a wheelchair temporarily. Both are expected to make a full recovery. 

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Melissa Fredericks: Love Influencer

“Do you feel like you’re in a rut? Are you unhappy with the person you see reflected in the mirror? Do you wish you could change your life, but you’re not exactly sure of where to begin?” Those are the first lines of Melissa Fredericks’ book The Journey to Self Love, a book that focuses on how she overcame her low self-esteem and overwhelming life. 

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CAMH: A Mintxibition Message

Despite the exhausting abnormality of 2020, this strange year does have its purpose. Instead of being complacent, many artists have found innovative ways to share their creations and visions. 

One rapper in particular, though, was already prepared for this paradigm shift. Making “purpose popular” is Tobe Nwigwe’s simple yet thought-provoking motto. During a time where finding purpose is necessary for mental health, this Nigerian-born, Houston-raised rapper has fans and other artists alike looking to him for encouragement.

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Yehimi Cambrón: Activism Through Art

September 13th, 2020 marked the completion of a physically-exhausting project, but the beginning of an integral human rights conversation. 

After months spent standing on forklifts, sweat mixing with paint as the oppressive Atlanta heat pounded on her, Atlanta artist Yehimi Cambrón finished a monumental task -- to create an art piece to honor Atlanta’s immigrant community. The result is Cambrón’s breathtaking 35-foot-tall mural titled “Monuments: Atlanta’s Immigrants.”

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Cecilie Bahnsen: Scandinavian Style

With everything shifting this year because of the pandemic, the fashion industry has made sure to change and adapt to the current circumstances. Instead of the normal insane crowds for fashion week, Paris looked a little different this fall. While some designers opted for virtual runway shows, others still decided to hold intimate gatherings of their new collections, of course, with strict guidelines on distancing and mask-wearing. 

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HEALTH: Masters of Noise

There is a very subtle but important distinction between sound and noise. In many situations, the two words are identical. When it comes to music, however, the connotation associated with noise is far more negative. Even the dictionary definition of noise is “a sound that lacks agreeable musical quality, or is noticeably unpleasant." Why is it, then, that there are entire music genres dedicated to noise? Harsh noise, noise pop, and noise rock might all sound unappealing or even ironic, but the truth is that there are few genres that can match their intensity and innovation. Innovation is key here, and it’s why noise rockers HEALTH have remained a powerhouse for 15 years.

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