Industry or In Da Streets: The Art of Duality

A personal and experimental take on the "Industry" or "In da Streets" - the conflicting and compelling endevour in search for purpose and peace.

• I’ve asked myself this question many times... when it's all set and done. How do you like to be best remembered? As far as legacy and success is concerned, what’s more important? 
  

To be loved by the "Industry" or "In Da Streets"?

This is merely a compelling love letter to myself and my industry peers. Perhaps an opportunity to express my gratitude and frustrations. Bearing a unique displacement within the hierarchy of influence. I often have this unshakeable idea of feeling excluded from my own creative contributions. Or at least unacknowledged and betrayed by a system that doesn't believe in me (or us) but equally runs off the contributions of true creators. An ecosystem too proud and pretentious to admit its own bias. Alas, as conscious and aware - my brittle, kindred yet naive nature allowed me to ignore the reality of the social sphere.

In retrospect, I took a look in the mirror and pointed the finger toward myself. I took my L.

Irrespective, the undesirable outcome of whatever so transpired could not be changed. And before you come at me for not building my ecosystem. I am... and have been, ever since. Truthfully speaking, destiny has allowed me the privilege to be at the helm of various ground zeroes.

Serving and sharing. Learning and unlearning. Experiencing life on the other side of the curtain. A valuable endeavor for those willing and wanting to change the world. The relentless resolve and pursuit of getting up after falling so many times. A chance to see your heart’s utmost desires manifest whilst walking on a tightrope threaded by a dreamer's wild imagination... 

Nevertheless, I am privy to much and oblivious to less. I toy around with the idea of being an Industry Espionage. A bearer of hats, your local multi-strip plug. Nothing gets past me. I know enough to know enough. The value chain, the who's who in the zoo, the drop before the drop. From the interchangeable pawns and the indispensable pieces. Whether that's the result of my intuition, artistic nature, experience as a media journalist, or interpersonal genius. Clearly, I hold the capacity and enough space in this industry to matter.

Contrary to the above mentioned. We are all walking conflicts of self. Forever trying to find the balance between yin and yang. The unpublished efforts of helping and the fear that people might never know of the great work we do beyond the public eye. Respecting the "off the record" conversations with stakeholders and just being present at the moment without the day-to-day selfie entry for social media. A serious case of "OOSOOM". I do try to be “humble”. I almost cringe and laugh while writing that statement. I know that presenting a receipt to those who are unaware is an important play in my line of work. A display of Public Relations. Privy to x and oblivious to y. So WHY not give them a reason to believe in you?

In conclusion, a modern-day Catch-22. The never-ending journey of duality. And as you can see my dilemma is a battle within. How do I sell products without losing my moral compass? A case of morality vs productivity. Maybe this is what it means to be an artist-entrepreneur as ByLwansta coins it. You are privileged enough to cross and interact with both worlds. But, at what price? Your artistic integrity? & how do you even measure that which never was? Perhaps a small compromise in delivery for profitable gains. 

There’s simply no easy answer to a complicated question. The comprehension of this bewildering idea is neither here nor there; for time reveals a man’s true intentions. And until that day, my allegiance leans towards my creator’s duty: express and execute.

Never forgetting my life’s mantra “SAVE THE ART” - my hero's cape. 

Anyways, that’s my conundrum. Become what they need you to be or what you are called to be. Maybe, I asked the wrong question; perhaps I should ask: where do the fruits of my servitude best resonate? with the industry or to be in da streets…