What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1372549
same element and, as everything goes digital, we're losing that feel." Sam Lopez, creative communities coordinator with CACHE, agrees there's a showmanship required of performers in the genre that can only come from time spent in front of, and learning to connect with, an audience. "You do need to, every now and then, be reminded that maybe you're not as good as you think you are. And maybe you're great. But you need to be comfortable in those spaces and being critiqued," Lopez points out. He clarifies that criticism doesn't mean someone's art is bad; it's the process through which growth is possible. "We need a place where that's OK. Where it's safe to take the mic, to say what you need to say, and be open to the opinions of other people so that you can grow. And that's on our community as a whole to be open to letting people like that into their space and holding the audience to respect it." Groundwaves will be one of the first steps toward building community around that idea, Murs says. He calls it a safe space but not a safe space. "We're going to respect your pronoun; we're going to respect your sexual orientation; we're going to respect your race; we're going to respect your political view. But you can't suck. And if you suck, we're going to let you know," he promises. That doesn't translate to a free license to come and lambaste performers, though. Just as streaming services can create a false sense of accomplishment for artists, the Internet also allows mean-spirited voices or even trolls to criticize without accountability, Murs says. At Groundwaves, particularly vocal audience members will be called out to address the performer directly. It's not a system meant to shame or embarrass; it's meant to encourage constructive criticism that will truly help the artists improve. "Hip hop is a culture of resistance and celebration, and it exists within people that have no voice," Lopez suggests. "When people start using the art form, it starts gaining traction with people that feel that way. So, inherently, I've seen a lot of people who were silent or didn't really feel like talking, speak up. And to me, that's good because it means they're going to get represented. That means there's people willing to step out and say some things that might make others uncomfortable, or say what needs to be said and add more to the dialogue." As for what to expect on stage, Murs reveals with a laugh, "Colorado taught me not to place limits, and definitely prepare for surprise." In the three years since the program's founding, Murs has mentored a rapper who came to Groundwaves at age 12; artists who speak only Spanish; a spoken word poet and hemp farmer who'd never listened to rap before; 50-year-old artists; a cellist who thought his stringed instrument would keep him from being taken seriously but now uses it in his rap collaborations; and myriad other stories. "We're definitely breaking boundaries. And I'm searching for more diversity," he shares. "To be from Arkansas is going to diversify the conversation of hip hop in general and making that voice bigger." That voice needs ears to land on in order to get bigger. Come, Murs urges. Discourse happens when differing opinions, experiences and stories come together in a room, and that's how the community will grow, he assures. "Especially if you live in Springdale or in Northwest Arkansas, it's nice to be surprised in your home," he adds. "Where, you think you know everyone, you think you know everything that's there, and then someone gets on stage and you're like, 'What?' and 'Who is this?' And they could have lived around the corner the whole time, and you never know. "So I encourage people in the community to come out and see your folks. See what they're up to. I think it will also change your perspective on hip hop. And they need your feedback." MAY 16-22, 2021 WHAT'S UP! 37 If you're an artist of any sort, please get in contact with CACHE so we can find you oppor- tunities. Whatever it is artistically or creatively our community wants to be involved with, that's what we're searching for. We understand that it's a region and that everybody has a different identity, but the more connected we are, the more we can grow together. — Sam Lopez CACHE Creative Communities Coordinator It's up to the community to help spread the work of artists in Northwest Arkansas, rapper and hip hop artist Murs says. Groundwaves(AR), the second iteration of his monthly open mic and mentorship program, will give people something to travel with, he asserts. (Courtesy Photo) "A piece of home to take and spread to wherever you're traveling. Wherever you're going, take your artists. Support. Text a link to your cousins in Tennessee, let them know what's going on. Because music is part of our expression; it's how we leave our imprint as a people. Musicians are, I feel, I'm a public servant. I am a voice for my community. You have a ton of voices in Northwest Arkansas. Groundwaves is going to present them to you, I'm going to help develop them. And hopefully we can all join in spreading their music and art, and our music and art across the globe." Groundwaves Continued From Page 5 SPRINGDALE