65. The Process: Going Full Time Artistry with Cliff Notez

Cliff Notez is an award-winning multi-digital media artist, musician, organizer & filmmaker. Cliff Notez’ art is a continuous exploration of the black mind. Rooted in hip hop, Cliff’s art tackles the political and the personal, exploring the intimate consequences of a society where black bodies are easily ignored, forgotten, or disregarded. Cliff's second full-length album, Why The Wild Things Are, was released September 11th 2019. Their films have won over 5 and been official selections for 20 and counting film festivals globally. In 2017, they was the grand prize winner of the March on Washington Festival and honored alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates. In 2018, they took home Best New Artist at the Boston Music Awards while racking in over 11 nominations between 2019-2020 including Artist of the Year and Live Artist of the Year. In 2019 Cliff became the first musician to be named"Musician of the Year" for Boston Magazine's Best of Boston and their 100 Most Influential Bostonians in 2020.

In this episode, we discuss:

-Freedom in thought and food

-His transition to full time artistry

-Choosing freedom over security

-Letting go of “The American Dream” & all other societal ideals

-Starting a business is personal development + spiritual practice

-Learning to trust your art

-Keeping the art persona and the real you separate

-His first album: the story behind it - processing challenging times through art

-Taking care of yourself as an entrepreneur

-Coming out of the artist closet

-Breaking free of the capitalist system & sharing that knowledge with others

-Exposing injustice and knowing your worth

-Getting creative with your business when the world falls apart

-Advice for those who don’t fit in the conventional mold

Cliff Notez’ Instagram: @cliffnotezz

Cliff Notez Website: https://ontrckmusic.com/cliff-notez/

Listen to Cliff Notez on Spotify

Connect with me on Instagram: @madelinebbailey

Visit my website: http://www.madelinebbailey.com

Send me an email about a new 1-1 coaching spot: madelinebbailey@gmail.com

Intro Music by: Seth Francis

Cover Art by: Tyler Colter

Madeline BaileyAugust 12, 2021