| 07 April 2008
The ArtLifestyle Concert Series is billed as an event “Where music, art and cuisine are enjoined to accentuate the positive. An unforgettable experience for a true admirer of the arts.” It is a series of events that consistently stimulates one’s auditory, visual and flavor palates through live music, inspiring artwork and delicious cuisine. Artlifestyle offers a refreshing break from the normal party scene. The mixed media concept is one not seen in a long time; and it takes originality and boldness to pull something like this off. So who makes all this happen? Introducing Ayinde – the man behind the Movement.
If you have ever seen a man or woman on a mission, then you know they walk with a purpose, talk with a purpose, and their actions are purposeful. Most of us believe we were put on this Earth for some divine reason – to do some important work. And for many of us, trying to figure out what that work is takes insight, time, and some deep soul searching. But sometimes it is easy. Sometimes we just know. For others, it takes a life-altering experience before they get serious about it. For Ayinde, it was getting caught up in the wrong lifestyle.
THE ARTIST
So how did you get started with your Artwork?
Well I was always drawing growing up. Mostly comics and stuff like that. But growing up in Philly, I eventually got caught up in the drug game. Then the summer after my freshman year in college (at age 19), I had a life-changing situation. I was almost shot. Around that same time, 4 brothers from Philly had started Miskeen, and were doing hand-painted T-shirts. My mom told me that I should try that, and so I started putting art on T-shirts.
I saw this on your Myspace page. This became Iman Fashions?
Yes. I had a partner who used to help me think of designs, and he put me up on Islam. So I ended up naming the company Iman Fashions, which [Iman] means ‘I have faith’.
And you started selling your T-shirts from there?
Yes. Then I got a job working for Miskeen as an artist for a few months, and that taught me to be more free and abstract with my art. When I came back to NC, I applied those techniques to Iman Fashions and it really helped me grow the business. I started doing shirts for a lot of prominent people – rappers and stuff. The owner of Mr. Smith’s Clothing (Majid Smith) took me under his wing and showed me the industry. When I was doing it, I really had a niche; I had shirts in 5 stores in Greensboro and probably sold about 55,000 shirts in all.
How did the progression from Fashion Designer to Artist / Promoter / ArtLifestylist come about?
I had started throwing Thursday night parties at Club 9. I was traveling up and down the East coast a lot doing (fashion) shows / parties and my schoolwork was being affected. I needed to slow it down to concentrate more on school. I did my first canvas for a friend, and it was a good outlet for me. Growing up, my parents were very Afrocentric, and back then, I used to think that it was a joke. As I got older, I started understanding more of what my parents had been trying to instill in me. When I became more conscious of who I was, my environment started to change (who and what I wanted to be around), and painting on canvas became an outlet for that.
Music and art seem very interrelated for you, and a lot of your pieces seem music-based. Is that where you get most of your creative inspiration?
I used to rap and make beats. I always said if I wasn’t an artist, I would be a musician. So early on, music was my main inspiration. Then Black people in general (became my inspiration), then I started mixing the two. But then God took over. It’s me but it’s not – most of my stuff I dream. 
So most of your pieces now mix art and music?
I can’t really say that. I never can define (them) – I just want (my art) to bring awareness, to have a message. One piece (for the Jena 6), made the New York Times, and it was so crazy, because I dreamt about it before I ever went down there (to Jena). I don’t paint for the money. Some stuff might get sold, or I might get an order, but mostly it is to get relief. It’s like a weight on my shoulders, a feeling that is there until the piece is done.
Have you had any formal training?
No. It’s just a gift from God. I guess it’s kinda in me. My dad is a jeweler, and my mom owned a clothing boutique. She has always had a strong eye for balance, and I grew up seeing that; it just got implemented into my life.
Do you have a Favorite Piece? Which gets the most attention?
My two favorites are probably My Only Hope and Devine Being. American Terrorist and the Noose (Jena 6 piece) are the most controversial.
THE PROMOTER
According to your Myspace page... THE NEW-AGE RENAISSANCE MOVEMENT IS DEDICATED TO UPLIFTING THE MORALE OF OUR CULTURE THROUGH THE EXPRESSION OF LIVE MUSIC, ART, CUISINE, & FASHION. So what is The New Age Renaissance? Is that the movement behind the ArtLifestyle Concerts?
The New Age Renaissance was like the beginning (of the shows and promotions). [The band] Beautiful Expressions used to do shows at Montego Bay Restaurant, and I used to paint onstage while they were performing. I kinda developed a following from there. I had a friend who used to manage The Remix VIP, and he was looking for someone to do a show on Wednesdays. I did my first show there, and it brought about 600 people out. After that, I was doing Renaissance Concerts every other Wednesday, twice a month.
So now you are at JABS doing ArtLifestyle Concerts?
Yeah. Another friend of mine was managing JABS, and I asked him to give me the opportunity to host an event. I hosted my Graduation / Birthday party there, and it went well. I had my first ArtLifestyle concert there in February.
ArtLifestyle is a nice term. Where did you come up with that?
When I was doing Iman Fashions, I used to sign all my Tshirts with the ‘Art is Life’ tag. But then I saw the tag on someone I used to help design shirts, so I switched it up to ArtLifestyle.
Live Music, Art, Cuisine… a very enterprising concept. How do you prepare for each event?
My former roommate put me up on a lot of music – his playlist was crazy. I knew how to cook, he didn’t; so I would cook, he’d have the music, and we would invite people over. It was a crazy environment. So now, every time I go in to set up the club, I just think back to that summer and try to implement (that vibe).
Is all the art at the shows for sale?
Yes. Getting everyone to bring their art is easy. I sold someone’s painting at the last show for $200; and at the show before that I sold 2 pieces.
You were a student at A&T, and that explains your Greensboro, NC connection. ‘Cause for a minute, I was thinking, why would a person from Philly, where the scene is so huge with arts, culture, music...?
They aren’t doing it like that in Philly. There used to be that kind of movement with Musiq Soulchild, Bilal, The Roots; (but) nobody is combining everything. I wanna (take this) to Philly too, but right now, one step at a time. And honestly, being down here, I got used to the slower pace. Up there, you can’t walk down the street and say what up to young brothers – down here you can do that.
Some people think this type of movement is a trend. Eight years ago, there were similar events in Raleigh - The Cypher (big ups to Matt Sherman) and Nappy Luv (KWU), but it's like the crowds felt they needed to move on to the next “popular” thing.
This is the best thing though – live music and art. I’m trying to figure out what I’ll do after I outgrow it; because after live concerts I can’t go back to the club. For me the club is just people dancing, drinking, women dressed provocatively. I pride myself on how the women come out to my shows and look flawless, but in a respectful manner.
We noticed that – we said the crowd looked more sophisticated. Seems the event brings out a different type of crowd.
It’s surprised me though, because it’s a lot of young people now. That’s why I feel that what I’m doing is kinda relevant; because it’s not a majority of over 21 heads, but they understand what’s going on.
Maybe it’s a backlash to the whole snap, ringtone type entertainment that’s out.
Yeah. Me and my man were talking about that. You can’t do (that music) but so much. Its sad. I feel like it’s the New Age Minstrel Show. Back then we were kinda forced into it; but nowadays everybody has an option. You choose to go that route for the paper. Please don’t sell your soul for that.
THE MISSION
Your next event, on April 18th, is called “The Healer”. Your Facebook email about the event says the “purpose for ArtLifestyle isn’t about money or entertainment, it’s for bettering of our people, race and generation.” Can you explain more?
The reason I am doing this is because I want to dispel the media representation of Black people. This event is really inspired by a song off of Erykah Badu’s new joint. Her album (New Amerykah) is a breath of fresh air. The title comes from my frustrations with ignorant people, and just feeling like we need to be healed. I’m stressing the mission statement for the upcoming event. This will be the most genuine Artlifestyle concert I’ve ever done – from the art, to the musicians, and I’m hoping that will bring out the genuine people who want to support it. See if we can wake some more people up.
Can you give us a taste of what’s to come?
Besides music and paintings, there will be some new artists in different mediums, including a sculptor, animation artist, and comic artist. There will also be body art, jewelry, fashion, and a culinary artist. I’m tapping all my resources for the event.
What about beyond April?
After the April show, I’m planning an East Coast Tour with stops in Philly, D.C, Richmond, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Atlanta. The idea is to grow the movement from city to city. If I can affect people here, then go to another city, and another city… I just want us to tap into our true selves and express it. No one is stepping out there and risking themselves. I want to be a leader.
Any last words?
“I want us to wake up and realize who we are. Turn off the radio and TV.”
With hearing the passion and hope in Ayinde’s voice, not to mention glancing at all the paintings surrounding me; I can’t help but draw a parallel to a certain TV show with Peter Petrelli and a few other Hero’s. These are everyday people with extraordinary abilities and a common purpose – to save the 
world. Theirs appears to be a singular, clear-cut mission: prevent a disaster, thereby saving the world from destruction. Ayinde’s is a bit more subtle, and infinitely more difficult – dispel the media representation of Black people and lead a generation of young people to embrace their beauty, power and inherent abilities.
Listening to this evolution from student / hustler to artist / promoter, it’s hard to believe that this course of events has taken place in a matter of five years. I can only think that at this pace, with this passion, in 5 more years, Ayinde will be well on his way to accomplishing mission number one.
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