Growing together: It only takes one of us. It only takes all of us.
While the countries' more established music hubs, such as New York or LA, draw creatives from around the globe, central figures in Boston's hip-hop scene aren't necessarily looking to make it out, they're simply looking to make it. Looking at their own careers, on the cusp of mainstream success, Dorchester natives kei and Clark D feel extreme gratitude for and responsibility to the close-knit creative community that exists in Boston's music scene. The pair, who originally met attending Boston Latin Academy but never connected until kei's first release in 2021, often discuss the value of growing together, helping each other succeed, and grounding themselves in the values that drove them to pursue artistry in the first place. The more established Clark D mentored kei through the advent of her music career, and now, almost 4 years later, the artists work collaboratively to create both music and spaces that resonate with their communities.
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - Clark D and kei jump in tandem, performing their song live on stage. Clark was an influential mentor in kei's early career, helping her download the audio software Logic and recommending her a book on the music industry. While they first met in high school, it wasn't until kei began pursuing her own music career in 2021 that the two truly began their friendship and creative partnership. The artists have since grown drastically in their metrics, discography, and identities as artists. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - During soundcheck, Clark D and kei dance together while rehearsing one of his songs. Amongst the tens of artists, DJs, and producers performing throughout the night, most everyone knew the lyrics to each other's songs. The musicians ake turns at center stage, while others sing along with them, cheer for their clever bars, and shout ad-libs on the off-beats. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - A crowd of attendees, including headliner Clark D, gather outside the entry door to Club Illusion. Groups of friends and family linger outside, smoking and chatting while they wait for the main act of the night. Clark stood amongst the crowd for the entirety of the show before his set, greeting people at the door and catching up with his friends as they arrived in support of him. It was incredibly important to Clark that this show felt like the small-scale events he played at the start of his career when it was no more than his family and friends that would support his music. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
On November 23rd, 2024, Clark D hosted "One Night Only," a performance at Club Illusions in Roxbury, MA, a small venue in Nubian Square. Celebrating his recent successes and giving other artists a chance to take the stage, Clark envisioned this event as the type of scaled-back show he might have played at the very start of his career. Looking out at the intimate crowd of familiar faces, he saw this performance as an opportunity to identify who he was doing this all for; who is moved by his art and his mission. The sold-out show brought friends and family together to appreciate music but also to connect fans with performers and artists with other artists.
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - Inside Club Illusion, the Roxbury venue for Clark D's "One Night Only" show, kei chats with close friend and rapper Jo Sosa about a conflict in her personal life. While connecting with others in the music industry can often feel transactional, kei has found value and fulfillment in learning the stories of those around her, using music as a vessel to connect with artists on a deeper, more personal level. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - Lowell-born DJ and producer known by his stage name DeevoDaGenius jokes with members of the rap collective, Champion Sound, as they set up their gear for the evening. The group of artists with distinctive styles, all coming from various places in Massachusetts, find unity in their common love for rap and artistic expression. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - kei and Adelaine sit beside each other, doing their makeup in the mirrors that line the walls of Club Illusion. Considering how hectic show days can be with loading in, sound-checking, and the high-energy performances themselves, kei tries to always slow down and appreciate the quieter moments like these that she can share with a friend. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - Clark D laughs with Boston-based DJ Adelaide during the pre-show soundcheck. Having expressed her nervousness about her performance at "One Night Only", the biggest event she has booked to date, Clark encourages her to have confidence in herself. Throughout his his headliner set, Clark frequently spoke directly to the audience, demanding that his friends pursue their passion and continue sharing their art, whether through music, producing, film, visual and photographic, or whatever they might find joy in creating. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - kei excitedly greets her friend NotebookP, a fellow Boston-based RnB musician. The two have developed a friendship over the years of their careers, often seeing each other at shows, performing at similar styles and scales of events. Noting how beautiful yet uncomfortable the process of growth can be, kei expresses gratitude for the support from her community that has allowed her to learn and experience new things. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
kei speaks with great excitement regarding the potential for Boston's local artists to become national stars. To her, the sense of unity that she feels at home, compared to other cities she has traveled to, is the key factor that will determine the community's ability to "make it." While she believes deeply in the creative capacity of herself and her network of fellow artists, she knows that Boston isn't quite at the level of production or recognition as other larger cities. Instead of seeing this as a hindrance, kei views this as an opportunity to take an active role in the construction of creative infrastructure that will allow herself and other musicians to thrive-- "It's happening. It hasn't happened yet. We're making it happen right now."
It's happening. It hasn't happened yet. We're making it happen right now."
— kei
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - Clark D connects with an audience member during his on-stage performance, pointing the mic towards the crowd and beckoning the fan to recite the hook. Clark chose Club Illusion, a much smaller venue than he might normally be able to fill, to create a more intimate, personal show in which the crowd was full of familiar faces who knew him and his story. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - Traveling up from Atlanta to support his special show, friends of Clark D sing with the performer. In pursuit of his music career, Clark left his home in Boston to work at a label in Atlanta. Working tirelessly for commission projects and gaining a foothold in the Christian Hip-hop scene, Clark still returns to Boston frequently to collaborate with local artists, host shows like these, and generally support the Boston community that raised him as a young artist. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - An attendee at Clark D's "One Night Only" show wears a T-shirt encouraging readers to "Support Local Artists." Pursuing a creative career is rarely an easy journey. In kei's words, "Shit gets hard. There's so little security in any form of art, so you have to just believe in yourself. But its ten times easier when you have a group of people that believe in you too." (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
There is a strong sense in the local music scene that something great is brewing, and that it's only a matter of time before someone might blow up and bring the spotlight to Boston. Until then, kei, Clark D, and many other talented Bostonians will continue their hard work, creating art and building camaraderie, knowing that it will take the whole community to turn their dreams into reality.
Roxbury, MA: November 23, 2024 - kei smiles at her friend and fellow rapper Clark D on stage at Club Illusion, teasing a crowd of excited fans with the mention of their unreleased song. The pair jointly released "IT'S A STICK UP!" in 2023 and have performed together at major Boston events like GLD FSTVL and Boston Calling. (Photo by Faith Nguyen)
