The “Capacity of the Black Artist”

 Feature Photo: Bryce Cobbs / artbybryce.com

“When you starts measuring somebody, measure him right, child, measure him right. Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is.”
Lorraine Hansberry

The capacity of the Black artist is extraordinary, infinite, and unique to its energy. Black artists and their craft have been powerful, compelling, as well as saturated in the depths of one’s personal or witnessed experiences along life’s journey. The capacity of the Black individual has been tested and tried. If not for artists who witnessed, captured, recreated their own true experiences, Black histories and cultures would be forgotten. It is the many meanings of capacity that the Black artist embodies and lives that provides endurance without much regard or notice. 

Local artists Latoya Flint and Bryce Cobbs of Southwest Virginia (SWVA) are two such artists. Flint, who lives in Roanoke, is co-creator of the podcast The Doper Sex that highlights and discusses art, music and politics. Cobbs has taken over Roanoke with art projects and collaborations. He is making his own way in the community with his artistry. You can see the mural Cobbs painted of rapper Nipsey Hussle; who’s music, hustle, and energy inspire and celebrates Black consciousness. Here are a few questions to get to know these artists better, their inspirations, and ways to support local artists 

Latoya Flint

Q: What is the Capacity of the Black Artist? 

A: The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear or see the capacity of the Black artist is “limitless.”

Q: Who are you as an artist?

A: I’m an artist who is figuring out her voice and where she truly adds value in this world. I found a love of podcasting, which I’m doing with one of my friends, Stephon Anderson. That has allowed me an outlet to be vocal and expressive. I also work for a record label called Rock Solid Entertainment with my friend Prince Marley. We up next!

Q: What Black artist inspires you currently and why?

A: I’m inspired by artists such as Issa Rae, Beyonce, Nipsey Hussle, Stevie Wonder, Sister Soulja. I’m honestly inspired by anyone who is unapologetically Black and strives for the progress of our people. All those artists have work ethics, authenticity and visible Blackness that cannot be hidden or erased. They bleed Blackness in their music and visuals. I feel at home when I watch, read, or listen to something from them.

Q: What Black artist inspires you even in the absence of life and why?

A: Again, Nipsey Hussle. Nipsey was the epitome of self-love, Black excellence and human evolution to me. I really tapped into his catalog back in 2015 when I didn’t know where I was going in life. Listening to his music made me understand the importance of values, integrity, honor and focused drive. Those are key seeds that will lead you in the right direction no matter what you go after or at in life.

Q: What can the community do to support artists? 

A: We can just simply support each other. Whether that is a sharing of a post, showing up to an event or extending a hand when in need. I think the main challenge is the lack of outlets that SWVA has.

Q: What can you do for your community? How do you show up as an artist?

A: Great question and the most important one. I can facilitate different things that I would love to see around my community. I believe there should be an outlet such as recording studios around the city. We need programs that will inspire kids to get into different genres of music and different mediums of expression. I can help spearhead those programs. Me and Stephon have been talking about some things. As an artist, I do my best to show up as my most authentic and honest self. That’s something that I’m always working on. Just being more vocal about my beliefs and truths.

Q: As a Black artist from where do you pull your power? What inspires you to create?

A: I pull my power from God and the people I come in contact with. I have a dope family and good people in my life who inspire me. I understand that I have a purpose and use in this world. That keeps me going and inquisitive. A feeling that inspires me to create is honesty. Honesty is being vulnerable. When we’re vulnerable we can connect and take a step forward. I believe where there’s honesty there’s room for evolution. Honesty can be love, hate, confusion etc. It takes so many directions.

Q: Many Black Artists are on the rise, finding creative ways to get their work seen and landing gigs in various mediums. What do you think of the future of Black artists?

A: We are in another Black renaissance. We are growing consciously. We are more confident than ever in our value. We are understanding our importance and how much society revolves around us. I believe as long as we create with the intention of making it easier for those that come behind us, then we have a bright and secure future ahead of us. 

Bryce Cobbs 

Q: What is the Capacity of the Black Artist? 

A: I think of the ability of the Black artist to endure today’s struggles and hardships and turn those things into art. Not only struggles however, but love and positive aspects of everyday life too, and how that has an impact on the mind and the ability to create.

Q: Who are you as an artist?

A: I am an artist who just wants to tell my story through my art. I want to show the world the beauty in Blackness, the creativity we hold as a people. 

Q: What Black artist inspires you currently and why?

A: I am always inspired by Kadir Nelson. I love how he’s able to tell such powerful stories and narratives with his work and is never afraid of starting a conversation using his art! 

Q: What can the community do to support artists? 

A: I think the community could help encourage the importance of art to the youth and young adults… whether it be writing or different types of visual arts, is undervalued in our communities and just not explored to its full capacity. Bringing awareness to this could really spark more creativity throughout the community. I think a few challenges I’ve come across through my journey are just not necessarily having the resources to really give myself bigger opportunities. I’ve been blessed with the support of a lot of friends and family, however, who have given me massive opportunities and spaces to share my art. More of this in our communities could definitely help spread the arts throughout. 

Q: What can you do for your community? How do you show up as an artist?

A: Things I want to do for the community – (mainly) I just want to inspire those around me. I hope to eventually help other young artists get their work out and give them the same opportunities I was given by those around me to help give them a platform as well to share their work. 

Q: From where do you pull your power? What inspires you to create?

A: I like to think I pull my power from everyday experiences and things I see. Being Black and growing up around Black people my whole life, I know our story. I know the struggles, the beauties, the moments of joy and happiness that really makes us so unique. I use these elements to help push my art and creativity to levels that wouldn’t be possible without having lived through these experiences.

Q: What do you think of the future of Black Artists?

A: I think the future is bright – really bright. Just seeing more and more Black artists emerge and emerge on a big stage is just inspiring and motivating to anyone looking to follow in their footsteps.