The artist delivers an anthem to the Black Lives Matter movement.
When George Floyd became yet another victim of police brutality in this country, black artists everywhere mobilized, using their mediums as a voice of protest. Brittany Campbell, an award winning singer/songwriter and independent animator was one of these artists, and in her latest video "Matter", her art is used as a powerful mechanism for change. The "Matter" music video was animated and performed by Brittany Campbell, who's lyrics mirror the frustrations of many of us who support the Black Lives Matter movement.Brittany Campbell's art has proven to have no boundaries. Along with her resume as an award winning singer, she is also an accomplished actor who has graced Broadway stages and appeared in shows like "She's Gotta Have It" and "Masters of None". As a self taught animator, she's animated videos for the likes of Super Model Shaun Ross who tapped Brittany to animate a video for his debut single "Symmetry." We had the honor of interviewing Brittany and getting her take on BLM, and her views on the role of an artist during this time.https://youtu.be/h5bArurCWHE
From acting, to singing, animating and more, you are definitely multi faceted. When do you think this creative spirit that you have started?
Creativity has alway been a part of me....even as I kid, I was composing...making my own toys lol. I don't know why or where it comes from..I just know that I've always had it.
Is there a moment that you can pinpoint that influenced your creative journey?
There are several moments...several key inspirations that I remember so vividly. Like when I was about 6, I was watching my big brother draw Earthworm Jim..I remember thinking "I wonder if I can draw too"...I tried it, and it turned out that I could. Most new ventures start that way for me.. I see that something has been done, I think, "I wonder if I can do that" ..I try until I can. I think that's the key. Being open enough to try....that and really working on it until it captures your original intention.
Your latest video "Matter" makes a powerful statement. As a black artist, can you speak about how the Black Lives Matter movement has impacted the way you go about creating?
I never thought I'd write a song like "Matter"...I usually write about romantic love. So, in that way, the Black Lives Matter movement has given me more space, perspective, and a voice...I think the movement has done that for a lot of people. This is a time where a lot of us are going through intense introspection...you can not help but to expand. Since this incarnation of BLM, my eyes have been opened to many painful things. My purpose as an artist feels reinvigorated because I now know how important it is to me to work on the healing aspect of this movement. There is so much to be unearthed and address within the Black Community in order to heal, unify, and progress. My art going forward will be dealing with Black love, Black Queerness, Black Expression, Black Joy, Mental Health, our History...and our magic...
What do you feel is an artist's responsibility in a time like this?
I mean... Nina Simone said it best..." An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times." That is not to say that every artist should be producing things right now...I think an artist should move as their spirit moves...but I DO think, when creating, we need to address the world around us and be a mirror.
Very rarely do we see someone animate their own music video. What would you say led to you exploring this side of your creativity?
Honestly, I've always loved animation a lot. About 5 years ago, I wanted an animated music video of my own. I reached out to some animators that I admire and the price ranged from like $6000- $10,000 ...which I COULD NOT afford at the time...so, I figured I'd try for myself. I'd been looking at a lot of stop motion videos (because I THOUGHT it would be the easiest approach)....I reached out to Steven Mertens, who gave me lots of pointers on how to begin. After about 2 months of trial and error, I had my first animation. It all sort of snowballed from there.
The proceeds from this song are to go to "Abundant Beginnings" . Can you tell a bit about this organization and its significance to you?
Well, I first heard about "Abundant Beginnings' while listening to Ghost of a Podcast. I immediately looked into it because they mentioned that it focused on education. In this time, I've thought a lot about my childhood and how much I’ve benefited from being exposed to different things..different kinds of people… and the eclecticness of my education in NYC.
When I further looked into Abundant Beginnings, I found that have focused on educating their youths on social and environmental justice. It is also helmed by black queer eco-feminists. What truly got me were their ideas about teaching children about ancestral biology practices, mixed age class environments, and diversity within the class.
Sings in Whitney voice "I believe the children are our future..teach em well and let them lead the way....show them all the beauty they posses insideeeeeee"
5. You're fresh off a debut album and this great visual. What's next for Brittany Campbell?
More music! I'm currently in a duo called Mermaid with my girlfriend. We'll be releasing an album 2021. I'll be releasing some more singles from my solo project this year and who knows... maybe I'm writting an album unbeknownst to myself...All I know is that I'm writting a LOT and working with some brilliant producers like Sam Hoffman (Mereba), Matt Otto (Moses Sumeny) and King Micheal Coy (Anderson Paak). I'm also working on an original animated series...but that's all Im allowed to say hehehe.
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