About a year ago we got to phind out about creative
independent Yusuf Muhammad, a filmmaker and photographer. In the past year, if
you’ve been the least bit social you have noticed what I’ve noticed, an
exploration and evolution of Mr. Muhammad. His photography can be phound
anywhere from the Inquirer to Facebook and his face can be seen at the
Blockley, TLA, Rittenhouse Square Park, or the Fresh Grocer in University
City. This past week I got to talk with
Mr. Muhammad about him exploring other passions and talents as well as how his
craft as a photographer and filmmaker have evolved. This is what he had to say.
Phreedum: Catch me
up. It’s been almost a year since I phirst got to phind out about you. What
have you been doing?
YM: I graduated
from the Art Institute with a degree in film. Immediately after graduation I got into
doing a lot more short films. I started a series called “Natural Beauty Queens”.
There are six 6 pieces in total, but I’ve only released 3. My goal was to
showcase natural beauty, art, and music all in one short 2-3 minute film. I
used a lot of imagery. I also began doing more photography. I’ve had pictures
used by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com.
I’ve also gotten to travel more in the past year, including going
back to Atlanta for the BET awards. I’ve also done some work with Travis Barker
from Blink 182, The Roots, and Beanie Sigel. I have truly appreciated the
opportunity to expand my network in the
past year and to have been considered to work with these artists and other
artists.
Phreedum: Talk to
me more about your work with other musicians.
YM: I think when
I did the interview last year I might have just had my first Veteran Freshman
show.
Phreedum: For our
readers who don’t know, what is Veteran Freshman?
YM: Veteran
Freshman is a showcase of veteran mc’s that are fresh faces to a lot of people and are locally based for the
most part. These are artists who have built a buzz in their communities and I
give them a platform to be fresh faces and expand their support base. I take
risks with the bills I put together and it’s been good because it’s nonstop good
music, with each artist being unique to the one before them.
Phreedum: In the
last year how many shows have you put together?
YM: I’ve done six
shows in the last year.
Phreedum: That’s
a lot. How have you been able to pull together so much talent and then showcase
it?
YM: Financially
it was a bit of a burden initially. However, I was blessed to be sponsored by
Live Nation. They saw what I was doing, believed in the drive I had and they
backed it. My first concert with Live Nation was May 26 2012. Live Nation was
really excited and pleased. I still can’t wrap my head around it.
Phreedum: How
have you seen yourself grow?
YM: I continue to
grow daily. I think I am more focused and have a more defined vision and
mission to accomplish it. I have learned through trial and tribulation in terms
of what I want to do and then figure out how to make it happen. Fairly
recently, I had three concerts I was a part of organizing. It was insane but I
was able to execute them well. That only happened because I was so focused on
providing excellent shows and therefore focusing and prioritizing in order to
make sure that happened.
I would also say I have gotten better at receiving
criticism. I don’t always like it, but I do like when people say they really enjoyed
a show. In order for that to happen I have to be open to hearing what I did
well and not so well so the next show can be better than the last and people
continue to support Veteran Freshman and more importantly the artists.
Phreedum: What
has been a success for you?
YM: Being able to
create to live and living to create. Everything I do has meaning and I have
learned to do the things which are most meaningful to me and allow me to create
and to live.
Phreedum: What
are you still learning?
YM: To be patient and that people will talk. I
think those are the people you learn patience from. People say things about you
that are just completely unfounded. I consider it a blessing to have met the
people I’ve met and develop the relationships I have developed. People think
that these things just happen, and it’s like no, this is work. This is work I
am passionate about and blessed to do. That translates into my capturing these
blessings and relationships on film and then people assuming that me and certain
people are mad cool. We’re not, so no I can’t hook you up with anything. And
that turns into all kinds of stories and rumors. I’ve had to learn to ignore
it.
Phreedum: What
have you been hearing? What are people saying about the work you have been doing
more recently?
YM: A lot of
things. Some good. Some not so good. The not so good ranges from me having
kids, I don’t, to me doing unscrupulous things to build my relationships and
get ahead. I’ve also heard some good
things. I’ve heard that the show was good, that I put together a good bill, and
the growth of my support. The good things are what help me to continue doing
this work.
Phreedum: Now
that we know what the people are saying, what are you saying to the people?
YM: You’re not
living if you aren’t living for others. Whatever you do don’t just do for
yourself. Also, learn from your mistakes
and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong. You can’t always be right, it’s
not possible.
For
more information, check out www.Facebook.com/Ratedrook and Reemyman46 on Youtube.
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