LUCAS PASTORFIELD-LI

Email: lpastorfield11@gmail.com

Instagram: @lucaspli.art

There’s no wrong way to make art. Sure, opinions may vary from piece to piece but in the end, artwork simply is what it is and I take comfort in that. No single piece is unanimously considered “good” or “bad” and since the primary function of all artwork is to provoke a reaction, the goal of an artist is really quite straight forward: channel your thoughts, feelings and perceptions into something tangible for others to experience. But since art speaks for itself I should probably stop wri…..

ARTIST STATEMENT RAP:

ON “COMMANDER AND BEATS”, “SEMPER RHYME”, AND “SEOUL CHILD OF THE RAP REALM”

Hmmm, I mean it’s kinda hard to say.

How’s Hip Hop depicted in art today?

Are certain individuals given a part to play

while other kids are told to keep their bars at bay?

I  guess it’s smart in ways

To keep people locked categorically.

Tell’em to spark a jay, play the part, and speak through conformity.

Yeah that’s cool, exactly what we’re used to

And if you’re something different than we might as well exclude you.

So you keep on fearing change and I’ll keep munching on my Mushu,

Even if something in your brain tells you to love this goodie two shoes.

I was raised up in Suburbia, the block was never hot.

You shoulda seen the kids at school and how much their pockets got.

I’m talking lots of guap. Too much for cops to stop. And all from mom and pops.

I won’t deny my privilege, it’s as blatant as my squinty eyes.

Only through listening to Hip Hop was I given context to realize

That all of life is not like mine, so many struggle all the time.

It hurts to say my worst of days can’t compare to where they lie in.

Yet I feel no guilt, and certainly no pity, only respect for the youth making music in my city.

I got caught up within the culture, so much beauty in the movement.

I’d pen and pencil instrumentals till my lyrics started moving

Off the page and out the mic so that you’d see the music.

I get it, not everyone has synesthesia

So I made a few paintings hoping maybe they could reach ya.

Three students of the game, initiated through methods old and new.

They swear an oath, earn a name, and are honored for what soldiers do.

All with different passions, different backgrounds, different reasons,

To show their love for more than thugs but what really lies underneath it.

It is the rhythm, the teachings, that Slurpee on a summer day.

That shit that makes your DJ cry each time he lets the drummer play.

Hip Hop music for my people, all my people, even you.

Exposing us to other lives while allowing us to express our own.

Everybody’s got a story. Best you find a microphone.