Rapper and educator Jamaal “Black Root” Collier promotes Black-owned businesses in new video — Muse Factory
The artist recently released a music video titled “Beard Game Commandments in an effort to promote beard oil and Baltimore’s local economy.
Baltimore-based Performance and Teaching artist Jamaal “Black Root” Collier released a music video in late 2020 titled Beard Game Commandments. The song is based on Notorious B.I.G’s hip hop classic The Ten Crack Commandments but with a self-care twist due to Collier’s desire to help local businesses, many of which sell products related to self-care and fashion.
As the title might suggest, the song is about beards and how to groom them. In fact, during the production of the video, Collier’s entire look was styled by representatives of local Black-owned based in Baltimore. Everything from Collier’s hair, which was styled by Latoya Hoff, to his choice of garments, made by Marjorie Nicole, to his beard, using Smitty’s Beard Essentials by Angie Watts.
“It’s a parody of Notorious B.I.G’s song Ten Crack Commandments, and the video was filmed in Baltimore’s District 30,” Collier said. “My plan was to cross-promote Black businesses and business people with a primary focus on Smitty’s Beard Essentials by Angie Watts.”
The video starts out with Collier seated on a makeshift throne, dressed sharply in a stark elaborately-decorated white and gold suit by NSAA Creations. In the video, Collier holds a didgeridoo, an instrument that originates from the indigenous peoples of Australia, as a sort of regal scepter, not unlike a king perched upon his throne.
“The didgeridoo is an instrument made from a hollowed-out portion of a tree,” Collier said. “The didgeridoo and the djembe drum are two of the earliest instruments. Well, besides the heartbeat. That’s the first drum.”
The effortless nature with which Collier raps, along with his charisma and presence, give the video an easygoing vibe. The lyrics often use a play on words to promote beard hygiene and steps on how to use certain products he’s promoting. The video was directed by D. Taylor Images and include several other prominent local Hip Hop artists and musicians, such as Drew Anderson and Femi the Drifish.
“I had a personal connection with everyone in the video through art or education in some way,” said Collier.
When Collier isn’t shooting music videos to support local businesses, he’s using his craft as a medium for teaching. Collier has over a decade of experience teaching children in Maryland’s public schools, using his artistry and voice as a way to teach music, rhythm, spoken word, among other disciplines. He is a Maryland State Arts Council approved Teaching Artist and offers many of his teaching services through Young Audiences of Maryland.
For more information on Black Root’s music, visit Black Root on Bandcamp and follow Jamaal and Black Root Underground on Instagram. Please also support the Black-owned businesses mentioned in the article, as well as the following: Visionary Roots and The Sheff Shop.
Originally published at https://musefactorymag.com on February 1, 2021.
