The Multi-Purpose Generation

I was recently out supporting a friend whose work was featured in an activation. As I was standing there admiring their photography a woman approaches me saying “She’s really talented right?”. I begin to rave about the work and technique, and talent this friend has, and the woman then thanks me and tells me said friend is her daughter. We talk a bit more and I explain some of what I do, and the friends mother says I and the friend are similar with how many different talents we have; and it how just seems to be a thing with young creatives of today. She also said she wished we could just pick something, but loved how passionate we all seem to be about those different things. This has actually been something I have been thinking about since we spoke. Why is that? Why do there seem to be an abundance of people that are multitalented in this era? What has changed to make things the way they are? What may this mean for the future?

I am someone that has always pushed myself to excel in whatever I involve myself in. I have also always had a philosophy of engaging in things I am good at. Not that I wouldn’t apply myself to things I wasn’t, but more so don’t ignore your natural gifts. So, throughout life most things related to the arts, drawing, writing, photography, design, and cooking are all things I am pretty good at. I am actually also musically inclined and was a pretty good athlete when I was heavily into sports too. Being so well rounded in my talents I have always found that I enjoy people that are similar in that aspect. Those Pharrell’s and Kanye’s, Will Smith’s and Jamie Foxx’s of the world were all ones I admired growing up. Same thing when it comes to my affinity for Prince. Beyond being a great front-man a great singer, he was a great writer, and a great guitarist, and a great piano player. Then on top of that, past bandmates tell stories of how at any given moment he could out play them at their own instrument. Stories of his solos and his mind; him upstaging his drummers in practice when things didn’t sound right just add to that allure. When I take a look at a lot of creatives now I see that. Artists like Janelle Monae, H.E.R, Masego, and Anderson Paak immediately come to mind. Excelling in multiple instruments and ranges of vocal abilities. Some also acting, try their hand in art, and choosing to involve themselves in things other than just their music.

Currently when I look at that creative landscape I want to say the pinnacle may be Childish Gambino. For nostalgia reasons I want to refer to him by his soon to be gone stage name. Comedian, actor, writer, producer, rapper, singer, song writer, music producer, the list goes on. Its almost to the point where it’s intimidating. I have seen many say “like how can someone be that good at so many things”, and honestly I think it is the way of this era. This plays into the progression of many of the creatives today. This may also be a part of two things that weren’t the case in the past. With eras and generations prior, many people that wanted to dabble in other things, or showcase their other abilities normally had to go through gatekeepers. That alone made things extremely difficult, and was often stacked on top of said person being labeled for whatever they initially were successful in. For some time this made things difficult for many to branch out and expand to other interests. Another thing that plays a big part in those of today being able to move into other endeavors more freely is the access we now have as a generation. With the digital software, improved consumer level hardware, and “Farm to Table” accessibility we have from a marketing standpoint with Social media; it is much easier to create and immediately reach people with your works. This aspect of a fully integrated and connected global culture brings things to a completely different realm than before.

When I look at those to break out before our generation, many of the Musicians turned Actors come to mind. Will Smith being very high on that list due to the success he has seen in pretty much everything he is involved in. But, he isn’t the only one we should put in high regard. There are many others that played parts in getting some of us to where we are. Ice Cube is definitely one of those people that I have always had respect for as far as stepping out of the traditional mold, and being great in many different worlds. When I look at some people that came right before me, I immediately point to Pharrell, Vashtie, and Kanye. Pharrell’s ability to transcend pop culture in so many aspects is something that has always inspired me in many of the things I do. Vashtie has been someone that has had one of the greatest creative minds in our industry for some time in my opinion. She defines what it is to have vision, to see something and create like few others ever have. And with Kanye, I look to what I spoke to before about gatekeepers. A reoccurring narrative with Kanye has been him not being respected as what he aspires to be, not being let into certain circles. Whether it was when he was a producer looking to be a rapper. Him as a rapper early on looking to expand on different visuals, creative ideas, and having more control in the music industry. Also with what control he felt he needed in his shoe designs, and the infamous conversation with Sway in regards to getting into the high-end fashion industry. It all speaks to how we are where we are in what we do now. These three have been pillars for many of the current creative generation at some point in time, and still continue to advance themselves to this day.

As we progress into the future things will continue to evolve. The statement “A Jack of all trades, a master of none” is dying. You can be multifaceted. You can step outside of what you initially found success in. You can do many different things and master many of them. I believe we will continue to see people who find their talents in many different areas, and them making the most of that variety as time goes on. As a someone who may fall into that group, I am excited and eager to see what comes as we move as people forward. I know we will become more common and almost a standard, and I definitely look forward to it.