We were lucky to catch up with Devin Shacklett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Devin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
All my life, I’ve found myself misunderstood. The art that I produce is a reflection of that. Sometimes we misunderstand what is uncommon or not grown from the beaten path. A lot of times as humans we forget that we are spiritual and all uniquely different yet a reflection of the different sides of God. To be misunderstood is merely one’s choice to not understand. The music and art that I create reflects and connect to those that understand. It’s more important to pay attention to simply that. What’s understood never needs to be said.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I never thought I’d find myself in the seat that I reside. I am humbled and honored to be a reflection of the greatness that God has to offer. I am proud and honored to defy ignorance in my walk, and hate with my intelligence and love. I am first a vessel of God but merely an artist living and learning through life’s experiences.
Full time I am a Program/grants manager for, the Baltimore City Arts Council. In which is ran and managed by The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.
Within these roles I am honored and responsible for providing opportunities for my fellow artist and arts organizations that align with the greater good of Baltimore City through different grant programs as well as the one and only Artscape and many other art experiences within the city.
Through out the years I’ve met a lot of pioneers and icons in the city aligned with me. I thank God everyday for the privilege to serve on the Baltimore City Arts Council, and again honored to voice the needs for my fellow Baltimore City Artist and organizations who value love and the progression of the arts in, Baltimore City.
I look forward to what Baltimore’s arts community continues to offer. One day soon, the world will see and feel Baltimore’s resiliency.
All my life I have been passionate about music and singing and just expressing myself, my art. I am a singer/songwriter, lead singer of WATAVIBE aka WAV.
Wav was created in 2017, and the connection amongst the band grows stronger and intentional more and more everyday. We provide an assortment of vibes contingent upon the mood we are portraying. Truly a vibe. Wav has performed across the east and west coast and we continue to build our support through genuine connections. When you are understood, it’s so satisfying.
Aside from singing, my artistic avenues have been expanding and always have been influenced by my music. Dancing, modeling, acting cooking. I enjoy the ability to express in ways that people can feel.
I’m a proud supporter of alot of Baltimore based restaurants/business. One specifically being Aunt Jenny’s. Jenny’s continue to thrive in the community and will one day soon become a staple of the city.
Overall I’m a lover a brother a son. Specifically a son of God. I am forever growing and changing and evolving into new versions of myself. I like to think of myself as, Iconic.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Artist have been designed to tell stories in different ways to keep us all constantly inspired. It’s the worlds responsibility to protect and support our present story tellers so that the truth cannot be disguised.
There’s a lot of great music and artists unseen and unexplored, yet so easily attainable to everyone. We all have our favorites who we love and inspire us. I know I do. Beyoncé and Rihanna are for sure at the top of that list. I am just so inspired by their work ethic and the exceptional projects produced. I’m saying that, we have 24hours in a day. I challenge everyone reading this article right now to comit to 30 mins a week exploring new artist on SoundCloud / curated list of emerging artist and see what you find.
I also challenge you to do your research on upcoming artist specifically in Baltimore City and the ones you vibe wit, support and buy a ticket to their show. A like / comment / share of an artists content goes along way as well and helps artist on the right side of the “algorithms” of social media.
These are very small things a ways that we can better support are array of story tellers.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Back to being misunderstood, a lot of us are artists. I mean really in some way, we all are artists. Alot of the times we get use to being told what’s hot and what to listen to. I’m my experience I feel that people find it hard to connect with me because they feel I am just another starving artist waiting for their next break, but don’t actually take the time to listen to the story. I’ve been through so much in my life that has made me very strong and extremely resilient today. The one thing that never left me was music. Music always fed me even when food could not. Music always soothed my pain when a shoulder or pill wasn’t available. Music is me and regardless if I have 1 supporter or a million Im going to always make music and live I. My dreams because it is apart of me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @devvvnnn
- Website: Watavibe.com
Image Credits
Andre Bailey Ajason1983@yahoo.com