We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeide 8TRACK a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeide, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

I think it was my eighth grade year. I was approached by one of the school’s cheerleaders to tag a word on a piece of paper, in graffiti style. She got word about me from someone else I did something free for, no doubt. I’m not sure if the thought of selling art crossed my mind yet, I was still in the fascination/show-and-prove stage.

When I confirmed I could do what she wanted in the style she envisioned, she asked: “How much is it?”

At that point, I’d won a couple school contests, some awards & even got a comic in the school paper before. So I was familiar with my gift being (to some degree) highly regarded. But her asking me that question made me realize it was valuable. And not the kind that needed many years and multiple certifications neither. It opened my eyes a bit to the world I always considered a dream one, being more tangible. I think I sold it for $5.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Jeide 8TRACK, an amalgamation of my birth name and the self donned moniker representing change, as well as a nod to the old school’s foundation. My artistic foundation began with my mom showing me her skill and talent in various ways, it evolved after I found Hip Hop as a culture. Years of practice and developing both pen and brush enhanced my ability to service others through not only enjoyable illustrations and typographies, but to reflect their core beliefs and values within each work. I cultivate what’s necessary according to the specific needs of each case. My use of colors, shapes, voice, tone and “still movement” aesthetics help to tell the stories my clients wish to convey.

My services range from (but not limited to): canvas abstracts, portraits (stylized or realistic), murals, apparel decor, footwear decor, accessory design, prints, jewelry prep and paint, logos, flyers, jingles, songwriting, mentoring to executive producing. Potential clients should know I work tirelessly to achieve their vision via medium in the most practical and communicative fashion possible. Art is a language, and I strive to translate language of the mind into language of the tangible. My signature is a seal ensuring quality, value and long lasting impact.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Growing up, my mom was a huge influence on my artistic identity and capacity. From simple spirally drawn lettering to seeing her detailed sketches every now and again, she made me understand it was possible to go from merely adoring to actually doing. Her voice was the first I knew, and her being a gospel singer only brought me closer to that warmth I grew to know, love and search to emulate. She was my first critique. Her story in and of itself has always been a source of inspiration to me. And going from being born in a rural Liberian village with minimal help, to living out her last chapter in a Northeast Philadelphia home, her story fuels my brand as a beacon of hope; I aim to embody what faith and persistence gives us through the ups and downs.

How did you build your audience on social media?

BE OUTSIDE. No one is saying you have to spend all of your time and resources chasing others’ dreams or opportunities (selfishly promoted as “exposure opportunities”), but the internet is only a reflection of the ideals and systems that have existed for centuries beforehand; to impact people you must be WITH the people. You must be able to touch them and be accessible (even if only for a season or two) to show you are more than an ideal, or a talent, or a gifted mind. This is necessary to show the human condition in real time, the closest to pure truth one can aspire to in regards to a person one has never formally met. Without this element, the world of farming, catfishing and avatars replace the soul of the community. Everyone wants to be served and serviced, very little of us want to be stonewalled by a non-human entity in the pursuit of such.

Also, COMMUNICATE. Every couple years, I aim to engage with every person on my friend list with important information (whether a huge shift in following accounts or the release of a new brand/service). I don’t think too much about the negative or indifferent responses as much as I hold myself accountable to numbers connected to me; if we’re digitally connected and I’ve forgotten why, I must know to ascertain relevance in the current season. Sometimes, unfollowing makes the most sense for both parties, sometimes your most appreciate follow lies in the dark unaware of even being on your radar. Equal opportunity systems for accountability and logistics.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jeide8track.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeide8track?igsh=aml5Z2dlMXlrYnNo&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeide8track?
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jeide8track?si=6ANEO4a5Pz0lhHfi
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/qQAMsqvmJgufEaNy7M
• Other: [email protected] for orders and inquiries.