What? You thought this was OVER?!

Days Remaining: ???
Beginning weight: 208 lbs
Current Weight: 192.6 lns
Total Loss: 14.4 lbs
Total Days Pledged: 8 days

What? You thought this was over?!

Ok Ok, I know I’ve been absent from the blogosphere for almost 2 weeks now, and that was most definitely NOT in the original plan. But truth be told, I seriously underestimated how much fasting would impact my energy levels, focus and basic ability to form coherent sentences lol. Never in a million years would I have guessed that I’d get to a point where I’d be too tired and strained to put pen to paper (or more literally, fingers to keys).

I guess that’s just another perfect example of how the sacrifices you make in support of what you love can wear you a bit thin over the course of your journey. I honesty still can’t imagine how Josephus, URL and Rugged have kept on their nonstop grind for so many years. Those of you who’ve been coming out to support know that while I may have been too exhausted to write – I definitely wasn’t ever too tired to rock. There’s an energy in their respective artforms that is almost nourishing,

So with that said— let’s get back to business. The month of May has come and gone, and after 30 days of fasting to raise awareness for 3 amazing local artists, I’m afraid I must report that none of them have “made it big” so to speak. Still, there’s a few lessons to be learned here.

Questions of the Week:

Q: Time’s up. Are you gonna quit?

Caleb Reirdan, Washington, DC

A: Well, yes and no. From now until the end of June, YOUR active participation determines whether or not I can eat from day to day!

So in a lot of respects, you’re better equipped to answer that one than I am Kevin (Here’s where it gets interesting folks). As I said before, the whole point of this project was proving that we all need the support of our peers and community in order to thrive. With that said, here’s how the next 30 days will proceed:

We are asking fans and fam of UpRite Lions, JosephusIII and Rugged and Raw to join our movement by pledging days of fasting as a show of support. Then , shoot us an email or post telling it was important for you to support the cause. If you can’t fast a whole day, pledge a half-day! We want to hear about it all — your dreams, hunger pains, views on the project, and any projects of your own that others can lend a hand in supporting.

-OR-

If you just can’t bear the thought of giving up your favorite goodies, don’t dismay. You can still do your part to support the Starving Artist Project. For each person who donates their time or services in support of UpRite Lions, Josephus III or Rugged-N-Raw and posts to tell us about it, I’ll get to enjoy an additional day of nourishment! On the days when we haven’t had anyone volunteer services, I’ll be back to starving right alongside these guys. So call these guys up…help set up for a show, design a flyer, take a photo, write a review of one of their events! We need everything you have to offer.

Big shouts and Much Love go out to all who’ve pledged their support already. Help return the love that they've shown us -- Take a moment to check out their pages:

• Kia Martin - never hurts to add a splash of beauty and brains to any movement. Kia was the first to offer to fast alongside us! I'm going to start calling her KI -Ride or Die! (1 day)
  

• Tameka Moore, Trish Becton and Jennifer ‘Kween’ Moore of UK Collekshun Jewelry and UrbanShotzPhotography. These lady lions are the epitome of what this movement is about. Not only have they devoted everything from their unique artistry to their super-fly camera skills toward making sure JIII and URL are at their finest — they’ve also pledged 5 days of fasting! (5 days)

• Kristin Jeffers — Kristin has taken precious time away from her LSAT studies to write an article on the Starving Artist Project for InCOLOR online magazine. Look for it soon! (1/2 day)

• Robert Jeffers & Lyrics Personals,LLC — Robert hit us up after the last Poetry Café event to offer his skills as a photographer. Can’t beat that! (1/2 day)

• GoTriad & Jennifer Bringle — Jennifer interviewed UpRite Lions for GoTriad entertainment magazine recently, and gave the Starving Artist Project it’s first press of the movement! (1/2 day)

As for all of the amazing artist and volunteers who have ALWAYS been on the scene to help make these guys a success, we haven’t forgotten you! Heartfelt and most sincere thanks for all you do to make these dreams a reality. We love you all!

Q: 30 days are up, and as far as I can gather from your Twitter posts, none of the [artists] you featured have gotten signed. Are you and the guys discouraged or disappointed?

Becky P. , Fayetteville, NC

A: I’m actually way on the other end of that spectrum — by my estimation the first month of the Starving Artist Project was a rousing success. Allow me to explain:

While major financial backing or a development deal would have been wonderful, the real missions of this project were a) getting these artists the support they deserve and b) reminding each other of the power of community and collective consciousness to create a greater good. And in those respects, we have excelled beyond what I could have dared to hope for.

So many gifted, amazing people have come from all over and responded positively to our movement –donating their time, talents, venues, accolades and services to helping us move forward on our journey. They’ve living proof that together, we can build the stuff dreams are made of!

Q: Honestly, did you cheat on the first 30 days?

Linda Linezo, El Paso, TX

A: Honestly — yes, but only once (I can’t lie…goes against the spirit of the movement). I was cooking dinner for my babe and dropped 2 or 3 pasta noodles on the stove. Before I even thought about it, I’d popped them in my mouth and started chomping on ‘em. As soon as I went back to stirring the pot, I realized what I was doing and freaked.

I spit it out, but not before I swallowed at least the equivalent of one noodle. And let me tell you, that was probably the best dang pasty, overcooked lonely-ass noodle I’ve ever had in my life LOL! Bur seriously, other than that one random incident, I’ve been strictly on the level.

What's Next

Subscribe to the blog or follow us on Twitter for the latest on who’s pledge their efforts, new event dates, and possibly even the premier of some hot new tracks from the featured artists! And don't forget to hit us up if you're interested in joining the movement!

In the meantime, take a second to pop by their sites or come see Josephus in action at Poetry in the Park this Friday @ 6pm:

www.upritelions.com
www.josephusIII.com
www.ruggednraw.com

The S.A.P. gets some press!

The S.A.P. gets some press!

Check out what GoTriad had to say about The Starving Artist Project! Support these very deserving artists …pass this article on to just 1 other person right now!

http://www.gotriad.com/content/2009/05/20/article/artists_fan_goes_on_a_monthlong_fast

9 days and 9 lbs later

Beginning Weight (May 2): 208 lbs
Current Weight (May 11): 199.2 lbs

If there’s any one thing that this hunger strike has taught me, it’s the importance of staying the course when it comes to pursuing a goal. I can’t tell you how many times frustration has led me to consider taking the easy way out— even if only for a few seconds. There was one day when I thought I was ready to quit altogether (let’s just say I narrowly escaped a close encounter with a couple of verrrry persuasive, totally unsupervised chicken nuggets).

Progress Report: All of our featured artists are definitely still on the grind. R-N-R and JosephusIII are taking the show on the road. If you’d like to check either of them out at their next events, simply click their names above to be linked directly to their respective events calendars.

The UpRite Lions, on the other hand, are focusing on finding quality management and finishing their new album. (Trust me…you haven’t heard ANYTHING like what they’re putting together! Those of us who’ve gotten a sneak preview are having a hard time keeping our mouths shut and not spilling the beans).


Questions of the Week

Q: “… How did you select the artists you’re featuring ?” Are they just a bunch of your friends?"

Kelly S., Eastern Shore, Maryland

A: Good question— I guess I never really explained that part. I’ve got varying levels of interactivity with each of these artists. While the UpRite Lions and I are pretty close (we talk almost daily) I’ve only ever had the privilege of speaking to Rugged on one occasion. And as far as JosephusIII is concerned — well, let’s just say that he and I are like oil and water (and that may well be the understatement of the year). The moral of this story — being a friend of mine had no bearing on the selection process.

Although I think that they are all wonderful people in their own rights, I selected them based on their visible work ethic and level of dedication to their craft. If they’re not actively working to put together shows, recording or promoting, they’re taking their love of music and spoken word to schools and art programs to enrich their communities.
I’ve worked alongside quite a few industry big-wigs who don’t have half the commitment and drive (or character, for that matter) that UpRite Lions, R-N-R and Josephus exhibit, Quite frankly, they have earned all the support I can give them, and so much more.


Q: “Is Crystal really 208 lbs?” (Question asked to B-Star of UpRite Lions)

Mira B., Providence, RI

A: No Mira…Crystal is 199.2 lbs –BAM! Lol! No, seriously… I really did start this campaign at a whopping 208.5 lbs. Although I normally average around 150-160 lbs throughout most of the year, it just so happens that I am fresh off a long winter full of warm and yummy baked goods. Here’s what I looked like about 8 months ago, as compared to the round-faced look I’m sporting now (you'll have to excuse the hair...had to let it run wild so I could start my locks).

THEN



NOW


Q: "Are you seriously not eating? How do we know you’re not cheating, or making the whole thing up?"

Praneep M., Atlanta, GA

A: I’m not eating. Seriously. Does this look like the face of someone who can go out right now and improve their mood with a slice of pizza? I think not.

If that sounds slightly bitter by the way, it’s because I am lol! This not eating stuff is hard. But I’m only fighting the good fight for a few weeks…these guys have been starving for their art for YEARS. I’ve no room to complain.

All jokes aside, I can’t cheat and sneak a bite or two. I’ve made a commitment to support this project and these artist,s and that’s something that I take very seriously. Not to say I don’t get tempted (about every 30 seconds). But if I can’t stand on my word — especially for something as important as this — then really, what can I stand on?



Q: "How can I get involved with the Starving Artist Project?"

Kween, Greensboro, NC

A: That’s the easy part. We’re not asking for a single dime – just your support. All we ask is that you help us spread the word. If you’re following the blog, pass it along: Diggit! Yahoo Buzz it, Google Bookmark it, post the link on your Myspace page, or forward the press release on to everybody in your address book – every little bit helps!

There will also be other opportunities for you to join in the movement. We’ll be asking people to come check out events as they occur, and will even be giving people a chance to join in the strike as a show of support. If you’d like to keep up-to-date with the latest info, subscribe to the blog, or follow us on Twitter!

The First Few Days...

Day 4: 204 lbs...26 Days Remaining

Only a few days have passed since I first began on my journey, but I've already come to the conclusion that the whole hunger strike thing is well worth the effort.

So far, the majority of the comments I've received from those following this movement concern 2 things: my weight, and how I selected the artists I'm following for this project. No time like the present to shed a little light on both of those issues!

Hungry Hungry Hip-Hop?

When I started this campaign on May 1, I weighed in at a whopping 208 lbs. At a diminutive 5 ft 4 in, I should technically have been a sphere of some sort.

Here's a couple of pics of me 3 or 4 days before I started (All snazzed up to attend 2 UpRite Lions shows in Greensboro).


As you can see, the 35-40 lbs I'd gained over the winter make me the perfect "visual benchmark" for the effectiveness of this movement (lol). After trying out the fasting formula (12oz of V8 and 1 Boost® every other day) I had to make a few adjustments, per the advice of my team of healthcare advisors.

To accommodate the minimum level of nutrients my body needs to avoid buckling under the strain of my active lifestyle, I'm now cranking it up to at least 1 boost per day, and adding one 6oz. serving of fat-free chicken broth (from cubes) to the menu every other day. Still no food though, so we're all good (and really dang hungry)!

The Real 'Starving Artists'

Considerably more important than the fact that I've lost a few pounds is the driving inspiration and true talent behind this project. Although their chosen artforms are starkly different, UpRite Lions, Josephus III and Rugged-N-Raw share an unrivaled work ethic, in addition to their equally strong commitment to knowledge, community and the unifying power of art . They each bring an almost palpable freshness and ingenuity to their respective media that I can't help but admire.

Don't take my word for it...click their names above to visit their individual Websites. And check back later in the week as I go one-on-one with B-Star and Shef of the UpRite Lions. They'll be stopping by to give us the inside scoop on their music and philosophy -- and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of their conscious new single "Fiyah"!

Fed-Up Fan Stages 30-Day Hunger Strike in Support of ‘Starving Artists’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009
Contact: C.D. Suarez, 10-4 Communications
Press Office: 336-282-6141 x 140
Public Information: 919.943.1147

Fed-Up Fan Stages 30-Day Hunger Strike in Support of ‘Starving Artists’
208 Lbs. Art Lover Forgoes Feeding to Raise Awareness for Outstanding Local Talents, UpRite Lions, JosephusIII & Rugged-N-Raw

Greensboro, NC, May 1, 2009 — While most art and music enthusiasts show support for their favorite talents by buying t-shirts or creating fan pages, Greensboro art lover Crystal King has taken a slightly less conventional approach: She’s giving up food for 30 days — or as long as it takes for 3 of her favorite local artists receive the support they’ve invested a combined total of over 40 years to generate.

Her initiative, aptly named The Starving Artist Project (http://starvingartfan.blogspot.com) takes one of the art world’s most commonly used clichés and turns it on its head. King will spend the entire month of May fasting, and chronicling her journey and that of the spotlighted artists with photos, video blogs and articles.

When asked what drove her to take such extreme measures, Starving Artist Project founder, Crystal King responded,

“All my life, I’ve been surrounded by talented, driven people. And one by one, I’ve watched them all have to make the choice between pursuing their dreams and making ends meet. Unfortunately, that choice has forced many of them to put their art on pause indefinitely.

I think most of us have seen firsthand the toll it takes on someone’s soul when the proverbial ‘Dream’ gets deferred. I’m simply not willing to let those things continue to happen to hardworking creatives without so much as a word of acknowledgment. So I decided to do something about it. I’m taking a stand in support of the art, music, messages and people I believe in.”

The 3 artists the campaign focuses on (UpRite Lions, Josephus III and Rugged-N-Raw) all have very different styles of expression – but they share a common work ethic, and a commitment to knowledge, community and the unifying power of art.

“These guys are wholeheartedly pursuing their own dreams, but still find the time to foster artistic enrichment in the schools and their own communities. One can’t help but respect and support that,” King affirmed enthusiastically.

For more information on The Starving Artist Project, or any of its featured artists, please visit starvingartfan.blogspot.com or contact project coordinator, Crystal King at crystal.king@alumni.unc.edu


http://upritelions.com
http://ruggednraw.com
http://josephusiii.com

Day 1: I'll Eat My Words Before All is Said and Done

Question: What do a calendar, a scale and an overweight corporate copywriter have to do with hip-hop and urban artistry?


Hi, I’m Crystal and I’m the creator of the Starving Artist Project.

30 Days. 3 Artists. 1 Dream.
"I'm a starving artist, wish that I could eat these rhymes..."

~Takeover, by UpRite Lions

All my life, I’ve been surrounded by talented, driven people. And one by one, I’ve watched them all have to make the choice between pursuing their dreams and making ends meet. Unfortunately, that choice has forced many of them to put their art on pause indefinitely.

Quite frankly I’m not ok with that. Nothing frustrates me more than wasted potential – especially when it’s not the artist who’s doing the wasting. So I decided to do something about it. I’m taking a stand in support of the art, music, messages and people I believe in.

For the next 30 days (Beginning May 2, 2009), I’m literally going to ‘starve’ right alongside 3 incredibly talented, insatiably ‘hungry’ local artists.

UpRite Lions / Poet: JOSEPHUS III / RUGGED-N-RAW

I won’t eat a single bite until each one of these performers finds a major outlet for their projects. That’s right, no solid foods whatsoever! Not even a sniff.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) “How do I know you won’t be sneaking Twinkies on the sly?”

Simple answer — THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING (no pun intended). I happen to be pretty fat at the moment. (5’4”, 208 lbs of jiggly brown dynamite to be exact). If I start giving up the good stuff, you’re going to be able to notice!

Plus, I’ll be posting daily play-by-plays complete with photos, weigh-ins and behind-the-scenes insight on my Blogspot & Myspace pages. Or, if you’re more of the instant gratification type, you can follow my Journey of Diminishing Jowls on Twitter .


2) “Crazy Internet girl, how do I know this isn’t some kind of publicity stunt?”

DUH — At it’s most basic level, the whole point of this project IS to raise publicity and awareness. I am a marketing coordinator after all! But it’s also about so much more than just the spotlight.

I watched my own father have to put aside a wealth of talent in the visual arts just so he could provide a more stable (if unfulfilling) foundation for the family he wanted to build. And now, I’m literally surrounded by amazing people who are grinding daily in fragile hopes of getting an opportunity to share their gifts with the world.

I think most of us have seen firsthand the toll it takes on someone’s soul when the proverbial ‘Dream’ gets deferred. I’m simply not willing to let those things continue to happen to hardworking creatives without so much as a word of acknowledgment.


3) Is this safe (we’re right back at ‘are you crazy’)?

You know the deal... my lawyers tell me that I’m required to drop the standard “do no try this at home” mumbo jumbo. But please rest assured that I have qualified medical professionals on-hand to make sure that I don’t place myself in any harm.

Plus – I’m not going to be totally without nutrients. For the 30 days of this campaign, I’ll be ingesting ONLY:


• 12 fl. Oz of V8 vegetable juice® daily (Can a sister get a sponsor?!)
• Citrucel Fiber Powder (To keep the insides on point!)
• 1 serving of Boost® old people drink (Every 2 days), and
• Tons of water

But that’s it – I’m still going to avoid any and all food products, and I’m still going to be hungry as all get out! It’s well worth it.


4) Sounds good, how can I help support (for free of course)!

We don’t need your money to support this cause – all we need are your ears and 2 or 3 clicks of your mouse.

If you believe in what we’re trying to get done here – simply pass us on! Add our vids to you favorites on Youtube, twitter-stalk us, cyberfriend us on Myspace, or do any other tech-techy thing you can think of to help us get the word out.

If you know any other artists who are passionately pursuing their craft, pass this along to them as well. We’d love for them to share their stories and lend their voices to our song of triumph!