Redefining Art and Entrepreneurship with Unwavering Passion - Ra Kazadi: Artist, Nostalgia & Noise, You Are All-Stars
In this podcast episode, Garrett interviews Ra'Sun Kazadi, also known as Ra, an artist and serial entrepreneur. They discuss Ra's various ventures, including University All Stars, Nostalgia and Noise, and his solo art career. Ra shares his belief in vulnerability, the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone, and the role of failure in growth. He talks about his artistic style, influenced by abstract and neo-expressionism, and his journey from starting a non-profit to creating his own brand. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing art with business, the impact of social media on growth, and the power of creativity in community building. Ra's personal philosophies, upcoming projects, and life hacks are also highlighted, offering a comprehensive insight into his life and work.
The artist's ventures (00:00:00) Introduction to Ra's multifaceted ventures and interests, including art, entrepreneurship, and community involvement.
Ra's various businesses (00:00:57) Overview of Raw's involvement in University All Stars and Nostalgia and Noise, and his solo art career.
Ra's excitement for the day (00:02:37) Raw's approach to planning his day and the things that excite him, including reading and painting.
University All Stars and Nostalgia and Noise (00:04:45) Discussion of the transition from University All Stars to You Are All Stars, and the concept behind Nostalgia and Noise.
Expanding into new ventures (00:06:12) Ra's expansion into different sports and the concept of combining art with other industries.
Success of Nostalgia Noise event (00:09:15) The success of the Nostalgia Noise event and the strategy used to attract attendees.
Building a personal brand (00:12:32) Ra's personal brand as an artist, entrepreneur, and event organizer, and its influence on the events he hosts.
The role of the artist's identity (00:15:07) Discussion about the impact of the artist's identity on the perception and reception of their art.
Vulnerability and Opportunities (00:16:36) Discussion on the benefits of vulnerability and seizing opportunities through personal experiences.
Podcasting and Art (00:17:56) Comparing the vulnerability of starting a podcast to creating art, and the importance of being open to new experiences.
Stepping Out of Comfort Zone (00:20:47) Encouragement to try new things and embrace discomfort for personal growth and learning from others.
Overcoming Imagined Fears (00:23:01) Discussion on the tendency to suffer more in imagination than in reality, and the importance of being open to change.
Adaptability and Pivoting (00:24:07) Adapting to changes, pivoting in business and art, and the impact of surrounding oneself with great partners.
Abstract Expressionism and Inspiration (00:27:18) Describing the art style as abstract expressionism, influenced by artists like Willem de Kooning and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Physical Manifestation of Accomplishments (00:31:00) The significance of creating physical manifestations of accomplishments in art and the challenges of progress in business.
Founding a Nonprofit (00:32:37) Discussing the creation and inspiration behind a nonprofit organization during college, driven by a desire to help others.
Starting a Non-Profit (00:33:19) Ra discusses the process of turning a community project into a non-profit organization and the challenges faced.
Learning on the Go (00:34:11) Ra talks about the experience of creating a brand from scratch and the real-world learning experiences that come with it.
Leadership and Responsibility (00:35:00) Ra shares his experience of unexpectedly becoming a leader and the challenges of managing people and organizing events.
Evoking Feelings through Art (00:36:16) Ra discusses the different emotions he aims to evoke through his art and the evolution of his artistic style.
Family and Entrepreneurship (00:38:56) Ra talks about his athletic family background and the entrepreneurial spirit passed down through generations.
Discipline and Relentlessness (00:40:19) Ra reflects on the challenges of embodying relentlessness and discipline, and the influence of his father's principles.
Balancing Relentlessness and Fun (00:41:53) Ra discusses integrating a relentless mindset with personal time, travel, and social relationships.
Saying No to Opportunities (00:46:34) Ra explains the process of setting boundaries and learning to say no to certain opportunities.
Future Plans and Mentorship (00:49:09) Ra shares his vision of providing resources to other creatives and artists, inspired by the influence of Virgil Abloh.
Measuring Success (00:50:29) Ra discusses the challenge of measuring success as a young artist and the importance of recognizing personal growth.
Challenging Oneself (00:51:16) Ra talks about the ways he challenges himself in the art world, including experimenting with new techniques and assessing audience reactions.
Power of Creativity (00:53:10) Ra shares a story about how the painting experience brought diverse people together and inspired collective action through creativity.
Understanding Failure (00:54:07) Ra defines failure as a learning opportunity and discusses the importance of embracing vulnerability and discomfort.
Influencing Reality (00:56:00) Ra explains how mastering a skill can influence one's reality and attract opportunities aligned with one's strengths.
Personal Growth (01:05:27) Ra shares his daily rituals, including practicing yoga and using a countdown technique to manage stress and stay focused.
Upcoming Projects (01:02:22) Ra discusses upcoming initiatives such as pop-up events and developments in the collectible space with University All Stars.
Creating Community (01:04:39) Ra and the host discuss plans to create a community through the podcast and in-person gatherings focused on meaningful conversations.
The memorable moment (01:07:19) Discussion on a memorable moment that significantly influenced approach to business or life.
Surrounding yourself with driven people (01:07:45) Importance of surrounding oneself with driven and relentless individuals.
X factor (01:08:49) Exploring the unique qualities and strengths that define an individual.
Starting over in art corporation (01:09:27) Steps to create a foundation for an art corporation, including social media marketing and business management.
Underutilized talent (01:09:57) Discussion on underutilized talent, particularly in writing and its historical significance.
Earliest childhood memory (01:11:20) Reflecting on a childhood memory related to drawing and its impact on personal development.
Pricing and selling artwork (01:12:39) Discussion on the pricing and selling of artwork, including customer relationships and financing options.
Investment in oneself (01:14:45) The impact of daily investments in creativity, knowledge, and learning.
Final thoughts on business and art (01:16:20) Encouragement for self-examination, passion, and impulsiveness in pursuing goals.
Where to find the artist and his art (01:16:53) Information on where to find the artist and his various art ventures.
Listen On
