On July 23, MusiCares presented a transformative evening to the Detroit community through its latest Humans of Hip Hop (H3) Co-Creation Launch. Hosted at PLANET ANT in Hamtramck, the event — fittingly titled "Celebrating Detroit's Legacy in Hip Hop" — featured Detroit natives Bryce the Third, Ellie Sandiego and Nasaan as well as New Orleans' Rico Love, all of whom shared personal insights on navigating the complexities of their careers and the therapeutic potential of music.
All of the artists also acknowledged that the culture cultivated by Detroit originates from a history of hardship and turning that struggle into something beautiful — and that the city is back on its way up.
"This is a community that's been through a lot of stuff," Bryce the Third said. "What I've learned about Detroit is that we take the stuff that we've been through and we learn how to become alchemists. We put on a uniform, we put on a costume and we channel our pain into the lyrics."
According to artist/activist Ellie Sandiego, "people who don't understand Detroit can still understand Detroit when they hear the music. Although they might put you in a box, that box is not the reality. When they feel the reality or hear it (music) in other places, sometimes they don't even recognize it as Detroit, but it is Detroit." Detroit is everywhere, regardless of whether people have recognized it yet or not."
Another important topic discussed was systemic issues on Detroit's art scene. Producer/singer/songwriter Rico Love highlighted the challenges artists face in an environment where their vision may not be understood or valued.
As he pointed out, "Detroit's ability to thrive economically depends on its ability to overcome internal conflicts and create a supportive community for artists." This statement underscores the need for collective effort to address systemic barriers and support artistic growth. "When Detroit understands, as a community, how important it is to not destroy each other, they understand how that affects the economy." This call for unity and understanding is vital for the city's cultural and economic prosperity.
Photo: Samantha Nnenna
Being a MusiCares event, mental health and self-care emerged as pivotal points of discussion as well. Panelists shared their personal experiences with addiction, mental health struggles and the pressures of the industry.
Artist/producer Bryce the Third shared his journey of overcoming addiction, highlighting how hip-hop culture provided a lens through which he navigated the world. "Hip-hop raised me — it gave me the energy to become who I am," he shared. Bryce's story underscores the need for artists to remain true to themselves and their experiences, as well as the importance of seeking out resources like MusiCares when in need.
Rising Detroit rapper Nasaan emphasized the importance of community. "I think just having the right people around you and having a great support group is very helpful," said Nasaan. "We're faced with a lot of adversity in this industry from things like social media with constant commenting and judgment online. That takes a toll on a lot of creators, especially me, so having people in your corner to just talk to is essential."
Ellie Sandiego has expressed her struggles within the industry relating to mental health and holistic wellbeing as well. She reflects on advice her grandmother once gave her, being "take care of the body you've got, because you've only got one body. Take care of the mind that you have, because you can only go as far as you can go mentally."
As she noted, we face a lot of challenges on a day to day basis; Sandiego expressed the importance of "surrounding yourself with people who can put you in an environment that's the healthiest for you." The acknowledgment that artistic success should not come at the expense of one's mental health resonated strongly throughout the whole conversation.
In closing, the panelists emphasized the importance of self-authenticity and consistency. Rico Love highlighted, "I might find myself in situations or places that I may not prefer, but I must remain true to who I am, where I want to be, and how I want to be perceived." Added Bryce the Third, "The holistic human experience is essential. You have to remember: there is no Hip Hop without the human element."