This post is an excerpt from my conversation with Jake Sherman (Meshell Ndegeocello, Bilal). It highlights the part where we got riffing on the differences between a 'career' and an 'artistic practice', dissecting how a career tends to be money-oriented, and an artistic practice, more passion-driven.
We also touch upon how sustaining a long-term artistic practice without a career focus is possible but could be considered a 'privilege'.
(Mildly edited for context).
A successful career has so much to do with external perceptions... when we let that inform too much of our artistic practice, I'm guessing that's counterproductive.
T.L.: OK, I'm putting you on the spot here I know, but I can't let this one go.
The difference between a 'career' and an 'artistic practice' - what are the primary differences?
Jake: Well, a career is about money, right? That's what a career means...I think?
T.L.: Good point.
Jake: Artistic practice is about doing something for the sake of doing it, and not worrying about the glory.
T.L.: I guess what I'm wondering is how realistic is a long term artistic practice without the career actually happening?
Jake: Yeah, I think they can just be thought of as separate things that are eventually aligning.
T.L.: Nice.
Jake: I think the problem comes from when you when you fall too much into the career mindset and you forget about the artistic practice.
T.L.: Yes, I'd tend to agree. So I guess a successful career has so much to do with external perceptions, a lot of which are beyond our control. And when we let that inform too much of our artistic practice, I'm guessing that's counterproductive, right?
Jake: Yeah, I mean, I recognize that it's a very privileged concept for me to be able to say I'm pushing away career goals and instead thinking more about artistic practice. Well.....yeah.. to be even able to think about that at all. That the money is not the driving factor.
T.L.: Well you put in the work to get to that stage, didn't you?
Jake: That's true. But to have money not be the driving force in everything I do is privileged. And not everyone has that luxury.
T.L.: Right. If we had a little more time, I would get into a bit of a debate with regards to that.
Jake: Okay....
T.L.: I do find a lot of potential for debate in that...in a good way, (just to clarify). Especially in your case.
I think it would be privileged of an overnight social media sensation to be in that position.
I don't know if it's privilege for someone who (for lack of a better term and at the risk of sounding melodramatic), has pretty much dedicated all of his life to music.
I don't know if that's privilege, but I'm really thinking out loud here.
Summary: Main Topics
Differences between a career and an artistic practice
A career is about money, while artistic practice is about doing something for the sake of it. The problem arises when one falls too much into the career mindset and forgets about the artistic practice. Successful careers are influenced by external perceptions beyond our control, which can be counterproductive to artistic practice.
Realistic long-term artistic practice without a career
Long-term artistic practice and a career can be thought of as separate but eventually aligning concepts. It's a privileged concept to push away career goals and focus on artistic practice without being driven by money. Not everyone has the luxury for money not to be the driving force in everything they do.
Privilege in pursuing an artistic path
There's potential for debate regarding privilege in pursuing an overnight social media sensation versus someone dedicated to music all their life. It may not be considered privilege for someone who has dedicated their life to music, unlike an overnight social media sensation.
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