Meet Dame Mufasa | Hip Hop Artist, Curator, & Community Organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dame Mufasa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DAME, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’m intensely passionate about the transformative power of art! The capacity art has to alter reality whether that be personally or through communities. All great inspiration comes from the foundation of love or creativity, I believe art is the intersection of both. This drives me to create and collaborate with other creators that believe in the power of creativity to build better realities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I use my visual arts background in marriage with powerful storytelling lyrics,provocative unapologetic stories and experimental performances inspired by my South Memphis upbringing to continue Hip Hop’s tradition of Infinite possibilities of artistic expression via storytelling,poetry, performance,installation, visual art and music. I try to use these elements and a curatorial filter as a vehicle to explore life and society.

I’m most proud of my new album “Church In The Wild” I released this Summer, It’s the most personal music I have ever released and the most vulnerable I’ve been with my creative process. the majority of this project was created during an artist residency I was awarded along with an accompanying short film. The process literally felt like a religious experience, complete with rituals and personal sacrifices this project is just me telling a story close to my heart without trying to appeal to anybody else in the process which felt great, the support and positive feedback I’ve gotten on the music,video projects, and story overall hits so much harder on this project for me.

I strive for ghetto excellence at all times whether it be my music,grassroots community work,or visual arts and programming. I want all my fellow artists and dreamers to know a revolutionary spirit,strong work ethic, and love for your community can change the world. I got love for all my artist in the trenches never give up we all need each other!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You gotta stop by Stax Museum in my neighborhood of South Memphis, the museum and musical history is literally a national treasure and the work being done there through the Soulsville charter school and youth programming makes it such a special place, Then literally 2 minutes around the corner you have to have lunch at The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant for the best southern soul food PERIOD! A Black family owned gem in the community with an amazing legacy of over 75 years of business and great food. Nightlife Downtown is likely where you wanna be or wherever DJ Solo or DJ Nico are spinning that’s an automatic.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to Memphis,the city made me who I am today and I could never list all the important influences I’ve had along my journey. I’ve always felt supported in my efforts from the home team if from nobody else. I love this place and these people deeply.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damemufasa901

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5R2HPZj8wAfE0ilardzEt4?si=cTi2IRuzTEmTC46f5NQrlA

Image Credits
Ziggy Mack – Photo #2 #6 #7 #8

Ejji Studios – Photo #4

Pics by Meka – Photo#3