Art To Empire

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Art to Empire - This podcast peers behind the curtain to learn the many ways people have turned their art into their career. We hone in on the real talk about the business of the arts - sharing the knowledge and the wisdom, so you can understand - how to turn your art to empire. Host Tion Bukue (@bukueone) is a man of many hats - with deep roots in music, skateboarding, graffiti, entertainment business & education - across a career spanning over two decades and counting. His latest work is a hardcover graffiti book, "Oakland With Love". Share your thoughts on social media! Tag it #ArtToEmpire and tag us to enter the chat. IG @bukueone @studymusicgroup Tweets @bukue1 @studymusicpods

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    • Mar 11, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 16 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Art To Empire

    NAM (Illuminaries) • Artist, Graffiti Writer, Designer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 69:04


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we're sitting for a deep dive with visual artist & graffiti writer NAM, who is 1/3 of the Illuminaries collective, known for producing several large, in-your-face, public murals around the East Bay and beyond. Influenced by the first wave of graffiti styles and artists that migrated from cities like Chicago and New York in the 1980s. We're talking the path, methods, missteps and business behind the scenes of his journey turning his artwork into a business.Follow Folks:show @arttoempirehost @bukueoneguest @illuminariesnetwork @studymusicpods @studymusicgroup

    All Natural's Cap D • Rapper + Chief of Business & Legal, Golden State Warriors

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 62:25


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we've got a timeless lyricist and an experienced business conductor in one, with David Kelly aka Cap D, from rap group All Natural in the guest seat. After 5 releases with his group, and another 4 as a solo artist, Kelly ventured into the legal world, often working on sports related business, eventually leading him to his current position as head of business & legal at Golden State Entertainment and the Golden State Warriors NBA franchise. Tune in!Follow Folks show @ArtToEmpirehost @bukueoneguest @allnatcapdnetwork @studymusicgroup @studymusicpods

    S2 E9 • Kamau • Pro Skater & Rapper • Sao Paolo, Brasil

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 74:00


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we've got the homie Kamau from Brasil in the guest seat. The Sau Paolo native, currently in California, has worked in both the skateboarding and music worlds professionally for 20-30 years. Having already been a pro skater since 1998, Kamau released his first music project in 2002 and has never looked back. Growing his career from humble roots hosting gigs and earning small checks playing shows around town with his rap group, he built momentum, a band and a plan that would take him on tour internationally. We break down the successes, mistakes, tips, tricks and experiences that helped him take his arts and build them into a career.Follow Folks • @ArtToEmpirehost Tion Bukue @bukueoneguest Kamau @kamau_network Study Music Podcasts @studymusicpods @studymusicgroup

    S2 E8 • Beau Bautista • Director of Blue Dog Events

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 66:43


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we're sitting down with Beau Bautista, director of Bay Area based Blue Dog Events. After many years in the music business concentrating in audio production, in 2004 Beau began conducting fundraiser poker tournaments all over Northern California, raising over $14,000,000 for non-profit organizations in the years since.

    S2 E7 • Steven Anderson • Artist & Muralist, Oakland, CA

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 70:24


    On this episode of Art To Empire, Oakland, CA visual artist & muralist Steven Anderson. From Graffiti and Public Art to Portraits and Abstract works, Steven's work is known for bold colors and intricate details - for maximum impact, wherever the canvas. He's produced countless large format mural projects for brands like Gatorade, Under Armour, NBC Sports and LYFT, as well as smaller formats including illustrating children's books. On this episode we dive deep into everything that went on behind the scenes, as he grew his empire from a hobby into a sustainable business.Follow Folkshost @bukueoneguest @stevenanderson_artnetwork @studymusicpods @studymusicgroup

    S2 E6 • Ben Liebenberg • NFL Director of Photography, 4x Emmy Award Winner

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2023 72:32


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we're sitting with photographer Ben Liebenberg, currently serving as Director of Photography and lead photographer for the NFL. Ben's prolific portfolio spans sports, music, portraits and television - shooting countless high profile events including the Olympics, NFL Superbowl, MLB world series, US Open, the Cali Comm hip hop tour and beyond. He's earned no less than four Emmy Awards for his work in television and we're thrilled to break it all down on this episode. We get into the journey of how it all came together, from lessons and misconceptions, to tips and best practices - we peek behind the curtains of the business of being a photographer.Follow Folkshost @bukueoneguest @ben_liebenbergnetwork @studymusicpods / @studymusicgroup

    S2 E5 • DREGS ONE • San Francisco Rapper, Graffiti Artist & Podcaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2023 74:40


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we're sitting down for a chat on graffiti, hip hop and more with San Francisco-based graffiti artist and rapper Dregs One. Dregs hosts the podcast History of The Bay, which explores the Bay Area's rich culture in rap music, graffiti art and local history. Dregs' vast knowledge of Bay Area culture is supplemented by guests who tell their own unique stories of participating in these worlds.host @bukueoneguest @dregs_onenetwork @studymusicpods @studymusicgroup

    S2 E4 • Urban Aztec Jesse Hernandez • Muralist, Illustrator & Toy Designer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 69:06


    On this episode of Art To Empire, Urban Aztec • Jesse Hernandez (@UrbanAztec) is a visual artist born and raised in the SF bay area. He is most widely recognized for his street art murals, vinyl toys and diverse illustration work combining stylistic influences from both graffiti and ancient indigenous culture. In addition to recently collaborating with Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, Hernandez's artwork has been featured in projects by Marvel, Warner Bros, DC Comics, Rolling Stone, Juxtapoz, Run the Jewels, 311, Primus, Oakland Museum and more. Hernandez has shown art in galleries and museums around the world and his mural work can be seen in Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Amsterdam.#ArtToEmpirehost Tion Bukue @bukueoneguest Jesse Hernandez @urbanaztecnetwork @studymusicpodsSubscribe & check out more from the Study Music Podcasts network at linktr.ee/studymusicgroup

    Bukue & Blueprint talk biggest misconceptions about being "independent"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 3:19


    On this clip of Art To Empire, rapper/producer/label head Blueprint is in the guest seat. Print and Bukue get into the biggest misconceptions about going fully "independent" as an artist / musician. Host @bukueoneGuest @printmaticNetwork @studymusicpods @studymusicgroupSubscribe linktr.ee/studymusicgroup

    S2 E3 • Stash (ICU) • Art Curator, Production Manager, Graffiti Advocate

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2023 64:00


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we're sitting down with Stash ICU - artist, advocate, curator, production manager and beyond in California's graffiti and street art community since the 90's.Stash Maleski is the production manager and founder of I.C.U. Art, an art production company specializing in murals and art exhibitions by artists that started on the streets in the graffiti world. Their work has included mural campaigns for Marvel's Black Panther franchise, as well as the recently released Hulu show Dear Mama. ICU has produced hundreds of murals all over the United States dating back to 1993. Stash was also the program founder and curator of the Venice Art Walls - a legal graffiti art park in the Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Stash has been a leading advocate for graffiti artists and muralist rights in both LA and the Bay Area.Join the conversation on social media - use the #ArtToEmpire Follow FolksOn IG... host @bukueone guest @icuart1 network @studymusicpods

    S2 E2 • DJ Drez [Part 2] • Los Angeles DJ, Producer & Sound Ambassador

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 61:41


    On this episode of Art To Empire, we've got part 2 of our chat with Los Angeles the Los Angeles turntable legend DJ Drez aka Dr. EZ. A man of many hats. A "sound ambassador". DJ. Turntablist. Producer. Beat Maker. Artist. Painter. Print Maker. Mind Astronaut. Part 2 of 2Join the conversation on social media tag #ArtToEmpireFollow Folkshost @bukueoneguest @djdreznetwork @studymusicgroup

    S2 E1 • DJ Drez [Part 1] • Los Angeles, CA / Turntablist, Beat Maker & Sound Ambasssador

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2023 58:48


    For the kickoff of Season 2 we've got a Los Angeles turntable legend in the place - DJ Drez aka Dr. EZ !! A man of many hats. A "sound ambassador". DJ. Turntablist. Producer. Beat Maker. Artist. Mind Astronaut. Part 1 of 2*Plus we got a new theme song! AND we play a tune from the archives by Bukue & DJ Drez at the end of the episode.Follow Folkshost @bukueoneguest @djdreznetwork @studymusicgroupJoin the conversation! - tag #ArtToEmpire on social media

    Bukue & CRAYONE (TWS) talk graffiti, diversifying, steady vs supplemental income, and why you gotta "be like an octopus"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 3:54


    On this clip of Art To Empire, CRAYONE from the legendary California graffiti crew TWS tapped in to share some insights on focus and dedication, diversifying your income streams, and...being like an octopus?? TWS was the very first "spray can art" crew, as they call it. CRAY and the gang were among the first graffiti artists to mix in fine art, illustration and other graphics, and became legends known for doing pieces in an artistic style that had never been seen, let alone coming from a spray can.Share your thoughts on social media - tag #ArtToEmpire and @ us!Follow Folks • Host @bukueone • Guest @crayone Produced by • @studymusicgroup @studymusicpodsAdditional editing & engineering by • @ctzn.ctzn.ctzn

    Bukue & El Da Sensei talk scheduling tours, show season & festivals

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 2:17


    On this clip of Art To Empire, Bukue and guest El Da Sensei (Artifacts) discuss what goes into effectively scheduling tours, both domestic and international, plus what is "show season"??? and how festivals play into your tour planning, even if you're not booked on them!Follow Folks • host @bukueone + guest @el_da_senseiLet us know your thoughts on social media • tag #ArtToEmpireIG @bukueone @studymusicgroup • Tweets @studymusicpods

    Bukue & El Da Sensei break down pricing shows & features, short term payoffs vs long term investments • Art To Empire Clips

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2023 3:45


    On this clip of Art To Empire, Bukue and El Da Sensei (Artifacts) break down some best practices for pricing shows, feature appearances on other artists projects and short term payoffs vs. long term investments. @BukueOne in conversation with guest @eldasensei #ArtToEmpire @studymusicgroup

    Bukue & El Da Sensei talk making the most of your time on tour • Art To Empire Clips

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2023 4:55


    On this episode of the podcast, a clip from our chat with New Jersey rapper El Da Sensei. Host Tion Bukue sits with the Artifacts emcee to break down some of his methods and best practices for making the most of your time on tour.

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