- Hezues R’
Hezues R' is AWKWORD's inspiration. He is the inspiration for World View. This project would not exist without Hezues R'.
Hezues R' is the founder and director of Guns 4 Cameras (G4C), a.k.a. Aim to Live, the recipient of all proceeds from the World View album. G4C is a 501c3 registered nonprofit dedicated to the eradication of gun violence through the hip hop-inspired education and empowerment of our inner-city youth.
Hezues founded G4C after being shot at 22 times at age 22. It was a miracle that he survived, he felt, so he had to protect other youths from a fate that would likely be even worse.
Since founding the organization, he has built a steady following across the world, touring colleges and universities with the organization's spokesman, hip hop icon Pharoahe Monch. Hezues has been named United States delegate to the Inter-American Committee on Culture and was honored by Mayor John C. Tkazyik of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who established the city's "Hezues R’ Day".
Meanwhile, Hezues has been dubbed "Latino mogul in the making" by Latin Nation, as brand architect behind Eye On It, a media company focused on film, television and other media markets. In addition to filming AWKWORD's live "Rainy Daze" performance (see below) and the feature film "Crew", starring American-Italian rapper G Fella (see below), he currently has four TV shows, another film, and AWKWORD's next video in development.
Hezues embodies the cliched rags-to-riches story, but he is no cliche. He didn't just make it out the ghetto, he uses his creativity and inspiration to help others do the same, all through the modern media formats to which our youths can relate.
HEZUES R' TALKS TO LEWIS HEGEMAN
Vitals
1. Name:
Hezues R’.
2. Age:
30.
3. Zodiac Symbol:
Aquarius.
4. Ethnicity:
Latino Americano (Uruguay).
5. Birth Place:
New York.
6. Current Location:
New York.
7. Occupation:
Film Director & Brand Architect, Eye On It; Founder & Director, Guns 4 Cameras.
8. Relationship Status:
Single.
9. Religion
My passion is my own ambition, and there is nothing I place greater faith in than that (granted, I believe its god-given). I keep my Eye On It. I guess that’s my true religion.
10. Political Affiliation
I supported Obama, donated to the campaign. I directed a campaign commercial that was selected by CNN. Most importantly, I voted for him. But I can’t say I subscribe to a specific party -- I am drawn to issues and a candidate’s character. But they’re marketed just like a music artist. It’s all about building their image... How can you judge that honestly, something that is fabricated so much for the purpose of persuasion?
Fill in the Blank
1. Childhood Ambition:
I aspired to have the courage of Jose Gervasio Artigas.
2. First job:
This one! I was always living this life’s movie of mine; I didn’t realize I was also directing it. (I guess we’re all directors in some sense.)
3. Biggest Regret:
None. Never!
4. Life-Changing Experience:
It hasn’t happened yet... Oh yeah, and getting shot at 22 times, and surviving death on eight different occasions.
5. Inspiration:
Walt Disney -- 31 Oscars. Enough said.
6. Indulgence:
Sleep, because I never get any.
7. Most Fucked-Up Thing I've Seen in the Game:
No comment. I hate gossip and I never perpetuate negative energy.
8. Biggest challenge:
My own critique.
9. Question:
Why?
10. Answer:
Validation.
Multiple Choice (choice: in italics)
1. My most dedicated followers would say I am:
a) determined
b) multi-talented
c) philanthropic
d) revolutionary
None of the above. They'd say I'm fearless.
2. My biggest detractors would say I am:
a) naive
b) self-righteous
c) self-centered
d) uncultured
None of the above. They'd say I'm an asshole.
3. What makes a great film is:
a) its plot
b) its screenplay/directing
c) its characters/actors
d) its moral/lesson
None of the above. It's the emotion it inspires.
4. President Obama is:
a) a revolutionary
b) a puppet
c) on both sides of the aisle
d) caught between the aisles
None of the above. Most of all, he is poised.
5.Facebook, Myspace, etc., are:
a) the death of film
b) the birth of film
c) the re-birth of film
d) meaningless
None of the above. Second to personal communication.
Q&A
1. How did you find film? What did videography offer you that you were previously missing?
I found film as a tool to serve another purpose and, in the process, discovered a greater purpose -- it provided me direction, a purpose in life. Through this medium, I found greater value in myself. In addition to natural talent, I have a passion for the art I create. My success is, in itself, inspiration -- given the struggles, where I come from, what I've overcome -- and this gives me more fuel to keep going and get further, so that my story can be that much more of a legacy.
2. How can we use film to better society/ourselves? How do you incorporate your for-profit interests (i.e., film) into your non-profit agenda/organization?
Self expression. Inspiration. Education. I think film can be a lot of things, but, most importantly, it's meant to communicate. It's a method of provoking emotion, dialogue, action. The visual medium is powerful and, from that power, that strength, I derived the name for my company -- Eye On It represents a person’s sight, and the intent of their sight, to keep focus... And my non-profit endeavors benefit directly from my experience as a filmmaker, as I share the knowledge and desire to inspire. The dynamic is simple and direct -- the non-profit promotes film as an alternative to violence (among other things), and my for-profit (and my own existence) is exemplary of the success that can be derived from that medium.
3. How is film integral to the art, culture and history of hip hop?
Film is the most layered and inclusive medium of art. It incorporates images, lighting, sound, poetry, motion, performance, etc. There is no other art that is more collaborative. And hip hop is the idea of collaborating elements, raw elements. It is the essence and vibe of self-expression. Film happens to be a great way to capture that essence/vibe, and record the culture's history, and spread the culture commercially, globally. Film, through movies, music videos and other content, has been the largest contributor to showing the culture in more places than an artist could perform, to audiences who couldn’t afford to see an artist perform, to those for whom hip hop would not otherwise be as accessible... People emulate what they see on TV. It's pretty serious, when you think about it.
4. How did you find out about AWKWORD and World View? What was it that attracted you to the person/cause/project/album?
I met AWKWORD nearly a decade ago. We were introduced by a mutual friend, graffiti artist and b-boy Rez Ones. I always gravitate toward passionate artists and people who take their craft VERY seriously and actually happen to be VERY good at it... Over the years, AWKWORD has contributed to my efforts with his words and his eye for life's images, enhancing the Guns 4 Cameras cause... Plus, his skills and passion as an emcee are equally inspiring. His idea for the World View project is absolutely necessary! It goes back to the simple strength of collaboration... I am honored to have the Guns 4 Cameras program be one of his many passions and feel blessed that he has chosen to associate it with the World View project... And, above all, I have a personal respect for him as a great friend, someone who is always sincere, and someone whose dedication to his ideals is rarely, if ever, matched.
5. Why is it fitting for the proceeds from World View, a global hip hop album, to go to Guns 4 Cameras, your nonprofit organization?
Gun violence is a global issue.
_______________________________
hezuesr.com
hezuesr.blogspot.com
keepyoureyeonit.com
aimtolive.org
"Gotta Guy" from Eye On It ® Studios on Vimeo.
_______________________________
About the AWKWORDrap.com Flipbook
In advance of the release of AWKWORD's World View album, www.AWKWORDrap.com will host a digital flipbook featuring interviews with the MCs, producers and other artists, who, along with AWKWORD, are making World View possible. The flipbook will include photos of -- and links to free mp3 downloads from -- each of the artists.
About the Interviewer
Lewis "LH" Hegeman is Manager for New York City-based indie rapper AWKWORD. He also serves as Director of Promotion for AWKWORD's 100% nonprofit global hip hop album "World View", as well as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Guns 4 Cameras, the 501c3 registered nonprofit to which all proceeds from World View are directed. An award winning writer (New England Press Association) and photographer (Reebook), LH proves eclectic and adaptable, having written and/or shot for the likes of MTV and AOL; LIFE, Grolier, and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Elemental Magazine, Mass Appeal and YRB; Big Daddy Kane, ILL BILL and Block McCloud; Miss Ecuador; and The Gear-Up Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of America, and Visiting Nurse Association.
No comments:
Post a Comment