BLACK MAN ON A MISSION

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop, Black Man on a Mission is an engaging, compelling, pulsating virtual hip-hop music visual concept project, and the 2nd project for the Black History Month Series fundraiser to benefit Highways.

Black Man on a Mission*  is written, directed, produced & performed by Derek Shields, a Harlem native, now based in L.A.  Once part of an emerging hip-hop group, Shields now independently releases his own hip-hop music (11 digital albums to date, 9 on key music platforms). His cadence and lyrical ability to be both whimsical and witty, yet when needed  deft and deep, makes him more of a hip-hop performance artist, let alone the impactful visuals of his work. He also owns a successful graphic business—not a stretch since Shields was once a NYC graffiti artist with tagging roots.

For Black Man on a Mission, Shields curated and created a special edit of archival music videos from his previous work, as well as recent ones.

In Black Man on a Mission via three parts, Shields takes the virtual viewers on a visual, musical—and emotional—journey about the challenges faced by being Black, especially a Black Man in these times.  Yet in Part 3, he tries to give a sense of hope amidst the chaos.  

That being said, the last song, “Someone’s Son” is a somber and moving reminder of what continues to haunt this nation…

An interview with Shields follows, where he talks about and shares a peek of his newest release, Shoot for tha Moon.

*(project contains sensitive language and images.)

Suggested ticket price is $20. We offer a PAY-WHAT-U-CAN option in the spirit of Highways' reopening.

We are also grateful for any amounts higher than $20 in light of this being a fundraiser.