The 2021 REVOLT Summit x AT&T wrapped on Saturday (Nov. 13) and the day was filled with tips and tools that are necessary for helping the Black community succeed. From NLE Choppa speaking about the power of meditation to David Banner addressing what we need to do to move forward in a world where white supremacy reigns, the discussion on mental health and how it affects us was heavy, yet it showcased how much the hip hop community has evolved and how we must continue to elevate. Day three encompassed what it meant to really look and feel good in an industry where image is seemingly everything.
Check out our recap of the final day of the 2021 REVOLT Summit x AT&T below!
Black Men-tal Health
Mental health within the Black community, especially when it comes to our artists and entertainers, hasn’t always been a conversation that’s been held in the public. That is, until the REVOLT Summit.
NLE Choppa and Mozzy joined moderator and fellow artist Royce Da 5’9” to discuss the challenges that they’ve all faced with the pressures of society on their backs, and how they consistently work to keep their mental health intact. The trio also discussed the power of fatherhood and even defined therapy for themselves and explained how the practice can look different for everyone,
For Mozzy, therapy looks like what it felt like to talk to his late grandmother and NLE chimed in on how the practice, despite looking different for everyone, still has the same goal. “I feel like there’s different ways to therapy, but it all comes back to talking,” he explained. “Talking to your grandma, talking to your mom, talking to anyone is a form of therapy because you’re voicing things out.”
Mozzy also touched on how people treat therapy like it’s a taboo subject and reiterated the importance of leaning on your support system when falling on hard times. “When you see someone else going through pain or a struggle, you start to feel like, ‘Who am I to complain? I know someone going way worse than me and they’re not going to therapy. They’re holding it down. They got it together,’” he said. “If you can’t identify the signs and symptoms, how are you going to start the healing process? It’s normal for us to go to a funeral 100 times a year, but talking to a therapist is abnormal and on top of that they charge us and that’s how it goes back to granny. Granny will do it for free, aunties, your relatives, your big bros, they’re doing it out of love because they genuinely want to see you excel.”
REVOLT BLACK NEWS: Black Safety First
Tensions ran high on the main stage as moderator Eboni K. Williams was joined by David Banner, Justin Moore, Ben Crump, Marcus Coleman and a host of others to discuss the safety crisis within Black communities throughout the country. At one point during the conversation, David Banner posed the question: “What the fuck are we gonna do?” as he explained that he was tired of panels and conversations that aren’t followed up with any forward movement.
Things took a turn when one of the panelists, who also happened to be a Black police officer, challenged the credibility of Banner’s comment that policing stemmed from slave patrols. From there, emotions ran high as family members who’ve lost loved ones to violence spoke out about the lack of support they’ve received from those put in place to protect and serve.
Despite the conversation getting awkward on the stage from time to time, the beauty of this safety talk is that lessons were learned and overall everyone collectively agreed on Banner’s reference to Black children as Gods and how we can begin to change the narrative by being on the same page in viewing them as such.
High Fashion Talk
In a conversation moderated by Brandon Jinx Jenkins, style mavens Byron Javar, Edvin Thompson, and Tiffany Hasbourne took the stage to talk about how they’ve created their own lanes on the runways that haven’t necessarily always reflected people who look like us.
As more minority designers continue to get their shine on and truly flex in fashion, this discussion focused on the importance of never losing ourselves in an industry who has always tried to forge us to look like them. There’s so much power in Black creativity, especially when it comes to how we express ourselves through fashion.
Gunnin For The City
One thing about Atlanta is that its people truly put on for the city! Gunna is more than just a rapper who has made his rise to the top as an MC. He has evolved from upstart to streaming giant to a local philanthropist, which truly showed as he took the main stage at Saturday’s event.
In a chat led by The Gathering Spot CEO Ryan Wilson, Gunna talked about why his own personal style means everything to him, the importance of remaining true to yourself when everyone is in your ear trying to make you be someone different, and how it’s about much more than rap for him.
Folks witnessed Gunna the philanthropist when he connected several audience members with his team for possible future collaborations that stemmed from those in media to those in fashion with one guest even pledging 100 free haircuts and 100 free pairs of shoes to further the rapper’s commitment to uplifting children in the community.
Attendees also got a two for one with a surprise pop up from Gunna’s mentor and fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug hit the stage. Thugga even detailed the first time that the pair met and how it’s been on the up and up from that special moment.
For The Love Of The A
Continuing the commitment of rappers to Atlanta, the next panel featured more of Atlanta’s very own, which included Killer Mike and Offset in a conversation that was moderated by 2 Chainz.
The trio talked about everything under the sun. From mental health and how to stay strong and keep the faith when things get rough to investing in our own communities and ensuring that when the topic of finances is occurring that we have a seat at the table.
One particular part of the conversation included the faith that is shown when someone practices one of the oldest mantras in the Black community, “Fake it til you make it.” For Offset that has always been rooted in fashion and truly encompasses the idea that when you look good, you truly feel good.
Destination Global
Music truly makes the world go round and that’s been true for our music since the beginning of time especially when it comes to our music. As the global entertainment industry continues to make its mark on society, it’s important to highlight the current waves being made when it comes to Afrobeats, Latin Trap, Dancehall and UK Drill.
Panelists Anuel, Jidenna, Masego, and Nana Rogues joined the the Dream in Black stage for a discussion that was centered around the importance of being rooted in who you are and where you come from. Because they have an impact on the masses through their art, these artists shared why it’s absolutely necessary for their music to reflect themselves.
The Game Premiere
The world first fell in love with the television series when it made its debut on the CW in 2006 and the love continued when it made its way to BET. Now, the third time is truly the charm as the hit show has returned again, but this time to the world of streaming through Paramount+.
As day three concluded, the cast of “The Game” joined moderator Sylvia Obell to give insight on the show’s new location in Sin City for a modern-day examination of Black culture as it continues to evolve through the viewpoint of pro-football. Attendees got to also watch the new episode of the series to get a sneak peek at how the show will tackle racism, sexism, classism and much more in its new season.
The Expensive Pain Pop Up
There’s no REVOLT Summit without a few surprises! The final day concluded with a surprise performance from Philly’s very own Meek Mill! The MC performed a number of his tracks and it was the perfect way to end the lit three-day event.
With another year in the books, the REVOLT Summit continues to get better with time and proves why it’s about much more than the music when it comes to hip hop. That’s all until next time!