Genesis the Greykid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Genesis the Greykid
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Genesis in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Russell McGee Jr. |
| Also known as | Genesis the Greykid |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Associated acts | Creative Control TV, Words In Grey, Through The Grey |
Russell McGee Jr. is known as Genesis the Greykid. He is a talented fine artist, poet, and creative director. He also creates underground hip-hop music.
The media company Creative Control TV supported his work. This company was led by the filming team Coodie & Chike. In July 2021, one of Genesis's paintings sold for a lot of money. His painting called 'Computer Love' sold for $87,000 in London. This was almost ten times more than expected!
Genesis became a rising Fine Art Poet in 2016. He sold over $12,000 worth of poems at his first show. This two-hour exhibition was in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was called "Through the Grey". He also created a large painting for the song "Brothers". This song was by rapper Kanye West and singer Charlie Wilson.
Contents
Early Life and Inspiration
Genesis was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His father was in the military, so his family moved often. He spent a lot of time growing up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He went to First Colonial High School and then Frank W. Cox High School.
He was inspired by the famous poet T. S. Eliot. Genesis showed an early love for poetry. He later said poetry led him to hip hop and fine art.
Creative Journey
Music Career
Genesis started his music journey by ghost writing songs for others. He then began releasing his own music in the early 2010s. His first mixtape was called "Grey Skies" in 2010.
Later that year, he released "Grey Skies 2". This mixtape included a song called "Note To Pharrell" (also known as "I Just Wanna Be A Writer"). Near the end of 2010, Coodie & Chike discovered Genesis. They signed him to Creative Control TV. They also filmed his music video for "Here We Are" in 2011. Genesis performed at the African American Festival in Baltimore in 2011.
He explained his goal in an interview with XXL Magazine. He said he wanted to turn everyday talks into poetry. He uses music to connect with people. He aims to make meaningful art humbly.
Fine Art: PoAnguardia Style
In 2016, Genesis traveled 5,800 miles across the country. He went by train and on foot. This trip inspired him to create large poetic artworks. He used oil paints to make 12 big pieces. These were shown in his traveling art show, "Through the Grey". His goal was to expand what poetry could be.
Genesis calls his unique art style PoAnguardia. He explained this name in an interview with Emcee Network. It means expressing new ideas and feelings through fine art. The name combines "Poem" (or "Poesia") and "Avanguardia" (meaning "avant-garde" or "new ideas").
Genesis continues to hold art shows across the country. He has met many famous people through his art. These include Elon Musk, Halle Berry, and former NBA star Scottie Pippen. His Los Angeles gallery show was very successful. His "Through The Grey" exhibition happens every year on December 1st in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Genesis says he finds poetry in almost everything. This includes conversations and his mother's laughter. He often creates his paintings by listening to jazz music. He has also done special art projects for clients. This includes painting coffee tables for Shaquille O'Neal.
Creative Director Role
After his "Grey Matter" project in New York City, Genesis wanted to help artists in Chattanooga and Virginia. He wanted to highlight artists who create music, art, and poetry. He started leading poetry and creative workshops. He worked with non-profits and art groups in Chattanooga.
In an interview, Genesis explained his love for creating. He enjoys making music and poetry. But he also loves all kinds of creation. This includes marketing ideas, writing, and short stories. He enjoys projects that value creative people. He loves making ideas real.
In February 2015, Genesis was nominated for a YP Award. This was for his positive impact on the community. He mentored young artists and poets through his "Build Me A World" project. Many of these young people came from tough areas of the city.
In 2021, Genesis and WMWA Landscape Architects won an award. They received the National American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Honor Award. Genesis was the Creative and Art director for this project. He led creative sessions to gather ideas for the Market + Georgia project. These ideas helped shape the artwork and design.
Genesis also worked with former basketball player Shaquille O'Neal. They created "Genesis x Shaq" coffee tables. These unique tables quickly sold out. His art attracts many different people. This includes art collectors and families saving up to buy a piece. Genesis believes honesty and truth are key to good art. He says when artists share truth, it connects deeply with people.
Poetry and Creative Workshops
For Genesis, being a poet feels natural. Poetry is how he sees and understands the world. He also offers his poetic skills as a service. He works with companies and startups. They seek new ways to think about their work or audience.
In July 2015, Genesis released a poetry collection. It was titled "Words In Grey". In this 116-page book, he explains his workshops. He started these poetic workshops in January 2014. People in the community called them "Words In Grey". In these workshops, he helps artists think differently. They explore their creative selves through poetry. This book is a collection of his poems. It also includes exercises for readers to explore their own creativity.
Genesis is always creating and encouraging others. In June, he spent time in the Hamptons. He created new art with Audrey Schilt, a designer and illustrator. He was also a featured artist at the Aspen Institute Socrates Program. This was a workshop for 100 bright minds. It included leaders, lawyers, and White House staff. Howard Warren Buffett, a professor and grandson of Warren Buffett, was also there.
During a two-day session, Genesis had them write a poem about their shoes. Then he showed them a video of a powerful courtroom scene. He asked them to write about it from any viewpoint. He said it didn't matter the perspective, as long as they made it their own.
Barry Courter wrote about Genesis in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He noted Genesis's dedication to creative work in Chattanooga. Stratton Tingle, a director, attended Genesis's workshops. He was inspired to attend more. Tingle said Genesis helped him write and recite a poem. This was something he was not comfortable doing. He felt Genesis pushed him creatively.
In summer 2017, Genesis worked with Mark Making. Through his "Words In Grey" workshop, teens explored neighborhood issues. They wrote about poverty, violence, and racism. They then expressed solutions in graffiti-inspired murals.
Music Videos
- 2014: "retroGREY aka Dark Matter" (shot by Genesis Elijah)
- 2012: "Do you Know" (shot by Coodie & Chike)
- 2012: "A Thought" (shot by Coodie & Chike)
- 2011: "Here We Are" (shot by Coodie & Chike)
- 2011: "Music / Braille & Sign Language" (shot by Brenner Vas)
- 2010: "Note to Pharrell aka I Just Wanna Be a Writer" (shot by Brenner Vas)
Discography
- Grey Skies (2010)
- Grey Skies 2 (2010)
- Grey Skies 3 (2013)
Poems
- Words In Grey (the book)
- I Wrote This In Class
- Seeing the Invisible
- flower
- I left the front door open
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