My name is Abraham Velazquez, Jr., also known as Abe the Profit of The Peace Poets.
I'm an MC and a Hip Hop Educator from the South Bronx, New York. Having received my BS and MA from New York University, my work consists of using Hip Hop, poetry, and theatre to educate young people in New York City and around the world regarding social justice issues.
I've always stressed the importance of "telling our stories" to our young people and the therapeutic benefits that this courageous act ignites. This campaign is so exciting for me because I will be sharing my personal stories and life experiences growing up in the South Bronx through the 14 tracks I’ve written for this album.
This album is taking Hip Hop back to its roots; the South Bronx -- the Birthplace of Hip Hop, from the perspective of a streets & college educated Latino man.
This campaign is all the more important to me because my lifelong dream has always been to develop a professional career as a Hip Hop artist. The money raised from this campaign will be used to legitimize my music, produce my first solo studio-length album, and launch a tour in New York City. The profits from touring will be used to nurture a sustainable income through performances and merchandising.
The $15,000 I’m hoping to raise from this campaign will go to pay for the costs of:
- $40 Copywriting Lyrics
- $375 Trademark Brand Name
- $250 Royalty Registration
- $2,500 Website
- $3,500 Purchase of 14 Instrumental Tracks @ $250 each
- $1,400 Recording
- $1,400 Mixing & Mastering
- $1,000 Replicating CDs
- $1,000 Shooting a Video
- $252 Stickers
- $307 Posters
- $115 Flyers
- $2,250 Booking 9 Venues
- $611 Renting Audio Equipment
- $15,000 Total
If I don’t reach the full goal of $15,000, the funds collected will go to copywriting lyrics and registering them in the library of congress, recording expenses, and releasing A South Bronx Tale as a mixtape for free download. I will perform A South Bronx Tale in as many venues as funds permit, although, a full-on tour will have to be reorganized and rescheduled.
Some of the cool perks about donating to this campaign include a digital download of the album, autographed hard copies of A South Bronx Tale, “Love Living” wristbands, A-B-E T-shirts, and autographed posters.
Some of the more exclusive perks include an A-B-E “Getting Twisty” flask, an invitation (plus 1+) to A South Bronx Tale album release party for you and a date, a 30-45 minute set at the event of your choice (with travel & accommodation covered by donor if not local), and the super coveted ultimate incentive of a lifetime pass to all A-B-E shows.
I need your support! Whether you can give a dollar or a thousand, every contribution is critical. And if you can’t make a financial donation, you can still support in huge ways by spreading the word and posting my campaign video on your Facebook page, emailing it to your friends and families, and sharing it through social media.
Thank you so much for your time, for your support, and for helping me bring my dreams that much closer to fruition.
Web: http://www.SouthBronxTale.com
Instagram: @SouthBXTale
Email: southbxtale@gmail.com
