PODCAST: How Bluz Rogers Went from Gig Creative to Big Creative
You may not have heard Charlottean Boris Rogers before, but he hasn’t been silent. Or, perhaps you know him by his stage name, Bluz. That’s a name known … and revered … by artists and creatives across the Queen City.
Over the past years, the Emmy-Award winning poet, spoken word artist and musical storyteller has shared his truth on the streets, on stages across the country and in boardrooms. For more than two decades, Bluz has pushed the boundaries of his art form and brought other artists and creatives along with him. Serving as coach of Slam Charlotte, Bluz and his crew have brought home three National Slam Poetry titles.
Bluz is a pillar of the creative gig economy. He’s been his own boss and done it his way for most of his career, trusting that his passionate path would lead him where to go.
He’s earned the respect of peers and has performed with giants ranging from Outkast to John Legend and Pink Floyd. He’s elevated spoken word and slam poetry here at home. When there’s been a creative mountain to climb, Bluz has hit it head-on.
Last fall, Bluz took a new path. For the first time in his career, he’s joined the staff of a larger creative organization. He accepted the position of Director of Creative Engagement at the Blumenthal. His main request of his new bosses? “Please don’t make me wear a suit to work.”
Bluz sees this new position as an opportunity to bring a different perspective into a powerful cultural entity and to enhance artist access he’s been fighting for his entire career. If his first big project, the We Are Hip Hop Festival, is any indication, Bluz is prepared to make an impact.
That makes Bluz the perfect person to help us launch a new branch of The Biscuit CLT Podcast we call “Onboarding,” where Tim Miner talks to a Charlotte creative at the beginning of a new journey about the road they see ahead. Enjoy their chat.