Today we’d like to introduce you to Malik Salaam.
In the heart of Midtown Atlanta, at the bottom of a dead-end street, a small dive bar opened its doors with one intention: “To become the sanctuary for the masses.” A quarter-century later The Yin Yang Music Cafe provides the backdrop for the greatest story never told. Until now. While events like Freaknik and the ‘96 Olympic Games brought both national and international attention to the city, the Yin Yang Music Cafe was serving as proving ground for underground artists like Joi, Anthony David, India Arie, David Banner and Bone Crusher (the platinum artist that pulled double duty as cook). Not only was the Yin Yang Cafe a gathering spot for local artists looking to sharpen their skills, it also served as a hangout for musical legends like Prince and George Benson who just happened to be passing through The Town.
The walls of this dilapidated building not only massaged the sound of what now call Neo-Soul, many of the artists that graced the stage went on to shape 90’s music and culture and beyond. Spring & 3rd not only serves up an unbelievable soundtrack, it also provides a timely and honest discussion of the intersectionality of art, business and diversity in our ever-evolving society.
The team behind Spring and 3rd represents the influence of the space: a group of innovative, creative entrepreneurs. Although their wheelhouses vary, the glue that holds them together is that they each are accomplished griots. The film’s Director, Malik Salaam, has been a force in Atlanta’s spoken word scene for over two decades and has constantly expanded his arsenal to include such weapons as playwright, author, venue owner, and filmmaker. Salaam’s narrative and documentary works are all award-winning. His latest short, Break/Fast has recently been acquisitioned by Fox Soul TV.
Surrounded by the sharpest of steel, Salaam’s fellow HBO Def Poetry alum, Sean “Tommy Bottoms” Shewmake is not only an internationally celebrated spoken word artist, but he is a voice in the political arena as well. His works and opinions have been shared on national platforms. Shewmake is the creator of Educated Gangster 101, a theatrical production that opened to sold-out audiences.
Not foreign to sold-out audiences or international exposure, Kemi Bennings is the Creative Bad Ass poster woman. As the creator and curator of Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, Bennings has exposed Atlanta to premiere female artists from around the globe. She has worked and collaborated with several arts organizations to include National Black Arts Festival, Fulton County Arts & Culture, C4 Atlanta, Arts Beats & Lyrics (AB+L) Radio, Flux Projects, WonderRoot and Spelman College Museum.
Rounding out the fantastic four is Peabody Award-winning poet, promoter, producer and community activist Derrick “Abyss” Graham. Also, an HBO Def Poet Alum Abyss’ talent can be seen on BET sitcoms, political rallies, collaborations with musical powerhouses, and juvenile detention centers. Abyss’ connection to Atlanta’s art and entertainment scene is unparalleled. Together this team of extraordinary individuals have created an extraordinary musical film experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We have been working on this documentary for three years. We started pre-Covid and it has been a struggle to try and keep this project on course. Even as we are finishing post-production and doing some follow-up interviews, it has been a challenge to orchestrate schedules during these trying times.
In addition to the challenges of doing anything in a pandemic, it has also been very challenging to consolidate such a rich history into one film. There are so many people of that contributed to the success of the Yin Yang Cafe that it is extremely difficult to decide who gets to tell this story.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I found the film in what most people would consider late in life. I began my career in the arts as a poet, performing in spots like Mecca and Yin Yang. After performing on HBO Def Poetry, I saw the power of my work being broadcast to a broad audience as opposed to the confines of small stages. It is my poetry though, that inspired my journey into filmmaking. Through Spoken Word, I had learned to manipulate verbal language, or dialogue, to create emotional reactions. I use this tool as a content creator. Whether I am editing a commercial, creating the storyline of a documentary, or pulling the best performance out of an actress, I search for the poetry in everything.
Can you talk about how you think about risk?
Everything in life involves taking a risk. The very act of driving or riding in a car is a risk… especially on 285. We take the risk, though, because we have to get to work. We have to eat. I think for some people that is enough for them. I find it perfectly fine if that is the extent to which you are willing to risk. For others, there are other things that burn inside of them that far surpass the basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter. For those people, I encourage them to shed the fear and take whatever size risk you can handle. Everybody doesn’t have to jump out of the plane without a parachute. The survival rate isn’t great… but for those who believe they can bend wind, I encourage us to try.
Contact Info:
- Email: springand3rd@gmail.com
- Website: www.springand3rd.com
- Instagram: springand3rd
- Facebook: springand3rd
- Youtube: malik4salaam
