Work samples

  • Local Artist Jamaal 'Black Root' Collier Using Music to Inspire Youth

    "A multifaceted performer and educator!" - Denise Koch, from WJZ, channel 13

     

    Denise Koch requested to interview Jamaal 'Mr. Root' Collier after watching and enjoying a culminating performance from one of Mr. Root's residencies.

    Video showcases Root's ability to engage audiences of all ages with/through his performance art and knowledge of spoken word, beatboxing and rap.

  • Mr. Root's snippet of assemblies and residencies

    Mr. Root likes to have as much fun as the children do! This workshop was centered around counting, rhyming words, gross motor movement, fine motor movement skills, phonemic awareness and beginning, middle and end for pre-k and kindergarten students in Montgomery County. The music you hear was created by Mr. Root through beatboxing and the still photographs were from summer learning academies in Baltimore City and a residency at the International School of Panama.

  • Before the Afters (Snippet)

    This song is about living in the moment and doing what you love with the ones you love RIGHT NOW.

    This collaborative effort was with fellow musician and friend Nelson Emokpae/Nelly's Echo. Nelson wrote the bridge and chorus of this song.

    All vocals written and arranged by Jamaal Collier & Nelson Emokpae
    All music composed by Jamaal Collier & Nelson Emokpae

    Beatbox/Percussion by Black Root
    Guitar by Nelly's Echo


     

    Available for Purchase

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About Jamaal

Baltimore City   Baltimore City Bromo Tower Arts District   Baltimore City Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts and Entertainment District   Baltimore County  

Jamaal Collier was born in Northwest Washington D.C. Black Root the performance artist was born in West Baltimore City, Maryland. The authenticity and beauty of this city continues to inspire him. Collier has always had a way with words and a desire to be of service to his community through his work. From open mics in the city to hosting festivals in France, Root has used his skill set of rapping/emceeing, beatboxing, acting, writing, didgeridoo playing, and hosting to convey his passion for… more

View Jamaal's Resume
Jump to a project:

16 in 10 Project

16 in 10 was created with the intent of providing self-care, acknowledgment and self-exploration for me through my artistic medium of rhyming couplets/rap.  An instrumental at random and give myself 10 minutes to create a cohesive verse. 

This process is an invitation to look inward and capture personal thoughts,  experiences, dreams, challenges and accomplishments for the purpose of processing emotions and honing skills artistically through disciplined practice. As an artist, I feel it's imperative to make art for ourselves to nourish our creativity.

 

 

 

 

  • Heroes and Villains - 16 in 10 #2

    The origin of this 16 in 10 project was to create and journal my thoughts without the intent of sharing at first. Now, I see it as a way to inspire artists of all disciplines to make sure they take at least 10 minutes of their day to make art that feeds themselves in a healthy way. Hope you enjoy!

  • Father With My Time - 16 in 10 #3

    This 16 in 10 expresses my love for my children, ways I choose to nurture them and how my active presence has broken generational curses. My children love this one! So do the students I shared with at some of my schools. Hope you enjoy it as well

  • Love Yourself 16 in 10 #7

    This 16 in 10 focuses on self-care and making sure you take time for yourself. Have you cared for youself for 10 minutes today?

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    • Bearded Thoughts: Affirmations, Mantras & Stray Hairs of Wisdom

    Bearded Thoughts is a book that focuses on positive self-talk, suggestions of encouragement and ideas centered around growth from personal experience.
    This literary work invites you to add your own thoughts and ideas from personal or collective exploration. Live performances, interactive workshops, and mixed media visual works are intentionally paired with the book

    View press release below:

    Bearded Thoughts press release

    • Manifest #2
      Manifest #2

      Mixed media work. 

      11x17 print

       

      #2 - A.M. (Affirmation & Mantra #2)

       

      I’m manifesting that I make better decisions than yesterday 

      That my vision is more focused than yesterday 

      That I’m more on my mission than yesterday

      That I give more thanksgiving than yesterday 

      Advocate for myself more than yesterday 

      I provide better help more than yesterday 

      I invest in my health more than yesterday

      That I build tribal wealth more than yesterday

      And if it makes this world we live in better,

      Then improve anything else more than yesterday!! 

      Plan for tomorrow

      Live in today

      I manifest my growth from yesterday 

    • Bearded Thoughts - Back Cover
      Bearded Thoughts - Back Cover

      Bearded thoughts is more than a book - it's a ritual. From declarations of joy to unflinching truths about emotional labor, this collection is a love letter to anyone navigating identity, healing, and growth.

      Structured like a conversation with a trusted elder, the book's reflective pages invite readers to add their own truths alongside Collier's as he channels the same energy that made him a beloved stage presence into written word.

    • Bearded Thoughts - Front Cover
      Bearded Thoughts - Front Cover

      Front cover art of  book. Graphic design done by Ironweed Publishing 

      Photograph taken by Jamaal Collier

      Available for Purchase
    • Students enjoying the book before affirmation and mantra workshop
      Students enjoying the book before affirmation and mantra workshop

      Middle school workshop that reinforces the importance of positive self talk and the power of being one's authentic self.

    • Protect Black Women - #48
      Protect Black Women - #48

      Mixed Media Print  18x24

       

      #48  - S.H.O.W. (Stray Hair Of Wisdom)

      We should LOVE black women. 

      We should LISTEN to black women. 

      We should RESPECT black women.

      We should Be AUTHENTIC with black women.

      We should NEVER COMPETE with black women.

    • #20 Black Man
      #20 Black Man

       

      #20 A.M. - Black Man

       

      It is ok to ask for help.

      I am a black man that deserves care.

      I am a black man that deserves support.

      I am a black man that deserves to be understood.

      I am a black man that deserves to be loved.

       

      I am a black man that deserves to be trusted.

      Vulnerable. Honest. Happy. Sad. Hurt. Uncertain.

      Confident. Nurturing. Nurtured. Strong. Thoughtful.

      Healthy. Healed. Whole. Human.

       

      I am not a thing. I am not a product.

      My sole value is NOT limited to what I can produce.

      I am valuable simply because I AM A BLACK MAN.

       

  • Manifest #2
  • Bearded Thoughts - Back Cover
  • Bearded Thoughts - Front Cover
  • Students enjoying the book before affirmation and mantra workshop
  • Protect Black Women - #48
  • #20 Black Man