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
  • Sidewalk Serendade - Black Root

    On June 28th, 2020 Black Root invited 4Tae to perform with him in a unique socially distant experience called Sidewalk Serenades. D. Taylor Images captured our pop up performances throughout Baltimore. It was one of two times Black Root  & The Black Root Underground had a chance to perform in 2020 during the height of the pandemic while still adhering to safet protocols in place at that time.

    Video courtesy of D.Taylor Images

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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
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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.

       

    • Barber Shop Series
      Barber Shop Series

      Bearded Thought Talks is a series of exploration and  transparency. Patrons enjoy performances by Black Root and share their insight and converse about contents of Bearded Thoughts.

  • 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
  • Barber Shop Series

    • Beatbox Dads

    Max and Root are the Beatbox Dads (www.beatboxdads.com). Master Teaching Artists Jamaal “Black Root” Collier and Max Bent developed the Baby Beats! program around simple, infectious songs created entirely by the HUMAN VOICE (aka Human Beatboxing). Everybody has a voice, therefore, everyone can join in the fun.

    Max and Root are honored and excited to share Hip Hop culture to young ones for the first time! Live music, movement and audience interaction are essential to this experience. Improvisation is also fundamental to the presentations. Max and Root work with the audience to create original material on the spot. Since its inception in May 2015, Baby Beats has developed a strong following hosting and performing at independent schools, festivals and libraries. The group highlights the originality and uniqueness of two fathers seeking bringing positive forms of entertainment to their community.

    Baby Beats! was originally geared solely to 0-8 year olds. It evolved into Beatbox Dads when realized that the parents and adults enjoyed the experience just as much as the children. Also, our babies were no longer babies anymore.  Max and Root took a hiatus performing as 'Beatbox Dads' together in 2025, but they continue to create magic independently and collaboratively. Beatbox Dads FOREVER!!!

    The Educational footprint/impact of any given Baby Beats! presentation includes: 
    - Communication/language 
    - Listening skills 
    - Body Awareness 
    - Observing Patterns 
    - Identifying patterns 
    - Recall 
    - Phonological awareness 
    - Vocabulary Development 
    - Sequencing 
    - Following directions 
    - Steady beat 
    - Following Directions 

    • Play Mode - Album from Beatbox Dads (2019)
      Play Mode - Album from Beatbox Dads (2019)

      The first studio album by Max and Root! All sounds and words are from the human voice!!
      Max Bent and Jamaal Collier are.... Beatbox Dads!!

      Click HERE to listen and download

      Available for Purchase
    • Baby Beats in the Streets - An intimate socially distant experience
      Baby Beats in the Streets - An intimate socially distant experience

      During the tail end of the Pandemic in 2021, Max and Root wanted to create a socially distant, yet intimate experience with families as we coped and managed to safely navigate the new normal of being performance artists while still adhering to socially distant protocols. 

      Inspired by  a Sidewalk Serenade Black Root did with Creative Alliance a few months prior, we personally reached out to our community family and friends, making ourselves available to perform outside in their neighborhoods for 15-30 minutes. Beatbox Dads were booked for pop-up shows in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Washington D.C. This was done once in the fall and once in the summer.

    • The Beatbox Dads
      The Beatbox Dads

      A photo shoot provided by consulting LaBreque studios to help us with branding and marketing for YouTube and Sensical and beyond.

    • AlphaBEATS - by Beatbox Dads

      "B" is for Beatbox! The Beatbox Dads, featuring Max Bent and Jamaal “Root” Collier, gives the letters of the alphabet rhythm and soul as they make music with their mouths! Each 2-minute episode (26 episodes total) is a musical deep-dive into a single featured letter, from A to Z. The Dads explore the letter's corresponding sounds through the art of beatboxing. The series teaches foundational phonics, music skills, self-regulation through breath work, American Sign Language and foundational counting skills. 

       

      This program is currently available on  YouTube (View Here) and Sensical (Click HERE to view)
       

  • Play Mode - Album from Beatbox Dads (2019)
  • Baby Beats in the Streets - An intimate socially distant experience
  • The Beatbox Dads