Sum

[@sumkilla] THE PARABLE OF SUM mc | performer | writer | creator of things Sumkid's first tattoo was a hexagram from the I Ching. He split it in half so he could have a piece on each arm that when translated would mean "Look Up". This would be a reminder to him that even bonded in oppression, to observe the heavens and always let them be a source of hope. Around the same time he got this tattoo, an old wiseman who did not know him very well told him, "you don't even know who you are yet... you're the alchemist." Years later, Sumkid learned that one arm symbolized heaven, and the other arm earth, and that his body was the connection between the two. It was right around this time he shortened his name to "SUM", which means "heart" in at least one language. And so it was that SUM ("the heart") became the connector between heaven and earth. Little did he know the work it would entail, to be connecting all these things all the time. Many years would pass, SUM would learn many a skill that would make him an expert writer, vocal chameleon and digital explorer. He brushed shoulders with legends, listened to their stories and wove them into his tapestry. He would start a band, work with his heroes, get awards and become a master lyricist. His stage presence became electric, and powerful, and people would leave Milky Way shows inspired to be great. But oddly, he would still be just on the fringes of notoriety and acceptance; always the opener, never the headliner. Somewhere between the spotlight and the shadows, and never quite behind the scenes. Thinking he would impress more people with fireworks, he would liken himself to a Dragon - the symbol of ferocity, compassion, unending drive, leadership and magic. His patron beast from the Chinese Zodiac taught him a lot, but was a very expensive teacher. Learning to tame the dragon energy and focus it took even more time... storms were weathered, fences were broken, ghosts would appear with promises that could never be kept. There were epiphanies in darkness, and no one around to share them with. But no matter what happened, SUM would keep whittling away at his crafts. Faithful, persistent. And then one day, he looked up from his work, looked around and realized he had built his own little empire that had everything he needed. The Milky Way gave him a chance to channel the cosmic and make an enchanting live experience, with a band made of friends and loved ones. Digital Action Committee gave him a way to cultivate his need for activism and contribute to society. Precious Metals Creative let his left-brain entrepreneurial mind work. And at the core of it was SUM ... the anxious, urgent, searching, beating heart that would never stop creating, even in death. Inspire. Rebel. Amuse. Repeat. http://sum-killa.com