Open Mic
The Artery Creative Space
Bloomfield, Conn.
Jan. 8, 2024
By the time I found the front door to The Artery Creative Space, I’d had to ask two people for directions around the byzantine structure’s layout. But the thumping of hip hop beats served as my guide, and before long I had entered one of Greater Hartford’s coolest art spaces for their Monday night open mic.
The name “Hartford Artery” is a double pun. The “art” in artery refers to what cofounders Ché La’ Mora and James “Jthree” Johnson hoped to build with the space when they started it in 2022. “It’s about providing a sacred space for others to explore their art,” La’ Mora explained to me. The space is available to rent for art performances, practice, birthday parties, anything.
The other meaning references Hartford’s nickname as the Hartbeat. Creativity and art are the lifeblood of the city, and The Artery is where that lifeblood passes through. “We want to show the diversity of the arts in the city,” she said.
The evening started with a brief comedy routine from a young man named Ibrahim. His first joke was about growing up in eastern Africa: “People ask me if we chased animals and stuff like that. I mean yes, but I can’t tell them that!”
Next was the hip-hop duo Grim D and Jack Da Grip. The two had been performing solo for years; this was only their second performance as a duo. Jack told me they met while he was filming a video at Heaven Skate Park, where Grim was in the background doing skate tricks. They listened to each other’s music and knew they had to work together. They’re releasing an EP with seven tracks in the spring.
No one personifies the mission of The Artery more than Li’l Dip. This is his fourth year as a rapper. As an older white man, Li’l Dip is not whom most people think of as an aspiring rapper. Then again, his journey into musical expression is not what most people would expect, either.
“I was in a dark place in my life, and a friend of mine started inviting me to go to the studio with him to hang out. One day I asked him to send me the beat before we went in, and I wrote my first verse, the ‘Old Bae’ verse. I went in and recorded and it went really well, and so I went forward,” he said.
Li’L Dip has been putting in the work ever since. He began performing in public six months ago. He has come out to The Artery every Monday to hone his craft, meeting others to help him. “Connecticut has lots of talent. You see that guy over there?” He pointed to a man in an all white jumpsuit with a black ski mask. “That’s J So Payed. He’s one of the best in New Haven.”
J So Payed is also a relative newcomer to performing rap. I asked him why he started rapping a little over two years ago. “The music chose me. I just followed my heart. I wanted to go on stage and show people that they can follow their dreams too. Music is enough to change the whole universe.”
The Artery may be tucked away, but its reputation is steadily growing. There was a performer from Colorado last night who came out specifically to visit The Artery, and they’ve had visitors from as far away as California. With a dope vibe and good music, it’s easy to see that The Artery will be pumping for a long time.
NEXT
The Hartford Artery hosts Comedy Hub on Jan. 19.
Jamil begins the search for Greater Hartford’s best Happy Hour.
