He is a one-of-a kind rapper, reports CBS News correspondent John Bentley.
That's because this artist - who goes by Signmark - was born deaf. In an art form rooted in the spoken word, Signmark doesn't say a word. Instead, he signs his way through his songs.
"Those two words, music and deaf, they've never gone together," signed Signmark
Deaf and hearing music fans haven't gone together before, either. Signmark bridges that gap with the rapper Brandon, who gives voice to his lyrics.
Signmark recently performed in New York City as part of International Deaf Awareness week, during his tour of the U.S. But he hasn't always been interested in rap. He got his musical start at 7-years-old translating Christmas carols.
"We felt kind of isolated when they started singing Christmas carols and I felt it wasn't fair so I said to my grandmother, stop playing the piano for a minute, look at me, let me try to read your lips, and I'll try to interpret what you're saying to my parents so we can participate," said Signmark through a translator.
As a teenager, rap appealed to Signmark because he identified with rappers feelings of having no voice in society.
"They want equality, they're fighting for rights from the government, fighting for information, that was right up my alley and I said that's what I want to do," said Signmark.
In 2009, Signmark became the first deaf rapper ever to land a record contract. Even though Signmark can't hear the music, he literally feels the beat; his fans can feel it too.
"You can go to a concert with earplugs and you'll feel it, you'll then notice that you feel it in your body," said Signmark
His sign language becomes part of his performance; a new art form that creates a shared experience for the hearing and the deaf, with neither side being left at a loss for words.
No comments:
Post a Comment