I have been very vocal about my admiration for 6LACK as an artist and his music since I first heard of him. His official debut album, FREE 6LACK, was filled with relatable hits delivered via unique vocals over sonically pleasing productions. Aside from the fact he delivered a powerful album that carved out his rightful place as a true star in the making, the thing that stood out most was his unwavering self-confidence and heightened sense of self-awareness and worth.

Often times we see artists that on the surface appear to be introverted and tend to indirectly want to apply that characteristic to their music as well -- but that is far from the case with 6LACK. From literally every track on the album to the last single he released, That Far, it is clear that he has no problem letting you know that HE knows he’s the shit and is unbothered by the noise of the outside world or anyone who doesn’t seem to see that greatness in him as well.

I became super intrigued with the juxtaposition of the music and his aesthetic – a while back he only posted in black & white (up until the birth of his beautiful daughter, Syx Rose Valentine) and often hid in the shadows or behind his hair (which he has since cut ) eyes closed and/or never directly looking into the camera. Seeing that, you would be weary to believe he would project such assurance and confidence through his music. I then thought about the lyrics and his story – label issues, financial struggles, industry politics, etc. Your past experiences tend to have a strong impact on how you move, act, react, and interact with the world – and artistic expression is often the greatest form of release and a true reflection of how you see yourself.

Photograph by Zoey Grossman (@zoegrossman) for Rolling Stone Magazine

So how would all of this translate on stage? There is nothing like a live concert experience to truly solidify your feelings on an artist. Live shows magically transport you into another world, provide you with priceless memories, and make you feel connected to music and artists like nothing else. It is an experience, a feeling, and it is also a strong indicator of the potential longevity someone has in the industry.

Because of the value fans place on their concert experiences, live entertainment is one of the most critical and profitable aspects of the music industry. According to their reports, Live Nation generated $8.35 billion in revenue in 2016, a 15.31% increase from the previous year’s results. Their numbers for the first quarter of 2017 indicated revenue was up 17% to $1.4 billion with adjusted operating income increasing by 25% to $92 million; and I’m pretty sure it is not slowing down any time soon because as long as artists deliver music, fans will want to see them live to experience that music with them.

So it goes without saying that as an artist, you need to be able to deliver a strong performance, and 6LACK did just that. I attended The Weeknd’s Starboy: Legend of the Fall tour this summer solely based on the fact that I knew 6LACK was one of the openers, and I knew I had to see him live.

He captivated the audience with ease and his presence filled the arena from the stage. That same confidence expressed in his music shined and solidified him as an artist that not only has the natural-born qualities needed to succeed and sustain in this industry, but also one that has put in the necessary work to develop their stage presence to assure they hold their own in front of the crowd.

Prior to touring, 6LACK worked with KJ Rose, performance development coach whose company, The Rose Effect, LLC, helps talent hone their craft and maximize their most truthful potential. Having personally worked with KJ, I can say that her energy and light are infectious and she is truly gifted at what he does. Her ability to re-ignite confidence and push artists beyond their perceived capacity to assure they capture the imagination of their audience was evident in her work with 6LACK as he shined on tour.

When asked about her time with the Atlanta artist, she indicated, “working with 6LACK was an awesome experience! He made my job quite easy, as he is clear and convicted about his artistry and has an impenetrable point of view. My role was to stretch and enhance his story-telling to be even more inclusive and reach an even wider audience that we could take on his journey along with him.”

Whether you are on the rise like 6LACK or a seasoned veteran in the game, there is a high value placed on what you bring to a live experience. There are some artists who have not released new material in years, but are still making a considerable amount of revenue because of their ability to attract a crowd and successfully tour. While your music should always be the main focus, be sure not to trivialize the other components that encapsulate your career. You need a team behind you that will support your development as an artist and performer, and ensure you have the resources necessary to grow and succeed.

With assistance from his family at LVRN, 6LACK is stepping into his own at record speed. The new haircut, for me at least, shows nothing but growth, personal development, and steadily increasing confidence as an artist that is willing to put the music first and before anything that might have been attached to his brand otherwise. Even though the hair was something that a lot of people were drawn to for whatever reason, 6LACK can stand on his own. He is proving that by going out on his first headlining tour this Fall, and I’m positive it will be one to remember.