In November, the air at Factory Two buzzed with creative energy. Cameras clicked into place, lights were carefully adjusted, and a set emerged—a minimalist color scheme framed by a sunset backdrop, accented with props and costumes. Then came the music: raw, heartfelt, and sung live.
It was exactly what Flint artist Taylor Tatum envisioned for her Live Session Program through the Art of Music Project (AMP), where artists create a live, four-song session showcasing their original music. Tatum was one of three artists—along with SIXONESIXX and Thot Squad—who participated in the live sessions supported by a grant from the Flint Women and Girls Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF).
“Creating opportunities like AMP Sessions gave us a platform to show our talents to the world,” said Tatum. “Having an opportunity like this was monumental for my career.”
Breaking Barriers
The Art of Music Project is a nonprofit organization that creates platforms that empower artists to use multimedia to express their authentic vision. They focused on supporting women and non-binary artists for this round of sessions—artists who statistically face greater challenges in securing opportunities and resources in the music industry.
A 2023 Survey by MIDiA Research found that women and non-binary people are far more likely than men to experience the music industry as “generally discriminative” based on gender.
“The music industry can be quite closed-off and is dominated by men, so we make an effort to work with diverse artists, no matter their gender, race, or the type of music they make,” said AMP Executive Director Malcolm Cottle. “Our goal is to create opportunities for emerging artists and to promote those who might not get noticed otherwise.”
Creative Freedom and Building Confidence
For Cottle and the team at the Art of Music Project, it’s all about the artists they support. The nonprofit prioritizes artistic autonomy, providing resources and expertise while allowing the artists to direct their own projects.
“Our focus is on the artists and their art, not our financial gain or commercial viability,” said Cottle. “It’s art for art’s sake.”
Before the live sessions, artists and staff conducted in-depth discussions to understand goals, aesthetic preferences, and the intended message, ensuring that each session is unique and personalized to the artist.
“Many female artists have told me that producers and video directors often dictate how they should look or sound,” Cottle said. “To counter this, we empower the artist to make the decisions, while offering technical advice and guidance."
This control was a game-changer for Tatum. She helped direct her session, choosing the set design and sound to align with her personal style.
“The support from the team gave me the confidence and made sure that I was comfortable the whole time,” Taylor Tatum said. “I’ve always been uncomfortable with my natural voice. This experience showed me that I’m capable.”
Symbolism and Impact
Every detail in the live session videos—from the lighting to the props—was a deliberate choice made by the artists, says Cottle. SIXONESIXX and Taylor Tatum recorded their sessions at Factory Two, which sponsored the project, while Thot Squad’s session took place at Fly City Studios.
The creative freedom granted to the artists resulted in sessions rich with symbolism and artistry, which began rolling out in January 2025. According to Cottle, the live sessions provide a window into the Flint artists’ creative identities.
"It’s what makes our program so unique,” said Cottle. “The videos look great and garner attention, but there’s a lot of symbolism going on and intentional choices the artists make to communicate with the audience. If you look closely with an analytical lens, you can learn a lot about the artist.”
Thot Squad used their session to reclaim personal history, crafting a high school-inspired set that evolved throughout each song—a tribute to their theatre background and journey of healing. SIXONESIXX envisioned a moody atmosphere with deep red and blue lighting, featuring a car as a central prop. Taylor Tatum, on the other hand, opted for a minimalist set, allowing her powerhouse vocals to take center stage.
Setting Up Flint Artists for Success
The Flint Women and Girls Fund grant allowed AMP to elevate the live session experience. Artists received a full production package, including a meal, travel support, on-set beverages, professional photography, and access to high-quality gear and venues.
The robust live sessions contribute to the overall exposure of the up-and-coming local artists.
“Most of our artists want exposure to new and wider audiences, and we were able to accomplish this with the incredible support from the Flint Women and Girls Fund,” said Cottle.
The funding also included a marketing budget, helping the artists’ videos reach broader audiences online. By early March, the impact was clear: SIXONESIXX had over 85k views on her videos, Taylor Tatum had over 113K views, and Thot Squad had over 103k on their videos on the Art of Music Project YouTube channel.
The live sessions have become valuable promotional tools, easily shareable with promoters, agents, bookers, and labels. The Art of Music Project’s YouTube channel has also grown significantly, closing in on 7,000 subscribers.
The organization also offers a podcast series called AMP Radio, which serves as a platform for artists to connect with their audience by sharing their stories, lore, inspiration, methodology, and current projects.
Bigger Than the Music
Cottle says that giving opportunities to diverse Flint artists is everything to the Art of Music Project—and more collaborations are coming.
“Flint is home to a wealth of talent and ambition, and we’re thrilled to be part of it,” said Cottle. “This is why we formed this organization. We wanted to give a platform to up-and-coming artists where they felt welcomed and comfortable to explore their artistic visions and try something new.”
"Comfortable" was the keyword for Taylor Tatum at the end of her November session. As she sang the last note and the recording ended, the whole Art of Music Project team erupted in a proud cheer.
“I’d say the most memorable moment of the whole experience was when I finished my last take, and the whole team shouted and applauded me,” said Tatum. “It really made me feel accomplished and seen.”
To learn more about the Art of Music Project, visit www.artofmusicproject.com.
Photos by Alongside Multimedia Agency.
