At Genius and Rabanne’s first standalone Open Mic Live event in New York City, the creative community usually encountered through a screen came into focus in person.
Building on a partnership dating back to 2021, the November 5 celebration brought Genius’ popular video series off-screen and into the community. Rabanne’s 1 Million Black fragrance inspired immersive experiences, including custom tattoos, interactive fragrance moments and curated cocktails.
Arin Ray and Jordan Ward delivered amazing performances, with Ray performing “Solo,” his collaboration with Terrace Martin, and Ward treating the crowd to “FAMJAM4000.” DJ Nyla Symone did her thing on the ones and twos, keeping the energy flowing.
Genius brings compelling video content to our screens, but gathering offline gave that creative community another dimension. The evening made room for music, conversation and new connections.
Among the highlights were meeting Ashten Barnes, Cartier and Ahmad Kanu, a creator spanning New York and Los Angeles whose glowing skin deserves its own mention. Ashten has been building an amazing brand, and all three possess unmistakable star power. I told them: “You are the new celebrities.”
Having enjoyed their content while scrolling, meeting them in person was even better. Their warmth and personalities made those introductions memorable. That’s what this gathering accomplished: bringing the community we follow online into a space where we could connect as peers.
Speaking with Rob Markman, Genius’ Vice President of Music and Content and Head of Artist Relations, captured the spirit of the evening. After expressing my appreciation for his contributions to music and culture, I asked, “Hey man, what would we do without you?”
“What would we do without us?” he replied.
His answer reflected the room. The night celebrated Genius and Rabanne’s partnership, but even more, it celebrated a creative community holding space for one another, dancing, looking good, smelling good and keeping the vibrations high. We owe a lot to Rob Markman and Genius for bringing people together and creating opportunities for those connections to grow.
Follow Genius, Rabanne, Rob Markman and DJ Nyla Symone for more music, creativity and community.
