Through Taijai’s Lens

Taijai Slaughter with 'his lens' in the AFH Artist Fellows’ creative studio.

Growing up in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Taijai Slaughter always associated his family with the music that accompanied their lives — from 90s R&B to Caribbean Soca to Hip Hop. Constantly surrounded by his large family, Taijai's earliest memories of art were shaped by the music that was played and sang around the house. Though music was foundational in his upbringing, Taijai found his own creative voice through a different medium — visual storytelling.

His artistic journey began like most good stories, with familial antics, in particular, cousins. Equipped with an iPad and a beginner’s understanding of iMovie, Taijai became obsessed with creating trailers with his younger cousins. By the time he got to high school Taijai’s trailers became a childhood pastime with his heightened focus divided between football, academics. In a predominantly white high school Taijai felt underestimated, but a teacher named Dr. Vick saw Taijai’s potential and pushed him to excel. With Dr. Vick’s belief in his abilities, Taijai enrolled in honors classes and began exploring his academic future more seriously.

This newfound confidence played a crucial role in Taijai’s decision to attend Howard University after high school, where he majored in international business. His choice to attend Howard University, a historically Black college known for being tapped into the culture, also marked his return to filmmaking. Once he arrived at college, with newfound free time and independence, Taijai decided he would finally start a YouTube channel. By vlogging his daily routine, interviewing other students, and making videos of campus life, he felt that he had finally found his rhythm.

Taijai filming on set during the 2024 AFH Artists Fellowship.

Majoring in international business at Howard Business School was different than he thought it would be, with more administrative work and less world traveling. When financial constraints forced him to transfer to UMass Boston, he faced new challenges. Not only was the campus less receptive to his work, but his communications classes couldn’t compare to the joy he felt creating videos for an audience. Committed to making it work, Taijai spent hours in the library, working against the two-hour computer time limit to edit his videos. Eventually, he realized it was time for him to leave school.

Taijai started working at Men’s Warehouse after leaving school when a chance encounter led to his first client — a rapping real estate agent who wanted to start a YouTube channel. This unusual project would eventually lead Taijai to his next great opportunity. While out working with a client, Taijai connected to a nonprofit—The Loop Lab, founded by Chris Hope. This nonprofit program provided him with mentors who helped grow both his technical skills and his confidence in his work.

Taijai's career gained momentum with increasingly scaled projects and an expanding network—from producing a documentary with Boston College Wind Ensemble, being the main cinematographer for an independent feature film, and then working on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His work with the City of Boston as a videographer in the summer of 2022 was particularly memorable for Taijai, affirming his ability to handle great responsibility at such a young age. After the success of each of his projects, Taijai’s path was reaffirmed when one of his mentors provided him with his own complete set of film equipment. At this point in his career, he was finally able to feel secure in his decision.

Throughout his journey, Taijai’s artistic style has morphed and shifted. Today he describes himself as a ‘visual storyteller who directs music videos, creates documentaries, and produces shows like “Master of the Chamber,” a hip-hop competition he’s been working on for the past two years. Within every project and connection he makes, he continues to demonstrate a commitment to authenticity and storytelling. For Taijai, his place in the art world is to inspire artists like himself to pursue their dreams, however unconventional they may seem.

When the opportunity to join AFH as a fellow arose, Taijai saw it as the perfect segue on his journey to refine his skills and expand his network. He was particularly excited at the prospect of collaborating once more with Chris Hope from Loop Lab, who now works as AFH’s 2024 Artist Fellows’ mentor. In just four months, Taijai has already come to appreciate the program’s emphasis on personal initiative and creating lasting connections.

Taijai in the AFH Artist Fellows’ creative studio.

In reflecting on his experience at AFH, Taijai believes his most crucial piece of learning has been the importance of self-advocacy and actualization as an independent artist. With Chris Hope at his side, Taijai is developing a renewed sense of self as an artist and filmmaker. His time at AFH has reinforced his belief that success in the art world is dependent on an artist’s ability to ask for resources, believe in your vision, and build connections.

The AFH Fellowship also offers Taijai a supportive group of talented colleagues, with each Fellow bringing unique skills to the table, and supporting each other along the way. From scriptwriting to graphic design, animation to music production, Taijai’s daily inspiration is being surrounded by such creative minds. This collaborative environment not only is enhancing his technical skills but also broadening his perspective on what art can be when surrounded by people that motivate and challenge you.

As part of this Fellowship, Taijai is working on a personal project that explores the theme of validation in the age of social media. Through a series of interconnected scenes he is producing and filming, he aims to explore the effects of seeking external validation while realizing the importance of self-validation. The project is challenging him to push beyond his comfort zone by being responsible for every aspect of the process, but when it comes to storytelling, Taijai is becoming an expert.

Taijai, with actors, filming his personal project as part of the Fellowship.

Taijai’s journey from making iPad trailers with his cousins to becoming an Artist Fellow at AFH is a testament to his dedication, creativity, and ability to dream. As he continues to evolve as a visual storyteller, Taijai’s passion for his work and desire to inspire others will undoubtedly lead to great success in the filmmaking world — for now, he’s just excited to be doing what he loves.

Taijai looks forward to sharing his project and stories during the Fellowship’s culminating exhibition at AFH’s Open Studio on October 29, 2024 and hopes to see you there! Follow Taijai and his creative journey @taijaisuper and on his website.