UpMG • Adem Tesfaye • Artist/Songwriter - Fitness & Welness
Adem Tesfaye, a Madison, WI native, is an emcee, songwriter, Hip-Hop guitarist, and music producer, now based in Wisconsin. His music draws from Hip-Hop, funk, reggae, and blues. With past residencies in Seattle and NYC, Adem’s sound combines grit, instrumentation, big-stage energy, and Broadway flair. He has released two solo albums, D-iZ-lll “the Sickness” and Athedage, collaborating with producer Rick Flowers, Mannie Sanchez, and Matt Mueller. Adem has shared stages with Redman, Method Man, De La Soul, Pharside, Ben Harper, Spearhead, and Jazzmatazz | @ademtesfaye
Date
April 2016
Service
Upbound Content
Project
Music Video
Location
Manhattan, NY, US
Aim
Capture content
Audit
Review outcomes
Act
Publish music video
Project Backstory | I was at the now-closed Vapiano’s pasta restaurant on 14th Street in Manhattan with good company. Around that time, I wore my hair in its first iteration of the Frederick Douglass afro, paired with an early 2010s-style fade. Adem, also enjoying an evening meal with a friend, stopped to compliment the style. An impromptu double date broke out as we shared conversation about the diverse people and looks found across New York City. From that pleasant exchange came a new connection—and a sequence of creative collaborations. This portfolio entry captures our first studio session.
What We Did | I coordinated a portrait session with Adem soon after. I managed the booking and logistics, and Adem arrived with two looks he wanted to capture: a mix of bright black-and-white edits with the option for color. Using my strobe flashes and trusted camera, we set up an indoor stage for Adem to shine as an artist. While this was an indoor studio shoot, my favorite image of the day was taken just outside the studio, using only natural light—my preferred style. Here is that portrait with @ademtesfaye.
The Framework | Aim • Audit • Act
Upbound Content is available for social media event coverage starting at $699. Contact content@upbound.media for more information. Discounts for retained clients and those opting for upfront payment.
Date
October 2017
Service
Upbound Solutions
Project
Music Video
Location
Queens, NY, US
Aim
Capture content
Audit
Review outcomes
Act
Publish music video
Project Backstory | Adem Tesfaye approached me to produce a music video for his single, In The Eyes—an uplifting piece prompting critical reflection and hope. Amid the hospitalization of a loved one and the imminent hardware failure of my post-production rig, Upbound Solutions produced the video to help share the joy and impact of Adem’s single with all who listen. I had heard a live rendition of the track, and while nothing quite compares to a live acoustic set from Adem, I believe we captured the essence of his message. You can see the results for yourself.
What We Did | Adem suggested a spot near Queens, New York, off the 7 train line, where he liked the look and feel. A few weeks later, I met him and a friend there, and we spent hours capturing sequences in line with the theme Adem shared with me over the phone. To enhance the video’s message, I recruited a handful of friends to provide additional footage. At the time, my father’s health was declining, but despite technical and personal challenges, we completed the shots and mastered the final video, now published on Adem’s YouTube page. Throughout the frames, I aimed to capture fleeting moments of joy in a busy world. Faces of possibility reflected in cobblestone facades and sculptures—honoring the story Adem tells, a love not taken for granted. The final cut captures that spirit; watch it on YouTube.
The Framework | Aim • Audit • Act
Upbound Solutions is available to provide long-term content services and brand organizational consultation. Solutions packages start at ~$1,999 USD with a three-month minimum agreement (optional retainer rates available). Bespoke project solutions are also offered, with discounts for retained clients and those opting for upfront payment. Contact solutions@upbound.media for more information.
Date
June 2018
Service
Upbound Content
Project
Music Video
Location
Queens, NY, US
Aim
Capture content
Audit
Review outcomes
Act
Publish music video
Project Backstory | Adem hired me for a performance in Queens, NY at the LIC Bar in Long Island City. It was an intimate acoustic affair, and having worked with him before on the In The Eyes music video, I agreed to come and record the session.
What We Did | I arrived and proceeded to document both video and stills of the night’s performance. Adem created a cozy atmosphere for the patrons, and I found myself drifting into his tunes during my media work. We nonetheless achieved the promotional content we sought to capture.
The Framework | Aim • Audit • Act
Upbound Content is available for social media event coverage starting at $699. Contact content@upbound.media for more information. Discounts for retained clients and those opting for upfront payment.
Get in Touch by 📨 or ☎️
Let me support your creative ends, or join in mine. Reach out by email (donald@upbund.media) or text (+1-347-762-9075), and phone/virtual conferences can be scheduled thereafter 🗓️ (please leave a voice message for all unscheduled cold calls).
