Road Trip to NFT NYC

Hey! In the Web3 space, I go by the alias Billy Billions. I’m the Creative Director of a Montreal-based Design Agency. I also enjoy blockchain technology and am the creator of The Adoption and Crypto Gang Clash. Before we start my NFT journey, I’d like to thank Hype Magazine for allowing me to share my experience as a black creator in this new Internet era through this new collaboration.

Blockchain Journey

Since 2018, I’ve been researching blockchain technology. I witnessed the ICO bubble, learned about cryptocurrency trading and holding, and lived through bull and bear markets. In addition, I’ve observed various blockchain use cases. NFT has sparked my curiosity.

The reason is simple: I also work as a digital illustrator. I faced one of the most severe threats to an artist’s Internet journey: theft and IP exploitation. I was a victim of this myself, and NFT is the solution. An NFT, a non-fungible token, enables creators to own digital assets on the World Wide Web. The concept of ownership has captured my attention, so I want to learn more about this fantastic tool. I spent some time researching how this new technology could benefit myself and, more importantly, my community. Blockchain technology opened my eyes to infinite possibilities as the co-founder of the non-profit 0rijin Village (which assists black-owned businesses in Canada with digital transformation). It is, in my opinion, a tool for levelling the playing field. We can transform old businesses into new sustainable models to reap the benefits of tomorrow’s digital economy.

NFT space

In 2021, I released a comic book that transports readers to a world where blockchain is mainstream. I wanted to tell a story, but I also wanted to use technology, so I released my first two NFTs in 2021, and the response was very positive. I sold some, but others did not sell well because I did not devote enough time to building a community around my project. Quickly realizing that the same principle applies in crypto projects also applies to non-fungible tokens. The NFT Space has grown exponentially in a short period, causing a ripple effect in the real world. A massive community made up of numerous tribes, just like in real life, you have the good, the bad, and the ugly, and you can experience all of it on Twitter, Clubhouse, or Discord. Sometimes I wonder if it would be the same if everyone knew each other behind the anonymous PFP and keyboard trolls.

In real life

I needed to experience NFT HYPE in person, so I went to NFT NYC. It would allow me to meet community members and network with other projects. I purchased a ticket to a three-day conference, rented a car, and drove to New York to attend NFT NYC. The energy on the first day was upbeat, friendly, and utterly different from what you might find online. The first day was registration; let me tell you, the line was insane. I had to wait at least two hours to get my badge. The Marquis Marriott Hotel was expecting 15,000 people.

There were so many satellite events and activities that it was difficult to focus solely on NFT NYC. So many different communities had events planned. To name a few, I’ve attended Digital Diaspora, Tok and Mad Rabbit, and Ape Fest. The disadvantage of having so many events was the distance you travelled because they were scattered all over the place, making it difficult to move from one location to another due to traffic. The conference was jam-packed with newcomers networking and people experimenting with the space, trying to figure out how to incorporate the technology into their business models. The events mainly were about community building and members getting together in real life to have fun.

Most events had a pleasant atmosphere. I met Ray Angry of the Roots and saw them perform right before Future at Apefest. I met him from the BAYC NFT project the day before The Roots performed at Apefest. We discussed NFT and how disruptive the technology was. NFT NYC was moving quickly; I couldn’t keep up. The most challenging part was deciding which event or conference to attend next. As a brand expert, I witnessed IP and NFT projects’ use to establish a solid presence. I met Haitian Chef Manoushka through the digital diaspora, and she impressed me with her involvement in the NFT space.

Behind the tech

In conclusion, meeting members of my community was the most memorable experience. Engaging with them in person reminded me that technology is a tool, and the people behind the technology are what matters the most: creating and harvesting opportunities for my community is my number ONE priority.

We look forward to seeing you on the next NFT road trip.

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Tags: NFT