Antonio M. Cotton of Grenada has been awarded a monetary grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission. This FY23 Artist Fellowship Grant is a portion of the more than $1.4 million in grants MAC awarded and will be used to compose and write music. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“The state’s arts community has displayed such resiliency during tumultuous times, and we are very pleased to provide grants to these worthy artists,” Larry Morrisey, interim executive director of MAC, said. “Mississippi’s artistic legacy was built through the talents of its exceptionally creative citizens. These funds help support the next generation of amazing artists and ensure that the story of artistic excellence in our state lives on.”
Local artist Robin Whitfield expanded on the talent of Cotton.
“It has been a great joy to witness Tony shine through music and storytelling,” she said. “I noticed his thoughtful intelligence when he participated in my art program in the Grenada Public Schools during his teens. Tony has the discipline, courage and vision to pursue his own creative path. The financial support of the Mississippi Arts Commission offers is second to the confidence boost this very competitive award bestows. I’m thrilled Tony has been recognized for what he has to offer Mississippi and the world”
Cotton briefly explained his work.
“My painful background of foster care and poverty lead me to writing ‘reality’ music as a way to express myself and the events that occurred in my life from age one until today,” he said. “Through these heartfelt lyrics, I found a way to express myself for others to hear and feel the real life of me as an individual. I wanted others to feel/understand what goes on in my life. Every day is not as good as what others may think. Every day is hard – it is like a train, the train has a constant motion. If the engine of the train stops abruptly, the train derails. So, I must keep going.”
Cotton added that every day is a struggle to continue to make it until he breaks the generational curses of his biological family.
“The most essential tool for my creative process is time,” he said. “When putting together a song, time can vary anywhere from minutes to even years. Some lyrics are written and often marinate until they come to fruition through a new experience of life. The second most essential tool would be the instrumentals/beats of my songs, but not just any instrumental. When searching for beats, I am not just listening for the average snare and bass; I’m only attracted to beats that speak to me, creating a connection, thus making it easier to express myself. Instrumentals give guidelines, providing a rhythm that creates my flow, keeps me on track and lets me know when to transition from chorus/verse. The beat literally has to speak to me.”
Lastly, Cotton said art is a big part of his mental health.
“I am honored that the Mississippi Arts Commission selected me from the many talented people of Mississippi that applied for this Artist Fellowship,” he concluded. “This is the greatest honor bestowed upon me, and I am thrilled that I have financial support to continue to write music.”
The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency serving more than two million people through grants and special initiatives that enhance communities, assist artists and arts organizations, promote arts education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. MAC is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation for Mississippi and other private sources. For more information, visit www.arts.ms.gov
For information about the Mississippi Arts Commission, please contact Ellie Banks, Communications Director, (601) 359-6546 or ebanks@arts.ms.gov
