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Cryptic Convo

David Strickland Talks Crypto: NFTs, the $PIECE Token by GATS, and Bitcoin Tattoos

Supporting David Strickland’s newest album, ‘Spirit of Hip Hop 2’ (MNRK Music Group), we chat with the artist about crypto, including NFTs, the $PIECE Token by $GATS, and Bitcoin Tattoos.

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Thins are alive and well, thanks to David Strickland and his brand new album Spirit of Hip Hop 2. Due for release this Friday, August 26th through MNRK Music Group, the album is the follow up to 2020’s Spirit of Hip Hop, and continues the momentum he started then, with a star-studded album of collaborators, that featured Rap Prime Minister, Maestro Fresh Wes, Que Rock, Leonard Sumner, Que Rock, Supaman, JRDN, Spade of Citizen Kane. There’s a new guestlist in store for this new record, some of which are Divine Brown and Pooky G, who are featured on the single “Beastmode” and its follow-up “Firekeepers,” a collaboration between Strickland and his longtime collaborator Que Rock, as well as reggae-dancehall performer Blessed.

We got to know Strickland a little bit around the time of the release of Spirit of Hip Hop in the summer of 2020 when he ran down for us his Top 10 Favourite Music Engineers. He has now become a very well established artist through a lot of hard work, and he has now become one of Canada’s premiere Indigenous artists. He has very strong views about important issues that Indigenous people face each and every day, and part of his mission as a musician is to help restore the dignity and respect that has been denied Indigenous people legally, politically, socially, and economically for hundreds of years now.

As we, as a publication, delve deeper into the world of cryptocurrency, we recently connected with Strickland for a crypto-focused interview about his interest in the field, NFTs, and Fiat.

What NFT projects do you dig the most and why?

David Strickland: “I love the NFT projects that are innovative. When something blows my mind. Newness. The typical stuff is cool, but I love stuff that’s creative.”

We’ve seen Bitcoin and Ethereum referred to as 2pac and Biggie, respectively. What do you think? Have a better or alternate comparison?

“I use both. I think you should diversify and never keep all your eggs in one basket.”

“We just launched the GATS $PIECE coin that’s Native American-owned and a coin for the people, Guerilla Arts Token. . . I’m honoured to be a part of such a great project.”

What’s your NFT strategy: quick flips, hold, floor sweeps when prices dip? Share some strategies.

“I prefer to make NFTs that will stand the test of time, like good music does. Quick flips aren’t always a good look.”

Got any solid NFT projects that deserve way more hype and activity than they’re currently getting?

“Yes, we just launched the GATS $PIECE coin that’s Native American-owned and a coin for the people, Guerilla Arts Token. Please go check it out. I’m honoured to be a part of such a great project.”

If one is interested in Bitcoin but has never ventured down the rabbit hole, where do you recommend they start?

“I would recommend starting small. Sign up to Crypto.com; it’s very easy to use. And take your time, start small, and make sure to educate yourself on the industry, so you are aware of the choices.”

You’ve lost a bet and have to get a Bitcoin-based tattoo. What are you getting and where?

“I would get the Bitcoin Bull on the coin in my symbol series style that I actually have already designed, and I’d put it on my right shoulder blade!”

“I don’t like it, but it’s typical Canada; they’ll find a way to regulate it to death as the CRTC does with the airwaves.”

In your opinion, how much longer does the current iteration of the Fiat system have?

“Time is running out for sure. You see this where countries have already begun trading in their own currencies exclusively.”

Similarly to that, how long can the USD hold off other Fiat challengers?

“Will take a while, but perhaps one day crypto could take over.”

Coinbase recently announced that in Canada, due to government regulation, users have to provide specific information when transferring crypto to other users. What are your thoughts on this policy?

“I don’t like it, but it’s typical Canada; they’ll find a way to regulate it to death as the CRTC does with the airwaves.”

What’s your strategy with NFTs? Get in on a WL and then sell? Buy good projects and hold? Tell us your thoughts.

“I like to collab with other known artists to take it to another level and then try to take some of the funds raised and put it back into the community or to people in need.”

Born in 2003, V13 was a socio-political website that, in 2005, morphed into PureGrainAudio and spent 15 years developing into one of Canada's (and the world’s) leading music sites. On the eve of the site’s 15th anniversary, a full re-launch and rebrand takes us back to our roots and opens the door to a full suite of Music, Film, TV, and Cultural content.

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