Kwame “Symbolik” Newman-Bremang is an award-winning New Media experiential artist, 360 Virtual Reality Storyteller, photographer, and serial tech early adopter, who got his start in the Toronto 90s Hip Hop scene. He wrote, recorded, presented live and on radio, and participated in some of the earliest live theatrical Hip Hop productions. He released musical material, such as his contributions to Crazy Mentall Productions Compilations, his “Breath of Existence” album and vocals on LEN’s “Cryptik Souls Crew” major label release with Sony Music. He is experienced producing Virtual Reality mini documentary narratives, creating video games, and streaming content to the internet. Kwame Symbolik participated in some of the earliest streams of cultural content to the internet out of Canada, streaming foundational underground Hip Hop, Jazz and Reggae in the late 90s. Kwame Symbolik also created levels and original music for Atari’s N+ video game, making Kwame Symbolik among the first Canadian Hip Hop artist to create theme music for a Canadian video game release. Kwame Symbolik went on to found MixItMedia, a company that tells interactive stories, online and via in person activations, to connect people, places and organizations, to drive real world impact. Kwame “Symbolik” Newman-Bremang earned his Undergraduate degree in New Media at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), where he focused on Augmented Reality and interactive experiences. He then received his Masters in Interactive Media Production, creating location driven, Augmented Reality productions like “Ghost Catcher”, a haunting story about love, loss, and the human compulsion to defy nature, for mobile devices. This was before Augmented Reality technology became widely adopted by the masses. Kwame Symbolik is culturally grounded, and believes positive art and creative contributions are key. He is an initiate of Yensumo African Rite of Passage, and lives by the cultural principles highlighted in African Traditional processes, including reciprocity, purpose and community contribution. This is infused in his lifestyle, and the work he does. He has mentored and taught media literacy with organizations such as OYA Black Youth Organization, Woodgreen Rites Of Passage and BCRC Montreal. Whether in his musical, New Media creative, or community work, it is apparent Kwame “Symbolik” Newman-Bremang pushes towards the resurgence of balance through indigenous cultural ways.
