This episode of Gems with Shom features Arcee — writer, artist, and creative director and one of the creators of CrateryCon, the record-collecting convention that’s become a gathering place for beat diggers and music lovers worldwide.

We trace Arcee’s journey from pause-tapes at the public library and late-night radio to building lasting connections with producers. The conversation explores:

• The lineage from Live Convention to CrateryCon

• Why in-person culture and community still matter

• Creative direction as an extension of crate-digging taste

• Thriving amid “infinite options” by treating creativity as a daily discipline

We also talk about Arcee’s shift into creative direction, his philosophy of creativity as practice, and building projects like the General Principle label with Jake One.

CrateryCon: A Record Wellness Retreat
📍 Toronto, Canada | September 25–28, 2025

👉 Tune in for stories behind the beats, the people who keep the culture alive, and where record collecting goes next.

#BeatDigging #CrateryCon #VinylCulture #HipHopCommunity #RecordCollectors #JazzInfluence #CreativeDiscipline #RareGrooves #GemsWithShom