Meet Sam “ness” Murrain | Interdisciplinary Artist – Creative Director, Clothing Designer & Music

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam “ness” Murrain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam “Ness”, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success of our brand is authenticity. Staying true to our core principles—using art to speak truth to power and ignite meaningful dialogue. As a counterculture brand, we resonate with a niche, a tribe of politically aware, community-driven individuals who boldly express their worldview. While people from diverse backgrounds connect with our brand for different reasons, the common thread is the unapologetic boldness and courage we pour into everything we create. This fearless spirit is what continues to attract and inspire our audience

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As an interdisciplinary artist and creative entrepreneur, my journey began in the late 90’s as an MC/rapper in the rap group A-Alikes, part of the RBG family alongside dead prez, but my love for art goes back to childhood. Drawing my own comic books with characters that I created, reflecting the culture I didn’t see in mainstream comics. For instance there weren’t many Black & Brown superheroes in Marvel and DC comic books at the time, so I made my own.

After graduating high school in Pennsylvania I attended Florida A&M University, choosing Graphic Design as my major with a minor in Photography. This time period is where I channeled my love and passion for art into something that I could “make a living with”. Additionally, FAMU is where I met members of my music & activist collective—where I was introduced to the process of creating music and community organizing, which became central to my path. I focused my energy on music and organizing, putting graphic design & photography on the “back burner’. While music and activism took the forefront, my visual art skills continued to serve me—whether designing merch, directing music videos, or creating flyers, all of which I saw as vehicles for storytelling.

As for “was it easy” and overcoming challenges, moving from Tallahassee to New York in the late ’90s wasn’t easy. My crew of artists/activists and I faced financial hardships. Our first apartment in the Bronx was a cramped 3 bedroom with 7 people living in it. We pooled our resources, shared everything and survived while we figured out how to make our dreams of making a living in music & impacting our community through organizing into a reality. Navigating the underground hip hop scene, securing record deals, staying true to our core message during a time that wasn’t very receptive to artistic expression that spoke “truth to power” and was dominated by more commercialized music (*think Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy era). Other challenges we faced were resistance to our community organizing efforts, systemic racism, etc—just to name a few.

As for the lessons I’ve learned along the way, there are many but main ones that come to mind are:

1. You can’t do it alone: your team, your community is as important as your skill in any venture. “It takes a village”

2. Your work ethic: You have to put in work, learn from “mistakes”, and not be afraid of making mistakes. “Theory, Practice Theory” is a phrase that has been a guiding principle throughout my career. Basically, you have an idea, you work it, learn from that process and come to a higher understanding—your idea through the fire of the process. “Trust the Process”

3. Being brave and believing in yourself and your work. People will doubt you and not always support you in the way that you need to be supported and this includes family and “friends”.
If you’ve identified your purpose or your life’s calling, go for it, quiet the outside noise and focus on that.

As for what sets me apart, I would say it’s my commitment to using art to tell the stories of my people and speaking truth to power. In the early days of my career, before social media, there were fewer platforms for this type of expression, but today, I see more artists following that path. So as much as standing out is a thing, I’m focused more on connecting with like minded individuals, using art as a tool for change, and staying true to our vision—all the while fostering community.

My current brand project TheSystemDontWork is a multi media, agitprop art brand specializing in repurposed utilitarian garments, streetwear, socio-political art, music and events.
The clothing side of it has been the dominant focus and what a lot of people in Miami know us for due to us doing many pop ups and vendor markets (Little River Flea, Purple Bodega, Let’s Get Together Market, various markets at Center for Subtropical Affairs, Art Club, etc). Known for our bold graphic designs—most notably our “TheSystem Don’t Work” slogan printed on many of our garments in big yellow text graphic oversized print. The garments range from our line of repurposed military wear and work wear—along with stock pieces like our 9 oz puff print T-Shirt, hats, embroidered patches, rain coats, etc.
The bold design makes it hard to miss, so often times when I’m out and about in Miami, people will come up to and tell me they’ve either bought a piece at a pop-up or seen someone wearing it.

Lastly, in 2023 we hosted a weekly hip hop night on South Beach—first at Skyard with “Sound Exhibit” and later at Mickey Burkes with “Hip Hop Social.” Resident DJ Jacobi (A Tribe Called Quest) and guest DJs like DJ Kumi, mikeflo (RBG family), DJ Hii Rickyy and more helped us unite like-minded artists, local talent and create a space to the further build the Miami hip hop community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Good question. I get this often when friends from New York or Philly come to visit.

I’m going to do it by areas of the city:

In no particular order.

Little Haiti:

Little Haiti Cultural Center – various cultural arts and events programing throughout the month and just a great place to celebrate Haitian & Black culture in general.

Chef Creole – The food is great. The fried fish is my go to. Order ahead if you can (it can get busy busy, especially around dinner time)

Clive’s Cafe – Jamaican restaurant for all your jerk needs…oh and the patties.

Andiamo’s Pizza – not sure if this is considered Little Haiti but the pizza is top tier (as a pescatarian/vegetarian I usually get half Portobello, Half Athena)

Naomi’s – also not sure what area this is considered but food is awesome – get the fried grouper- tell them Ness sent ya.

Zey Zey’s – chill spot for live music and vibes. We’ve done a few TheSystemDontWork pop ups there.

Wynwood:

Tuesday Nights at @1800Lucky Hip Hop Night “As Is” with @JacobiWhite (Tribe Called Quest) & @DJTilleryJames

come a little early and do some record shopping at @LuckyRecordsMiami connected to 1-800 Lucky. They’re carrying the latest @TheSystemDontWorkRecords full length vinyl LP release “The Price of Bread” by NE$$ x Baby J. Buy 2 copies 😉

Coyo Taco for the food and the speakeasy in the back.
Lovers & Friends R&B Night (@loversnfriendsmia) on Sunday’s is a whole vibe.

@LittleRiverFlea – vendor market that sometimes is hosted at the Arlo Hotel @HigherGroundWynwood . For all your Vintage shopping needs and you’ll catch @TheSystemDontWork there from time to time.

@StampedTheParty – also hosted at the Arlo – best AfroBeats party in the city. s/o to Aya

In general just walking around Wynwood there’s always something or somewhere to get into and food everywhere.

Design District:

SwampSpace Art Gallery for rare art stuff. s/o to Ole, Min, Lu Lu & MK

ICA ( @ICAmiami) – for more traditional art stuff

Dale Zine – for zines, indie art and a just a cool spot to check out & hang for a sec. (and they might be carrying new TheSystemDontWork pieces soon)

Design District like Wynwood is a good place to walk around and people watch. or window shop at all the “high fashion” designer stores. Now if spending $1000’s shopping is your thing then trade window shopping in for actual shopping. Every “major” brand has a store there (Gucci, LV, Fendi, Ralph,Off White, BAPE, etc)

Downtown & Overtown

Over Under – cool bar, cool hipster-ish art scene crowd, good music, heard there’s good food but I normally get there after the kitchen’s closed so idk. I usually go for the vibes.

Red Rooster – the Miami version of the one in Harlem. Menu’s a little different but the food is fire and upstairs they have a speakeasy type bar lounge with different DJ’s depending on the night

The Corner – If you know The Corner you know The Corner. It’s usually the last stop of the night if you’re out late late. Kind of a dive bar spot across from the mega clubs “Space” & ‘E11even”. Dope dj’s most nights. You’ll catch the homies DJ Kumi or mikeflo there on choice nights.

“The Beach” (South Beach to North Beach)

Miami Edition “Basement” Club/Bowling Alley/Ice Skating Rink in one.
Once an month There’s a party called “Be My Guest” @BeMyGuestMIA that I went to last month that was pretty awesome… had a great time.

La Sandwicherie on 14th between Washington & Collins – fav sandwich spot in the city – get the Alaskan on baguette., toast the bread with the cheese first,

Mac’s Club Deuce – across the street from La Sandwicherie – cheap drinks and reminds me of dive bar back in NYC

And most importantly whatever you do make sure you go to the actual Beach beach. You’re in Miami for God sake, Get some sun and say hi to the ocean. (I go above 20th Street to avoid some of the crowd)

ok that’s like 2 weeks worth of an itinerary but you should be good.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s hard to single out just one person or influence on my creative entrepreneurial journey because, as they say, “it takes a village.” I’m deeply grateful to my Caribbean-born parents for instilling the work ethic that’s been crucial in every step. Reflecting on this path, I’m thankful for the many people and communities that played pivotal roles—my creative family from New York to Philly to Miami, my activist, music, and art collectives, the RBG family, A-Alikes, Weekend Money, World Money Gallery, and my current team at TheSystemDontWork Network.

Website: https://TheSystemDontWork.com

Instagram: @TheSystemDontWork

Twitter: @SystemDontWork

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ness.AAlikes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSystemDontWork

Other: Spotify:
Weekend Money: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4d2l7NeG6vFdOrKAh2YKRd?si=oQ1cj9QmRMOtCnPQg4_-9w

NE$$: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2goAcliw6BRBNrILhfAxTd?si=tX4AEgO9QYmVg8UrPCaZ2w

A-Alikes: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Nmk4NL6ZL3wEyrOoIHnJZ?si=Bsi9To5wQ66PQjMxj7x9lg