ARTCHIVES UNVEILED: THEARTI$T’S SONIC STORYBOOK
BY IRVIN RIVERA
PHOTOGRAPHER: BRIANT MASTERMIND, CREATIVE DIRECTOR/STYLIST: OTHTHAN BURNSIDE, HAIR: RAKEERAH GRIFFIN, MAKEUP: NELLY SANTIAGO, MANAGEMENT: FAME, ANDY CRUZ
TheARTI$T, whose heartfelt frequencies resonate deeply with listeners from the very first note. Her roots in Hip-Hop and Contemporary dance seamlessly weave into her music, creating a unique soundscape that captures the essence of love, relationships, and life's imperfections. In this exclusive interview, TheARTI$T opens up about her journey from dancer to singer, the profound influence of her hometown, and the emotional depth that characterizes her music.
As she prepares to release her highly anticipated EP, "ARTchives," TheARTI$T reflects on the personal experiences that fuel her creative process and the lessons learned since her career began in 2018. She shares the inspiration behind her hit single "Sober" and its remarkable impact on fans worldwide. Join us as we delve into the mind of TheARTI$T, exploring how she balances commercial success with staying true to her artistic vision, and discover the wisdom and passion that drive her to create music that is both a sanctuary and a source of empowerment for her audience.
How has growing up in Newark, NJ influenced your musical journey and the stories you tell through your music?
Growing up in Newark has influenced my music by simply just being the foundation of where my soul grew up. Music is big in Jersey and it is where my love for music was born.
Can you describe the transition from your background in Hip-Hop and Contemporary dance to becoming a musician? How do these disciplines influence your music today?
Going from a dancer to a singer was actually quite shocking considering that as a kid I didn't have it in my head to become an artist, I just knew I loved music and I loved dancing and I was enjoying every bit of that. As I grow in my career I realize a lot of similarities from dancing versus now being a singer and the one that stands out the most is making sure I push myself and my story enough to move the people. Effort is key, yes but it takes more than just effort to tell a story that will make someone else want to tell theirs and I learned that not only as a dancer but as an observer of dance too. I will never forget watching a performance that not only made me cry but made me want to be better at what I did and I feel the same way in music. The support pushes me to want to be better and give more!
Your music often delves into themes of love, relationships, and life's imperfections. How do you channel your personal experiences into your songs, and what do you hope your audience takes away from them?
I channel my personal experience into my songs pretty well these days, at the start of my career it was pretty rough to be as vulnerable in my music than I am today but I truly just go in and talk about something I've always experienced, something I may be experiencing currently or even something I want to experience in the near future. I hope that my audience perceives it in a good way whether it's a safe space, pushes them to talk about their problems or just to uplift their mood.
Your single "Sober" has resonated with millions around the world. What inspired you to write this song, and how do you feel about the impact it has had on listeners?
What inspired me to write "Sober" was a situation that I had with a woman that I never, ever talked about. When I first heard the beat it immediately resonated with me and I just let it all out. The impact of that song has been and still is amazing to me. It's my most streamed song currently and it's been over a year and a half since I've written it and people still reach out to me expressing how the song has helped them in a way. It's unbelievable and I am grateful for the impact it has had!
How do you approach the creative process when making music? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you stay inspired and authentic?
I have no specific things I do or traditions I follow when I'm in my creative space. I do prefer it to be in a lightly dimmed setting because I feel like I dive into my craft much better that way but overall it is as simple as just getting in the studio for me.
As an artist who shares vulnerable moments through your music, how do you handle the emotional toll of such openness? What keeps you grounded?
Being open in my music is also a healing process and experience for me so the toll that it takes on me is a good toll. It keeps me grounded knowing that a situation couldn't break me and that I am able to sing about it today and be a person of forgiveness for what I've been through.
Your upcoming EP, "ARTchives," is highly anticipated. Can you share the inspiration behind this project and what fans can expect from it?
ARTchives: The Gallery was inspired by my journey. What started as me just getting in the studio and working with new producers turned into ARTchives. I never planned for a project at first I was just enjoying the journey. As the project came about it was like I was putting a book together on a small portion of my life and it felt really good to be able to do that. I loved the feedback on the project, attaching my love for art was also another great thing too because I never really talk about that side of me. ARTchives and the deluxe, ARTchives: The Gallery will forever be special to me!
How do you see your role as a musician in today's society, especially given the challenges and changes in the music industry? What do you want to contribute through your art?
In today's society I see my role in music as being someone that can provide the feelings and energy that is not being publicized these days such as love, healing, joy, togetherness and more. I don't let the challenges and constant changes of the industry alter the way I am as an artist or the things I sing about. I truly feel that no matter how things go, people will gravitate towards the music that is seen as a safe space and through my art I look to contribute just that. I want everyone that listens to my music the first time to come back for more and for those that have already been listening, I want them to stick around forever!
What are some of the biggest lessons you've learned since you began your music career in 2018, and how have they shaped your path forward?
Some of the biggest lessons I've learned since starting my career are 1. Consistency. Your career will only go as far as you go and what you put in is what you get out! 2. Never get comfortable! Always look to be better than you were before. 3. Always look to learn. Whether it may be learning a new skill in music that can help benefit you, learning about the business or just learning how to play an instrument. Be as knowledgeable in your career as you can be.
How do you balance the desire for commercial success with staying true to your artistic vision and personal values? What advice would you give to aspiring musicians facing similar challenges?
I balance wanting commercial success and maintaining my artistry mainly by challenging myself to do more and praying. When writing music it's easy to stay the same or make the same song or use the same melodies but you have to challenge that to draw in audiences of all kind. Prayer helps me stay contained, grounded, positive and protected from the evil that lingers through the industry.
What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?
A valuable lesson that I've learned is to build good relationships. Good relationships are worth more than those that have no real substance.
If you were a book, what book would you be and why? If I were a book, I'd be my own book and I'd call it "For The Love Of Art$". I feel like there is so much to know about me and to know me, is to love me!
