TINASHE [IN PRINT]
ON CREATING AND EXPANDING HER TRUTHS FROM AN AUTHENTIC GROUND
PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR & MAKE-UP: MYLAH MORALES, FASHION STYLING: WILFORD LENOV, PHOTO ASST: XENA PETERSON, STYLING ASSTS: KYLE HAYES, EMILY ALVAREZ
One of the scariest things that I’ve ever experienced in my life was quitting my day job to pursue a full-time career in photography. Initially, my family thought I was crazy for giving up an accounting job for something unstable, for something in the arts, for something that I genuinely love. I had no savings and no professional contacts. As an immigrant, I didn’t really have a network of friends around me. Almost everything was up in the air and as uncertainty looms over, I found comfort in knowing that following my passion and pursuing independence from the corporate world would lead to something fruitful. Cut to 8 years later and I could proudly say that I was able to thrive. The road was definitely interesting and wild, but I am absolutely happy that I chose independence.
In this issue, we’re proud to share the story of the multi-hyphenate artist, Tinashe Kachingwe mononymously known as Tinashe who has her fair share of stories about independence.
The singer, songwriter, dancer, producer and actress started her career early in the entertainment industry. She was part of a girl group, went solo and created her own music, released singles and albums, signed to a major record label and years later went independent. For a well-known artist with a flourishing career, the decision to create things independently was a bold move. Huge, moving parts disappear, and you go back to square one.
“Being in full control of my creative vision has been a game changer.”
Tinashe exclaimed. There is definitely a certain level of fulfillment that comes with independence. There’s a huge difference when an artist has autonomy over their art. A star may need a little guidance to shine brighter, but a supernova needs its own space to grow. Tinashe is a supernova that is ready to expand in ways that we could only imagine.
Sometimes, life presents a crossroad in front of us that will force us to decide whether to pursue freedom or to stay on safe, familiar grounds. How do you know which path to take? Ask yourself and actually go to the abyss of your soul and seek what would actually make you happy. You don’t even have to think grand. It’s nothing complicated. Just think, what would satisfy me? That’s your answer.
-EDITOR’S NOTE, IRVIN RIVERA
INTERVIEW EXCERPT
What's your definition of success? How has it changed throughout the years?
Tinashe: I think my definition of success is that feeling of being settled within yourself. Because I used to think that success was maybe like a number on the chart or a number one or a Grammy, which are all things that I still do and would like to achieve, but I realized that by placing those as the end all be all markers of what will make me happy as an artist, I'm missing out on the fact that I'm already living my best life right now. You know, like I'm already in it. I'm having an amazing career, I get to travel, I get to..., well, not right now. But I get to make music I get to express myself through art, like, so many people can't create a living by making art. So I'm really lucky.
And it's really inspiring to see you thrive with whatever you do. It's so good. Now speaking of creation, what's your creative process like?
Tinashe: That kind of changes all the time, kind of depending on who I'm working with. But a lot of the time, it starts with the music and an emotion, like how that music makes me feel. And then I kind of freestyle, usually, and I record myself freestyling. And then I'll piece together the ideas that I really took away from that freestyle that I love and kind of just build the song out from there. So a lot of it again, comes back to my instincts, and just like, what naturally comes out to me.
HERE’S SOME MESSAGES FROM THE FANS SHARING THEIR STORIES ON HOW TINASHE HAS IMPACTED THEIR LIVES:
“Tinashe taught me how important it is to have your own vision, to fight for what you love and never let anyone ruin your spirit by their words: ‘Pay no mind to what the doubters all say’. That really inspired me to be myself, to grow my individuality and not trying to fit in with today's standards. I've always been alone because of different minds and I blamed myself for this. And I thought I needed to change and I lived with this pressure. Through Tinashe's music I finally understood that I am what I am and I must go for my own dreams first. Work hard and stay focused. Never give up on what you love. She keeps me motivated. She showed me it’s okay to be vulnerable, to be emotional, to be me without needing to pretend. Also she's the reason why I want to create my own art (I've learned Photoshop by myself and want to learn music making programs). It's my new desire and I'll try my best to put my ideas and bring them to life. Tinashe made me believe in myself and I'm forever grateful for this.”
- Natalia, Russia
“I really can't describe how much influence Tinashe has had on my life. I remember when I first started listening to her music, it made me feel more confident in myself and her albums and mixtapes have always been my safe place. For me, she makes the world an easier place to live in. She's such a blessing for the music industry, I mean she's so so talented in everything she does. She always shows how much she appreciates her fans so I'm forever grateful for that as well. As a dancer myself, Tinashe's such an inspiration to me and I've always loved learning her choreographies. I'm so proud of everything she's achieved and she makes me happy on a daily basis. I love everything about her and her music. She's simply perfect.” - Victoria, Macedonia
“Tinashe has impacted my life in more ways than one. I have been a fan since her mixtapes days and I knew then she was a special kind of star as she is now. For me, Tinashe has taught me to not conform to what society says you must be or do and what society says as far as dreams and ambitions. For me poetry is my lifeline like how music is to her. Poetry is how I express who I am and Tinashe to me is fearless, bold and she has always been herself. She has endured but she keeps going because music is her lifeline and there is no end to it. I love that she keeps pushing forward and going outside of boundaries that people and society place on her. Tinashe has always taught me that your dreams and your truth can only be defined by YOU. One of my favorite lyrics that have a deep meaning to me is “If it's my life then nobody gonna tell me how to live it. They can't see the way I see it through my eyes” To me it means there is only one ME & my life is MY LIFE & I have to live for what fuels my soul and makes me fly. And that’s my poetry, my ambitions and who I am as a human being is defined by ME & ONLY ME. I am unique and have a purpose. She is truly a one of a kind soul & human being with the biggest heart. Tinashe is that special star amongst the skies I’ll always see. - Timika, USA