An artist’s awareness of their strengths and shortcomings is critical to the creative process. It is an indicator of the maturity and emotional IQ that are intrinsic to the art of storytelling and their ability to effectively communicate the unique and shared aspects of the human experience through the window of craft—as paralleled in the popular quote by essayist, poet and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau: “Maturity is when all your mirrors turn into windows.” Rap icon, arti

As all things do, relationships eventually come to an end, due to varying circumstances. In the case of creative and entrepreneurial partnerships, sometimes they end amicably in agreement with all parties going their separate ways. At other times, they can end abruptly, due to professional conflict, bankruptcy or betrayal, with the impacted party sometimes only becoming aware of their fate in the final seconds of the door closing--similar to the unforgettable scene within the

In the weeks following the roll-out of shelter-in-place mandates toward flattening the curve against COVID-19, the practice of self-care has become an increasingly important tool for creatives in combating stress and strengthening immunity against the virus—as they continue to retool their platforms to virtually engage with audiences. The state-mandated social-distancing and self-isolation protective measures have also presented an unexpected opportunity for introspection and

The concept of leveling up within pop culture is contextually tied to a win-against-the-odds underdog narrative, mostly celebrated by spectators and embraced by few. From an outside perspective, grind and hustle are often touted as the keys to achieving elevation and satisfaction in the form of stature and prominence, regardless of profession—despite the evidence of natural laws, as expressed through the force of gravity, which guarantee a leveling and return to start. For ar

The approach of each New Year presents a Polaroid capture of the personal and professional hills and valleys preceding it, along with a screenshot of the potential promise ahead in the scaling of new goals and forgotten dreams. However, the strategizing towards those goals can quickly become overshadowed by a punitive outlook towards the discipline required to realize them. In a world where creative and professional success has been equated to and associated with struggle and

It eventually happens, and when it does, it can be difficult to reconcile the loss. For artists and creatives, there may be no worse feeling than being cheated, maligned, or misrepresented—and losing control of a business interest or having their personal brand injured in the process. When the occasion occurs, it can easily result in a need for reactive, retaliatory actions to demonstrate strength and power--particularly in an industry, creative or entertainment, that does no

Periods of transition in life are often camouflaged as hardship along the road towards self-actualization, and are manifested through the breaking and resetting of faith or perspective, until a plateau is reached, preceding the next breaking and reset. The pathway of artists naturally lends itself to the breaking and resetting process through the familiar ups and downs of the creative professional path, such as: rejection, financial challenges, industry downturns and professi

Relationships are highly valued commodities—particularly within the entertainment and art worlds, where having connections is generally regarded as a necessity for career mobility and success, and a metric of industry equity. A trusted confidant can provide the encouragement and support we need in our darkest hour of perspective—while a betrayal can serve as a mentorship tool towards self-actualization as an artist, providing a window into our greatest strengths and weaknesse

Courage is a trait that is mostly associated with the confrontation of fear, injustice and immediate physical danger. But there is a different kind of courage required in closing the door and walking away from your expectations and the comfort of what you know to be true. There are consequences to that type of courage, in the act of moving forward, that force an acceptance of change—ushering your development into a person you’ve never seen or no longer recognize. While studyi

Expectations are formed early on in life. Over time, environment, culture and experiences groom your thought-life, training you to expect the best or the worst of every scenario and personal encounter, minor or major. When overlaid with dysfunction, these factors can lead to the corrosion of outlook, resulting in an entitlement mindset or life of doubt and self-abasement. Interpersonal relationships can also have a major influence on your expectations, particularly with famil

I have so many thoughts about the Whitney Houston documentary and so much anger about the circumstances of her life. The film revealed major details to the backstory of her life and gave light to the drug addiction that she has been so mercilessly judged for. Midway through the film, there is a scene where she is backstage mid-concert, rushing through hair and makeup between performances, as Bobbi Kristina looks on from the corner, lost and anxious for recognition. You can fe