We were lucky to catch up with Ikeyia Leblanc recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ikeyia, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

I just signed with an agent 2 weeks ago. Before this I was booking all my gigs on my own. I have been extremely fortunate that I was able to accomplish so much, now that I have an agent things are getting even better. I reached out to them via email, sent my pictures and stats. They asked me to go in to the agency about a week after. I met with the owner and I just so happened to be what they were looking for at the time. They signed me immediately and booked me my first high paying job the week after. I’ve since been able to have reliable income solely from my art and creativity. I feel very blessed that I am able to make my own schedule and live by my own terms now.

Ikeyia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a child, I always knew I was going to do something creative. Whether it was music, modeling or something in between. I played violin and trumpet when I was younger and got my first paid modeling gig when I was in 10th grade. By senior year I picked up the guitar and started teaching my self to play by learning songs I liked on YouTube. Then overtime, I started writing my own songs. Fast forward to after college, I moved to LA to pursue modeling, but it wasn’t a healthy environment so I focused on songwriting and poetry instead, simply as a hobby and way to process my emotions after a very bad breakup. I wrote and self-published a book called “The Evolution of Modern Day Love” which you can find online through Barnes & Noble.

After my relationship ended , I moved back home with my family and wrote a song which I named “Happy.” My friend told me I should submit it to iHeart for their music contest. I didn’t think I’d actually have a chance at winning but I did it anyway because I was proud of my little song. I ended up winning the contest with my first song ever released!! iHeart flew me to LA and I was able to record one of my songs with a famous producer who’s worked with everyone from Amy Winehouse to Adele, John Legend and so many more. Another part of winning the contest was VIP tickets to the Made in L.A music festival. Turns out the higher ups at iHeart loved my song “Happy” so much that they asked me to play a set at the festival instead of just attending. That started my musical snowball effect. After this I was asked to play for Good Morning Texas and other live events across Texas, California and New York.

Now I live in Nashville and I’m pursuing music still, and also got back into modeling. I have a modeling contract and a distribution deal and I’m working solely as an artist. I’m living the most beautiful, rewarding life. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

As someone who was constantly told to get a “real job” and someone who was forced to pursue a life in the medical field, I am happy to say I stayed true to myself and I am happy living the life that I want, not what anyone else wanted for me.
Although, I am grateful for my degree in Biology & Chemistry.

I’m now using my past scientific knowledge in combination with my recent herbalism course completion to start my own company called Happy Hempress. My goal in life has always been to inspire happiness. From my songs to my brand and everything in between.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The ability to inspire and connect with other people. By sharing our stories as artists, we allow others to feel like they are not alone in what they are experiencing. I love touching the hearts, minds and souls of others by simply being myself. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That it’s hard to make a living as an artist. That’s bologna, I think it’s hard when you don’t believe in yourself, but once you do that’s where the magic happens. No one can do you like you do you. Your gifts are solely yours to share and those connected to you will be drawn to you. Money will come if you stay true to yourself.

I think it took me so long to get to where I am today because I believed that lie that my mother told me as a child. That art was just a hobby. I know creatives and artists that make way more money than anyone in the “normal” work fields. It’s more than just money though honestly, they have abundance in peace and location freedom that I didn’t know was possible. So yea, I had to unlearn that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.happyhempress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keyia.leblanc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeyiaLeBlancMusic