Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Sam Cole

I feel artistically your not going to please everyone and I’ve always been cool with it, I never really cared about that. For me being able to express episodes of life through music and providing something for people to enjoy or identify with was always the reason for me being an artist and it’s the same with acting, I enjoy playing characters, when people meet me in person who know me for my work, I often feel like there’s sometimes a perception there of what they think I’m like and that’s okay but it’s just not the case. Read more>>

Nnaemeka Keke

I started my music career back in 2014 with my very first cover song to fetty wap Trap Queen which was titled no love in the street . After A year I moved on to the United States “Atlanta Georgia “ where I continued my music career fully in 2017 when I released Grind featuring Michael I-zayah . Read more>>

John Coker

Certainly. I would say dismissed, rather than people not getting what I do. Miles Davis summed it up: “If you understood everything I said, you’d be me.” Two of the things I love doing: bending existing sounds into new ones, and wearing a Cthulhu mask while I sing and play rock and roll. Read more>>

Jeska Forsyth

I often feel as if my work is misunderstood or mischaracterized FOR SURE! Just to start with I am a female multifaceted artist that happens to have self confidence and determination and that isn’t a combo most woman like. Read more>>

Jai Kole

I do believe me as well as. my craft can be misunderstood and often placed in a restricted box especially being a African American. When doors open for you that others don’t expect it raises questions to others making them believe you think your better than them because you want better for yourself, it’s ok to be multi talented and smart if you have five gifts you should be exploring all five don’t hold back worrying about if you will have support or not.. Read more>>

Jazmyn Alexis

Absolutely. Being an artist can sometimes get challenging, because from what I’ve so far experienced, the music industry is built on trends and opinions. I don’t want to give out any specific stories because what matters is what I’ve learned from them. And what I’ve learned is that confidence and standing in your own right, taking what is rightfully yours is the backbone of being a successful artist in these times. Read more>>

Uncle Leon

Being “misunderstood”, as a result of my work is refreshing. My whole life, it seems like, being “misunderstood” has been the theme. The people that follow me, are starting to realize that there was never really a “misunderstanding”. I just don’t speak a language that everyone wants to understands. Read more>>

Princess

All the time! I’m in fashion so I love to dress up everyday. My style of fashion is kind of flamboyant, colorful, confident, and, elegant. I get mistaken all the time as a show off or, a party person. When in fact my personality is attracted to safe and, calm environments. Read more>>

New We$t

People constantly “misunderstand” our movement. We represent the black culture and black youth trying to make it in a limited industry. Because we’re black rappers in Los Angeles, people often associate us with gang culture and affiliation. Read more>>

Trvp the Truth Kyra Sanders

Never judge a book by its cover. Energy is who we are and the source of our subconscious & physical being. I read both very well. Through my career it’s seems others don’t understand me the same. I speak through pain & soul. I’m a writer, I’m an artist, I’m a child of god. Read more>>

Kyron Walker

As a pop singer, who sings various other genres, in a city that is predominantly hip hop and rnb based it seemed like no one really understood what I was doing. No really understood/understands my sounds. I think that happens when people are afraid of what they don’t know. A lot of people don’t really get it when it’s 5’10” 267lb black gay man in platform shoes singing bubbly music. Read more>>

Royce Morgan

Yes, a lot of times I’m categorized as a Social Media Celebrity, a Comedian, etc. At this point I just let people call me what they want, but aside from Social Media I do a host of jobs like hosting events, radio, print modeling, panel discussions, etc and they’ve all earned me pay and amazing opportunities. Read more>>

Meika Chevalier

I very often feel misunderstood not only because I am a neurodivergent person, but also my work varies from being a skilled bartender to using an aerials hoop on a stage infront of an audience. Read more>>

Kelcie Spector

Not my work necessarily, but me as a person, absolutely yes. I’m from Kansas City and being heavily tattooed and alternative looking is extremely common there, so I fit right in. I rarely received odd looks or much judgement there. Read more>>

A.J. Vincent

I’ve been making EDM for a long time, and I still can’t figure out what genre Party Wolfe is, and I just had a friend tell me they think calling it EDM is selling my sound short when compared to other EDM. I make electronic music, but I’ve always had some sort of rock element in it, and I think that may be the reason people don’t know how to classify it. Read more>>

Nick Dunkenstein

As a creative I feel that its almost expected to be misunderstood. People, even loved ones, will have a hard time really pin pointing your purpose and who/what you’re going for until you have an official title slathered all over you. Realistically an artist is bound to have multiple characterizations, and in my personal opinion – they should. Read more>>

Robin Jackson

I believe as an artist I find people to be intrigued by my mysterious nature. However, the only mystery is that, am observant. I am observing how men interact with women, how woman interact with men, and how adults interact with children. Read more>>

Kenni York

Early in my writing career another author told me that I appeared boring on social media. I understand that social media is a platform through which readers and supporters are able to connect with authors and get to know them beyond their pen. Read more>>