We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hayden Holden . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hayden below.

Hayden , appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Sometimes when God blesses you with a natural talent, you have no choice but to hone it and nurture it into something great. It’s all in his glory and fills me with joy knowing that I’m honoring him in my work. I have had only one mentor, a man named Mr. Person. This great mentor showed me the basics of mixing and mastering, taught me how to improve my vocal quality, and tracked the first song that I ever uploaded to major platforms. I’ve spent many days and nights writing and reciting rhymes in my room almost to the point of obsession. Many times I’ve fallen asleep with the pen in my hand and the beat just looping in my headphones, that’s how much I love it. Studying the greats was essential to improving my writing skills. Artists would be surprised to see how much they can learn just by breaking apart and analyzing the lyrics of the most skilled emcees.

Hayden , 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?

I’m always just Hayden, but some may know me by my artist name H2O. I have been rapping and singing since the 7th grade, starting out making songs on Audacity with a Razer gaming headset. Today I am blessed enough to have music listened to all around the world, and can say I have made an honest dollar off of my talent. I pride myself on creating pure art with no gimmicks, not following any trends or what is deemed to be cool. A true artist must stay true to himself at all costs, letting no other dictate what they create if it isn’t true to themselves. I hope that all who press play on my music can draw valuable information from my words, take it and apply it to their lives in whatever manner they need.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that friends will support you just because they are your friends. I have received more support from strangers than the people that were supposed to be in my corner, and the sad truth is that people do not always want to see you win. When you come from the same circumstances as others or even worse circumstances, it may spawn the question of “why him”. You cannot allow this to bring you down, you must count your blessings and be grateful to those who do celebrate and spread your art because they believe in you. You cannot force people to believe in you who do not believe in self.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The fact that I can put my most raw, unapologetic self into lyrics or channel it through a beat and people will enjoy it. The fact that I could ever have someone tell me that my words helped them in a situation, or cheered up their mood. The fact that I can make a withdrawal from my hobby and love that was never meant to make a cent from. It is all a blessing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/OfficialH2O
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeahitsh2o
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDjvLX2vNzXfNkRQN1yINnA