We recently connected with Kueen and have shared our conversation below.
Kueen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Music has always been a passion of mine and an outlet for me to express myself, but I didn’t take my craft seriously until around 2014 . I had the opportunity to move to New York and when I arrived I realized that a job wouldn’t be enough to pay the bills or support my dreams as an artist . I soon learned the ins and outs of the city and started performing underground on the subways of NY . With no budget or backing (just a blueprint from the greats) and a bunch of instrumentals on my portable speaker, I soon grabbed the attention of passengers and those passing by with my freestyles and songs that I had memorized over time . I made very little money at first l, but it was liberating seeing people of all backgrounds relating to my story . Little did I know that I would soon build character and enough courage to go from the subways to some of the biggest platforms not only in NY, but also Miami and then later back home to North Carolina. Getting out of my comfort zone has been my biggest blessing, and it continues to open doors that would have never been opened had I chose to play it small.
Kueen, 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 grew up in a small town in North Carolina, raised with both parents who instilled religion as the foundation from a young age . Although I wanted to make my parents proud, I soon realized my mindset and identity would not meet the standards or approval of my parents . After leaving home during my last year of high school, I struggled to find my own identity outside of religion and found myself sleeping on couches and even in my car . My rebellion took a toll on my relations with close family and communication soon ended for some time . During that time though, I learned how to channel my experiences both good and bad into my music ,recording my first freestyle/cover over Jay-Z’s “Dig a Hole ‘ in 2009 . Little did I know that music would later be my vehicle to reach the masses and even change the trajectory of my life as well . After moving to NY in 2014 I realized that my music had the ability to not only reach but touch the hearts of people who have too experienced similar trials and tribulations as me . My why became bigger, and I knew that I was here to service the masses in a much bigger way than I even knew possible . This month I released my sophomore album entitled “Sicker Than Kovid, one of the most meaningful projects of my career . In my opinion it reflects the times that we live in and the story of someone learning to overcome darkness and pain , and the ability to turn that mess into a bigger message . After dealing with several life changing events, I decided to start my own self care brand during the pandemic called Rafym Essentials . Seeing the effects COVID had on the world physically and mentally, I decided to dedicate more time to servicing those who like myself needed to take better care of themselves inside and out . The acronym ‘RAFYM’ (Rise Above Free Your Mind) was created in 2012 as a mantra for myself but later developed into a brand that now aids in improving skin care and health . My brand is known for its signature tea blends and body butters, which is now available in stores as well . This fall the brand will be expanding its list of products, some of which include candles, soaps and products for natural hair . Im proud to say, that even during a pandemic I was able to start a business that is not only an additional source of income , but has been beneficial for those suffering from issues related to skin even down to the common cold and cough.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Most definitely, some of the most recent videos have been interviews with Nipsey Hussle, a true pioneer in the hip hop culture and a genius when it comes to branding and entrepreneurship. I believe Nipsey set the tone on how to run a marathon in this business and how to market yourself in a world where everyone looks and sounds the same . Longevity is the name of the game, and it’s something I can relate to being that I’ve devoted over a decade to my music and branding myself as an artist . Some books I’ve found helpful over that time period have been The Marathon Don’t Stop: The life and times of Nipsey Hussle ,Think and Grow Rich, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and the Compound Effect.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
My biggest lesson to unlearn has been not to let society dictate the pace and speed in which I grow as an individual and as an artist. I think we’ve been programmed by society to reach certain accolades by a certain age or time frame which is honestly not realistic in most cases. At age 25, I found myself questioning my career and if there was any real chance of me being successful. I had to change my perspective on what success looked like to me, at the time I wasn’t really sure . Everyone isn’t granted the same opportunities. In a day and age where being an entrepreneur is praised and spoken about frequently, it adds pressure to meet the social standards of what most people define success as. As artists we are so eager to share our gifts and talents with the world and reap the benefits that we forget to enjoy the process and trust it . Allowing room for growth has given my music and art space to age gracefully which has aided in the longevity of my career . If I could speak to all the creatives out there I would say from experience, take your time it’s not a sprint. Trust yourself and always let it flow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @itsthekueen
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/
TheLionKueen - Twitter: @itsthekueen
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/Kueen
- Other: ALBUM: Sicker Than Kovid https://music.apple.com/
us/album/sicker-than-kovid/ 1641734644
Image Credits
Photo Credits : Focus the Art God Jashua Sa-Ra Charles Chessler