We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Raheim Fender a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Raheim , thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In the year 2020 my group and I were getting ready to embark on a promotional tour along with releasing our brand new single and music video “Rawcuss”. Unbeknownst to us, Covid 19 would strike, shutting down the entire world, literally putting our music career at a halt. I was devastated, I had invested all my money into the venture and it seemed as though it would all go down the drain. Sitting at home with nothing to do I was bored and I decided to start writing again, but it was so hard and I felt that even if I could finish a book, who would purchase it? Would I even get a publisher to back it? Then I remembered that I had a book of poetry that I had begun writing in College and that Amazon had a self publishing platform. I was reluctant at wanting to release it at first, because these poems were very personal to me. Hence the title of my Book being called “The Personals…Broken Poetry of Man’s Heart” The poems spoke of a very dark time in my life. However, I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to release it since I doubted that anyone would even purchase a copy. My plan was for only friends and family to purchase it. So I released it on Amazon with no promotion, as well the fear of my friends and family members judging me. To my surprise, the book started selling like hot bread! In it’s first day, it sold ninety four copies and landed on the bestsellers list peaking at number three. To date this book has gone on to sell hundreds of copies and is the main reason I’m constantly getting booked for speaking engagements and performances. This book was my risk taking moment If I had decided not to release it I wouldn’t have gone on to release several more bestselling books and now walking in my true purpose as an author.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Raheim Fender, Educator, Author, Motivational Speaker, Recording Artiste & Poet. I am a six time Bestselling Author with four of my books receiving the number one bestsellers badge in New Releases. I have been an Educator in the arts for over fourteen years teaching the next generation of actors, poets, playwrights, dancers and singers. I’ve directed several award winning Plays winning prestigious national awards such as (Best Drama Teacher 2016, 2017 & 2018) respectively. I have also received the (Best Rural Director Award, Cultural Icon Award as well as Top Director Award). To sum me all up? I AM THE ARTS IN THE FLESH! I got into the arts and entertainment industry at a young age. My mother taught the performing arts from her garage to mostly girls and I was the only boy. I learnt to dance, act, write poems and songs at around age nine/ten. Fun fact; I landed my first professional gig as the host of a Christian radio show for the St. Paul’s United Church at age twelve. I continued to hone my craft in High School where at seventeen I got my big break performing at the Fair Field Theatre. I then enrolled into the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts where I received a Diploma and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts. Throughout my illustrious career I have been apart of several national and International Commercials and I have worked with Iconic Figures such the late Charles Hyatt. Currently the services I provide are, presentations as a motivational speaker as well as a speaker on the empowering energy of the arts in schools and the work place. As a Motivational Speaker, I use drama as a tool to heal. I am the voice actor, host, director and producer for my hit Podcast, Demons of the Psyche which was adapted from my second book. My Podcast became a Number one chart topper beating the likes of Podcasts such as “Dead Ass” and even the Breakfast Club. In 2019 I became the host of the radio show the “Afternoon Flow” on FITFM which grew to become very popular. I must say, I am most proud of my longevity in the Arts and Entertainment industry, and this is a testament to others coming up. Never put your eggs in one basket be anything and everything you want to be. In my over twenty years of being in the industry I have modeled, acted, recorded songs, written books, been a radio personality, a voice actor in advertisements, directed plays and I have taught the arts. Always have several streams of Income. Be a Legend in your own right!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative for me is simple…In the words of Lady Gaga “I live for the applause darling”! When I create, ultimately I am creating for an audience to consume my work of art. If I am the only person that is being moved by my own art, then for me, it doesn’t make sense. My main goal is to provide a message, a story, thoughts when said, read or performed though they might not be in the realms of the status quo they (My art) will shift the pendulum and bring about conversation, Which should ultimately bring about change in the way we think as human beings. This doesn’t negate the fact that i also want to entertain my audience and keep them coming back for more me and the creative constructs pouring from my being.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building a social media platform is not easy! As a matter of fact, I’m still building mine. However, I’ve come to realize that an audience wants real. Stop trying to shove your product in their faces! They also want to know why they should buy or invest in your dream and product. Therefore, stop from trying to sell your product and be human and sell yourself. Currently on my TIKTOK and YouTube channels (@RaheimFender make sure you go and subscribe) Shameless plug! I bring my followers into my world. I show them that I can be goofy by doing TIKTOK challenges that no forty year old should be doing. You should go check me out trying to do the young people dance moves…HILARIOUS!! I also bring them into the things I love to do, like cooking and collecting action figures. My channel is like my own personal reality series where I show my fans/followers my skincare regime, going to the salon and doing my Locs and even going on excursions and taking trips to other countries. I also show them snippets of some of my students performing both past and present as well as snippets from my performances and presentations. So My advice to persons trying to build a social media platform take the plunge stop being shy let down your hair and let the the future consumers of your product into your world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawdramafendz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raheim.fender.7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/raheimfender
- Other: https://www.audible.com/author/Raheim-Sonielle-Fender/B08KQ5XL5T#:~:text=Raheim%20is%20an%20acclaimed%20presenter,new%20release%20in%20several%20categories.