We were lucky to catch up with Dalis India recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dalis thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I have always had a very free and creative spirit. Music, arts and crafts, dance and other creative outlets were a core part of my childhood. Growing up in a single parent home my Mom always put me in after-school programs hosted by non-profit organizations, and that was where I really found my passion for creativity and expression. I’ve always loved being on stage, performing, acting, dancing, creating and turning thoughts into actions. Growing up in the Lower East Side and going to school in Harlem NYC also fed my imagination and creativity, because there was always so much to be inspired by. I’ve always seen the world in color.
Dalis , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
When I was really young my Mom put me in piano classes. I remember performing and feeling like Alicia Keys. I was between 4-6 years old. I was wearing a jean outfit with a jean hat tilted to the side just like she did. From there on I would go on to play several other instruments such as guitar, trombone, trumpet, baritone, and more. By the time I got to highschool I was in music theory and music composition classes. I don’t know what happened but around the age of 15 I kind of fell away from it all because of silly teenager thoughts that made me think playing instruments was dorky. But, I still had that creative spirit boiling inside of me and by the time I got to my alma mater Howard University I was a fiery ball of ambition and passion. I used that energy to start my own clothing brand with my friends at the time called Co-Z Clothing Brand. I was also a host for the Undergraduate Student Assembly and would often be on the mic for some of the most viral moments at our school. Howard is where my artistry really began to blossom. I started writing poems and poems turned into songs, songs into performances. Today I have learned so much while on this journey and have more confidence than ever. The main message that I want to push with my music is to be yourself. I want people to never be afraid to express themselves and to be as vibrant, vivacious and loud as they see fit. Especially when it comes to music. I love music because there’s no rules to this art. You just gotta do it because you love it, not because you want a paycheck. I’ve probably invested thousands of dollars in this dream and something as small as someone complementing me on a song is enough fulfillment for me. That means they heard me and they understood me. I’ve spent so much time feeling misunderstood, like an outcast. But really I’m just like everyone else. We are all fighting to be noticed, to be remembered, whether we like to admit it or not. Today, I have over a dozen songs out, several music videos, and just released my first project “Polar” on SoundCloud. I believe in bringing free music back. It makes the experience less complicated and more enjoyable. I think people will really appreciate what they hear on the project. I’m really looking forward to creating more and continuing to make my mark.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is the process of something I thought of in my head coming to life in front of my eyes. It feels like a super power. Whether it be an outfit I envision myself wearing or a sound I hear in my head that comes out in the beat/lyrics that I’m working with. I also really enjoy creating with others. When a group of creatives come together with good chemistry, the possibilities are endless. It’s kind of like being a mad scientist. Almost like your taking a bunch of substances and putting them together, you might get a fizzle or you might get an explosion, you never know.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
The best thing that society can do to support artists/creatives is to leave judgment at the door. There’s really no such thing as a bad song, or a bad outfit or a bad painting. All of it is subjective. It’s all about what the artist wanted to express, it doesn’t matter if some people don’t like it, all they have to do is respect it. No one can really say what’s good or bad art. True artists understand this. I would also say that society needs to understand how much courage and vulnerability it takes for a artist to share their art with others. It takes a very brave individual to share their inner most thoughts with others. Majority of the time what a artist/creative shares with others, is usually a product of their inner most thoughts. I think everyone should respect that, even if they don’t understand it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dalisindia?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=94ef974a-e730-4d13-b8e4-504d9bd40d39
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dalisindia?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DalisIndia
Image Credits
@terrelldaronfilms @marvelmarko