We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cae LaShawn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cae, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Absolutely sooner! I’ve always loved music, singing & writing. Although I wish I would have started it sooner, it’s all in God’s timing. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. There are lessons we need to either learn or to teach throughout our journey, but overall, I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Cae LaShawn. I’m 36 years old and I am an Independent R&B/Neo-Soul Artist. I’ve been singing since I was about 5 years old. I lived in an apartment where the walls were really thin so I would have singing contests with my neighbor’s daughter through the bathroom walls. From there, I sang at school and in plays, and eventually, in the church. I got into this industry, honestly, by trial, error, and a WHOLE lot of struggles. You always hear about how the industry is so ‘cutthroat’ so I was always afraid of depending on others to completely take over for me. So I started learning the business, myself. I started teaching myself what others weren’t willing to show me. Music is my pulse. It’s my rain and my sunshine. My go-to when I need clarity or when I need a release.

Every time I hit the stage, my ultimate goal is to provide a relatable experience for my audience. To connect with them on a soulful level and heartfelt level. There are hundreds and thousands of other artists out there, but the difference between myself and them is that they aren’t me! Everyone brings their own brand of sauce to their craft, right? Well, mine is more of a sweet and savory flavor. But then I could turn around and be sweet or even succulent. It’s really about how I can capture my audience and relate to what they may be feeling, what they may be going through, or performing an experience they didn’t know they needed.

Outside of doing what I love and following my dreams, I’m definitely most proud of my journey in itself. To not only experience this journey, but to do it with my children and show them that they can be whatever or whoever they want to be and stand on that, is an indescribable feeling. I’m proud of being able to ‘Mom & Hustle’. It allows me to reconnect with ME and who I am. And it allows them to see that I’m living in the same truths and wisdom that I teach them on the daily. I am a ‘What you see, is what you get’ type of woman. Unfiltered, emotional at times lol, but always genuine and with pure intent. This ride is definitely one for the books and I’m excited to write my next chapters.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing the impact that I’ve had on people that I had no idea I’d even reached. I’ve received messages from people from various walks of life, telling me how I’ve inspired them. Not even really sure of what I did, outside of, not allowing myself to fail or fall in my own journey. It’s also being able to share my gift and be as creative as I want to be. I can try new things and if it doesn’t work, I can go back to the drawing board. There are many rewards to being in this space.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

To best support artists….especially local and indie artists. Those already in the game and those just starting out…just share their content. Share their content, attend their shows, buy tickets or pay cover charges, comment on their posts, and encourage them. Give these same hardworking, up-and-coming artists the same energy as we give the big-name artists. For a lot of us, it’s more about the dream and the actual music then it is the fame.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www,instagram.com/caelashawn
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/caelashawn
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/caelashawnofficial

Image Credits
Iris G Rodriguez of ICM Studios