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

Alright, Cymere 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 was 9 years old when I first professed my dream of being a singer. My aunt asked me the daunting question, “what do you want to be when you get older?” After I told her, she looped a preset beat on her Casio keyboard and told me by the time that she came out of her room, I’d better had a full song written. So, that’s EXACTLY what I did. From then, I honed my craft and incorporated different facets to who I wanted to become professionally. The other moments was when I was deciding my major for college. My dad sat me down and asked me about my plan. Initially, I was going to choose Business Administration. But, my heart told me something else. I told him that I would make my dream come true and that’s exactly what I’m doing!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a proud New Jersey native, with an extensive background in performance. My first stage-production was “A Christmas Story” at just 10 years old. In Undergrad, I studied Audio Production and Theatre. Over the years, I became a self-taught music video director, editor, and producer. I released my debut single “Donatello” in 2020-a hardcore Hip-Hop track. I love playing with different genres and creating unique sounds, but at my core I feel most attached to the smooth melodies and harmonies of The Temptations. More recently, I’ve received over 20 million views across multiple social media platforms. Nicki Minaj posted me on her Instagram and even called me on her world famous Queen Radio Show. Beyoncé’s team also sent me a personalized Ivy Park Box at the beginning of 2020. In the midst of the newfound fame from the internet, I made my film debut by starring in “Strands of Light”. I’m also studying improv in the Core Track program at the Groundlings. If that’s not enough, I’m also making my mark in the dance world, taking classes at multiple dance studios around Los Angeles and appearing in a few music videos as a dancer. In 2022, I started my own business to further my brand. When people find my work, I just want them to know that anything is possible and to NEVER limit yourself!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My initial engagement with a widespread audience on social media sort of happened by “accident”. I recorded a Donald Trump Impeachment song using the tune of Fergie’s “Glamorous”. I recorded a quick video, posted it on my Twitter, and drove to class (I was in Camden County College at the time). My phone was buzzing the whole class. By the time I went to bed that night, the video had about 800 likes. I remember because I was on the phone with my best friend and told her the number. By the time she checked (1 minute later), it had jumped to 1,500 likes. I knew something was happening. A day or so later a Barb reached out to me telling me to check Nicki’s likes on Twitter. I went to go check and THERE I WAS. Before I could get my thoughts together my phone really started blowing up. She posted me on her Instagram! That same video has over 8 million views on one Facebook post alone. People were telling me I was trending on Tumblr and all. I stayed consistent with my content creation and eventually Beyoncé’s team reached out to me. When I finally made it over to Tiktok, the very first video I did with the intent to grow my audience made it to 1.6 million views. I reached so many big names in the industry at such an early time. I was also very focused on school, so I didn’t quite know how to capitalize off of it. Some advice I can give to someone starting out is to pay attention to what’s “trending” but then make it make sense for your brand. For instance, I love comedy. One of my goals is to star in a sitcom. I also grew up loving spoof movies (Scary Movie is one of the greatest comedy films ever created). In 2020, all of the celebrities were posting videos of them getting the “Beyoncé Box”. So, I took that concept and flipped it, making it fit into what I love to do and my brand. I think people get confused when they start out, because they automatically start to follow what’s trending. That may get you the attention, but it’s not necessarily growing YOUR audience. They like the trends. But, you have to find a way to make them stay for YOU.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Recently I had to make some tough decisions. I moved to LA right after college. My first set of big boy bills were “LA BILLS”. I realized that I was spending so much time working my day jobs just to survive. I was actually contemplating moving back to Jersey, but just when I needed it–I found a new place in LA. Even with the thought of moving back to Jersey; I wasn’t giving up, I was just willing to pivot. I don’t think it makes sense to feel like you are in a hamster wheel. That’s not a great space to be in when you are trying to create. Long story short, I do all I can to stay focused on my actual goals.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callmeroyden/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cymerelaseannobles/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/callmeroyden