We were lucky to catch up with Xposyur recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Xposyur thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned to do what I do by doing what is considered to be “boring work”. This means countless hours of Youtube videos, taking free courses online, listening to podcasts, reading books, talking to the OG’s, going to events observing and soaking up everything, etc. Most importantly I pray. I ask God to allow me to be able to apply the knowledge and not just “know” because applied knowledge is better than knowledge itself.

Knowing what I know now I could have sped up my learning process by not making hasty decisions. Making the right move not the next move. I also could’ve had better financial discipline. I started getting paid early for playing drums at my old church. Growing up all I knew was “robbing Peter to pay Paul” now I understand that I can pay both of them on time with a budget. “I pay my bills how I want people to pay me- ON TIME!””- quote from my business coach Justin Carter that I cant get out my head. Another thing that could’ve sped up my process is understanding everybody wont understand you or your purpose and everybody cant enter your promised land. This hurt me but also helped me grow. I was so busy trying to pull everybody up with me that I didn’t notice I was drowning until I was completely under water.

The skills I think that are essential for me creatively is being able to hear and see simultaneously. What I mean by that is as a drummer you should know where every instrument is and/or where they should be placed. I learned that from the person who taught me how to play. As a person, a skill that has truly taken me far is character. Now, in no sense am I perfect but I do pride myself on being a compassionate graced and kind individual. I always say how I treat people off stage determines the next one.

As far as obstacles go, man! Sometimes life make you want to give up. Like FR! Adulting is the ghetto.
I never completed college so that was an obstacle as well. I did graduate from Ohio Media School in 2021 so that was lit. Also, you’ll get a million no’s but I persevered through it until I got a yes.
Finding a “job” that is conducive to your career is a huge problem we have here in Ohio. There aren’t many creative 9-5s and if it is you need a bachelors or something like that to even be considered. Lastly. as a woman, a writer, and a creative I sometimes wear my emotions on my sleeve so dealing with those failed relationships- whether familial, personal, or business wise its tough. Grief is not only about ones who have passed on.
I deal with self-inadequacies even though I know I am enough. A few years ago, Id give up before being even trying but not anymore! I have a solid group of people around me who encourage and lift me up before I even ask. Thankful for my folks.

Xposyur, 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?

Sure so I go by Xposyur. I will always give credit to Eboni RedSoul for naming me and my cousin Eric for helping me spell it uniquely. Music has always been a part of me. I started out playing upright bass in 5th grade then kit in middle school and then I decided to pick up an oil pastel and write. I didn’t perform any of my pieces until the end of high school- which was only like once. So for about 7 years I didn’t really perform I kept writing behind the scenes until about 2010. Started off how many famous artists do typically- in the church and that one piece hit the city like wildfire! I was so shocked and in disbelief that people would respond to my story that way. From there I just been steady and climbing. Writing is so therapeutic and a healing and cleansing agent. Thats when I figured out that all I ever needed to be successful was some courage and a pen. I sell hope by sharing my story.
Which is such a great segue way because that is what I offer in my Creative Writing Workshops and 1:1 Writers Development. Ive noticed a problem-that artists (writers, performers, singers, rappers, musicians etc) they have one aspect and not the other. For example, they have the courage to perform their work but their penmanship could use some positive feedback and enhancement or they don’t have courage at all and their penmanship is exceptional. I solve this problem by working with them individually.
I also am a live performer. I travel the US and I also partner with amazing organizations, schools systems (public, private, alternative), and correctional institutes. My slogan for teamXposyur is “WE ARE ALL X SOMETHIN’ “. Never forget to show yourself and other people grace. You weren’t always who you are now. Don’t forget that.

There are multiple things that set me apart and one of them is I don’t talk about things I don’t know. I know about the streets but wasn’t raised in them, I come from a broken home but no longer accepting. that I have to be a broken individual. And Im not afraid to speak my truth which 9/10 you’ll find a bit of yours in my stanzas as well. Everything about me is me- the way I dress, the color my hair is, how I carry myself etc. “Being anything less than authentic is fraudulent”- quote from my Big Brotha P.

The thing I am most proud of is my ability to be versatile. Same message different methods. I don’t take for granted being supported heavily not just in my city but abroad as well. I am proud to be the “me” I needed growing up to other kids.
I am also proud of my kids. I didn’t birth my boys or my girls but I love them like I did.

I want my new followers and clients to know that a mindshift is the most powerful thing you can have. I had all type of odds stacked against me growing up- but that aint stop me it fueled me. There’s always space for the unforgotten, the weirdos (cuz Im one), the business savvy and the creative here at teamX. There’s a lot to me- spiritual, historical, musical, intellectual- we can talk about anything. I have a keen sense to produce- from idea to fruition. I put my all into everything I do. If my name on it, expect it to be done in excellence and accuracy. I don’t do no half steppin’! And if you hang around me long enough one of 2 things gone happen: you gone accept the challenge and step up or you’ll get irritated and fall back. Join the team?

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Sure. As previously stated I grew up in a broken home- which means my father wasn’t present. Most of my life he has been in and out of prison for various reasons. I learned he had an addiction as well. That weighed heavy on me mentally and emotionally physically and although I know my mother and uncles did what they could to fill that void I wanted my own dad. I thank them though for doing their part. I didn’t get daddy daughter dances, affirmations birthdays none of that. I got letters from the penal system. In my adult life I understand and give him grace but as a child I didn’t have that mentality. All I knew was that I wasn’t good enough for him to be around. This mentality followed most of my life:every graduation, every mistake, every bad decision, every stage, every performance it was always that voice in the back of my head reminding me of how much Im not enough. But I kept going. My heart knew it wasn’t true but my mind didn’t. They say the longest 18 inches is between your heart and your mind.
While still battling those thoughts your body is changing your friends are changing-its a lot. Also my mother developed what is called pseudo seizures at the time-which are caused from stress. She was very sick. My grades started to slip. Thats when I got my first and only F on my report card. She was in and out hospitals almost every other day. Broke me. But I kept going. My older sister and I had to grow up much earlier than expected. Shout out to my sister for legit raising me. I learned how to drive young- like 12.Not because I was super thirsty but because I had to. Starting getting tickets from like 16-22. Wild time. But I kept going. I always knew I was different. I always kept my faith even though my surroundings told me otherwise.
You only get one set of parents.
I took all that trauma all that pain all those feelings and put it into my music. And here I am. Took me a long time to forgive that man but I did. We are building a relationship now. As far as my mama go, well she’s in good health.
This story can be summed up in one line- make your pain pay you something!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal is always freedom of time. To be able to wake up and do what I love not what’s required is my personal goal. I want to be able to give freely- whether it be finances, information, or just love on some people- old or young. It is why I enjoy living in my purpose because it never feels like “work”. When I travel it doesn’t feel like “work” although at the end of the day I am providing a service.

My mission is for writers to understand one line can save one life. One stanza can literally talk someone off a ledge. TO have the ability to aid in the saving of a soul is a priceless feeling. I cant tell you how many times people have told me “you’ve helped me see differently” or “you touched me in a way Ive never felt before’- PRICELESS.

My end goal is…well just ride with me til the end!  

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_teamxposyur_/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xposyur/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qaCfLMgGTAz8uwKHqv-EQ
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xposyurteamx

Image Credits
Marion Wilson