We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angelica Barraza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angelica below.
Alright, Angelica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I’m definitely happier as an artist, but I’d be lying if I said the thought of having a “regular” job doesn’t cross my mind sometimes. It’s hard to explain because it’s not just about the work itself—it’s about the lifestyle, the freedom, and the constant hustle that comes with being a creative. That said, there are days when the weight of it all makes me pause and think, “Would it be easier to just clock in, clock out, and not carry this emotional baggage all the time?”
The last time I had this thought was actually just a couple of weeks ago. I’d been working on a project that was running way behind schedule. I was juggling deadlines, constantly second-guessing myself, and felt like I was doing everything except enjoying the process. I had just spent an entire evening wrestling with a piece, trying to make it “perfect,” and at 3 AM I found myself staring at the screen, frustrated and exhausted. In that moment, it felt like it would be so much simpler to just punch a timecard, do my work, and go home without all the emotional rollercoaster. No constant self-doubt, no chasing inspiration, no pressure to be “on” all the time. Just routine. Just normal.
But as I thought about it more, I realized that it’s not the idea of a “regular job” that appeals to me—it’s the stability. The regularity. The clear separation between work and life. I think I crave the certainty of knowing what my next day will look like, not constantly managing the ups and downs of my creative output. The unpredictability of being an artist—sometimes it’s exhilarating, and other times it feels like a curse.
In the end, though, I came back to what I already knew deep down: I’m not wired for that kind of routine. Even when the going gets tough, even when I’m burnt out, there’s something about being an artist that feels essential to who I am. The act of creating, the risk of putting something out into the world that’s mine—that’s where I find fulfillment. The tough days, the self-doubt, the uncertainty… they’re part of the process. And even though it’s exhausting at times, it’s a rhythm I know well. I’d rather keep pushing through as a creative, even with all the messiness, than trade that for something predictable. It’s not about avoiding the hard parts of being an artist; it’s about accepting them as part of the journey.
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?
Where do I even start? It’s been a long and winding journey. I’m from El Paso, Texas, and moved to Atlanta in 2015 with one goal: to make it as a singer-songwriter. At first, I was living the classic artist grind—staying in a car or hopping between Airbnbs with my friend, who was also my producer at the time. It was tough, and after a while, he went back to El Paso, but I decided to stick it out here in Atlanta. I ended up taking a break from writing music for a whole year. I worked as a waitress and bartender to save up enough to invest in studio equipment, and that year turned into a pivotal moment. I taught myself how to produce beats, and I got to know some amazing producers and creatives who really helped shape me as an artist.
By 2017, I was performing in local venues around Atlanta like Takeoff ATL, Ghost Bar, and Smith’s Old Bar. I even opened at a few comedy shows. In 2018, I started to spread my wings a little more, taking gigs in other cities like Chicago and Texas. That same year, I released my first professional EP, Thick Thighs and Trying Times. I wrote and produced the whole thing myself and threw a release party back home in El Paso, which helped me build some real momentum.
Then came 2020—the pandemic hit, and I decided to use the downtime to pivot. I launched 1247, a creative collective focused on helping artists and creatives collaborate and connect through bartering. It was during this time that I discovered a whole new side of myself—production. A friend got me a gig as a PA on Latto and Duke Deuce’s Kirk music video, and that experience opened up a whole new world for me. Suddenly, I wanted to explore directing and producing, so I started seeking out more production opportunities. Through 1247, I started working on various projects as a PA, set dresser, stylist, and even as a model for music videos. It felt like the more I worked in production, the more I found myself gravitating toward it, all while still keeping up with my music career.
In 2021, I met Kamkilled it, first becoming his personal assistant and eventually his business partner. This partnership gave me the opportunity to step into producing and directing music videos, commercials, short films, and documentaries. Around this time, I also launched my skincare line, Chio’s Natural Nourishment, which has since evolved into Chio’s Apothecary. I was still performing up until just before I gave birth to my daughter in January 2022. After she was born, I took a break from music to fully focus on being a mom, but I stayed plugged into the creative world through production.
I continued to build my career in production, working with Kamkilled it and later partnering with Arch Street Productions in 2023. I expanded my skill set to include casting and had the privilege of casting, producing, and directing projects like ShaiDirect’s short film A Date with an ATL Man and the music-based short film Baby Heffner for Kxng Blanco—recently nominated for Best Hip-Hop Music Video of the Year, which was a huge honor!
2023 was also a time of rebranding. 1247 is now @Twelve47Collective, offering production services, networking, and social media marketing with a reach that extends nationwide and even to the Philippines. Chio’s Apothecary launched locally and is gearing up for an online expansion. And, of course, I never strayed too far from music. As @Aanjolique, I’ve been back in the studio, dropping new music consistently, and preparing for a new EP release later this year.
Looking back, it’s surreal to see how everything has come together. From the young woman who moved to Atlanta to chase her dreams to now, where I’m juggling multiple creative projects across music, production, and entrepreneurship—it’s been a wild ride. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s been about creating a life where I’m always doing something I love, and I’m finally living that dream I set out to build years ago.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to express something that’s deeply personal or meaningful in a way that connects with others. There’s a unique kind of magic in creating something from nothing and knowing that it can evoke emotions, provoke thought, or even inspire someone. Whether it’s through visual art, music, or any other form of creativity, that sense of impact—however big or small—is incredibly fulfilling. It’s like sharing a piece of yourself with the world, and in doing so, finding a common thread with others.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey is the unpredictability and emotional rollercoaster that comes with the creative process. For a lot of people, work is a straightforward thing: you put in hours, you follow a routine, and you see measurable results. But for creatives, there’s this constant balancing act between inspiration, doubt, and self-criticism. The highs are incredibly satisfying, but the lows can feel like you’re lost in a fog—questioning your abilities, purpose, or whether your work even matters.
The other thing is how much of being a creative involves failure, or at least the risk of failure. The process isn’t linear; it’s full of experiments, mistakes, and revisions. Sometimes, you’ll pour your heart into something and it doesn’t connect or it doesn’t come out the way you envisioned it. That’s tough to explain, especially to someone who works in a more structured field. But for me, those failures are just part of the process—they’re not setbacks, they’re stepping stones. The act of creating means constantly pushing boundaries, even when you don’t have a clear roadmap.
The struggle with that uncertainty, and the vulnerability that comes with sharing personal work, is something that’s hard to communicate unless you’ve lived it. But when it clicks, and something finally resonates or you push past a creative block, that moment makes all the uncertainty worth it. It’s a journey of growth, and sometimes, the struggle itself can be just as valuable as the final product.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Aanjolique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Aanjolique
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/aaanjolique
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Aanjolique
