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

AyeDNicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

After going through a lot in my collegiate years, I struggled with weight gain, confidence, break ups, and all that in between that most young women go through. I wanted a new outlet and I have always been musically in tune with hip hop since I was a child. Writing was something I picked up on at a very early age and I figured after leaving Tallahassee post a bad breakup, it was time I really focus on my music. I earned my college degrees, and maintained a finance career. I knew I wanted to step into my artistic path by showing balance within myself and to other women that you can overcome your struggles, dismiss your haters and boss up.

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

I am an entrepreneur first. My first platform launched was my fitness brand, Slaynetik Fitness based on my 100 lb weight loss journey and I began impacting women to be a healthier natural version of themselves. From there, I began my music career and dropped my first project, The H.B.I.C Vol 1. I am proud of both my platforms because they are both self made. I am an independent artist and I move like my own label because it is very hard to make it in this industry and be authentically you. My overall brand for music represents bossy, empowerment, raw, rebellious against today’s societal norms, and I aim to always be relatable because I truly want my story and road to being a mogul to unfold for women to see a difference and balance in hip hop and black culture. Promoting education, confidence, raw talent, and other societal topics in my music is what will set me apart. My personality, energy, and unique sound is what I believe is my standard to make me different and others to feel where I am coming from and witness the come up.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As an artist/creative, being able to have creative control is what I love the most. I write what I want, release when I want, and work with who I want without being controlled. I think this is so important as an upcoming artist to not rush to be signed to a major label. If it happens, I want it to happen at the right time. I always believe in working for what I want being valued highly. That is what I love about being an independent artist at this time. Keeping my creative control and being able to step out the box rap about other topics while keeping it sexy and feminine which ties into my overall brand and creativity.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Yeah I definitely think now that I am on the creative side of things, I see a lot of judgement. People think oh she’s educated, she has a career path she went to school why does she want to do this? Well, why not? Music has always been a big part of me and I always felt I had to be in a box to be accepted. Although I am really proud of my education, career, activism, and leadership that I have been able to acquire, I wanted to step into this to show other women just like me, who look like me and have been through things similar to me to understand balance is key here. You get to see the many sides of me and how I handle myself as a person and brand. My goal is to be a mogul and example of something new to the game.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopslaynetikfitness.com
• Instagram: AyeDNicole.media