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

Chantae, appreciate you joining 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 am VERY happy as an artist! However, during the pandemic I definitely fantasized about having a 9-5, and because I was already familiar with the fickleness of the music industry, I was forced to be way more creative and resourceful. So instead of on waiting on gigs to come to me, I had to put forth effort to make it happen for myself, and now I’m much better prepared for the shift when I need to do it again.

Chantae, 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?

-I am a Jazz/Soul vocalist based in Atlanta, Ga. My mom was a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and full time music teacher growing up so it was innate within me. I developed an affinity for music at a very young age and eventually was “forced” be in the church choir. I was SUPER shy as a kid and only sang when I was by myself. It wasn’t until 10th grade that I joined the youth group at my church and was yet again “forced” to sing. However, it was there that I realized people were genuinely being touch by my singing and I soon began to find my voice. It was also there that fell in love with live music as well as the art of improvisation. So I began attending some open mic jam sessions which reminded me of what I already did in church, and I gained a lot more confidence as time went on. I eventually got the opportunity to do some local background singing which then led me to my first mainstream background gig with India.Arie! I also started collaborating on songs with some of my musical peers and eventually sought out to release my own projects. So I did, and that’s the gist of how I got started!

-Because music has been so powerfully healing and transformational for me, it is one of my missions to spread that light through each and every song I write or any other artistic adventure I’m on. I know that my artistry is much more than a hobby or something I’m good at, but it’s what I was purposed to do. Also, as self-aware empath, I want show people how to find strength in their own vulnerability, as well as give them the insight to see it as a super-power rather than a stumbling block.

I’m most proud of STILL being in the music industry and STILL being excited release new music! There’s no greater feeling than encountering people from all different ages and cultural backgrounds who take the time to show their support and appreciation. To have people that I look up to musically say they studied me whether directly or by association. That puts a HUGE smile on my heart and gives me the fuel to keep going!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2015 I tested positive for the trait of Huntington’s Disease (HD), a debilitating neurological disorder which runs in my family, and is often described as having ALS, Alzheimers, and Parkinson’s all at once. I was vaguely familiar with the effects of this disease, seeing my mother and grandmother experience these things first hand, but it was a whole other beast to learn that I may have to conquer it myself. Knowing that Huntington’s Disease typically shows up later in life (depending on family history), I was faced with some very tough questions the moment I got my results.

After several months of sorrow, many tears and much heartache, I was faced with and an even more important question… “What do I do now??” Something like this could’ve very well had the potential to completely kill every artistic bone in my body, but by the Grace of God, I chose to live. I chose peace in the midst of chaos, I chose triumph in the midst of tragedy, I chose faith in the midst of fear. I chose to be intentional about every move I make, every breath I take, and every thing I create. That’s my resilience story!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Some of the most rewarding parts of being a creative are:

Knowing that the work I’m doing has the potential to free someone who may be bound by fear, anxiety, or any form of physical/mental/emotional toxicity. It makes my soul happy! Knowing that I am inspiring people to be their most authentic selves in whatever they do. Reminding them of their “Why?” and the fact that it goes beyond the gifts and talents! Rewarding, to say the very least…

Contact Info:

• Website: ChantaeCann.com
• Instagram: @ChantaeCann
• Facebook: Facebook.com/ChantaeCann
• Twitter: @ChantaeCann
• Youtube: YouTube.com/ChantaeCann