We recently connected with Clyde. and have shared our conversation below.

Clyde., appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I wish I would have started my creative career sooner. As far back as I can remember, I have always had a deep connection to all types of music. It was like a felt that whatever I was listening to was part of me. I was reluctant to create and express myself because I was concerned about what other people, specifically friends, family and work colleagues would think. I started creating music at 41, after a rather significant medical scare, where I lost significant kidney functionality and spent 3 weeks hospitalized with no clear answers on how it all happened. One doctor told me I was withing a few days of losing my life at one point. I realized that I spent most of my adult life trying to earn money, building a successful career in leadership and seeking some type of validation from others that had no true connection to my life. Having to process my own mortality allowed me to reflect on my life, my choices and how I needed to make changes for myself, which ultimately led me to start writing. This became a therapeutic process that helped me be more impactful and intentional with the time that I have. Although I wish I would have trusted my purpose and leaned into my creative side earlier in life, I do believe that things happen as they should and I am blessed to have found a reason that opened this door for me.

Clyde., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into music after my medical situation. While hospitalized, my tattoo artist, InkMeJohnny, would come visit me regularly. He brought me notebooks and encouraged me to write. After getting out of the hospital, he invited me to the studio for a song he was working on. We started writing together and he is ultimately the reason I started creating. One of my earliest songs ‘The Story” is a great depiction of how my life changed with this situation and I hope continues to serve as a motivation to the listener.

To date, as Johnny N’ Clyde we have released one EP, “Between the Beginning and the End” and numerous singles that are primarily hip hop with some reggae inspiration. We both have solo projects as well and I perform under the name “clyde.”

I really focus on making upbeat, feel good songs, as well as introspective, and motivating songs. I am a very spiritual person and am using my creative side to spread words of peace, positivity and love while challenging the state of the world, calling opportunities to improve a social and political system that in my opinion does not always prioritize the good of the people.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is feeling that I’m finally aligned with my true purpose. The ability to express my thoughts and feelings openly has been healing and validating. It has inspired a heightened level of trust and belief in myself that exceeds any recognition or accomplishment I have received from others through my career.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to inspire a spiritual movement to spread positivity, peace and love. To awaken minds to challenge the status quo. Don’t trust what you see or hear. Don’t allow outside sources to negatively influence your state of mind. If I can reach one person, to value themselves and others, to help open their mind and heart, shine the light, and help make the world a better place, I have achieved my mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/JohnnyandClyde?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaYQy_H3qfaGPVBJF434lI0sWCc2PXgJ_eOUuryGqObTbZ87mp6Juoc9XU_aem_jaH-ufmlrjG43Pnae7Q-qg
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnynclydemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073974473912&ref=xav_ig_profile_web

Image Credits

Forsythe Imaging