We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erika JaNaé. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erika below.

Erika, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The biggest and most meaningful risk is the one I’m taking right now, the one to be myself fully. That may either be profound or cliché, but we all know how tough it can be to be authentically you in this world.

Growing up, I knew I would be a part of the creative/entertainment industry whether I would be a singer, an exec, a model, mogul or all of the above. So it wasn’t risky when I did all the music stuff in school, or enrolled in Berklee College, or auditioned for all those shows, you know. But over time, some bullying, misunderstanding of my personality, and just plain rejection (especially in a male dominated industry) started to make me feel more like a liability than an asset, which is where the “risk” level began to rise. I started silencing myself, defending myself less, all while trying to figure out this voice I have and the sounds I hear. I tried to adjust my creativity to match that of my peers because I was so different and wanted to be a part of the scene, which also never works. Eventually I was too afraid, defeated and confused, constantly overthinking everything and feeling overlooked. So I just stopped.

For years of my adult life (and childhood), I’ve found it to be riskier to be me, changing and adjusting so that I could fit into this industry and society, keep people happy and taken care of, figuring out my sound and purpose. Yet, when I realized how empty I became while everyone else became full from me, I realized I actually couldn’t risk suppressing anything anymore. So now I’m reaching back to that little girl in her room watching Behind the Music, and letting her know I’m going to try this again, but how God gave it to us. I don’t know what’s going to happen, or how high or low the success rate will be. What I do know is, I’ve been feeling it in my bones that this time is different. I must say, the results so far have been sweet, even through the pain of change. Having conversations I struggled to have before, in rooms with some of the most influential people, letting my creative nature shine which is bringing so many beautiful relationships. But for me, I think the best result is knowing that because God is guiding me, it’s beginning to feel like there’s actually no risk at all.

Check back in a while, we’ll see how it’s going!

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

Fortunately I was born into a big dancing, singing, creating family, so for me it probably was inevitable. My mom is a singer, actress, and former choir director, while my dad is a graphic designer and owns a media company, Nazca Global Media, LLC. It was like having my own mini industry in the house hahaha! Fast forward, I transferred to Georgia State University and earned my degree in Music Management. I have worked with so many amazing artists in different capacities (signed and independent), such as studio work, live backgrounds, and choir directing. Currently, I am in a space of activating the different services I can provide. I am a full time musician (vocalist, multi-instrumentalist), songwriter, a growing audio engineer and producer. I’ve been spending time collaborating in different ways, whether it’s laying a guitar track, doing background vocals, or playing live. I’m also joining back into the fashion world, so I am looking forward to modeling, collaborating, even designing.

Though there are many people who can fill these roles, the way I love to be immersed in the music and creations is what makes me, me! The appreciation I have for these things helps me to contribute in the best way for the projects I’m blessed to work on. My focus is always toward healing, helping and growing in excellence, and making space for people to feel free to be themselves and do the same. Being a light in the industry, in entrepreneurship, and in the world is the goal!

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.

This is an important topic right now, but I don’t know if non-creatives really understand the value of music. It’s hard to put a value on something that you cannot necessarily touch, but you can feel. The debate about creatives getting paid well and properly for what they do is an old (and tired) one. Because it is a tangible yet intangible thing, people can’t understand why we should be paid for our work like any other hardworking person in another industry. Also because of the digital explosion that shrunk the value of music to barely a cent per play, it makes people even more averse to believing our value. Music and the arts are the one thing that can connect to human expression, relieve the mind. and can quite possibly save lives. It’s everywhere we go. It’s a universal language. I believe that alone makes it invaluable. It may look easy when you hear us or see us on a screen, but there are hours of calloused hands, days without sleep, performances with broken bones and hearts that are behind that. So whenever you’re overwhelmed and need to turn on your favorite artist or genre, recognize the value of being healed in a place where a hand cannot touch, especially by the gift of someone who may be overwhelmed themselves.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I love Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins! It helps the creative see more value in what they do and it debunks the myth of the starving artist. It’s more than finding ways to get paid as an artist. It teaches you the value of your authenticity as a creative, and letting that be the catalyst to a thriving career. One reason I decided to get my degree in Music Management was to protect myself as an artist, but it was also because I knew that performing isn’t the only avenue. This book gave me confidence to honor my worth, get out of my own way and put myself out there to create so that I could thrive in anything I do. I think I may have to give it another read!

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/ErikaJaNae
• Instagram: instagram.com/erikajanaeg
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikajanaeg/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz1KCZ5kgaJRnG2mz9R4RuQ

Image Credits
Janay Peters Tyrone Webb Red Bull Steph Heath