We recently connected with K-marie and have shared our conversation below.

Hi K-MARIE, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

That’s a very complicated question. In a sense, I am happier as a creative person than I am working a 9-to-5 job because I’m allowed to be creative and write when I want. That makes a big difference, especially when inspiration strikes—you can quickly jot it down or press record. Most artists have to work, and music becomes a part-time job, which makes it much more difficult, especially when pursuing music full-time.

There comes a time as an artist when we truly feel like giving up. I have many of those moments when self-doubt creeps in, and I start questioning if I really have what it takes to continue. What if I wake up one day with nothing to write about? But then I have to push those doubts aside because they are not reality.

In reality, it is easier to get a 9-to-5 job—you do what is demanded of you and then go home. Being an artist is more complicated. You take a risk by not reaching the level you want, and sometimes we are much harder on ourselves than others are. Many of us are trying to make a living through our art, which complicates things, especially when you have a family and people who depend on you.

I once had a moment when I was writing and contemplated quitting. I was struggling to find my voice and what I wanted to say to the world. But then I realized that instead of focusing on what the world thinks, I should focus on what I feel for myself. People will always put labels on you and criticize your work, but I want the world to see who I am. If they enjoy the music, that’s great; if not, that’s okay too. I’ve come to terms with being okay with that.

K-MARIE, 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 started making music when I was young. My brother was a rapper and artist, and I was so intrigued by his passion that it drew me in immediately. I wrote music but was clueless about how to share it. Over time, tools that allowed artists to distribute their music on various platforms began to emerge, and social media became a primary way to promote it.

I was extremely shy and would only sing and rap alone in my room. I felt it was more about insecurity than anything else; I didn’t feel ready to put myself out there, and when I did, I always doubted myself. I felt I had to become the best, and while this mindset helped me improve as an artist in terms of my writing, it also prevented me from seizing opportunities because I was so concerned with how I was perceived. I won’t lie—I still struggle with this, but I have to set it aside if I am ever to succeed in this industry.

What sets me apart as an artist is that I don’t try to adhere to a specific sound. I create what I feel and what comes from the heart. I allow myself to experiment and refuse to confine myself to a box. That’s the beauty of being an independent artist—you can do what you want, when you want, and how you want to do it.

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

I think a lot of non-creatives are very critical of artists’ work. They don’t fully understand how much time and effort it takes to create a song—not just writing it, but also the process of recording it, making it sound right, and promoting it as an independent artist.

It’s easy to criticize and say an artist “sucks” and should quit, but not everyone is at the same level. As artists, we always continue to grow. For example, someone might dislike one of my tracks today but love another one of mine. It’s all about perspective. You can’t just dismiss an artist based on one track and not consider their other work.

Especially on review shows on TikTok, many reviewers aren’t artists themselves but feel the need to break down other artists. Some will even compliment artists who pay them, just to make a quick buck. I want to give respect to those legitimate reviewers who have real experience and insight. However, for those who are only out to make money by disparaging other artists, I want to say shame on you.

I find that non-creatives can be especially harsh on social media. The number of comments I have to block is astounding. While I appreciate the occasional opinion, even if it’s not what I want to hear, I value seeing others’ perspectives. However, if you’ve never created music, just have an open mind and heart. That’s all we ask as artists. It takes a lot of time, money, and effort to get our music out there.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect, honestly, is the fans. When a fan reaches out to me and tells me that my music has helped them through hard times, it makes me extremely emotional. I had one fan reach out to me about a song I released called “Darkest Days,” which was a collaboration with the amazing artist Tina Smith.

This fan told me that she sent the song to a friend who was contemplating suicide. She was so afraid on her way to check on her friend that all she did was listen to the track until she reached his house. When she arrived, she found him crying and he thanked her for sending him the song.

The amount of feedback we received for this track was overwhelming. Even soldiers in Israel reached out to us, saying they were listening to it. It made me extremely emotional to know that troops were using this track for encouragement while dealing with the hardships of war. It felt like I was fulfilling my mission as an artist to make a difference in someone’s life, and I dare say, in the world.

A song can unite, heal, and make you feel understood and seen. That, right there, is the biggest reward any artist could ever have.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.marie1114/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmarie1114/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kmarie1114
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kmarie_1114