We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Keyawna Nikole. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Keyawna below.
Keyawna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I started writing little songs in little homemade song books in 4th grade. Bouncing back and forth between PA, and TN because of joint custody and being the oldest of 7 siblings, 3 of whom are fighting brain cancer, and organ failure, I used to read and write and envision myself as a star who could take care of every burden my family felt, and heal everyone like me who felt lost and alone while the people you loved were dying right in front of them. When I was 13 I went to the Pierce the Veil concert. I was a super emo kid, and proudly still am. I’d seen and experienced way more than any child ever should have, and I think my mom felt bad having me staying in hospitals all the time with my sister, she wanted me to have fun. The security guard had noticed that I was literally being crushed at the barricade all night and at the end of the show he asked if I wanted to exit at the back door because there were so many people. So my friend and I went giggling down the hallway where we bumped into Vic Fuentes my literal hero, whose music has saved my life for years. He told me at 13 I’d be a rockstar. Now 10 years later we are working together making music together and built such an incredible friendship. I don’t think he realize what he said to me that night changed my path of life forever, the month prior my grandpa shot himself, my sister and brother was and still are fighting for their lives, I DIDN’T WANT TO BE HERE, at 13 and he saved my life and didn’t even know. Now I am a rockstar, making music with my badass rockstar friends all because as a 13 year old girl I went to a concert with a dream, and the universe brought it full circle again now in my career.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When I was 19 years old I woke up in my college apartment, and realized I didn’t want to do this. I could never envision myself rotting away in the place I was raised. After a brief crying episode I decided spontaneously and completely unprepared drove myself across the country! YES! 72 HOURS! Knowing absolutely no one, with no idea what to expect just knew anything was better than pretending to be happy where I was. I lived in my car and nobody knew! I was making industry connections, signing management agreements but as a woman the fear of being taken advantage of kept me from ever letting anyone know about my situation. You always have to stay ahead of the game isolated, alone, across the country. I didn’t want my mom to worry she assumed I was in an apartment, I had been financially providing for myself since 16, so she had no idea and she had enough on her plate. After a year of the car and my engineer Javi Marzellas couch with 5 other artists he opened his living room up to chasing a dream, I’d saved up enough for my own place, was steadily releasing music and playing local LA shows and began working as an assistant for Ricky P. He opened so many doors for me working with him, introducing me to incredible artists like Wiz, and Trippie and really helping me find my sound. About 6 months into working for Ricky and Kush Factory Studios, the best studio in LA, I got picked up for a little distro deal, and started playing stages at festivals like So What Fest with all of the artists I used to be in the studio rolling blunts for and asking if they needed water. I as a black woman was finally an equal contender and really did it completely on my own. I’ve been streaming over a million on my latest singles and I’m just so excited that people are hearing me and seeing me climb and climb without compromising who I am. I’m so excited for you guys to hear my new single Mood Jan. 14th it actually is inspired by the story of being a young girl out here in LA just trying to navigate through the industry.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I really want to be a living, breathing example of no matter how hard it gets, and no matter how many people tell you you can’t do it to never stop following your dreams. I went from homeless living in my car to living in some of the biggest mansions in LA. And don’t get me wrong it never ever stops being hard, I still cry in the shower, and spend my last dollars on my career. But I always think about 4 years ago I was sitting in the car using hoodies to keep warm to follow a dream, and it paid off. Now I’m putting over 100k out of my pocket I earned into our music videos and being able to give you the best of the best. I’ve never been more proud of myself than when my childhood hero’s like Vic of Pierce the Veil and Oli of Bring Me the Horizon told me my music videos were incredible, and labels were calling asking how InkWhore333 and I pulled it off.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
THIS IS A BIG ONE! Self marketing is a huge asset, and always invest in yourself. I actually started a marketing agency for independent artists with all the resources I gathered over the years especially with billboards nationwide! Also consistency in social media make people see you unwillingly. Nobody’s going to hand you the magic key even when you sign. Nobody’s going to have as much passion as you so always stay ahead of the game and market yourself!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k3yawnaa/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeyawnaN?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@keyawnanikole5964
- Other: Instagram: @k3yawnaa
Image Credits
Alex Fowler MarkieShots Santos Villaneda