Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mackenta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mackenta, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

I always grew up with this feeling like, people have a hard time understanding who I truly am. I think I am full of contradictions, and being a woman is also full of complexities. I’m also biracial – which wasn’t as common when I was growing up and I knew very few mixed people. I wouldn’t say I was outcasted because of it but it definitely made me hyper-aware of how I am different. I feel like people often made wrong assumptions about me, and this went beyond race. I often struggled with understanding my own identity. I had crushes on boys and girls. I was shy in certain circumstances and outgoing in others. I was a smart kid, but also a rebellious kid. I don’t think I’ve ever fit in one box, and that’s something that comes through in my music. I’ve always loved many genres and when I write songs, things don’t have to be one or the other. I think music transcends peoples judgements and preconceptions, it’s just a feeling. I love the idea of blending all my contradictions into a song, and somehow that’s when a lot of people understand me most. I don’t think my experience is necessarily unique; we are all many things at once. But music helps me express that and understand myself. I’m not sure I even fit in one genre, but I think that we are finally coming into a time where we can live outside of categories and boxes, and just be who we are. That’s exciting and freeing to me. The older I get, the less I feel the need to be understood. I value integrity over acceptance, which has been a long lesson. As long as I’m true to myself, I can sleep at night and I also attract the right people in the process.

Mackenta, 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 recording artist who sings, raps, song-writes and produces. I take a very hands-on approach to my music and creative direction. Being an independent artist has made me very resourceful and I’m proud of my ability to be a DIY artist. I grew up loving music and always singing and writing but I was too shy to tell people about my passion. I was very good in school, so I assumed I would take an academic path. While I was in University I moved downtown and discovered the underground music scene of Toronto. I found myself losing interest in school and attending open mics, rap jams and meeting producers. Eventually I took the leap to pursue my passion, which made most people think I was crazy. I released by first single “Issues” in 2015 and to my surprise it premiered in The Source Mag, and later on OVO Sound Radio. Unfortunately I wasn’t exactly ready for the music industry; I had no team or protection over myself or my music. I got taken advantage of many times, and stuck in bad business arrangements and uncomfortable situations, including sexual harassment and manipulation. My mental health suffered but ultimately this brought me to a path of healing and empowering myself. I’m not a quitter and this led me to educate myself on the industry, entrepreneurship, business and develop my craft. It took me some time but I finally have great creative and business people around me. I also have the confidence to know my worth and stand up for myself which is something I am so proud of myself for. I wish I knew my value earlier but it’s all been part of the journey. I still have growth but I’m proud that I’ve been able to perform locally and abroad, release more music and truly be in control of my creative vision. Being in a male-dominated industry that is often full of toxic ideals and environments, it’s important for me speak about experiences women go through in a candid way. My music does that and showcases the complexities of womanhood, society and relationships.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn people pleasing. I’ve always been very sensitive and in tune with the feeling’s of others. This can be a blessing and a curse. There’s a saying that goes, “empathy without boundaries is self-sabotage.” That rings true. I spent a lot of time neglecting my own needs to keep other people happy. This led me into abusive relationships; romantic, platonic and business. I’ve really struggled with my mental health but one of the habits that I had to kick was allowing others to control how I live or feel about myself. Taking back my power has been so healing. I’ve lost people but gained freedom and peace.

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

I want people to heal from the things in society that clearly aren’t working anymore. We live under patriarchy; and it’s. harmful to everyone, not just women. We live under capitalism and it’s draining our wellbeing. It seems we all suffer from some sort of trauma, yet many people feel alone. There are so many taboos we’re not supposed to speak about. I want us to start questioning our ideals, and becoming aware of our own power to change things. If my music can make people think, I’ve done something. If my music can create resonance or relate to someone else’s experiences, I’ve done something. I think so many people drag their feet through life, feeling numb and art is something that can uplift people, provoke emotion and create change. I think the goal of my art is to make people feel something. Allowing our emotions is the first step to healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mackenta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackentaworld/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MackentaWorld/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mackentaworld
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mackenta
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mackentaworld

Image Credits
Christian Evans