We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Imanté a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Imanté, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My most meaningful project to date will have to be my first. Entitled “Free” this project highlighted my hunger and passion. The first time I realized I wanted to make music professionally I was in college at Charlotte. I heard often that this was supposed to be the “best time of our lives” and I held true disdain for this entire concept that my life should get worse once I begin my career. I already understood that if I chose to work a 9-5 I would have To escape through entrepreneurship at some point in order to get out of what they call the rat race. I understood being content with a minimal position in any company would be ultimately stifling of my creativity. So I chose to be creative for a living. I knew it would take time and effort but I was more attached to the idea that I would either be successful or live regret-free. When I released Free I began to feel that way for the first time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

For those who don’t know I am a hip hop recording artist and musician. I got into music at a very young age. I had a lot of instruments. My first was a harmonica I was maybe 4 years old or so. I would play it so much it got confiscated by my parents. This would happen with every instrument I was gifted from the harmonica to the First Act drum, to my first guitar (I broke it bc it didn’t “play right”) plastic recorders, keyboards, etc. the list goes on. Through my childhood I was enthralled with the idea of creating music. I learned how to play a few chords in the church, this matured to me eventually learning guitar from my grandfather, who is a huge blues head. The blues intrigued me like Rap did. (Petey Pablo’s raise up did that early) I would battle with classmates in my middle school, and in my neighborhood with the kids I grew up with. I didn’t understand that music was such an accessible industry as a professional until I met friends in college who were putting their own music out. I always thought you needed a label. When I found we could do it on our own it was only a matter of time before I was involved- hopping on features with my homies and even putting out my own independent music.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My main goal and mission is to inspire the world to live their lives the way they see fit. To have the courage to try to be wildly successful at the one thing they know they are better at than most. I call these talents our “head starts”. I feel like we all have gifts given by God. If we were to focus on cultivating them they will more than make room for us.

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

There are two. The first is the called The Secret. The secret tells us that with clear intention, visualization, physical effort and faith we can achieve our wildest dreams. This mindset has guided me to try my hardest even when I feel like I may not be doing the right thing I have faith the right outcome is on its way.

The second is the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The book illustrates the journey of any entrepreneur, artist, start up founder, etc. as necessary for complete understanding. The most important piece of that necessity being that often the answers are right in our backyards.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: eeemante
• Twitter: eemante
• Youtube: Manté
• Tiktok: eeemante

Image Credits
Photos By Brandon Sweazy Instagram @bsweazy