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

Alright, MAXA thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Last year I took one of the BIGGEST RISKS of my LIFE. I had been working with a local company assisting a local business. I’ve found that during my adult life I enjoy learning new things. I thought applying for this job would surely teach me the new skills I wanted to learn. With that said I thought when my Aunt Elaine revealed one of her clients was hiring for her event company I thought I would be perfect for the job. I quickly learned this job wasn’t what i thought it would be.

Like all jobs it started out alright! I had high energy eager to learn and grow. Then slowly I started to lose steam. While I was dealing with some health problems I also just wasn’t happy. My employers began to realize how unhappy I was and subsequently I was released from my job. I was a lil angry at my situation. Before that I had left two other great paying jobs all of which I was unhappy in . I was scared I instantly ran out and began looking for another job. I didn’t know how I was gonna support myself, pay my rent, pay my bills. How was I going to live? Djing was great but I wasn’t booking nearly enough to support myself.

Not very long after I was let go I began booking more events than ever. In fact this was one of the best summers of my professional career. Almost every place and person I wanted to work with locally on a DJ spectrum I got the chance to! I got to Dj for Big Boss Vette at the Brock Seals AMP art show. I was hired to Dj for Sales in City event in Chicago. I even got to open for the city’s own Ryan Trey at the City Soccer summer Block party! Before I knew it my dream had actually become a reality. I stepped out on faith and became a full time DJ and performer, making a living off my craft.

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.

I started my music journey almost a decade ago as a solo singer, releasing my first song in 2015. I later joined the band “Monkh & the People,” . After leaving the band in 2018, I continued my solo career and eventually ventured into DJing in 2022. I now provide DJ and entertainment services for clients. I am proud to be able to sustain myself through my craft, and I want potential clients and fans to recognize and support the talented creators in St. Louis. Investing in our local arts and music scene is CRUCIAL for its growth and success. Not just amongst friends but strangers as well. I challenge our city to venture out, get outside your comfort zone socially and creatively. Let’s keep our ecosystem thriving both spiritually and financially.

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

My ultimate goal is to create a life where im in control. I see artists everyone literally getting paid to create their own worlds. Rappers and Entertainers getting paid to say what ever is on their mind. “The Fear of being average,” is what drives my creativity. You only have one life. I’m determined to and set out to do anything and everything my heart desires, wether its and art show, a dj set, or movie night, if I can envision it it will be created.

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

Being a creative sometimes can be lonely. In the sense that I look at my friends and their conventionality of their lives.This is usually the time people start getting married having kids, get promoted, Its not always like that for creatives. Especially those of us who have had to make sacrifices to dedicate our lives to a craft. As a creative we don’t get to fall back on 401k’s and retirement money, most of us don’t have dental plans. Thats why its so important for us as artist to advocate for ourselves. We deserve better pay and support from our communities as well as to be taken more seriously.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @maaad.maxa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAXACreate

Image Credits
Tracy Jane Weidel Martell Stephey Chris Bauer