We recently connected with Mecca Wy’Asia and have shared our conversation below.
Mecca , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue music professionally was when I was 7 or 8 years old, going to the studio with my dad. Music has always been my dream job because I have a passion for it. Now as an adult, I try to take on every sensible opportunity to further myself of reaching my goal.
Mecca , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well I was introduced to music at a very early age. My parents used to always take me to the studio with them when I was just a baby. When I got a little older, my father would give me these cd’s with beats on them for me to write to. I was about 12 or 13 when I started to actually tap into my writing skills, and from there I never stopped. From getting beats from fellow producers, to going on YouTube, sometimes I wouldn’t even need a beat I would just hear it in my head. I never stopped. The older I got the more I realized that it was time for me to really take control of my artistry. At that point I knew I am more than just an artist, I’m a business so I started to pay for photoshoots and studio sessions. When I moved to Florida, I started dating a Producer/Engineer/Photographer/Videographer so I didn’t have to pay for my creative works anymore. I started to post more content, released 2 projects ( “Waves” and “Rollercoaster”) I had everything I needed at the palm of my hands, sadly enough I still feel like I didn’t take full advantage of the resources I had. At that time I was experiencing depression which hindered me from working at my fullest potential.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was, you have to fit the part. I use to try so hard to look the part or change my creative style to adapt to what was popping and I’m so happy that I woke up! I stopped listening to the wrong people and I just did ME. I think I’m still battling this some today because of social media, but I’m in a way better place then I was 4 years ago. I was brainwashed into thinking that was normal, and it was confusing me. It made me lose myself as an artist. Now at 27 years old, I just do what feels good. I have so many different aspects of my artistry, and I will never let another soul try to change that again.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think society can shed more light on us underground artists! Yes, we have the local shows here and there but that’s not enough. We need an actual platform where the entire world can see us. There should be a show where someone goes to each city to shed light on it’s hardest working local artists. We really get the short end of the stick because we haven’t “made it” yet. Me speaking for myself, I have been more engaging in my physical more than ever. I’m actually talking to people, getting myself in the room, passing out cards, performing where and when I can etc. I just recently quit my 9-5 to become a full time artist because I’m HUNGRY. I know I have what it takes, and I’m not going to stop until I reach my goal. I think there needs to be a platform for the world to see artists like me that’s really out here grinding for real.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://linktr.ee/meccawyasia
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mecca_wyasia?igshid=YzgyMTM2MGM=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meccawyasia?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: http://linktr.ee/meccawyasia
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mecca_wyasia?t=6z3nYT4uXZ6TXDukP3wv3A&s=09
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@meccawyasia5193
Image Credits
Photo creds to Gregg Bell https://instagram.com/gregg3bell?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=