We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Cross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Firstly to begin with as a creative I’m very happy honestly it’s satisfying being able to write a song and having supporters enjoy what I’ve created. It’s definitely a process but as time goes it becomes easier, and the reward such as gaining new supporters and having an impact on people makes me cheerful. Secondly do I think about what it would be like to have a regular job? At times I do. The musician lifestyle can be a bit lonely.. I’ve thought about going back to work just to get out and meet people often but I never took the initiative. As a creative/ musician I feel as if it would slow me down a bit if I was working full time on the creative side of things going into the future I do plan on getting a part time or maybe finding other hobbies to pursue to dibble dabble in more then one per say.
Michael, 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?
To anyone who’s never heard of me, I go by vluestar. I’m a 21 year old artist from Atlanta Georgia who’s accumulated close to a 100 million streams across all platforms from my bedroom. I’ve always known I’ve wanted to do music, I have songs I’ve recorded back when I was 8/9 and as a kid I was heavy into artist such as lil Wayne, drake, Eminem. I wouldn’t really say I’m much into the industry but the streams/ impact I have/had is somewhat industry level, it’s definitely a process that’s exciting because I’m still working on getting into it. The core thing that sets me apart is that in a city of trap/ hip hop music I mostly do chill rap/ lofi. It’s easier to stick out when you’re doing something not too many are. The one thing that I am very very proud of is that I’ve always had a vision in my head about my music career and now it’s actually in fruition. Just this week alone I’ve managed to pull in 1,340563 streams, and as 2023 approaches I’ll very soon be a certified riaa gold artist with my hit track “I’ll keep you safe”. Lastly the one thing I want potential supporters and to anyone reading this to know. Manifesting and the power of the tongue are a real thing because without it I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I’m no one famous not yet but I definitely have my own movement going on, chase your dreams life’s too short you don’t wanna regret not chasing them when you’re older and unavailable to.
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes I could honestly say. The thing that drives me the most as a creative is to make what once was a hobby for me to a full time job which has currently came to be but I’d like to continue to grow and keep establishing myself as a artist. I’d also like to one day provide for my family as a whole and I know with due time that thought will come into fruition.l because I religiously work on my craft and continue to think of ways to get to the next step. Lastly I’d love to have an impact on people. When it comes to my music I always try to drop knowledge within it hoping some people listen and can get their mind’s stimulated and potentially help them with this thing we call life. I know I said lastly already but this concluded it I’ve always had a deep burning passion for music it’s therapeutic for me.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
The one thing I think non creatives would struggle to understand when it comes to the music industry is how hard it is to get people to listen, and when I say listen I mean to my music because unless you’re a mainstream artist/ someone who’s well established already people tend to overlook you and not really care. So the fact that as an individual I have a million people listening to my music on any given week for the last year really means a lot to me. It’s definitely a tricky industry but being determined and having actions that align with determination are all one really needs if you truly desire to truly be someone. I
Contact Info:
- Website: https://withkoji.com/@Vluestar
- Instagram: Instagram.com/vluestar
- Twitter: _vluestar
- Youtube: YouTube.com/vluestar
- Other: Spotify: vluestar Apple Music : vluestar
Image Credits
Nadia Duran Fermina alvarez