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

Monica, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

As a child my Dad would sit with me in our Living Room and repeatedly show me VCR tapes of gospel groups and choirs.Coaching me as we focused on the drummers and taking mental notes at their musicianship at the same time formed a bond between my Father and I. Honestly I wouldn’t have wanted to speed up the process and journey of becoming a successful musician because every lesson and experience was needed to shape and form me musically and professionally. My most essential skills were the ability of always being teachable and also having a hustle mentality.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I had no music lessons until I got into a Performing Arts High school. I entered the corporate world for 8yrs left for Maternity leave and never returned because it was time to birth my dreams as well. I relocated with just $500.00 to Atlanta Ga and Hotel reservations. There I started to build my brand and 7yrs later I’m touring the World. Something that I was told probably wouldn’t happen. I’m proud of the consistency, tenacity and dedication I gave myself despite challenges as an Artist and Creative.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

After a show a lady approached me.I thought she was coming to get my social media info but she told me she came out 1 last time before she was planning to take her life that night and watching me perform inspired her so much that she changed her mind. I was speechless for a few minutes but reminded how essential music is and how much impacts people just as much as some medicine can.The most rewarding aspect of my job is connecting with people.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I feel like everyone knows at least one entertainer or creative so if they supported the ones they know personally as much as they support entertainers they have never met it will encourage, support and give underground artist or undiscovered talent the push that they need to elevate their craft to get seen and heard.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Mzdrummer
• Facebook: Monica Mzdrummer
• Youtube: Monica MzDrummer

Image Credits
George Butler Leslie Andrews