We were lucky to catch up with NEEKJAMES recently and have shared our conversation below.

NEEKJAMES , thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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.

“As an independent artist, advancing your career relies on making educated, calculated risks that aim for high rewards.

For years, I held myself back due to self-doubt. These were not insecurities inherent in me but rather man-made thoughts and comments that grew into long-term nightmares, causing me to miss out on numerous opportunities due to the fear that I wasn’t worth the risk. The fear of rejection stemmed from being denied access to being my authentic self by various communities. After a while, it becomes ingrained in your mind that you aren’t good enough.

In 2019, I reclaimed my power. I quit my job and went full-time working for myself in True T PFH. I created my own space as a black queer individual, navigating multiple intersections within the Hip Hop music scene. Today, the rewards have allowed me to take the first steps toward leveling the playing field for others like me, finding opportunities to unite and effect positive change.”

NEEKJAMES , 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?

My name is NeekJames (all one word) and I am a passionate musician and community activist, & entrepreneur based in Pittsburgh. I am a proud member of the Pittsburgh-based group SUPA NXC and I am the Co-Founder of True T PGH, an organization dedicated to lifting up the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. I am an awarded Community Activist and Changemaker and am committed to using my platform to bring awareness and create meaningful dialogues.

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.

Step into the exciting world of a working artist through the eyes of NEEKJAMES! Many people mistakenly believe that pursuing a career as an artist involves a sudden decision to quit a full-time job and dive headfirst into their passion. But the truth is far from that!

In the life of an independent artist, reality hits hard every single day. Everything comes with a price tag, and to produce top-notch content and showcase quality work, investments are essential. From studio time and costuming to choreographers, dancers, producers, and even travel and accommodation – it all requires financial resources!

Sadly, local communities often lack dedicated resources for artists, especially those in the vibrant world of hip hop. Most available support tends to be focused on technical or global artists, whose work addresses specific niche communities and causes. However, in music, we know that’s not how it works!

NEEKJAMES harbors a deep desire to level the playing field one day. The goal is to create more impactful opportunities for artists, to educate, advance, and shine a spotlight on the incredible talents within their city and beyond. Imagine a world where artists of all disciplines thrive, where their creativity knows no bounds and where their voices resound with significance.

Join NEEKJAMES on this exhilarating journey as they work tirelessly to make this vision a reality. Together, we can transform the artistic landscape and celebrate the boundless potential of creatives everywhere!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I have had to unlearn and continue til this day is self doubt. Sometimes we get so deep in our heads and think the worst of ourselves when in reality we are “THE REAL CHAMPS”! We are the people uplifting and rebuilding communities, we are the people standing at the fore front of the fight for Black Rights and LGBT+ equality! We are the people making change in a world that wasn’t created for us to succeed.

My new single BOYS & GIRLS – The Real Champs drops this October 2023.

Contact Info:

• Website: Supanxc.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ineeksupa?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
• Youtube: Www.YouTube.com/supanxc