We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nyah Hardmon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nyah below.
Hi Nyah, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My latest most meaningful project has to be the publication of the first issue of my music magazine, S & M Magazine. Sex & Music, or S & M, Magazine is a culmination of artist interviews, life stories, and experiences. The magazine includes text, photography and graphic designs featuring song playlists that I curated myself. Publishing a magazine which I served as the editor-in-chief taught me the power of taking control of your own creative ventures and doing the hard work yourself. The littlest things from sealing the magazines in envelopes at the post office to sending shipping confirmations out to customers brought a whole different level of pride and satisfaction. The debut of my music magazine feels as if I have finally climbed over the giant hill that has been taunting me, and I have made it over to the other side very much so okay. Very much so alive. Now, as the hardest part is over, I am eager for what more there is to come.
Nyah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a spoken word poet and entertainment journalist. As a spoken word poet, I have performed on stages like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. I have also worked with the likes of Beats by Dre and the Washington Wizards. My poetry has been featured in publications like Poetry Magazine and has received recognition from the Presidential Scholar in the Arts program. As a journalist, I specialize in music and sports. As a music journalist, I have worked with Universal Music Group, Amazon Music, and The Recording Academy. As a sports journalist, I have worked with the Washington Mystics, the Miami Dolphins, and SiriusXM NBA Radio. Overall, in my work I find unique ways to amplify voices and tell stories.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I think some of the greatest resources I have been exposed to are platforms to showcase my creative work. I think if I would have gotten over my fear of other people peeking into my artistic mind earlier, I would have been able to improve my work within the public’s gaze earlier. Some of the most helpful opportunities were spaces where I was invited to share my poetry or have my words read dozens of times online. If I was able to get a jumpstart on this practice, I could have avoided years of reciting my art to myself in the mirror.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being creative is cultivating community through your art. Creativity has this magical tendency of bringing together like-minded artists who can bond over the work they create. Artistry thrives off of community and being able to form connections through free expression is a gift.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nyahterrilyn
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyah-hardmon-a5661319a/
- Twitter: @nyahterrilyn