Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patience Murray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Patience, 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?

I knew since I was a little girl in Philly, sitting in church with my Great Grandmother, that I wanted to sing. She was a true worshipper with a heart devoted to the Lord. I would sit at the front of the church with her, watching her sing and praise God with such passion. Seeing her moved me deeply and made me want to join the church choir. But at my childhood church, you had to be 18 or older to sing, so I wasn’t allowed to join.

That didn’t stop my love for singing, though. Early on, I would listen to my favorite songs on my karaoke machine and write down the lyrics word for word just so I could sing along. That’s when my journey of belting out songs at home began. Over time, I discovered a passion for songwriting, too. The idea of creating something beautiful and meaningful out of nothing always intrigued me. I also spent a lot of time writing poetry as well. When I would experience difficulties in life I would always pick up my pen and write, whether it’s a song or poetry.

But as I went through life, I faced different painful experiences that made me turn away from music. I also had a family member tell me that music would never put food on the table. That stuck with me, and I started thinking differently. Instead of following that initial excitement for music, I began looking at other things I could make a career out of, like media, hosting, journalism, and interviewing. I was naturally good at those things, so I figured I could be successful at them.

Still, music never truly left me. I continued writing songs and singing, but I often felt a deep sadness when it came to music, like I had let myself down. My world was completely rocked when I survived the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Whatever plans I thought I had about life were completely changed. I was shot twice, held hostage for three hours, and lost one of the girls I went to the club with that night—my husband’s younger sister, Akyra Murray, who was only 18 years old. That experience numbed me in a lot of ways. I stopped feeling and truly experiencing life.

It was music that helped revive my paralyzed heart. But it wasn’t until 2020, when my brother Kevin passed away, that I was shocked back into reality and began feeling deeply again. My brother had a love for music—he was part of an R&B group that even performed on the Apollo stage. He passed away at just 34 years old, and I believe it was due to a broken heart. His death was caused by complications from a sleeping issue combined with inebriation.

I had always promised him we’d do a duet together, but his untimely passing changed that fate. During my grieving process, I completely lost myself and started engaging in self-harming activities that led to a mental breakdown. Thankfully, my husband was there every step of the way, helping me through it. During that dark time, I believe my brother came to me in spirit and encouraged me to return to music—not just to return, but to embrace it fully and believe that I could succeed in the music industry.

That encouragement reignited my curiosity for music, and in many ways, music brought me back to life. These days, music is the thing that makes me feel the most alive and excited.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

A lot of people look at me and assume I’ve had a privileged life because I don’t look like what I’ve been through. The truth is, I was raised in Philadelphia without my mom—she disappeared when I was just two years old—and my dad wasn’t in the right mental state to raise me on his own. My grandmother stepped in to care for me, but when she passed away from leukemia when I was 12, I felt completely lost and alone.

After her death, I lived with different family members, but one particular living situation deeply hurt me and shattered my confidence. It’s taken years to rebuild, but thankfully, we’re in a better place now. Despite those challenges, I always turned to art and writing as a way to process my pain. Creativity became my survival tactic, a way to preserve myself through life’s struggles.

When I survived the Pulse Nightclub shooting—being shot, held hostage for three hours, and losing someone I knew—I relied on those same survival tactics. Writing and creating became lifelines. Of course, it was the power of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of so many people that truly carried me through. Over the years, God has guided me back to music, and that journey has been transformative.

Rebuilding my confidence, trusting my voice, and believing in God’s plan for me have been challenging but rewarding steps. I began releasing music independently, and through that process, I’ve met incredible friends like my best friend, Yasmeen Mari, who encouraged me to distribute my music on streaming platforms through DistroKid. Taking that leap has been empowering.

Now, I’m not just pursuing music—I’m also mentoring others as the Recording Academy’s Lead Grammy U Ambassador for Florida. In this role, I get to inspire and guide the next generation of music creators while continuing to grow as an artist myself.

I create heart-connecting music that resonates on a deep level. My songs are designed to lift spirits, stay on your mind, and raise your vibration when you’re feeling low. Like Mariah Carey, I love filling my songs with “ear candy”—little moments of joy that excite and inspire. This is my gift to the world: music that heals, uplifts, and connects us all.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known about The Recording Academy’s Grammy U program sooner. Having access to that supportive, like-minded community of aspiring artists during those pivotal times—when I was being discouraged from taking music seriously—could have made all the difference. Perhaps I wouldn’t have taken a break from music or doubted myself enough to put my dreams on hold.

For anyone interested in pursuing a career in the music industry, I can’t recommend this program enough. Grammy U provides inspiration, meaningful connections, and invaluable resources. It offers music business education and the tools to build a sustainable career in music. If you have the opportunity to join, take full advantage while you still can—it’s a game-changer for anyone serious about making their mark in the industry.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a recording artist is how much it inspires others to pursue their dreams. One of my favorite quotes is, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Music helps me come alive, and I believe it has the power to awaken the dreams lying dormant in others—the dreams they may have been talked out of or let go of.

The truth is, you get what you believe you deserve. If you believe it’s possible for you, you can make it happen. I’ve faced my share of challenges, but if I can still say, “I’m going after my dream,” then others can too. To me, that ripple effect of courage and belief is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/paemurray
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Paemurray
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patience-murray-87524892/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paemurray

Image Credits

Dayhouse Media: https://www.instagram.com/dayhousemedia/?hl=en