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

PhoenixFIRE, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew as a young child that I wanted to be involved in music. My mother said that I was humming before I could talk. At the age of 8, I started performing in talent shows. Then at 16 years old I began my professional career singing background vocals for local bands and then celebrity artists.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My mother was a jazz singer so my home was always filled with various genres of music. She introduced me to the beautiful world of music! Singing came natural to me as well as reading music. I say musical notes are my first language while English is my second language. I offer a whole vibe instead of just a vocalist to my clients. I want people to feel the music as well as hear it. We take a musical journey at my shows and I include my audience.
I am most proud of the fact that I have remained authentic to my true self while still being able to bring joy and happiness to others thru my passion for music. In being my true self, I reached the goal of being on the Grammy nomination ballot for 2022!!
My brand, PhoenixFIRE is committed to bringing feel good music and a great performance to all who chooses to request my services.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In April of 2001, I was diagnosed with a Giant Cell Tumor that crushed my C5 and C6 bones in my neck. I had a broken neck! The doctors along with myself were perplexed and in total confusion as to the cause of this condition. I obviously could not sing at all at this time. I was also a single mother of 4 in which my youngest was only a year old. My doctors determined I needed immediate surgery to replace the two crushed bones. One of the surgery risks was that I would be left 50% paralyzed on my right side and the surgeon had to enter thru the front of my neck to get to the tumor in the back of my neck. I had no choice and I was indeed paralyzed on my right side and without anyvocal ability for 3 weeks after surgery. I felt no hope that I would be able to resume my musical career and depression was seeping in slowly. Thankfully, I believe God and the powers that be, had other plans for me because within 2 months after surgery, I regained feeling in my right side and my normal speaking voice had resumed. Long story short, through physical therapy and vocal therapy and grace and mercy, I am blessed to be the vocal performer I am today!! I take none of my blessings for granted.

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

I feel society can be as supportive as possible to creatives by opening up opportunities for us to be who we truly are inside! Buy our music, art, poetry! Hire the creative dancers, spoken word artists and others for your public and private events!! Help to build a community where we as creatives can feel truly creative!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: PhoenixFireDiva
• Facebook: PhoenixFireDiva
• Twitter: PhoenixFireDiva
• Youtube: PhoenixFireDiva

Image Credits
Photo by Dexter Atlas Logo by Maziv_grfx