We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful RichNextWeeknd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with RichNextWeeknd below.

Hi RichNextWeeknd, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

As far as music I knew I was going to be a professional at age 12 once I moved out to Vegas. I had been freestyle rapping since a 7 year old and knew I enjoyed music early on. It made me feel different than playing outside or playing video games sometimes making music felt like an out of body experience.

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?

Well before I went by RichNextWeeknd, I had no music out first I started by free-styling with my older brother from 7-11 years old, once I got to middle school I started to write full songs to other artist songs that I liked, no matter where I was in life I was always writing and sharpening my pen. I knew what I wanted to do and knew I wouldn’t stop but it wasn’t until about 2016 until I let it be known. I had heard about SoundCloud when I was in highschool but I didn’t have anywhere to record, fast forward 2 years after highschool one summer I was staying at my brothers and he had some neighbors that had a studio in their place. I would go there all the time and record some of my first tracks(some that aren’t out anymore) but thats also where I recorded one of my most popular songs to date “1738”. Back then I was 19 partying enjoying my adolescence and just learning about myself. I had dropped out of college and promised myself that I would only go back when I felt like I wanted, until then I wanted to be the best artist I could be. I ended up recording well over 100 tracks that I never used but I wouldn’t let up, computers crashed, and songs got lost but during that time I was waiting to release music because I didn’t know how to mix songs. Once the computer crashed a second time I started to learn my lesson. The next time around I would write record and mix every song, some still didn’t get released just because I didn’t like the turn out. I say that to say no matter what happens if you want something do everything that you can to make your dreams turn to reality, so my perseverance my hunger to be a great artist is what kept me going and disciplined. So now not only do I write and record hiphop/R&B, and pop music but I also produce, I have some engineer knowledge as far as mixing, I’m in a band we go by SAUGE and we’ve been a band for 3 years now. I also model but modeling didn’t become something I took serious until 2019 because of the influence of my band members. I took photos here and there but I was camera shy at first and also just wanted people to focus on me as a music artist, but my band members really encouraged me. I’ve done plenty of shoots now as well as walked on runway at a few fashion shows.

At this point its so much to be proud of but I think out of all of my proud moments I’m most proud of my growth as a artist. I used to believe I could do everything alone I didn’t want to hear criticism in my work and I didn’t want to be seen either. I can look around and see that I’ve gotten so much further trusting others sharing my creativity and gained more support being open and vulnerable. I used to be afraid of being too vulnerable on tracks and now I have fans telling me that certain songs help them get through their day. Im making some of my best work these days and its been more with my band, we just bounce ideas off of one another the sessions are so electric it seems like another level of creativity. So not only am I proud of my growth i’m proud of the genuine support of my peers and my fans.

As far as me, my brand and my work, its all the same its all me its no facade so what you see is what you hear. It may be my deepest thoughts or just some cool memories but its all real. If you ever had a problem being, believing or loving yourself I am the proof thats its ok to be you and share it with the world. Everyone is unique in their own way and everyone has a gift. Every voice is different if you feel like you don’t have a outlet to be heard and you wanted to vent I’ve been there too. I am human just like you we all go through things and everything isn’t always fantastic but I think thats what makes me different from most artist. Im recording every mood I’ve felt and sharing it in its full form, i’m being myself speaking on it and staying true to being me. People enjoy the rawness of my music of my personality, people enjoy my authenticity. I feel at this point in music I am the voice of everyday people.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I’ve been into reading since a child but lately books thats helped me through my creative process recently is “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle its about using your brain like a tool and not letting it control you with habitual thoughts, it also talks about living in the present moment which is really important as a artist we are always striving for things to accomplish next. Take time to enjoy the journey your living in the end result wouldn’t be without the journey at hand. I also recommend reading “Rich Dad, Poor dad” its a really great book on financial literacy.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The biggest thing I can say is really support the underground artist, alot of people seem to gate keep artist that they really like. Share their art to your friends your family, put something of theirs on your social media that resonates with you. It goes a long way I’ve found some of my favorite artist from other peoples Instagram stories or twitter feeds. Some of these artists feel like they don’t have support. That one story post one retweet could change their whole life forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.thesaugepage.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richnextweeknd/
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/richnextweeknd
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC30mT4hzLBadNgDvh5NVy5w
• Other: https://linktr.ee/richnextweeknd

Image Credits
Personal photo shot by: Mello Dez Motown Model photo: shot by Dennis London Styled by Kay Lamon SAUGE group photo shot by: Rated R Robbie Stage candid photo shot by: Benzo Be Afro Model photo shot by: Andre Stefon