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

Sharae’, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

Ok so BOOM— I started doing music in 2017 on some what of a fluke. For years I had been doing work in music trying everything from management to marketing. None of it was really hitting. In 2017, my now fiancé, talked me into working on my first project and in October of 2017 I put out my very first album. My fiancé has been doing music all his life so he was actively working for a sync company and decided that he was going to submit some of my music for placement. At that point, I’m thinking nothing of it because I’m an amateur and I wasn’t putting that much weight on my work. Well a few months after that, we randomly get an email that one of my songs had been selected by a company for an ad placement, AND THE COMPANY WAS TARGET! You can imagine my excitement when I heard that my favorite store wanted to use MY MUSIC for an AD! Completely blew my mind and that was the first time I earned a coin for my art. It was truly amazing and also addicting. I’ve been securing sync placements ever since. Fast forward five years, the summer of 2022, I booked my very first live show. The first time I was booked and paid to perform. Such an amazing experience. Big shoutout to my fellow artist, 3xotic, for thinking of me when creating the line up for her show.

Sharae’, 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?

My name is Sharae’ Cooper. I go by Rae’ or Risqkae and I’m a music artist and overall creative. I am from the Westside of Detroit, MI, born and raised. I specialize in creating music based in girl power, story telling and overall just having fun. I have been doing music since 2017. I started off solely writing and singing RnB music and have now transitioned into rapping. My main goal with my music is always self expression. I like to tell stories about my life and experiences and I love to ‘Pop My -Ish,’ as they say. I pride myself on being a stand up individual and I do my best to let that shine through my music. My proudest music moment, right now, is earning a placement on the Madden 23 Soundtrack and game. My song ‘The Intro’ (by Risqkae) was included on the soundtrack amongst a lot of major label artists and I was completely mind blown. I try my best to not go outside of myself and it is always my prayer that my true aura and spirit shine through everything I do. As an independent artist with no major backing or budgets, earning that spot was a major move for me and I didn’t have to do anything out of character to get it. If you don’t take anything else from this article please stash this one close to your heart— You are valuable. Your work is valuable. Sometimes you just have to put your head down and work. Never ever be afraid to be yourself because your unique design will eventually draw your people in. The road can get super tough but if you believe in yourself, then keep your eyes on the prize and go for it. Absolutely nothing is out of reach, I’ve seen it. I’m from Detroit so we’re built a little different. Detroit is a city of hustlers and I know my city assisted in building the mindset I have about myself and my career. Everybody in Detroit thinks they’re a celebrity lol. If you know, you know. Reasons why I had the courage to pivot my career several times until I landed somewhere that felt like home— being an artist. I turn 30 years old this year and I feel like I’m just now really getting started. You should probably go ahead and follow me because I’m for sure going to put on a show and shake the table. Watch me.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’d like to crown myself the Queen of Pivots lol. I have done A LOT of things in my 30 years of life. People ask me all the time’ “What DON’T you do?” My new favorite answer is “Give Up.” I have worked in music in several different positions ranging from management to marketing and PR. None of those things really stuck and I’d like to believe its because those weren’t the positions I was meant to be in. As a Christian, it is my belief that God will always provide so it never really scared me to pivot. If something isn’t working out, I’ll be the first to go back to the drawing board and find a new way. I even had to pivot my artist career once I started doing music, just to get my traction up. Pivots can be scary but sometimes they are necessary. I pivoted from singing to rapping and earned an international placement. Sometimes you just have to lean into the pivot.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is the freedom to create. At any moment I can decide to write a song and record it, then shoot the video and bring all these wild ideas out of my head and into real life. I love the freedom in my schedule and the fact that I can literally wake up and do whatever I want to do. Working for yourself requires a lot of self discipline but the freedom of it all is what’s most rewarding to me. I’m able to shape my experiences to influence my music and i love that for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.everydayrae.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raelashaecoop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydayraedaar
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/raelashae
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EverydayRae

Image Credits
Sierra Carpenter Mike Jordan