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

Alright, Tajonyx thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

I’ve felt misunderstood my entire life to be honest. I was always too “this” or too “that”. Too black, not black enough, too feminine, too opinionated, too gay, too fat, too skinny; It’s only within the last 6 years that I’ve really started to become ok with that.

Through therapy, I am learning that the things that make me different or feel misunderstood are the very things that will make me successful. My differences are a lighthouse to others that may feel lost, or alone. At the end of the day we are all trying to find our way back to ourselves. If shining a light on my differences can do that for other people, then I’ve done my job.

Tajonyx, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a independent recording artist. I have been in the music game for 15 years. I sent my first demo to Arista Records in 2008. When I didn’t hear back from them, I realized that waiting for a label to give me the opportunity to do what I know I was born to do was no longer an option. I have made no real profit from my music as of yet. I do it because I love it. But hopefully this gig will turn into a profit soon! Getting to where I am today took a ton of resilience. I refused to be told “no”. When the door was slammed in my face, I found a window. When I wasn’t invited to the table, I made my own.

I’m extremely proud of that.

Also I learned that dreams stay dreams until the moment you decide to invest in making them a reality. Most successful people don’t tell you how much money they had to spend on their dream before things really took off. A vision takes money. It’s just the harsh truth of it all. People won’t believe in you until you make them. Money can be a tool to get that accomplished. Spend the money folks. Bet on YOU!

My debut album called Phantom Fire was released last year, and the response to it has been amazing. My mission is to bring meaningful music back to society as a whole. I currently have an inventory of collectible CDs of my album available for purchase now! Inbox me on my instagram (@tajonyx) if youre interested in getting one!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Recently, I had to “unlearn” that idea that family and friends are the people to push your projects to the masses.

They are not.

The sad truth is, more times that not, your family and friends have a very difficult time seeing you outside of the parameters that have built for you inside of their mind. They cannot envision you growing outside of the box they put you in because that box keeps them comfortable.

Your strongest ties are your weak ties. The people that have just come across you through your music, and respect you for it. These are the people who will refer you, share your content, and reach out to others on your behalf to expand your network and reach.

Never despise weak ties.

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

I’m constantly pivoting and changing with the times. In this world of social media virility, it is mandatory if you want your projects to succeed.

I don’t like change. It takes me a minute to adjust. But I’m really focusing on getting comfortable with pivoting faster this year.

I’m really going to try to push content more heavily this year so pivoting will be a muscle that I aim to strengthen this year for sure.

I just recorded a cover, and I just realized that its way too long to post to instagram. So I’ll have to shorten it for instagram. Another pivot. Then I have to post it a certain kind of way on tiktok to get more views. Another pivot. It never stops.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tajonyxmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tajonyx/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tajonyx/
• Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/tajonyx/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Tajonyx

Image Credits
Makenzie Tyra Clark Kalev Carrow