We caught up with the brilliant and insightful The empress Malika a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi The empress , thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I am happy as a Creative Artist. I would much rather be a creative artist than have a 9-5 job. I love the idea of being my own boss and having creative control over my endeavors as a creative artist. It kind of sucks having to spend so much time doing something you don’t really enjoy doing just because you need the money. However, in most cases, it appears to be a necessary component for those who wish
to take steps forward to fuel their dreams. It is a challenge but nothing in life worth having is easy to achieve. Hard work and perseverance pay off in the long run, don’t second guess your gut instincts and always put God first.
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.
I first got into music when I was home just chillin at my moms house. A friend of the family had stopped by and heard me singing in my room. He invited me to record some tracks at his home recording studio called subway tracks. There I wrote my first 6 song demo and even had a chance to collaborate with Michael Reiss who was on the sex and the city soundtrack.
I make music of all different genres on a regular basis and/or whenever time permits from my home studio in vermont, however I’m originally from nyc. I think what sets me apart from others is my music. I am most proud of my catalogue of music, the variety that you hear stem from the many facets of who I am as a person. I love all my fans and so I try to give them as much variety as possible because everyones different.
I am currently considered an indie Artist I love to be inspired and inspire others. Although, I’ve been through a lot of disappointments in my life and so forth I have not allowed it to destroy the beauty of who I am as a person. It’s not always easy but at the end of the day – never underestimate the power of prayer or the value of others because you never know what someone is going thru or what gifts they harbor that may help to bless you in your life.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is simple. I’d like to be a successful creative artist & entrepreneur and help the lives of others through my music so that I may be in a position to help myself, my family and friends and those in need.
I love the joyful feeling I get when I help someone in need. I would love to be in a position that enables me to do so. It is so uplifting, joyful and inspiring both physically, mentally and spiritually rewarding. I love to make music, listen to music and write songs for myself as a creative Artist and I enjoy singing as well. knowing that I am putting out into the universe mostly positive vibes for myself and others to enjoy and hopefully it will bring about much change for the better. As far as being an entrepreneur, I like the idea of having my own business and partnering with great minds who think alike to help make the world a better place, because when the man is right, the world is right.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As I sat in a Bar one day, feeling dazed and confused of my location and overall of the life I was living, You see back then, I was an exotic dancer, I looked around the place with all the unfamiliar faces. I was drinking my life away with a bottle of tequila, in a bar with a man I did not know. I felt so dazed and confused about my life. All of a sudden, someone, put 50 cents into the jukebox. The song that played was “who will save your soul” by Jewel. I immediately woke up some how and looked around the bar again. It was almost as if it were with different set of eyes. I remember saying to myself WTF am I doing here, and what am I doing with my life! Right then and there I decided I was going to change my life for the better and I did! I am so grateful that she created that song and It still amazes me today how that one song saved my life!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theempressmalika/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SongsbyMalika
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malikah-powell-56bb8897/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theempressmalika_1
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1louXv2p8HMpd6NMiX3b23?si=czlOyU8tR_2DCjJZcqu24g
- Other: https://www.numberonemusic.com/malika
Image Credits
photos by Darryl Rendell kravitz