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

Alright, Triniti thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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?

A creative is not something I intentionally try to be, so when I am asked if I am happy as one, I am basically being asked if I am happy with myself. The answer is yes. It is who I am. Though, sometimes I wish I found the same happiness in working a regular job as I do in music, but my guess is God did not want it that way. I will always do what I have to do, though. ]

I am currently working on my master’s in digital media at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communications. The number one school for communications. If I was going to go back to school, I had to go back to the best, right? But why did I go back? Making music is costly when you are doing it right. My grandmother had one wish for me during undergrad. She did not mind me pursuing music which I admired because most of my peers had parents who did not support them. She just asked that I graduate college. Those first years were the most difficult years of my life at that time because I simply did not want to be there. I wanted to be making music. Once I learned that college was a great hub for my music and people enjoyed my duality, I wanted to graduate for me so that I can work on my music fulltime. That is not how life works, though. I graduated, but where is the money going to come from? I did not try to get any internships. I was only focusing on getting out of there. How can I fund my music? I returned to school with intent, this time. With a plan that I will keep near to my heart. But I trust in God, and I know It will all work out. I have interviewed at two large companies where 75% of applicants do not receive an interview and I have not even completed my first semster at USC. So, I can work a regular job to get to where I want to be. I just won’t be satisfied until I am creating music full-time.

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?

I am Miss Blaze, a songwriter and artist from Ocean Springs, Mississippi by way of Moss Point, Mississippi. I wrote my first song at the age of 8, still remember the words to it. I released my first recorded song on Soundcloud called John, which is my freestyle to Lil Wayne’s official version, at age 17, but before I ever visited a studio I was making freestyle videos and uploading them to Facebook. Though I had practically always created music, the world did not find out about this talent until I made a diss to girls who were antagonizing me on Facebook. I believe the original video had 200 shares in 17 minutes before it was deleted. I reuploaded and received so much love. Yes, the video is still out there somewhere. After this, my cousin, Zion, took me to my first studio session at 17, and it was literally up from there.

I had made a name for myself back home, being recognized by artists like Derez Deshon, filming videos in my neighborhood. I felt I did everything I needed to do back home, including graduating top 20% of my high school. It was time for college, which is where I flourished. I applied for one school only, Clark Atlanta University. I had no plans of going to school if I did not get in. I joined my sister, Kamaryn at Clark Atlanta and the very first year I was the only freshman to open up at the CAU Homecoming Concert. Covid happened, but that did not stop me. I needed that because I had not found a studio in Atlanta, yet. I enjoyed the time back home, putting out music, recording more freestyle and music videos. I was the first HBCU Artist of the year for the HBCU Tour Awards, following this, I received recognition from Grammy nominated star, Yo Gotti after participating in his Dolla Fo Dolla challenge. In addition to Yo Gotti, He paid for my semester’s tuition. I have a total of two albums and one Ep, Take II still being my favorite project to date. I also starred in a Rap Snacks commercial during International Women’s Month. I have released two albums and two eps over the course of 4 years., too many singles to count. I hope to close that gap,soon.

I think what sets me apart from others is my duality. I am not only book smart, graduating Magna Cum Laude but I am “street” smart. I am able to connect and relate with any and every one which sometimes can serve as a downfall for music because I do not know which route to take. Sometimes that is a challenge with life, period. I can do so much to the point I don’t know where to go.

I could not be where I am without the people who have started to support me and never stopped. I have supporters who encourage me to keep going because they see how bad I want it/ I would say I am most proud of how proud I have made my family. I do it for therapy for me, but I do it for them. Hearing that my little cousins and grandparents brag on me is something that keeps me going.

I want my supporters to know that I am forever grateful for where I am now. I hope through my music I am encouraging you all to exude confidence and continue to chase your dreams even when you are tired. Eventually, the chase will end. Eventually, we will win.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the supporters repeating your lyrics like they wrote them. There is not a moment that I have heard my lyrics being said to me, and I did not tear up. You mean to tell me I wrote this and you can relate? Or I wrote this from an idea or inspiration, and you love it? You love it so much that you want to break down the lyrics? You want to perform it in front of people? Yeah, it gets no better than that.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

There are two goals for me; The main goal is to introduce my family to a lifestyle we have never had. As I stated, I am from a small town in Mississippi, and most of the people in my family are still there. Some because they love it, other because it is all they know. Even I have never left the southern region…So I want to show them and myself that there is so much more to life. I, also, intend on showing the world the beauty of dream chasing. You have heard many underdog stories, but none like mine. I have been making music my entire life, so I am confident enough to say I wanted to give up at least once. Yet, something always drove me back. Creating music, for me, is like being with a lover that I can not let go, even though right now he (music) is giving me the bare minimum after giving it my all. I see the potential. I see what we could be.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missblaze/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/realmissblazee
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDuA5vmfoF8

Image Credits
Ziglor Photos for 4/7