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

Xiya , appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I did not start making music until the Summer of 2020, even though I had been writing songs and hiding them in my closet for about 15 years prior to that. Now it sounds preposterous to me because I have so much fun recording and releasing music – it’s a part of who I am. Nevertheless, the more I think about it, I couldn’t make music the way I do now without that life experience.

In early 2020, I was a stressed out graduate student studying psychology, overwhelmed by all of the changes the pandemic had brought. I thought about how much I love music and how I have always wanted to pursue it. Thankfully right around that time Dara JT, a friend of mine from college who is a music producer, called me out of the blue. He knew I was a creative because I used to perform at open mic night’s in college. He told me that if I ever had any plans for creative projects that I should let him know. I confessed I had been thinking about sharing my songs, and that his timing could not have been better. He spent the next thirty minutes giving me a checklist of how to get started and what resources I would need to do so.

Fast forward to now, Summer 2022 and I have released a multi-genre Thanksgiving EP that has been featured on international radio stations and is being pitched for placement in commercials and other large projects. I have spent the last two birthdays in music studios recording songs that I wrote. Do I wish that I would have started making music earlier? Yes and No.

I want to say yes because I feel like I missed out on so many years of a creative outlet that allowed me to connect with others in such a personal way. However, my final answer is no for many reasons. No, because I love learning! I am learning so much about the music industry and about how to navigate life as an independent artist. Also, as an adult I have the confidence and the ability to advocate for the music I want to make. I have the funds to be pay for the music I want to make. I feel like if I would have pursued music earlier I would have been taken advantage of or locked into an unfair deal that might have squashed my love for music making altogether. I also have the life experience and a strong enough voice to write and perform the songs the way I want them to be heard. Yeah it would have been cool and ideal to start younger – but I am starting now and that is what is so precious to me. In the past, I thought I would not be able to pursue music and continue my pursuit for advanced degrees. Now I am doing both and I am busy, but content.

Xiya , 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?

What’s up y’all – I’m Xiya D! I am a singer, songwriter, and rapper based in Houston, Texas. I make multi-genre music, and if you don’t what that is my debut music release Thankful Carols is an awesome example. The project is an 8 track holiday EP that gives Thanksgiving the soundtrack that it deserves. There are country rap, pop punk, R&B, Hip Hop, and emo pop songs on the project that each talk about the holiday from a different perspective.

I am always trying to keep my listeners on their toes. My second music release is Souf Made an edgy rap anthem where I brag about my range as an artist who can go from classy to ratchet seamlessly. So far my music has been featured on domestic and international radio stations. Two of my songs have received Honorable Mentions in the 38th Mid – Atlantic Song contest in different categories. Right now, I am working on getting my music placed in commercials and other media projects. When I am not making music, I am continuing my pursuit of a PhD in psychology.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a graduate student studying psychology I feel like I am always unlearning something. But, as an artist I have had to unlearn the desire to feel ready. If I waited to feel ready to make music, I still wouldn’t be making music. I have to consistently remind myself to do things despite feeling unprepared. Yes, I do try to prepare myself and learn as much as I can about the projects I am making. However, I am always a little nervous on how things are going to turn out. I am learning to accept that fear is okay as long as I follow through because nothing is going to happen if I do not take action. If I let fear win, I will never share another song of mine again, and that comes with a heavy burden. I feel like now is a great time to share one of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” I know those feelings of burden and regret and agony very well. I lived with those feelings for 15 years and I do not plan going back to that desolate place ever again.

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

I want to make emotive music. Whenever I release a song, I want people’s feelings to be validated. Within the first few seconds of my songs listeners can tell where the story is going, and I just want my music to resonate with people. That is my musical mission and it guides all of my decisions as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xiyacontent.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xiya.content/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xiya.Content/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqfFPALGkhbZPDg28B3D97g