PHOTOGRAPH BY NEGUS OBSCURA
I want my work to serve as the sound track of our generation.
As I recline here in the living room 6:21 am, yes sleepless yet again. Heat’s blazing, windows open, but can’t quite seem to catch a breeze. The rain beating upon the concrete seems to sing in perfect harmony with the rest of the night in minor chords. As I sit taking in the ambient acoustics, I can’t help but wonder about my future. My thoughts though slightly erratic, are also steady and these sounds serve as the perfect accompaniment for how I feel. I don’t usually open up about my inner thinking, but lately I find that doing so has helped me with this process of transitioning from J the dreamer, to J The doer. Only two post in and already I feel like it’s helping me to make better sense of it all. I think anyone making such a huge transition can agree, that the initial steps are the toughest, it really is an emotional rollercoaster.
The nerves, the sensitivity and all the jitters that come with releasing my first work: this anxiety can if unchecked be extremely draining. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve wanted this my whole life, but I’m not naive to the fact that it comes at a cost. To whom much is given much is required. Like any other creative, I want my art to be well received. I want to be able to connect with my audience and create content that they can relate to and give voice to those things they're passionate about. I want people to listen to my music and say “Issa Vibe”. I want my work to serve as the sound track of our generation, the music of our lives. I want to use my art to capture the essence, beauty, pain and struggle that defines our time, reflecting on our past, while hopping for a brighter tomorrow. I want people a hundred years from now to listen to my music and view my work as a glimpse of what life was like for us. I want to create a legacy that stands the test of time.
Sleepless… sitting on the edge of my proverbial seat. My thoughts, a swirl of ambition, foresight, jitters, but overall motivation and I wouldn't change a thing. This rollercoaster of a ride, has me super amped, this is my journey and my dreams will not be deferred.
THE LOOK: ZARA, GAP, J.CREW & POLO