Is it comforting to know that Queer Black musicians like Frank Ocean, Jaden Smith, and Janelle Monáe are making headway in the industry as well? Who are your personal icons?

It’s very comforting. I can’t imagine what it would be like to release music and not have artists that look like me already be represented in the industry. Anyone who knows me knows that I love Nicki Minaj. I’m always so impressed by her talent and her determination. I also love Eminem, Beyonce, and Rihanna, to name a few. I think they’re all pioneers and icons in their own way, and they all teach me to forge my own path.

Since you write your own music, what is the process, starting from inkling ideas to the actual record coming into existence? How do you cope with writer’s block?

The process is random. A beat that makes me want to dance is important because I’m a lot more lyrical as a rapper when I’m on a record that makes me want to move and bounce around. I’m building a studio in my apartment right now, so the process is changing for me quite a bit because I now no longer rely on professional engineers and mixers to help me with my records. When I get writer’s block I walk away from the song and just try to live life until I feel like it’s lifted.

If you could lay out a message to LGBTQ identifying, Black-Muslims struggling with their unique journeys, what would it be? Conversely, what would you say to those who resist accepting that Queer Black rappers and Queer Black Muslim folk exist?

I would tell them there’s no shame in struggling with these co-existing identities. There are times when I don’t feel equipped to deal with all that it requires to be myself in a world that discourages me so vehemently. However, the alternative just isn’t worth it. Life is meant to be lived, and it’s your birthright to live it according to your mind and yourinner life. I don’t have much to say to those people. I feel like the information already exists, and anyone resistant to learning about it is dealing with something far beyond my capabilities.

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Is it comforting to know that Queer Black musicians like Frank Ocean, Jaden Smith, and Janelle Monáe are making headway in the industry as well? Who are your personal icons?

It’s very comforting. I can’t imagine what it would be like to release music and not have artists that look like me already be represented in the industry. Anyone who knows me knows that I love Nicki Minaj. I’m always so impressed by her talent and her determination. I also love Eminem, Beyonce, and Rihanna, to name a few. I think they’re all pioneers and icons in their own way, and they all teach me to forge my own path.

Since you write your own music, what is the process, starting from inkling ideas to the actual record coming into existence? How do you cope with writer’s block?

The process is random. A beat that makes me want to dance is important because I’m a lot more lyrical as a rapper when I’m on a record that makes me want to move and bounce around. I’m building a studio in my apartment right now, so the process is changing for me quite a bit because I now no longer rely on professional engineers and mixers to help me with my records. When I get writer’s block I walk away from the song and just try to live life until I feel like it’s lifted.

If you could lay out a message to LGBTQ identifying, Black-Muslims struggling with their unique journeys, what would it be? Conversely, what would you say to those who resist accepting that Queer Black rappers and Queer Black Muslim folk exist?

I would tell them there’s no shame in struggling with these co-existing identities. There are times when I don’t feel equipped to deal with all that it requires to be myself in a world that discourages me so vehemently. However, the alternative just isn’t worth it. Life is meant to be lived, and it’s your birthright to live it according to your mind and yourinner life. I don’t have much to say to those people. I feel like the information already exists, and anyone resistant to learning about it is dealing with something far beyond my capabilities.

What are you looking forward to this year?

I’m looking forward to releasing new music and visuals! I recently dropped my mixtape, Zuko, and I just started working on my next music project, so I can’t wait to start putting those songs out. I also hope to work on some more acting projects this year. The comedy theater I’ve been studying and performing at has been closed since the pandemic, so I’m really excited for it to be open again soon.

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