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Interview: Trevor Lee

TikTok viral sensation, Trevor Lee, is back for another round that comes with deep meaning. In celebration of the release of “Contagious Views”, I caught up with Trevor for a great chat about analyzing his mental state throughout the release, building out a new studio during quarantine, honing in on his skillset, the digital world making distribution easier and more.

Congrats on the upcoming release of “Contagious Views”. Tell us about the creation process and what led you toward telling this story through the track.

My writing routine includes a regular space for freestyles. This space usually comes from personally needing a motivational boost. For instance, the “Barbershop Freestyle” started as a writing exercise and ended up being a brand manifesto. The freestyles that make it to release, end up becoming personal and career benchmarks.

“Contagious Views” started as a necessary exercise to assert some control over my mental state at the time. My previous single, “Perspective”, started in this same way. In late 2019, I began dealing with a constant state of general anxiety that had elevated to regularly occurring anxiety attacks by spring of 2020. In an attempt to assert control over my mind and body, I took hikes on trails in the local forest every morning at daybreak after an aggressive trail run.  Sometimes, writing for hours next to any running water I could find connected to a trail. “Contagious Views” was the  first piece I wrote. The team noted how “on time” the piece felt with the current state of the world and insisted we release it ASAP.

I know that the Coronavirus has been really impactful on all, yet tell us the lowdown on how you have been utilizing all of your time in quarantine.

It’s felt odd not traveling as much, but I’ve taken advantage of the stand still by building out a new studio, studying to expand my skill sets, taking more nature trips, and reflecting on life in general.

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you had recently and were able to overcome over time?

After about the first month of quarantine, I began to realize how disconnected from my resident city I was. All my closest friends are in other cities, and are involved in my industry. It has been a step out of my comfort zone for sure, but I challenged myself to make closer relationships in my local community. For the first time, I have friends that have nothing to do with “work” (so to speak). It still feels unfamiliar and a bit scary, but nice. I can’t remember a time that my life wasn’t centered around business. Most likely because I fear falling behind.

What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

The digital world has made so many things possible! Music has become easier to make, and more available for listeners. It’s easier to personally connect with like-minded individuals. The direct con is that it is easier to become narrow minded since it’s so easy to disconnect from what is uncomfortable. There is less incentive to rise to the challenge of listening and considering different thoughts other than your own. This can result in simple mindedness and less “well rounded’ individual development, which is a term I grew up hearing. If we aren’t actively living in the physical world around us because it’s so easy for us to get caught up in what Jenny is having for breakfast by the pool in the Hamptons, we can become less grounded in our own true reality. Losing grip on reality results in less real world progress. 

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in. 

I’m not sure there is much I can take pride in. I could always do better in my relationships; familial, friendships, and other. I guess it would be how much I treasure those I have in my life.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with someone who has guided you through your journey as an artist, who would you choose and why?

My best-friend and longest running contributor to my music career, Brandon Garza a.k.a. @MixbyBrandon. He has been a part of my journey for over a decade, and has helped me develop my sound over the years. He knows my heart and overall desired goals better than anyone else. It would definitely be quite a conversation to say the least.

Going back to when you were 12-years-old, if you were stuck at home then as we are now, what would your 12-year-old self be doing?

I’d probably be dancing, making mix tapes on my boombox by recording the radio, or playing N64. 

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

Everything changes at some point. Hold tight. (Yells) ”Tree Gang!”

Trevor Lee Social Links:

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Interviews

Interview: Tray Little

Rising Detroit Artist, Tray Little, is making his mark by sharing elements of soul that naturally pour into his music and philanthropic missions. Beyond being a musician, Tray continues to lead from the heart while using his platforms for the altruistic good of all by showcasing a real-time portrayal of life in Detroit. I caught up with Tray for an inspiring conversation about fighting for racial justice, life experiences that have molded his character, reaching millions on TikTok, learning through Gary Vee’s business acumen and philosophies and more.

Photo Credit: Jon Deboer

You have stepped up and played a major role in the BLM movement in Detroit. Tell us about your experiences protesting and how they have personally affected you to do better for yourself, your community and the world. 

This was my third time attending a protest but first time leading a protest. My purpose has always consisted of being a voice for my city while traveling the world performing my music that reflects my experience in the city.  Leading the protest in Detroit became a way to fight for racial justice and do it publicly with hundreds of people from different backgrounds marching for the same mission. It’s given me a stronger purpose beyond just traveling, social media and making music.

Being from the Midwest, you continue to portray a perspective that tells the truth behind day-to-day life for many within your music. Tell us about how Detroit has helped shape you as an artist. 

Growing up in Detroit has given me the grind, hustle and resilience that makes me who I am today. It has given me the story that I tell that has changed thousands of lives and has changed my life along the way. That’s the reason that I’m finding success and reaping the benefits that people are now seeing. People are inspired by my story of having a 15-year-old mom, losing my dad when I was four-years-old, living actively in the street wars of Detroit but still making it out alive and successful despite the setbacks. 

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you had recently and were able to overcome over time? 

I have a lot of friends and family that are still in the streets risking their lives to make it day by day so I’m constantly losing people either to jail or mostly death. I have to remind myself that I have to make it far in life to display and provide different opportunities to those watching me. 

Being that you’re in your 20’s and pursuing your career independently currently, tell us how utilizing TikTok has been a source to elevate your platform and how TikTok has changed your career so far.  

TikTok has helped me find success because it took me less than a year to get 1.1 million followers and that is a big milestone that has gained me credibility in the music and entertainment industry. The platform allows our content to be shown to millions around the world and even celebrity creators see my videos so I’m constantly getting opportunities to work with well-known artists and influencers. It has also given me a rapidly growing fanbase that supports my music and gives me the voice that I have today.

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in. 

It makes me feel good that I don’t have to lose my character and still be able to maintain  relationships. I love having the support of great friends and family that love me no matter what or what I don’t have. 

Photo: Olivia Seyfarth Photography 

If you could sit down and have a conversation with someone who has guided you through your journey as an artist, who would you choose and why?

I would sit down and talk with Gary Vee because watching his videos has help me understand that coming from nothing can be an advantage if I stay hungry and learn how to tell my story to connect while relating to my audience. He’s also helped get the context of knowing that the fruits of my labor comes later as a result of my hard work and consistency. I learned from him that I should chase contentment in the process and not just chase the final destination of what I am working for.

Going back to when you were 12-years-old, if you were stuck at home as we were at the peak of COVID, what would your 12-year-old self be doing?

If I was 12 years old during Covid I would be in the house playing video games and maybe riding my bike around my neighborhood. I might sneak and hang out with some of my childhood friends in the neighborhood.

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

I want everyone to know that we never have to sell ourselves short to become someone we don’t want to be for success. If we are patient and are willing to learn from any interaction that we have with someone we could apply that knowledge and keep growing. There is no limit with how far you can go if you learn how to take the hardest things in your life, use it as your story and learn how to motivate people. Never doubt yourself or the things you’re passionate about.

Tray Little Social Links:

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Header Photo Credit: Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press

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Interviews

Interview: YONAS

Hip Hop Artist, YONAS, is riding the high from his #GoodDayChallenge viral momentum which continues to attract millions of users on Instagram and TikTok. Though YONAS spearheaded livestream culture through maximizing the features on his YouTube Channel prior to the IG Live quarantine boom, YONAS continues to weave a fresh culture of fun into his artistry which is both refreshing and liberating. I caught up with YONAS for a great discussion about the inspiration behind “Good Day”, resilience, balancing the business side of music, being mindful of healthy eating while on the road and more.

Congrats on the success of your “Good Day” challenge so far. Tell us about the message and intention that you intended to portray throughout the track and challenge. 

Thanks! I wrote “Good Day” in a time where I needed to remind myself to remain positive. I wrote it from the standpoint of “look at all these things happening in our daily lives, how can we not be happy!?” We had been sitting on the song and given how strange the times are right now, the team and I thought that it needed to surface now. We launched the challenge around it to further the messaging of positivity. Seeing how many people have taken part is nuts, hopefully we can keep the good vibes spreading!

As we are all in quarantine, how have you been occupying your day-to-day to remain grounded and driven in the eye of COVID?

I’ve been spending a lot of time with my daughter which is something I haven’t taken for granted. My work has me on the road a lot but Covid has slowed all of that down so it’s been a blessing in disguise. I’ve also been working on a ton of new demos as well as working out daily again.

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time? 

The idea of retiring from being a performing artist. When you do something because you love the artform but then it becomes a business, it’s tough to maintain your passion at its purest form. I love the business side and I’ve been fortunate to have made great money from music, but as an artist I’m in it to compete at the highest level artistically. To have the music I create exposed to the masses based on its quality. That’s really hard when you have artists like 6IX9INE, Lil whoever, etc. getting praise for average lyrics and average music all because they have extraordinary marketing dollars and shock factor gimmicks. What is the music industry really if not about the art? The percentage of artists that make it based on talent is so minuscule, it just gets discouraging at times. I don’t want to sound naive… I knew this was the industry from day one and I’ve been fighting the good fight for nearly 10 years independently. But it’s just challenging to continue fighting a machine with endless amounts of cheat codes. At the end of the day though, I’m resilient, and I found a way to set up new goals, continue to raise my profile, get back into that fighter’s mentality, and I’m now seeing doors open that can be career and life changing. Love for the arts always conquers, and always wins in the end.

What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

I love how interconnected we are. I wouldn’t have the career I do if it wasn’t for the digital world and how it allows for discovery of music and art from anywhere in the world. The culture of social media is constantly changing which always feels like you’re fighting an uphill battle. One week we’re pushing all of our fans to like my Facebook page, the next week you can’t even reach them without spending tons of ad dollars. Just a rapidly evolving space.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ken Pham

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in. 

I just take pride in my resilience. Life isn’t easy for anyone, and the only thing we’re guaranteed is that things are bound to go wrong at some point in life. It’s how you deal with it and how you push through it that defines you.

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

I try to eat well while I’m on the road. A lot of tours just stick to the fast food/gas station world, but if I eat like that, I feel horrible, and that’s reflected in my mood, sleeping, and performances. I try to make sure I’m well caffeinated and eating healthy while on tour. It does wonders for my physical, mental, and emotional health.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with your younger self, what would you say to him? 

Your life is just a moment in time. Don’t overthink it. Contribute all that you can to the world, turn over every stone, and do everything with the intention of pushing human civilization forward. Think forward. Build forward. Create forward. And when the history books are reviewed, you’ll be among those that did life the right way.

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

Appreciate all of you. We’ve taken this movement from a kid in the South Bronx to an artist who has toured the world. Lets keep it going!

PHOTO CREDIT: Ken Pham

YONAS Social Links:

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About.

A Note From Jessica:

Thank you for your support since I launched Life Beyond The Music in 2018. I had no idea that the music publication that I built, launched and funded by myself from my parent’s bedroom would grow to be a global success and integral component of my career. As of 2020, I have turned my full-time focus to growing my personal brand. Again, thank you for the support and love. Please follow me on TikTokTwitter and Instagram.

Photo Credit: ACRONYM

Photo Credit: ACRONYM