The Evolution of Self

A Conversation with Eyeda: Reflections on Art, Healing, and Community

1. Reflecting on your journey, how has your connection to music and poetry evolved since you started? Are there any new styles, themes, or creative approaches you've explored recently that add new dimensions to your art?

*When I first started performing and engaging in community arts spaces, I was 16. My worldview was limited and I was very insecure. I came into spoken word with my own story to tell and little more. I was pessimistic, clouded by judgment and self-disgust. I didn't even think my art was worth sharing. I was always worried about being too much and trying to shrink myself in between the emotional overload.

I released Much Love pt. 1 at 23. With each project that followed, I developed a greater sense of self and understanding of who I was and who I wanted to be. Where I went wrong, where I went right and where I was heading became more clear.

The Much Love series is about love of course, but not just romantic love. Platonic and self love are the main focus there. The Red Project was about facing my shadow self, the darkness deep inside that gets buried if you don't do the work to unravel it. The Esplanade was a pandemic album, with themes of isolation, confusion, starting anew. With every release, I've explored different sides of myself and through the creation process, I've even discovered things I wouldn't have otherwise.

Self-reflection has always been a highlighted theme in all of my work and I think that will remain a constant. It's the understanding that evolves. I still love everything I've released, as it serves as a stepping stone to where I am now.

2. How has making music shaped who you are today, both as an artist and a person, especially compared to when you first began?

*Music has given me endless opportunities for growth. Being able to turn joy or even suffering into something tangible is a cathartic experience. I'll still go back to my older works just to relive the emotional state I was in, comparatively to where I am today. It's a beautiful thing, to be able to document your journey so openly.

I found art therapy at a young age, as many creatives do. Writing, music and poetry have been a processing tool and a path towards healing for me. Without this, I don't think I'd be nearly as self-aware or at peace with myself. It's still a work in progress—I'm still a work in progress. But I'm proud of where it's taken me.

3. Where do you find your greatest inspiration now, and how does it influence your lyrics, style, and approach?

*Life experience is my inspiration. I need to live to write. Sometimes even the nothingness is an experience in itself. It's a story to share, something we all can connect to. The human experience is a collective one and that's what I love most about music. My lyrics and style evolve with my emotional state and continue to grow and change as I do.

4. What themes or emotions are central to your music today, and what do you hope listeners take away from your work?

*Vulnerability, introspection and growth are constant themes in my music. I hope that you can find a little piece of your story inside my own. Even if it helps one person, I want to continue being open with my experiences in life and love.

5. What’s one experience or feedback that has stayed with you throughout your artistic journey?

*Before poetry slams people say, "remember why you wrote it" and that has stuck to me. It's a little reminder that we give words their weight. How and why we say something can mean more than exactly how it is said. The true passion in poetry is the feeling, always.

6. What challenges do you face now balancing your

music career with everyday life, and how do you overcome them?

*Music has and will always be my first love. I've had people in my life struggle to accept that. I also find that the longer you're in the music world, the more you see others drift away and grow distant from it. It's a hard thing to stay in, especially as a local artist who isn't constantly profiting off of your craft. If you're passionate and it means something to you, it's worth it to keep creating. I'll always be working on something new and planning my next project. It's what I enjoy doing most in life and it excites me.

7. Beyond just the sound, what message or impact do you want your art to leave on listeners, especially with the growth you’ve experienced?

*I want listeners to be in their feelings. I want you to feel what I felt when I wrote it and when I lived those things. My music is intended to be an emotional release and you should feel lighter after listening. Or heavier. Whatever the feeling calls for.

8. How have the relationships you’ve built through collaborations and events impacted your artistry and personal journey?

*I'm so grateful for the people I've met over the years. Every collaboration has been extremely intentional. I like working with people I know—those I have personal relationships with and can work alongside me in the studio. If I value your skill, talent and the story you have to share, I can learn from you as an artist. And you can probably learn from me too. It's reciprocal. That's the thing about pouring into community, if you're selective enough...you'll never end up with an empty glass.

9. If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring artists starting out, especially those in poetry or hip-hop, what would it be based on your experiences so far?

*Find your people. Find your community. Hit up open mics. Build your fanbase by attending events and being consistent. Don't rap over vocals, please. If you have to rap over your own vocals, you're not ready to perform. I've never rapped over my own vocals fyi I just feel passionately about that one.

Build events and artist lineups with intention. Put the thing out; don't wait. Make art you love with people you care about. Criticism is crucial to growth. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and open.

10. Fun one! If you could host a dream cypher lineup with any artists (living or passed on), who would be in the circle with you?

*My answer always changes for this question, but I'll just say whoever comes to find first. Pharoahe Monch, Prodigy, Sean Price, Black Thought, Elzhi, Lupe, DOOM, Eyedea, Rapsody, Rakim, Big Pun, Big L, 3k on flute. That's my poorly curated cypher that doesn't really make sense, they're just my dream line up. I'm going to kick myself about forgetting some people, but it's okay. That's my list for now.

Want to hear more from Eyeda? Check out her latest project and follow her journey on @eyedasophia on Instagram.

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