Today we’d like to introduce you to Nazeema Sims.
Nazeema, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a kid, the only thing I was interested in was singing. I didn’t like any other form of art until one day I got real sick and couldn’t talk or sing properly for days.
I started exploring other outlets like fashion and videography and from that moment, I kinda dropped singing and have been just exploring new creative outlets since. I didn’t discover poetry until I was 16 though. Nothing special happened, just wrote a poem one day and never stopped. I love setting creative goals for myself and after my brother published a book and I was voted most likely to write a book, I sort of just knew the universe wanted me to go ahead and write a poetry book. Two years later and here I am.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The journey to where I am right now has kinda been like driving down Crenshaw towards Slauson. It hasn’t smooth, but it hasn’t been unbearable. I’ve struggled with trying to get people to support me as much as I support them. I also have debilitating depression, so some days, or even months, I won’t have the desire to create at all. That shit kinda consumes you and once you get comfortable with not creating it’s hard to start again.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I do an abundance of things. I ghostwrite, I direct/create short films, I model, I style people for shoots, but I am mostly known for writing poetry and I’m gaining more attention for my photography through my self-portraits and portraits of others. I guess I am really my business because I don’t necessarily stick to one thing.
I am most proud of my versatility. Some people do one thing and that’s cool, but I admire the fact that my brain is always trying to do something new and sometimes even perfect that new skill. Anyone can be versatile or be passionate about their art, but what sets me apart from others is a simple fact that they aren’t me. We can all do the same thing, but no one else can be Nazeema, just like I can’t be anyone else.
What were you like growing up?
I was always crying. For whatever reason, I was a HUGE cry baby. But beyond that, I used to design clothes, I was interested in all instruments (I still play bass), I used to sing for EVERYONE, and I was always drawing or painting. The only thing I have never been interested in is dance. For a long time, I genuinely enjoyed being the center of attention and having all the solos, but that gradually stopped. One day I guess I just decided to shut myself off and just be the center of my own attention.
Pricing:
- Good Dog, Bad Dog softcover book -$15
- Good Dog, Bad Dog popsocket (green and white or black and blue) -$10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopnzma.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nazeemaa
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/nazeemuh
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