Today we’d like to introduce you to iRAWniQ.
iRAWniQ, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
And that stands for READY AND WILLING. It’s also short for iRAWniQ (ironic). I’m a gender-fluid artist, musician creative. I love expression and living freely. I feel that life is too short and precious to live any other way. My love for music began with piano lessons around six years old.
From then, I transitioned into something like a band geek throughout my school years which eventually allowed me to dive headfirst in different genres of music. I was raised on Jazz and Gospel pretty hardcore. Lol at gospel and hardcore being next to each other in a sentence =P I would sneak and listen to RHCP or Lauryn Hill with my cd player, you know the walk-mans with the terrible foam headphones?!
From there, I began writing poetry and from there I began to write songs. I love to rap but It’s not the extent of me. I love to create feelings and pictures and do it in a way where conversations start. My love for the arts intersects with my love for people, especially disenfranchised and marginalized groups. As a former foster youth, I aim to be the ally I needed growing up. I assist with a local nonprofit who creates outreach, support, and classes for resource parents and foster youth alike. I also work in the public schools in youth intervention services. I believe we should all be the change we wanna see in the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s never an easy feat when you go against the grain. I’ve been open about my sexuality since I was a teenager. It wasn’t accepted in my h0use hold. I ultimately moved out and began my own journey. Family is a concept special to me. See, I was adopted, so my family, in my eyes, have always been people who chose to be in my life. It was relationships built verses the biological aspect. So when my parents couldn’t get jiggy with the gay ish, it kinda hurt different. It’s like, you of all people should know how difficult identity is for a child; they lacked much understanding and empathy for the situation. It pushed me away. I refuse to be uncomfortable for anyone again. Fast forward to today, I have an incredible ten years old son whom I instill values in daily. To love everyone, especially the ones different from you. He’s my pride and joy wrapped in one. I have met some amazing individuals on my journey; people I call my tribe. My family. We empower, encourage, inspire, uplift, and create amongst each other. Most all of my people are creatives in their own right.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
The most important thing I can say right now is WE ARE RAISING MONEY FOR FLINT! Flint, Michigan still does not have sustainable water and as a Michigan native, it’s just not okay that we aren’t talking about this forreal. So my fellow Michigander creative Karlton Phresh and I decided to make a gofoundme for Flint. We are working with a local nonprofit to help with purchasing filters, baby formula, educational resources and bottled water. Please check this out at www.gofoundme.com/FlintCantDrinkTears.
Okay now that’s out the way…I am a true creative. I am an artist, songwriter, producer, actor & author. I launched my publishing company earlier this year and recently finished a children’s book titled, “Charlie”. It’s about a gender-fluid middle schooler navigating the challenges of self-identity. It’s rad and the illustrations are beyond dope. I reached out to this rad illustrator in Austria and was basically like, I wanna write a kids book…do you wanna do the illustrations? She was like hell yeah and so it began. Lisa is an angel and she took a risk with me….I’m on the other side of the globe but she saw the vision and she jumped on board. These kind of humbling confirmations are reminders that I’m living in my truth. When you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, everything aligns. It’s beautiful.
On the music tip, I have 2 EPs out; Black Girls On Skateboards, & In The Mean Time. Both are rad and are reflective pieces of me at certain times in my life. I’m working on a project right now but that’s to be disclosed later.
I am Creative Director for Jon Connor’s company 41 Lakes Media. Connor is a dope rapper & was signed to Aftermath. I think he just got out of his contract and wanted to take a fresh approach with his the direction of his company. I love his work ethic, his character, plus he’s a creative too so I had to be down.
I have some AMAZiNG visuals out right now. JB Ghuman Jr, the director of my favorite visual Alien Pu$ (from BGOSB EP) created a short film versus a music video. You guys have to watch it. It’s out of this world intelligent and creative. Plus, there’s so many cool factors attached, you have to see it for yourself. JB is dope. We continue to create together. His Movie, The Art Of Being, premiered at Sundance this past winter and I was blessed to have a lead role. Check his work out fasho he’s something out of this world.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Oh man, there are so many levels of success. We are layered people and one size doesn’t necessarily fit all when it comes to ideologies. I say success within yourself will dictate your success in the outside world. Conquer yourself first. Overcome shortcomings, character flaws, anger, hurt, rejection. Become as whole as you are supposed to be. Then from there, work your butt off doing whatever it is you do. Sharpen and fine tune it. Take classes, get a mentor, do the fieldwork. Success is inevitable. Success is a pattern like so many other things. You’ll eventually run into it if you don’t stop.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irawniq
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9844146/
Image Credit:
JB GHUMAN JR. Alien Pu$, Breann Whlgn, Brentton Wilson, Nick Asokan
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