We recently had the chance to connect with Rachel Atiemo-Obeng and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Rachel, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately I’ve been enjoying going on evening walks around my neighborhood in Los Angeles. With this Summer heat it’s been a treat to get out of the house and wander the neighborhood streets. I’m fortunate to have a beautiful neighborhood filled with tropical flowers, palm trees, and exotic plants. I always sight hummingbirds and butterflies on my walks which make it feel all the more magical. There are also quite a few hills to climb which gives me a good workout. I much prefer being in nature then going to the gym.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rachel Atiemo-Obeng, though in music you’ll find me as Rachel AO. At my core, I’m a singer-songwriter, actor, and storyteller. My art comes from a place of raw honesty blending soulful vocals, lived experiences, and narratives that don’t shy away from truth. I don’t make art to play it safe. I make it to stir something, to challenge, to heal, and to remind people they’re not alone. Whether it’s a song, a role, or a story, I want it to hit in the gut and stay with you long after.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I’m releasing the part of me that felt I had to shrink to be accepted. For years, I believed that keeping my light dim would make others more comfortable. Over time, I’ve learned that my voice, whether in song, on stage, or in life, is meant to be heard in full. That chapter taught me empathy and awareness, but now I’m stepping fully into my truth with no apologies. I understand that I won’t be for everyone, and not everyone will resonate with my art or even with me as a person. But I’ve made peace with that, and I choose to keep walking in my truth.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. One night when I was performing at The Mint, a music venue in Los Angeles, I was completely burnt out, mentally, emotionally, and creatively. I had been performing and rehearsing nonstop, pouring everything into my art, and yet I felt invisible. I was so jaded that I was ready to leave the city and walk away from it all. Midway through my set, a woman scanned my QR code, then came to the side of the stage, clapping, jumping up and down, and giving me two thumbs-up. At first, I didn’t recognize her, but then I realized it was Angelina Jolie. I said “Oh hi!”, when I recognized her and smiled and waved, but I had to keep playing the gig. Afterwards, the bouncer came up to me and said, “Hey, did you see Angelina? She was here and she was digging your set.” It wasn’t about fame, it was about someone I me deeply admire for her artistry connecting with my art. That spark of validation reignited something in me, and in that moment, I knew I couldn’t quit.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that what matters most to me is loyalty, connection, and quality time. I’m an introvert, but I treasure spending one-on-one time with the people I care about, whether it’s sitting together at the beach, sharing a quiet moment, or catching up over a simple phone call or FaceTime. Many of my friends who I’ve had for over ten years and who feel more like family are scattered across different parts of the world, yet I make it a priority to stay connected. No matter how much time passes, we can always pick up exactly where we left off, and that ability to reconnect is something I find truly beautiful.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. Praise is wonderful, but it’s never been my fuel. I create and give my best because it’s who I am, not because of who might be watching. My art, my performances, my connections with people, all of it comes from a place of purpose and love. And honestly, it’s something I strive to do every day. I strive to be my best self when I’m in communities, and there are times when I smile at people and don’t get a smile back, but that doesn’t stop me. It doesn’t make me want to hold back. I keep showing up, keep spreading love and joy into the world, because that’s what my soul was made to do. That’s what all of our souls were made to do, you just have to be brave enough to shine even when it’s dark.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelao.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamrachelao
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelaomusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamrachelao
- Soundcloud: soundcloud.app.goo.gl/wrZQoqjSAt8JYcPs9
- IMDb: www.imdb.com/name/nm4969152/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7i0QCr97C1SmZSZb9jdwB0
Image Credits
Josh Madson, Kate Kotlyar
