Today we’d like to introduce you to Breazelle.
Hi Breazelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Southern California. As a child, I was an introvert/extrovert, finding my expression through music, fashion, dance, and art – places where I felt safe and free. I used to watch award shows and imagine myself performing, then stand in front of my bathroom mirror and deliver my acceptance speech. I would also write music, draw fashion designs, and immerse myself in books.
Eventually, I attended FIDM fashion school, worked for a major fashion company as a stylist, became an Art Director, and started my music career at 17 years old. While my introduction to the music industry was not ideal, I am proud of my achievements, such as creating music featured on a movie soundtrack, having a music video on MTV, and being in rooms I had only dreamed of as a child.
In LA, as a creative, you have to be multi-faceted. I have appeared in many music videos and commercials because I could never niche down – I’ve always been a multi-faceted artist, actress, and dancer. However, achieving “the dream” is not always easy. I have invested a lot of money into my career and experienced unfortunate encounters with bad apples in the industry. Additionally, I have received countless rejections and unresponsive opportunities.
Social media has tricked us into thinking that artists are “perfect” media-trained products, but the truth is that most artists are working 2-3 jobs just to survive. I am human, and the obstacles and constantly-moving goalposts have caused me to pause and reevaluate my purpose.
Nina Simone once said, “My people need me; they need inspiration daily.” I hope that I can inspire and be inspired in the future. As a Black woman, millennial, single mother, and college graduate with talent and emotional intelligence, I have survived every adversity so far to become resilient. I have learned many hard lessons in the music and fashion industry, and I continue to do the work to heal from them.
Although there are times when I don’t want to sing anymore because of “politics”, my passion and relationship with music have kept me together during the darkest moments of my life. Early in my music career, I had the pleasure of meeting Barry Gordy, who said he would never forget my tone. My voice is my superpower, and despite my introverted tendencies and fear of using my voice in certain situations, I aim to change that. As I’m currently working on my album and it’s morphing into a culmination of years of hard work and dedication with a sound that raises the bar, setting a new standard for what my music can do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been a plethora of obstacles and challenges, especially as a woman in this industry which is recognized as male-driven. There is no HR department to report creepy producers or engineers who start off as kind and supportive but eventually make sexual advances and refuse to give you your work. Other artists have turned a blind eye, and it feels isolating. It’s like high school in a sense, but I’d rather sit at a table alone with integrity. I’ve made the mistake of trusting without paperwork, and that’s a lesson I had to go through to really keep things black and white. Even when you feel like you’ve found good people, you still have to stay on “boss” mode to ensure everything is done correctly.
Money is the other major thing. When I have a steady income as a freelancer, I make sure to pay my people for their craft. However, I don’t get paid enough from my music to survive on. That’s also the part that hurts the most when I have to sit at a table alone. Many people aren’t bringing opportunities to you; it’s a lot of every man for themselves because everyone is trying to make it for themselves – understandably.
I don’t have management, and I think this would help me tremendously to be able to focus on my craft and build to the next level. Until then, I’m the creative director of Breazelle!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a singer-songwriter who creates music based on introspective, deep emotions. While my music may be classified as R&B alternative, I don’t limit myself to specific genres. My latest single, “Don’t Blame Me” reflects my eccentric style musically and visually. I’ve released two EPs and some fun singles. My inspirations come from the likes of 90s R&B, funk, and jazz. It took me some time to break free from following mainstream music trends as a way to gain acceptance and start creating from a place of authenticity.
As a student of my craft, I’m always exploring new sounds and styles. Last year, I listened to over 2,000 new artists as part of my end-of-year Spotify recap. I love discovering new music and seeing others thrive in their sound. What sets me apart is the infusion of emotion and multiple genres in my music. My unique tone serves as the foundation because there’s only one me. A friend once said that some people don’t know where to place me, and I took that as a compliment because it means I have the versatility to create anything. I am a universal artist.
Also, I am a designer and creative director. I handle all aspects of my release, including producing music videos, editing, graphic design, and even sewing my own outfits. In fact, I designed a limited edition T-shirt for my song “Pull Up,” which is available on my website. I am also working on developing my own lifestyle brand, called VONYEA, which offers apparel, home decor, art journal, and other creative services. This brand serves as the foundation of my empire; it’s the world of Breazelle.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a child, I was both an introvert and an extrovert. I was often bullied and while I had a few good friends, I never felt like I fit in with the popular crowd. That’s when I found my true expression through music, dance, art, and fashion – places where I felt safe and free to be myself. I used to watch award shows and dream of performing, practicing my acceptance speeches in front of the bathroom mirror. I also spent a lot of time writing music, drawing fashion designs, and getting lost in books. In fact, I used to write “Belle” on my elementary school papers, inspired by the way Belle from Beauty and the Beast loved to read. To this day, I still love libraries and bookstores.
In junior high school, I began sketching designs for my future brand, and to this day, I still have those early designs. The name of my company, VONYEA, has remained unchanged over the years. My love for fashion came from my Aunt Jaque, who worked in a hair salon. I watched as she helped her clients choose hairstyles from pictures and recreated them flawlessly. It was in that salon that I learned how to create something from nothing and even how to braid. My earliest memory is wearing one of my aunt’s designs in a church fashion show. She was and still is the epitome of a woman to me, always dressed impeccably. From her, I learned the importance of etiquette, presentation, and poise at a very early age. It’s amazing to see I’ve become everything I envisioned.
Pricing:
- $65 – Pull up Tee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vonyea.co/fashion
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breazelle/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/RPV8t0mz_eA
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/17rdAUC5t9p4KK9nY83zWM?si=pp9_QtS8TUyj4ZmIkLkhYg
Image Credits
Rebecca Stephens Skyler Reed Keandre Flores
