Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryam Craft.
Maryam, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always loved music. Music was within my family from an early age. I grew up on classics that were old school, gospel, rap, hip hop, R&B, and so many other genres. One of my greatest inspirations was seeing Michael Jackson on TV and seeing how he connected to his audience through song and dance. When I first saw him and paid attention to him, something in me knew that I wanted to evoke that same feeling in people the same way. I always had love in anything that was in art or entertainment, I was a very shy and quiet girl growing up so many of my talents I kept hidden and would only expose them to people I felt comfortable enough to be around.
The first taste of performing, was when I was in high school and my friends and I became a girl dance group, performing various places, and called ourselves, GKM, with that I became completely embedded into dance. The first talent show I realized that I could captivate people when I was onstage, I knew I could touch people in a way that I could on a day to day experience from performing, and from that point forward I knew my future would have to be me filling my cup full as an entertainer or better yet an artist. When I went off to College to study Business Administration, I maintained a relationship with dance and music and stayed a part of organizations that allowed me to embrace that. Post-graduation was a real journey for me. Immediately I wanted to start my own fashion business, titled” Craft n Pieces” and create my own assets, and flourish within the entertainment industry. I was doing several music videos, I was an assistant to a casting director, I did movie background work, I even got cast with a speaking role in a film titled, “The ‘Partments” which was going to be produced b 2Chainz and Street Execs; unfortunately, the movie never happened. I thought my journey post-graduation was going to be easy, but I found myself on a journey trying to decide exactly where and who I was supposed to be and what exactly I was supposed to do once things did not come out as smooth as I thought it would be.
At first, I was pretty confident that my business would pop as soon as I launched it, and I, of course, would be discovered and signed to a label immediately, but of course, it never happens like that. Things did not pop as quickly as I would have liked them too which in some ways became discouraging. I had so many (who did not understand) in my ear expecting me to do this traditional type career and do that, telling me to be something I never wanted to be or do, which in some ways made me feel as if maybe the entertainment industry was not for me. Even though my determination to make it somehow, I still had my doubts and even allowed the naysayers to confuse me, however, life constantly kept pushing me in the direction of music. I first recorded a song when I was in high school just for fun, rapping on a track. I remember when people heard it everyone was shocked that I could rap, in fact, I was shocked that I could as well, but that never made me feel as though I wanted to pursue rap alone.
Post College grad in 2015, I met with some producers and created a song titled. “When It’s Over” which was my first REAL song, the funny thing about that song was that it took me three years to actually build the confidence to put the song out for the world, however, everything happens on it’s on perfect timing. I had got to a point where I felt like I had done every job, tasted certain parts of the entertainment industry, did fashion, and dappled in dance yet something was STILL missing and the puzzle was myself, or better yet music, me being an artist. In 2018, I released “When It’s Over” on my SoundCloud. A few months later in January of 2019, I placed my first Streamed song on all Platforms, titled “Werk” and just released a new song titled, “XSCAPE.” The thing that I knew I was supposed to be doing since I was a little girl, I finally felt the courage to actually do it. I had to learn how to face my fears and embrace the process, now I LOVE the process, because I know I can take this so far, and hopefully, my supporters and fans will enjoy it as well. The process is not easy, but it sure is worth it, and I am just getting started.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not been easy. I have had many ups and downs, and many times where I felt like giving up, or I was supposed to be in a different position. Some struggles that I had were internal struggles of just stepping outside of myself and really allowing me to be seen, I have had several financial struggles, where one minute I was secured then the next I wasn’t. I even had times where I decided to invest in something and then did not know how the hell I was going to pay my rent. I have had struggles of questioning what I wanted to be or do allowing other peoples fears to affect me. I will tell women to SHAKE THAT OFF. We have a lot of feminine powerful energy. The best advice for woman, in the world of social media, is to embrace who you are. If you are young, there is no need to rush (this is something that I am working on myself) but that does not mean be lazy either. Do not let anyone outwork you, and be able to sacrifice for what you want. Also, there is nothing wrong with demanding what you want.
Sometimes, when woman do that they get called, mean or a Bitch, but no one respects a coward. There have been plenty of times where I wanted to say no but ended up saying yes, and I was the only one that did not benefit from it. Demand what you want in a respectful way, but be yourself. If you embrace who you are, you will have more longevity in whatever field you choose. Do what you have to do to make yourself better if that means being alone for a while. Do not let the world pressure you into thinking that at a certain age you need to be married with a child a lot of money two new cars, and your dream job. Nope, I hate to break it to you but that is not realistic. Spend time to get to know yourself and work for what you want until you are at least comfortable or until you reach your destination.
Please tell us about Maryam Craft.
I currently have my own fashion business called, “Craft n Pieces.” This is my online fashion store business that I created for young adult male and female fashions. I also am a music artist and dancer. I song write a lot of my music which I hopefully can release this year. I have a song streaming on all platforms right now, titled “WERK!” I am most proud of my music! With all that, I have learned from business and marketing, I am excited to bring that to the table of music creating content and visuals for my songs, and seeing where that lands myself.
The thing that sets me apart from others is that I feel as though I am true to myself, and I think that reflects in my music, my dance, and content. I want to inspire others to be themselves as well. I just want everyone to win, that deserves too. Plus, there are so many things that I want to do with my platform once I am able, outside of music. Hopefully, I can use my platform to help those in need in ways that I would have liked growing up.
Who have you been inspired by?
I have several women that have inspired me. A lot of musical female artist have inspired me with their stage presence and strength. Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Selena, Janet Jackson, even Cardi B to name just a few. Others in entertainment such as Oprah, Michelle Obama, Tyra Banks, and several others the list goes on and on. I have had some female family members and even friends that have inspired me. Many of the women that inspire me are boss like type females.
As I got older, my mom became an inspiration to me. Not just seeing her as a mom, but now seeing her as a person outside of being a mother as I got older. I realized a lot of the sacrifices and hard work she gives is embedded in me. Just seeing her independence and work ethic, while balancing that with being a mom, grandmother, and even an evangelist, lets me know that I can do anything I want. There is this tamed power in my mom, that I know she can tap into when she feels like it. (Laughs)
Contact Info:
- Website: cnpieces.com, www.etsy.com/shop/craftnpiecesboutique
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @maryam.craft
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryam.craft
- Twitter: @creativecraftmc
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