Hi Maripo$a, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a singer, songwriter, and stylist who grew up in Miami, Florida and now live in Los Angeles, California. Creativity is my whole life, music has helped me understand the highs and lows that come with it. Growing up was hard and I experienced things that I knew were different from those around me. That emotion affected me in the best way possible because it fueled me and taught me at a young age to have a strong back bone and discipline myself with determination. It built character and I discovered that I had something that was always going to be there for me, which was music. Recognizing that I had that tool, I depended on it and utilized it every chance I got. I would always write as a kid, make silly songs up with my siblings and try to pick up different instruments, anything musically inclined brought me happiness.
When I was in elementary school, I wrote my first poem which got published and then reassured and motivated me to continue writing. In high school, I started musical theatre which really taught me the commitment behind a production. I became fascinated with it all, and everything started to click for me. After graduating, I wrote and released my first single. I worked with my producer in Miami, Florida who I still use to this day. I signed myself up to perform for people in networking events and everywhere I could which contributed to my growth as a person, and an artist. After a few years I saved enough money to move to LA where I was committed to fulfill my dreams. I created my brand Maripo$a, my emotions, fashion, music all in one.
When first getting here, I released a track and video entitled “Gem” In which I really tapped into my fashionable statements and locked in that recognizable vibe. As a stylist it’s always been easy for me to create moods and looks that compliment my music. Being here for two years, I’ve released four songs which were Gem, Shut up, Get Well Soon, and Call Me Back (which is my most recent release). Each song has helped me reflect and tap into emotions that weren’t on the surface. It’s nice to be able to reflect on past tracks and hear your self improvement. With understanding the process and being patient paired with the momentum I’ve been building it seemed to pay off with my last two recent singles. “Get Well Soon” getting 25,000 streams and my most recent, “Call Me Back”, with over 75,000 streams. I put my skills to the test directing the music video for “Call Me Back” which just reached 10,000 streams on Youtube.
I’ve had a lot of positive feedback towards this single which reassures why I do what I do in the first place, being able to reach and inspire people with the art I produce from my heart is an incredible feeling. I didn’t think it was possible back then but that new found glory has changed my life. I want to be able to continue to inspire and reach people who have been through difficult times and to know that anything is possible, to follow your dreams because you’re worth it. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel and I want to be that reminder to the world, within myself, my music, and everything I live for. Maripo$a symbolizes the growth of life, from unhitching out of my cocoon to spreading my wings and soaring high and above to turning my dreams into a reality.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s definitely been a bit challenging to get to where I am, but I’m thankful for that. My family didn’t have much after the sudden passing of my dad. I was raised by my grandma and nanny at a young age with four other siblings. We’ve all been each other’s support systems growing up, knowing we were all each other had. I have a really close relationship with my whole family so leaving to move to LA was something that was hard for me to do. I knew that it was worth it because I was finally doing something that truly felt right and was following my heart. My family is a big motivator in everything I do, I want to make it not only for myself, but to give them everything I can because they deserve it.
Moving to LA was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. A transition for the better, it changed my life in ways I couldn’t have ever imagined. The opportunity here is available at your fingertips, and they seem endless. You really have to meet the right kind of people that have your best interest at heart, which I’m fortunate to have found and continue to grow and seek. It’s important that everyone around me is creating and supporting the vision because that energy helps build a positive environment to work in. I think with every greatness comes obstacles and challenges and it’s being able to overcome them with something meaningful that makes this journey special.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
Every song I create comes with a lot of emotion, which is the best part about music to me. Being able to unknowingly discover things about yourself when you’re writing your heart out. I have a home studio in LA where I record everything and feel most in my element when I’m in there. I took piano lessons when I was younger, so I like to have a keyboard accessible when I’m in a session. That nostalgic feeling helps when i’m writing a song, a lot of my inspiration comes from life experiences and expressing the unspoken. It’s also an escape from the world for me, it’s fun to invent and discover versatility within my own music realm.
I have no specific template I use when creating, it naturally comes out at random times. I’ve come to realize that a lot of the time the best songs happen when you’re not striving for perfection. At the end of the day as long as I’m getting what’s off my chest and I like it, then I can only hope that the listeners do too. I get connected with every song I make, I can’t help but envision myself in places, colors, and themes. That’s where my styling comes into play, creating a photoshoot, album cover, or music video for each project. I push myself to give my all when working and I enjoy giving myself a challenge to execute into my own little production.
Can you talk about how you think about risk?
What’s life without a risk? Staying in your comfort zone isn’t going to get you where you need to be and that’s one of the most valuable things I’ve learned. You need to be able to get comfortable with the unknown in order to grow as a person, the biggest risk a person can take is to do nothing. Taking chances and putting yourself out there is all worth it, no matter the amount of time, money, stress, sweat or tears that come to pass. Being able to acknowledge that has allowed me to broaden my horizons with clarity. Moving to LA with a little bit of money, leaving family, putting all my time and effort into something, sure it’s all a risk but that’s a part of the adventure. As long as you’re chasing your dreams and tunnel vision on your path the world is yours with unlimited power and it’ll reward you for trusting it.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariposabih/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChG772RyrY336Pi6ZUupY2A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FELSVK_ibLI - SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mariposafairy
Image Credits
Migella Acorssi, Remy Milchman, Kiona Vickroy, Maripo$a
