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What an experience! Traveling from Atlanta Georgia to Dallas Texas to shoot my second music video, attend Ice Cube’s BIG3 event and to encounter my first live interview. As an artist I am extremely passionate about my craft. Going through lengthy measures, such as taking a 12 hour road trip across the country to turn my vision into a reality. Independent artists call the shots when it comes to the creative process from writing and recording the song, the production, styling and wardrobe, scouting out locations, hiring the necessary team to assist with the production down to the distribution of the record and any art that is associated.
Why Dallas? I was given the opportunity to work with an amazing production team on my first music video which was shot in New Mexico. Behind The Scenes agency is located in Dallas Texas and they deliver amazing, professional and quality work. Turning my vision from an idea into a body of work that executes and displays this gracefully. After collaborating with them on my first project, it was only right to work with them on my second project as well. Originally I was going to fly into Dallas and rent a car for the duration of my trip. However, after planning the video I knew that I would need as much space as possible to ensure that I had everything that I needed to make this video a success from; my wardrobe, props, and equipment to the food that I would need to maintain my diet and vegan lifestyle.
As a raw vegan of 12 years I’ve discovered that it is most convenient for me when I can pack and prepare food for my trips. From prepping my meals, to packing certain herbs, spices and minerals that I use on a daily basis. I even travel with my blender! Imagine 12 hours on the road and having your breakfast, lunch, dinner and road snacks already made. It truly makes my life easier this way because the probability of finding raw vegan restaurants can be slim to none while traveling to some cities. It is better to be prepared! Not to mention that road trips create the perfect time to be exposed to so much while on the drive. Oftentimes I will stop in certain cities just to catch a quick glimpse of their vibe and culture. Park the car and meditate, truly connecting with myself and nature if you will.
There is something so liberating about traveling from state to state, especially as you’re driving, seeing the changes in the environment around you from the trees, to the temperature, the different accents that you hear as you stop to get gas at the gas station. Traveling fuels my spirit, renews me in so many ways. How freeing it is to hit the open road with nothing but your own energy, some good food and music. Not to mention the courage it takes to travel 12 hours alone in a car. A humbling emotion that I reflect upon with each road trip that I’ve taken.
After 12 long hours on the road I made it to Texas at 10pm that night. My team immediately put me to work! We finished the night with wardrobe fittings, camera and angle preparation as well as ensuring that the schedule was well put together for the following day as we would be shooting the video at two different locations. My alarm went off at 4am the next morning, I rehearsed my choreography one last time, packed the car and drove an hour to the makeup artist to get my makeup done. Our call time for location 1 was 10am and once I had my makeup done I’d never felt more ready to begin creating this video. We finished at location 1 and headed over to location 2 where the entire team showed up and showed out to deliver my vision on camera.
One of the best feelings in the world is to have an idea, plan it out for months, turn that idea into a reality, and for the art that you’ve created to turn out exactly how you envisioned it to be! Having a team and one that believes in you, believes in themselves first to bring their craft and talent to the production and to work cohesively and effectively to create a masterpiece is essential. This experience allowed me to appreciate having the ability to work with others who I can share my ideas with, and for them to receive it in a way where they show up just as passionately. Just as eager and ready to come together and to simply create. As an artist, a creative, a human navigating through life you cannot do this successfully without a tribe, a community and a team. I hold so much gratitude in my heart for each and everyone that I am given the opportunity to connect, work, and to exchange energy with.
Which takes me to the next part of my trip and the importance of supporting one another. Behind The Scenes Agency invited me to Ice Cube’s Big 3 event the following day to be interviewed by DFWIradi. Shoutout to BigHusky for my very first interview as a recording artist.
As you’ll see in the video I was given the opportunity to meet and connect with rapper, actor, and filmmaker Ice Cube and to network with some other amazingly talented people. Leaving the Big 3 event that evening we wanted to unwind from the very busy couple of days that we had. Therefore deciding to stop at a beach that we discovered on our drive back into the city. I love the water, the beach is my place of peace. It truly was the perfect ending to the night as we watched the sunset while our feet engulfed the currents of the water, soaking up every minute of this tranquil setting.
The next day, although more relaxed than the last couple of days, was productive nonetheless. We began our day with a photoshoot consisting of two different looks followed by a shoot specifically for my brand Kiokyo which means to live authentically in your purpose. Before taking on music seriously as the artist Kioyko I established my wellness brand in 2018.
The purpose behind starting the brand was to share my many years of knowledge as a vegan, my awareness of spirituality and healing as well as to help heal the community. My website includes vegan recipes, assistance with how to properly transition, knowledge of the body and natural medicine, 100% hand poured vegan kandles, cleansing sage, seamoss, and so much more. Ultimately, one of my goals is to bring wellness, lifestyle and fashion together with music and NFTS.
Thank you so much for watching and supporting my art. I hope that you enjoyed this video and that if you haven’t already seen the music video for Learn My Body check it out on youtube. The visual turned out really dope! I want to again thank my team and everyone associated with the production for this video.
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