Meet Jerome Prude

We recently connected with Jerome Prude and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jerome, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Since I was a teen I wanted to create. Growing up in an urban neighborhood it wasn’t many areas to gain a purpose from. But because that was my reality it pushed me to want to create content that people around me can relate to and that one day I can show the world that anyone from anywhere can do great things. I want to touch the hearts of folks who deal with depression, anxiety, suicidal thought, etc. to let them know they aren’t alone because I’ve felt hopeless. I still feel that way sometimes but I use that to drive me and create. It wasn’t until I performed my music for the first time and people I didn’t know walked up to me and said things like “wow that was real and deep, I felt that in my core, keep speaking the truth”. That right there let me know I found my calling.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a Rapper, Actor and a writer. I’ve been focusing on dropping my rebranded EP with new and improved songs. I make music more in the conscious side that shines the light on mental illnesses. I rap about dealing with anxiety, suicidal thought, being financially unstable, feeling lost, broken, unwanted, racial injustice, etc. I talk about the things that other artist don’t want to talk about which I get it. Some people make music to escape that reality but for me I need my music to be real. I don’t want to be the artist to where the listener thinks I have everything together because I don’t. Most of music fans that go see their favorite artist have hardships because they’re human. I make music about emotions because I’m human. In no different form anyone else. I’m also an actor still trying to audition and fight to land roles. It’s tough but I try everyday and network when I can. I’m currently writing my own show. It’s a young adult animation I’ve started 2 years ago. It includes genres such as Greek mythology, dark fantasy, drama, violence, things of that arena. But I’m really focusing on getting my music out there to touch the hearts of emotional beings who’s similar to me and creating my show that I believe will be great one day.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I believe in very ambitious, have high work ethic, and in very observant. I’m also a risk taker. These are the reason why I moved from Cleveland Ohio and arrived here in Los Angeles four years ago in the first place. From the beginning I always told myself that no matter what or who says what I’m going to pursue what I love no matter how hard it gets. My ambition surprises me sometimes because I get very hard on myself. I self sabotage at times and through my darkest times I still make time to imagine and create a new line that can become a song. I’ll find myself so depressed and sad watching a show or film and will think of a line to write for one of my characters in my show. No matter how hard I am on myself no matter how much I tell myself it will never work some spec of hope deep inside myself pushes out a bit of creativity and motivation, and it helps me get back to work and I feel amazing after I’ve created something through all that pain. My advice for people starting their journey as an artist is this. It’s going to be hard, very hard. You’re gonna cry. You’re gonna think you’re not good enough. You may be unemployed for a while. You may have writers block. You may make a song you think suck and give up for two days but if you’re someone who has that little spec of hope that pushes through the dark times then keep going because I promise you it’ll be worth it. I’m not where I want to be yet but when that little bit of hope pushing me to succeed it makes me feel like I’m at the peak of the mountain. Think Peter Pan’s Tinker bell, all it takes is for a little spec of pixie dust to help you fly

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe you should be more well rounded and focus on areas you aren’t that strong in as well. Like I said I am someone who deal with a lot of anxiety and I remember a time when I wrote a song to perform in front of my class, I was 17 years old. I had crippling stage fright, and I was afraid of what could go wrong instead of what can go right. I use to always think negatively and it’ll shut me down and force me to not show people who I really am. Being in a judgmental environment I was scared of what people may think. It wasn’t until I enrolled in drama school and was taught techniques on how to open up to the camera/audience, hone into those emotions and use them to bring my character to life, character work, acknowledging my struggles in front of others is when I became more at ease to show people what I can do. Not just my work but with anything. I use to speak extremely quietly, didn’t look people in the eye, and avoided human contact as much as possible(if they weren’t close friends). I’m still a bit of an introvert but when I talk I talk with more confidence, with things to say and with excitement. I still get nervous to go on stage but when the work starts I flow and get the work done. So I believe you need to focus on your weaknesses as well. It’ll help you in the long run. Your weaknesses and strengths co exist with one another.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rome.officiall
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@romeofficiall