We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaien Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kaien, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Growing up I was extremely shy, I wasn’t very good at public speaking or being the centre of attention. My older sister was the one who really pushed me out of my comfort zone, believing in me and encouraging me to put myself out there and share my music with the world. I never really thought I was good enough at singing or playing guitar or writing songs at first but over time I worked on releasing my self doubt and focused on freely expressing my creations with confidence. It’s an on going thing I have to work on but Its definitely gotten a lot better, performing is something I work on the most because when I’m in the studio recording it’s a lot easier for me to be in my own world but when i’m on stage I really have to release my fears of being judged and my self judgement so that my pure expression can come forward.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Kaien Cruz is a versatile artist, encompassing roles as a songwriter, singer, performer, and visionary. Hailing from the quaint town of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Kaien embarked on their musical odyssey as a form of creative expression and personal therapy, confined to the sanctuary of their bedroom. In 2015, the turning point arrived when Kaien posted a 15-second clip on Instagram, propelling their name into the spotlight of the South African Music Industry. This newfound recognition led to a plethora of collaborations and opportunities, including a chart-topping radio hit, a nomination for the prestigious South African Music Awards, and the opportunity of opening for Justin Bieber’s Purpose Tour in 2018.
Kaien had initially secured a full soccer scholarship at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal but opted for a different path due to their rapid growth as an artist. In 2020, Kaien made the pivotal decision to relocate to Los Angeles, a move that exposed them to the challenges and opportunities of the music industry during the throes of a global pandemic. In this new environment, Kaien skillfully harnessed their intuition and received guidance that has since propelled their career.
Notably, Kaien has been at the forefront of empowering independent artists, leveraging cutting-edge technology tools in the crypto and NFT space to fund their groundbreaking projects, including ‘Demos For Ransom,’ ‘Buffering,’ and an innovative music NFT project titled ‘Back In Time,’ developed in collaboration with the renowned graphic artist Somehoodlum. Concurrently, Kaien has forged strategic brand partnerships with American Eagle, FILA, and MOTHER, effectively showcasing their multifaceted passions for music, fashion, and sports.
Originating from a humble working-class family with no prior knowledge or experience in the entertainment world, Kaien navigated each challenge with determination. Recently, they have completed a comprehensive body of work slated for release in late October 2023, aptly named ‘KAIEN.’ This self-titled project serves as a culmination of their journey of self-discovery, the dynamics of relationships, and the profound lessons learned throughout their life. Kaien’s artistic ethos revolves around transcending traditional boundaries, defying gender and genre conventions, and liberating creativity from the confines of preconceived notions.
The principle that Kaien lives by is one of boundless creation, unburdened by constraints or categorizations. As we look ahead, we anticipate exciting times on the horizon, as Kaien’s artistic voyage continues to unfold. While the extent of their future endeavors remains unwritten, one thing is clear: Kaien Cruz will undoubtedly remain a guiding light of inspiration for individuals worldwide.
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?
“Growing up my parents instilled hard work in us, to not give up when faced with challenges but to be persistent and believe that anything we set our minds to is possible.”
“My earliest memory of music is when I was about 3 or 4yrs old and at my preschool we had this part of the day where the teacher would put on these upbeat rock type songs and the whole class would dance. I remember so clearly, immediately breaking out into air guitar every time and from then on I would beg my parents to buy me a guitar. When I was 8 I eventually got an acoustic guitar for my birthday and that was the pivotal moment for me. As soon as I could play a chord progression I liked the sound of, I started writing my own songs and without getting that guitar when I was 8, I think my life would look very different today.”
“Its important to work on your craft consistently over time, don’t rush the process and you’ll be amazed at how far you come.”
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
“My sister is someone I was blessed to have around me growing up, she always believed in me and pushed me to grow and get out of my comfort zone. It’s so supportive to have that one person that is unwavering and helps you stay on track when life’s challenges arise”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaiencruz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaienCruz/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaienCruz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/kaiencruz
Image Credits
Black/white portrait – Michael Stephens Night sky- Michael Oritz KAIEN artwork- Anna Dickson Black/white reflections- Kaien Cruz
