We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Qway Starchild a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Qway , sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I owe my life to my family, friends, and loved ones who have my best interest at heart. The only reason why I have persisted is because of them; I have made certain promises, the kind that you cannot run from. My mental health issues has become a part of my journey, I now embrace them and work to eradicate them completely, or at best, operate in the greatest capacity while maintaining a sort of balance. Throughout this journey, those around me have taken the mantle and have chosen to endure the same journey with me, for the sake of my sanity. I mean that much to them to the point that they’d be willing to assist me with this. And in all honesty, I am not perfect, I am flawed and can become difficult and stubborn. My loved ones endure those trying moments with me to ensure my wellness. I love them. My music is another thing that I owe my life to, regarding my mental health issues. I know it may sound cliche, but Hip-Hop has changed my life; music is one of the main reasons why I’m still breathing. Finally, I must thank the Most High for everything, I thank the Most High for blessing me with the music and family and friends and supporters that are in my corner. I am a warrior who battles severe depression, anxiety, and has survived things far more detrimental. I stand with everyone who is/has battled mental health. I’m here for you!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a Hip-Hop Artist, that goes by a plethora of many names, but you can call me Qway Starchild. My story is fairly simple, but complex, the further you peel back the layers. I am more than a rapper, a person who places words together in a rhyming format. I am an artist. I have the ability to convey the most sensitive emotions and thoughts in a manner that is appealing, sonically. In my opinion, to be considered an artist, one must devote time, energy, and a large piece of themselves to the art. Artists sacrifice, they prioritize their art above most in hopes of getting even an inch closer to mastery. I fell in love with Hip-Hop at an early age, and even if I never make it to the big leagues, I’d still continue to push the culture forward in any way that I can. Currently, I am working on an album titled, Hummingbirds & Butterflies. It’s like a therapy session, but with instrumentation. The music that I make is for the people. No shade, but I cannot rap about the vanity that has become the face of the culture. I consider myself a friend of the people, and my music is a direct reflection. I speak heavily on topics such as mental health issues, therapy, and seeking the power within oneself. We all have the capacity to be better than what we are, sometimes, we just need to hear it from someone, and that’s where I come in. The album will be released soon, I want to ensure that the consumers get the absolute best product that I can produce. My brand, “SBRLY.LFTD/KNW.MTTR” has become more than a brand, it is a mantra, a motto, a way of life. It stands for “Soberly Lifted/Know Matter.” To be Soberly Lifted is to naturally high, I do not condone the use of drugs or alcohol in my music, I do not smoke nor drink. To be Soberly Lifted is to have a clear mind, readily available for anything. Know Matter is the second part of the name and its meaning is rooted in life. Everything around us is considered matter; the buildings, trees, people, are all forms of matter. So to Know Matter means to know yourself and know the things that surrounds you. My goal is for those who don’t understand themselves to one day awaken to who they are, and I’d like for my music to be the thing that helps them come to the realization.
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?
On my journey as a Hip-Hop Artist, I feel that it is extremely vital to possess an open mind, tenacity, and passion. These three things are what makes a great artist in the culture. Passion is of great importance, if you are someone who wants to rap because it may be profitable, will surely fail. One must have a desire for the things that they are creating, whether it brings them money or not. Tenacity is a focal point, and it will assist you when things get tough. When the audience isn’t quite grasping the content you’re creating, you must be tenacious enough to persevere and create more. And lastly, having an open mind is the key to staying fluid as an artist. In a genre that is constantly moving such as Hip-Hop, you must be willing to escape the box that you will inevitably find yourself in. As an artist, you will develop your sound, but the key is to be fluid, try to blend your sound with others to create an even better sound. Never have a ceiling. When you look up in your studio, you should see stars, not ceilings.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I love to read, especially when it comes to character development. One important book that has played an important role has to be The Secret. It is a book that focuses on the power of the mind and the Law of Attraction. My life has drastically changed from coming across the knowledge of it. I make an attempt everyday to speak positivity in the air and then put my best foot forward on the path that I laid out. One of the most powerful nuggets of wisdom that the Law of Attraction is unbiased; whatever a person thinks and focuses on, whether it be negative or positive, will surely come to fruition. I always wondered why the same bad things that I focused on and were trying to avoid, were always there to trip me up. Once I replaced my thoughts with the opposite, good things began to happen. I found myself on the opposite end of negativity. I still am human and I will slip up from time to time, but having the knowledge to change it makes it all the better.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @QwayStarchild
- Facebook: @QwayStarchild
- Twitter: @QwayStarchild
- Youtube: @QwayStarchild
- SoundCloud: @QwayStarchild
Image Credits
V.Lenzes & Penny Grayweather
