Where did it all begin? I came to LA, wide-eyed and bushy tailed like so many dreamers with big starry dreams in their eyes. Right from the beginning, I could see it and taste it. I was visualizing my future before I knew and had the actual definition of the practice of visualization. I was the underdog that so many overlooked, underestimated, but I had that tunnel vision focus that was not going to let a closed door get in my way. In fact I was the annoyingly perseverant one who would keep knocking until I wore them down and they had no other option but to open the door. I was used to having to prove to others that I was worthy of being there, I wasn’t afraid of putting in the extra work. I knew what I wanted, and deep down inside knew I had what it took. But I was also human. As much as I’d like to tell you that I was Wonder Woman, and the doubts of others just bounced off of me, that I could effortlessly “shake it off” as Mariah and Taylor have both sung, I’d be lying to you. I struggled with and still do battle imposter syndrome, and it was constantly fed not only by the nay-sayers and the doubters around me, but of course the reality of the music industry: an industry where comparison is encouraged. Where beauty and talent are a dime a dozen, so it’s made to seem like we can only survive in this industry with scarcity mentality, like chickens scratching around, instead of eagles soaring in the ever expansive glorious blue sky knowing that their wings will never clip, and that there’s more than enough space for each of them. There’s the false belief that there’s only so many spots available to be the top pop, R&B, urban artist, to be everybody’s darling, the superstar. That with auditions or showcases only a few get chosen, and sometimes it’s not completely all about talent. Sometimes knowing the right people, having the right connections, having money, having the look, having the right amount of social media followers can make all the difference. Don’t get me started with social medial, it’s made the music and entertainment industry a different world. It really can seem like a complete conundrum when you meet some of the most talented people you wonder why they’re not signed, why their songs don’t have millions of streams, why they’re not on festival stages, or why they’re not topping the billboard charts? Sometimes it’s all about “luck” with one viral song, likeability and marketability. If you’ve got the followers, and they can turn you into a brand, get you the songwriters, sprinkle in a bit of auto-tune and production magic in the studio and in the live performance tracks, then voila they have an entertainer that’s going to bring them some cash cha-ching!
Where did I leave off? Okay back to me: I’ve always been a dreamer, couldn’t keep my feet on the ground, head always in the clouds with fantastical dreams. I was miserable on the practical, structured, safe, 9-5 path, the thought of following that through for decades until retirement literally made me sick to my stomach. I didn’t like the visual of who I would turn into if I remained on that path (the Grinch, Scrooge, and Grumpy Dwarf put together would have NOTHING on me, let’s put it that way). So I finally decided to grow some balls and start doing what not only brought life to my heart, but set it on FIRE! I came ALIVE with music in ways I couldn’t imagine: performing, recording, all of it was exhilarating, I couldn’t get enough of it, I didn’t want it to stop! I had made a list of dream goals I wanted to accomplish in my hometown city, because what did I have to lose, why not try, right? Well sure enough, bit by bit, that list kept getting ticked with check marks (so much so that the day I felt in my gut to revisit the journal pages that held my list, I got goose bumps from head to toe realizing that I had accomplished the things I had set out to do). And there were even sweeter surprise moments where opportunities that I would have never dreamed of fell into my lap. But it wasn’t all a walk in the park, this was amidst many who never gave me the time of day, I had to fight and keep proving myself, keeping it real, being the underdog was exhausting. But the more and more I tasted of this thing called music, I couldn’t get enough and was not going to turn around and retreat, no matter what others did or didn’t believe. It was the sweetest thing I had ever tasted and I was not about to let it go for any doubter or nay-sayer (I had to do and be me). When I got to the point of doing all I could do in my hometown city (like hitting a glass ceiling, like many who leave their towns, cities, and countries to come to a city like LA to test out the waters and also for the hopes of expansion and growth), I knew that it was time to either really take “the leap of faith” and try giving it all I got in LA, or either keep doing the same thing in my city and be okay with what I knew would come to feel like the stagnant, complacency (the very things that once excited me would become redundant), or leave music knowing that I did all that I could locally in my city and find something new to pursue (I knew that last one was not an option).
Like most people who leave what they call home (not just family and friends, but their city, state, province, country, continent) to pursue a risky dream, I mean it sounds downright crazy. But the over-looming weight of regret, which is the alternative option, is by far not worth it. I would be lying to you if I told you it was all glamorous. In fact it was the polar opposite of that: moving to Tinseltown so far has been one of the hardest things I have done in my life. They are not lying to you when they say that “La-La Land” will TEST you, stretch you, and chew you up and spit you out (if you let it). This is a city that really tests how much you want your dream. In fact if you can survive in cities like LA or NYC, I’m convinced you can survive ANYWHERE! It’s one of the top 3-5 most expensive cities in this country, now add on top of that trying to survive as a creative. Let’s keep it real, when you have a corporate six figure job, that’s a whole other world, but until you’re bringing in Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Adele earnings, as a creative it’s a struggle to survive in this city, in fact I think so many of us deserve gold stars. Cost of living ain’t cheap (don’t get me started with cost of gas, rent, and inflation out here)! On top of that you’re hit with the reality check that you’re surrounded with the best of the best talent wise. It’s easy to get lost, forgotten, or blend into a city where EVERYONE is trying to stand out! It’s like you leave the lake or river of your city, and come to the big ocean of top talent, all the big fish from around the world all swim over here to pursue dreams just like you. It’s inspiring, but also overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there is someone who may be deemed more beautiful, who can sing higher, who can sing with more power, who can outdo you with vocal runs and riffs, who can dance so much better than you.
It’s a feat if you’re able to save up enough money after all bills are paid, there are so many areas when you’re pursuing a career in music that constantly are demanding investment whether it’s more music gear for playing/performing or production, vocal coaching, music workshops/panels, industry membership groups, recording/studio time, investing in production and engineering, getting your project manufactured and released. Then after that there the marketing investment for getting followers and new fans to stream your stuff, getting people to come support you at your single or album release, the money needed to pay for gas, meals, and musicians to tour. It’s never-ending with investment and so many artists, songwriters, producers, DJs are hoping that all of their investment will at least break even, or better yet everybody’s dream of “making it” (actually making GOOD money doing what you love! That the royalties, the sold out shows and tours will by far make the investment worth it)!!! There is no guarantee, it really is a tough industry where you have to be in it because you LOVE it. There are so many ways to get rich and/or famous faster and with greater chances of guarantee (you can go to medical, law, dentistry or business school with greater guarantee of wealth after you graduate, work hard and make your way “up the ladder”. You probably have higher chances of overnight guaranteed fame becoming an influencer). The music and entertainment industry is not for the faint of heart, you definitely have to have a thick skin. It’s the passion that keeps you going because there are MANY days where you’re at rock bottom in the valley wondering why you’re doing this, ready to throw in the towel. But it’s the sweet mountain top moments when you’re on the stage, when you’re creating a song that you know is GOLD (that you’ve got magic in your hands), when you feel like you’re on cloud 9 and can record in a studio for HOURS on end, or can do take after take on set for your music video, those are signs that you’re doing not only what you LOVE, but what you’re born to do. If you can co something for HOURS, lose track of time, and would even be willing to do it for free? That’s a big sign. When nothing else brings you that much joy or fulfillment, when you’ll go through the crap just to get to the few and far between glory moments, then you know that that’s YOUR THANG!
Can I keep it real with you? I have faced so many giants that I know I wouldn’t have encountered had I stayed within the comfortable path I was on in my hometown city. I left behind absolute security and comfort: shopping whenever I wanted, eating at 4 or 5 star restaurants one to two times per week, travelling one to two times per year, just LIVING LIFE! And when I came to LA, saying that I was humbled and had to make some BIG sacrifices is putting it mildly. And not only that I faced some very unexpected unpleasant life surprises that wouldn’t have happened had I stayed put in my hometown city such as: sleepless nights where I’d be up at 4AM wondering how rent or other bills would get paid, having to make a dollar and penny stretch, coming to LA pretty much with a suitcase and keyboard and having to rebuild from ground up, missing my deep friendships and struggling to start from ground zero with cultivating new deep friendships, having to also re-start with creative relationships (finding and meeting new collaborators, venues to perform in, re-establishing myself as an artist period out here and feeling like I’m re-starting at home base, ect)
This has been the roller coaster adventure of a lifetime with soaring highs and volatile low deep valley pit falls. Did I know what I signed up for? No, BUT I don’t regret the person it has turned me into, the character, and perseverance it’s developed have been invaluable. Do I know how it’s gonna end? Have I reached the dream yet? No, but so far it’s definitely created a story that’s been anything but dull (my friends, consider this the Cliff-Notes version of it all), and I guess we’ll just have to see what the next chapter holds, to be continued…
Where did it all begin? I came to LA, wide-eyed and bushy tailed like so many dreamers with big starry dreams in their eyes. Right from the beginning, I could see it and taste it. I was visualizing my future before I knew and had the actual definition of the practice of visualization. I was the underdog that so many overlooked, underestimated, but I had that tunnel vision focus that was not going to let a closed door get in my way. In fact I was the annoyingly perseverant one who would keep knocking until I wore them down and they had no other option but to open the door. I was used to having to prove to others that I was worthy of being there, I wasn’t afraid of putting in the extra work. I knew what I wanted, and deep down inside knew I had what it took. But I was also human. As much as I’d like to tell you that I was Wonder Woman, and the doubts of others just bounced off of me, that I could effortlessly “shake it off” as Mariah and Taylor have both sung, I’d be lying to you. I struggled with and still do battle imposter syndrome, and it was constantly fed not only by the nay-sayers and the doubters around me, but of course the reality of the music industry: an industry where comparison is encouraged. Where beauty and talent are a dime a dozen, so it’s made to seem like we can only survive in this industry with scarcity mentality, like chickens scratching around, instead of eagles soaring in the ever expansive glorious blue sky knowing that their wings will never clip, and that there’s more than enough space for each of them. There’s the false belief that there’s only so many spots available to be the top pop, R&B, urban artist, to be everybody’s darling, the superstar. That with auditions or showcases only a few get chosen, and sometimes it’s not completely all about talent. Sometimes knowing the right people, having the right connections, having money, having the look, having the right amount of social media followers can make all the difference. Don’t get me started with social medial, it’s made the music and entertainment industry a different world. It really can seem like a complete conundrum when you meet some of the most talented people you wonder why they’re not signed, why their songs don’t have millions of streams, why they’re not on festival stages, or why they’re not topping the billboard charts? Sometimes it’s all about “luck” with one viral song, likeability and marketability. If you’ve got the followers, and they can turn you into a brand, get you the songwriters, sprinkle in a bit of auto-tune and production magic in the studio and in the live performance tracks, then voila they have an entertainer that’s going to bring them some cash cha-ching!
Where did I leave off? Okay back to me: I’ve always been a dreamer, couldn’t keep my feet on the ground, head always in the clouds with fantastical dreams. I was miserable on the practical, structured, safe, 9-5 path, the thought of following that through for decades until retirement literally made me sick to my stomach. I didn’t like the visual of who I would turn into if I remained on that path (the Grinch, Scrooge, and Grumpy Dwarf put together would have NOTHING on me, let’s put it that way). So I finally decided to grow some balls and start doing what not only brought life to my heart, but set it on FIRE! I came ALIVE with music in ways I couldn’t imagine: performing, recording, all of it was exhilarating, I couldn’t get enough of it, I didn’t want it to stop! I had made a list of dream goals I wanted to accomplish in my hometown city, because what did I have to lose, why not try, right? Well sure enough, bit by bit, that list kept getting ticked with check marks (so much so that the day I felt in my gut to revisit the journal pages that held my list, I got goose bumps from head to toe realizing that I had accomplished the things I had set out to do). And there were even sweeter surprise moments where opportunities that I would have never dreamed of fell into my lap. But it wasn’t all a walk in the park, this was amidst many who never gave me the time of day, I had to fight and keep proving myself, keeping it real, being the underdog was exhausting. But the more and more I tasted of this thing called music, I couldn’t get enough and was not going to turn around and retreat, no matter what others did or didn’t believe. It was the sweetest thing I had ever tasted and I was not about to let it go for any doubter or nay-sayer (I had to do and be me). When I got to the point of doing all I could do in my hometown city (like hitting a glass ceiling, like many who leave their towns, cities, and countries to come to a city like LA to test out the waters and also for the hopes of expansion and growth), I knew that it was time to either really take “the leap of faith” and try giving it all I got in LA, or either keep doing the same thing in my city and be okay with what I knew would come to feel like the stagnant, complacency (the very things that once excited me would become redundant), or leave music knowing that I did all that I could locally in my city and find something new to pursue (I knew that last one was not an option).
Like most people who leave what they call home (not just family and friends, but their city, state, province, country, continent) to pursue a risky dream, I mean it sounds downright crazy. But the over-looming weight of regret, which is the alternative option, is by far not worth it. I would be lying to you if I told you it was all glamorous. In fact it was the polar opposite of that: moving to Tinseltown so far has been one of the hardest things I have done in my life. They are not lying to you when they say that “La-La Land” will TEST you, stretch you, and chew you up and spit you out (if you let it). This is a city that really tests how much you want your dream. In fact if you can survive in cities like LA or NYC, I’m convinced you can survive ANYWHERE! It’s one of the top 3-5 most expensive cities in this country, now add on top of that trying to survive as a creative. Let’s keep it real, when you have a corporate six figure job, that’s a whole other world, but until you’re bringing in Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Adele earnings, as a creative it’s a struggle to survive in this city, in fact I think so many of us deserve gold stars. Cost of living ain’t cheap (don’t get me started with cost of gas, rent, and inflation out here)! On top of that you’re hit with the reality check that you’re surrounded with the best of the best talent wise. It’s easy to get lost, forgotten, or blend into a city where EVERYONE is trying to stand out! It’s like you leave the lake or river of your city, and come to the big ocean of top talent, all the big fish from around the world all swim over here to pursue dreams just like you. It’s inspiring, but also overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there is someone who may be deemed more beautiful, who can sing higher, who can sing with more power, who can outdo you with vocal runs and riffs, who can dance so much better than you.
It’s a feat if you’re able to save up enough money after all bills are paid, there are so many areas when you’re pursuing a career in music that constantly are demanding investment whether it’s more music gear for playing/performing or production, vocal coaching, music workshops/panels, industry membership groups, recording/studio time, investing in production and engineering, getting your project manufactured and released. Then after that there the marketing investment for getting followers and new fans to stream your stuff, getting people to come support you at your single or album release, the money needed to pay for gas, meals, and musicians to tour. It’s never-ending with investment and so many artists, songwriters, producers, DJs are hoping that all of their investment will at least break even, or better yet everybody’s dream of “making it” (actually making GOOD money doing what you love! That the royalties, the sold out shows and tours will by far make the investment worth it)!!! There is no guarantee, it really is a tough industry where you have to be in it because you LOVE it. There are so many ways to get rich and/or famous faster and with greater chances of guarantee (you can go to medical, law, dentistry or business school with greater guarantee of wealth after you graduate, work hard and make your way “up the ladder”. You probably have higher chances of overnight guaranteed fame becoming an influencer). The music and entertainment industry is not for the faint of heart, you definitely have to have a thick skin. It’s the passion that keeps you going because there are MANY days where you’re at rock bottom in the valley wondering why you’re doing this, ready to throw in the towel. But it’s the sweet mountain top moments when you’re on the stage, when you’re creating a song that you know is GOLD (that you’ve got magic in your hands), when you feel like you’re on cloud 9 and can record in a studio for HOURS on end, or can do take after take on set for your music video, those are signs that you’re doing not only what you LOVE, but what you’re born to do. If you can co something for HOURS, lose track of time, and would even be willing to do it for free? That’s a big sign. When nothing else brings you that much joy or fulfillment, when you’ll go through the crap just to get to the few and far between glory moments, then you know that that’s YOUR THANG!
Can I keep it real with you? I have faced so many giants that I know I wouldn’t have encountered had I stayed within the comfortable path I was on in my hometown city. I left behind absolute security and comfort: shopping whenever I wanted, eating at 4 or 5 star restaurants one to two times per week, travelling one to two times per year, just LIVING LIFE! And when I came to LA, saying that I was humbled and had to make some BIG sacrifices is putting it mildly. And not only that I faced some very unexpected unpleasant life surprises that wouldn’t have happened had I stayed put in my hometown city such as: sleepless nights where I’d be up at 4AM wondering how rent or other bills would get paid, having to make a dollar and penny stretch, coming to LA pretty much with a suitcase and keyboard and having to rebuild from ground up, missing my deep friendships and struggling to start from ground zero with cultivating new deep friendships, having to also re-start with creative relationships (finding and meeting new collaborators, venues to perform in, re-establishing myself as an artist period out here and feeling like I’m re-starting at home base, ect)
This has been the roller coaster adventure of a lifetime with soaring highs and volatile low deep valley pit falls. Did I know what I signed up for? No, BUT I don’t regret the person it has turned me into, the character, and perseverance it’s developed have been invaluable. Do I know how it’s gonna end? Have I reached the dream yet? No, but so far it’s definitely created a story that’s been anything but dull (my friends, consider this the Cliff-Notes version of it all), and I guess we’ll just have to see what the next chapter holds, to be continued…
Words by Flo Oramasionwu
Words by Flo Oramasionwu
Words by Flo Oramasionwu
LaLa Roller Coaster
LaLa Roller Coaster
LaLa Roller Coaster
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©PIGEON Magazine 2025
©SomeKidStudio inc
©PIGEON Magazine 2025
©SomeKidStudio inc
