Since freshman year, I knew I wanted to pursue music in some form. No matter how many times I questioned myself and changed my mind, I always returned to the concept of making music. Although I am just coming to terms with my dreams, this passion began when I was a small child. I was constantly surrounded by music. My mother was the first to expose me to the life of music, and as big as it seems, it was just her participation in our church's praise and worship team. It may not seem like much, but as a 7-year-old, it was a big deal to me. Seeing my mother go on stage every Sunday morning to do what she loves, worship and sing, meant everything to me. She demonstrated perseverance. Despite the hurdles and trials she faced, she rose to the occasion and delivered. I'm from Savannah, Georgia, where many musical and creative ambitions are sometimes crushed due to our location. Many of us are told that to "get out of the hood," we must seek a medical or criminal justice career, which leads to young artists losing sight of their worth and throwing away their valuable gifts. I want to have an opportunity to fix it. I want to be able to establish a secure atmosphere in which other aspiring artists can realize that no matter what someone says or where they come from, they will always succeed. I was also drawn into such disparaging views, so the opportunity to earn this scholarship and maybe put it to work fills me with excitement. I recently found out that my grandfather used to perform music and was a member of a band that began in Savannah. My uncle told me all of these stories about how much I reminded him of my grandfather because my grandfather, too, disliked the concept of somebody dismissing someone's ambitions. He believed that, aside from my mother, my grandfather was the primary source of my musical interest. And, honestly, thinking of it that way warms my heart because I never got to meet him. It's exciting to know that I share the same interests and aspirations as someone I've never met but who has accomplished something similar to what I'm working on right now. Listening to his songs, I realized he was an incredible musician whose work influenced me just as much as other artists. Growing up, I constantly listened to music, explored different genres, and learned about each new musician that emerged. Beyonce is one musician that has undoubtedly influenced my love of music. Her music has transformed me, but so have her words of wisdom and advice. In 2020, I was at a low period in my life and was considering changing majors, but two of Beyoncé's quotes lifted my spirits. She said, "Never let success get to your head, never let failure get to your heart." The other quote that inspired me was, "Do what you were born to do. You just have to trust yourself." I often return to these quotations because I know that no matter where I am in my life or where I am in my future profession, these statements will always be relevant. I remind myself every day that anything is possible. Don't merely aim for the stars when you can always go beyond.

When I hear a song or an album, I instantly want to sit down and pick out every detail. I've discovered that I pay close attention to what's buzzing in my ears. I listen to the background voices and guess as to how many times the artist layered their vocals. I listen to the various sounds and instruments that are being used. Music serves as a secure sanctuary for me. It is a method for me to get away from such an awful world and create my own. This allows me to journey deeper into the intricate details of music. Music affected me, regardless of whether I was alive to experience it or not. Genres like R&B, Gospel, and Soul allow me to unwind and allow myself to experience relief. Pop, hip-hop, and Rap keep me pumped up and ready to face whatever challenges come my way. Normally, I do not listen to anything else, but Jazz helps me relax and focus on the essential things. All of these varied genres and moods have shaped me into the person I am today. I am now someone who examines the smallest details of every aspect, including music. I would like to get a music degree because, as much as talk about it, I would love to study it more. I'd like to be able to go into greater depth. To be able to genuinely learn about music and its characteristics would be like heaven to me. I'd be able to correctly pick out each small feature. I did not know until I was older that many people, especially teenagers and, more recently, children, feel that you can only get into a successful creative profession if you reside in a specific place. I have heard many times that you won't get anywhere unless you are from Atlanta, Los Angeles, or even Nashville. Someone once told me that because I am from a tiny town in South Carolina, I will never make it in life with a music degree. I want to disprove that individual and present an alternative perspective. The best examples are rapper Quando Rondo and female rapper and basketball star Flau'jae Johnson. Both are from my hometown of Savannah, Georgia and began at an early age, even with a few bumps in the road, they still made sure to set examples for their younger audiences. This demonstrates that you can live a happy and fulfilled life no matter where you come from or how old you are. I want to be able to provide all opportunities to everyone who feels they will never be able to succeed. I want to teach people that they can always go through it and still be successful. I would wish for my future creations to provide others with the same space that I have when I listen to other amazing artists.

Many people are still attempting to figure out who their inspiration is daily. Some have been given the chance to figure it out already, while others believe they have found their inspiration when they have just recently discovered what the word inspiration means. Although I'm still trying to find out what 'inspiration' genuinely means, I think I've discovered who it is: my mother. My mom is a great hard worker in my opinion. I call it a genuine hard worker since there are many "hard workers" out there who would rather be called on for the money and prizes than for putting in the blood, sweat, and tears to achieve their goals. They will rather hop, skip, and jump over any obstacle. Not my mother. For as long as I can remember, I've seen my mother soak in her highs and embrace her lows. You're undoubtedly asking why she's celebrating her lows. You'd think she'd wallow in them, right? That is something that everyone would assume, but why? Why should you dwell on yourself and complain about a minor constraint that can easily be overcome if you simply take a step back? A step back is my way of telling you to take a break. That's what I've seen my mother do best: she takes a step back. She doesn't let any of her employees, bosses, or odd individuals out and about limit her. It took a long time for me to realize this, and I'm still working on it now. I'm gradually but steadily stopping myself from bursting by taking a step back, which means no more stress or anxiety episodes. What does the word 'inspiration' mean to you? To me, this word means to accumulate a source of wisdom and responsibility from an individual who overflows with just that. I'd like to gravitate towards strong, trustworthy, boss-like individuals. That's exactly who my mother is. My mother is my inspiration. Growing up, many kids express a desire to be a doctor, a police officer, a fireman, or a soldier. I used to be one of those kids who wanted to be a doctor or a nurse, which rapidly evolved into wanting to be a teacher, which quickly evolved into wanting to be a veterinarian. Yes, I changed my mind again, and I'd like to be a music producer someday, but I'm also interested in a vet profession. Anyway, aside from job goals, I have other ambitions. My mother has never stopped loving me and pushed me on, no matter how many times I altered my dream and went back and forth on what I wanted to achieve. I can always say that she is the first person to congratulate me on a success, sometimes too fast. She still tells me about the ups and downs of my goals and aspirations and lets me explore on my own, with a little guidance of course. That is something I would wish to leave to my future children. Yes, I have my own work goals, but in terms of life goals, I'd like to grow up like my mother. I could teach my future children the same things that my mother has taught me and motivate them to pursue their aspirations in the same way that my mother has and always will.