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Premiere: S-EM-C Exclusive Interview with Honk Magazine Reporter

S-EM-C Exclusive Interview with Honk Magazine Reporter

S-EM-C is an independent female hip-hop artist, en-route to making it big in hip-hop. Have seen the rapper accumulate a growing following and hundreds upon thousands of streams online gain her attention home and abroad.

After years of positive response from independent releases, she is promoting her second studio EP “Here” on her own self-managed label. Already a lyrical genius in her own right, ‘Here’ will focus more on the vibe and attitude-driven delivery of the message.

We had the chance to talk with female hip hop artist in an Interview, S-EM-C talks more about her music, career and company. We also discussed when she started, tips to help you grow in music and where she is today.

Hello There,

1. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Hi. My name is Sophie Steele (or S-EM-C) and I am a songwriter, artist, music industry professional and media company owner. I originally got into the entertainment space as a rapper and after years of trial and error I learned about the backend business structure of releasing music. After spending around $20,000 on my own career, I was finally able to figure out what worked and what didn’t. Once I did, I started to take on clients so that I was able to apply my skills to benefit other creatives. Now my company helps indie artists and creatives of all kinds monetize, structure, and market their brands.

2. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

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The most interesting story?
There’s too many to count. I think that the most interesting aspect in the creative industry is watching things go from just a thought to a huge collaborative project involving many people in many walks of life. It’s also always amazing to find out how small the industry really is. We all know the same people.

3. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?


The funniest mistake I made when I was first starting was not knowing my numbers and working for literally $8 sometimes.

I learned you gotta know the score to win the game.

4. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I continue to build my business Kopius Media and provide clients with digital assets on a daily basis. I am also working on a project for a jazz client called The Urban Groove Experiment and we are eventually going to transition into the non-profit space to help underserved communities. I’m working with an indie rock band “Louder Than Quiet” , their label Black Magic LLC and CEO Denver Delaney , which also includes a holistic healing brand , so I’m learning about all the plant medicine. I recently published a book under a pen name (shhh.)  And….I’m learning a lot about crypto so in short, everyday is an adventure. 

 

5. Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

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Everyone I meet is interesting in their own way and I try to draw inspiration from every interaction. The people who are around me on a daily basis and in my network building are so inspiring and I look forward to changing the world with them.6. Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Drink water, eat well, sleep, come up with a routine of some sort and remember, you’re playing the long game. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and you really have to keep that in your mind at all times because this game comes with some crazy challenges and only the strong survive. Create a long term marketing strategy and save up so you actually have a budget. Oh, and use Javoe Rokour for your marketing needs, mention Honk Magazine  for a special discount I negotiated for you guys reading this today.

7. You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Knowledge is power. Quality is key… and never say no to a promising opportunity. Trust your gut, your eyes will always deceive you.
8. Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

Everyday I wake up and do affirmations, a gratitude journal, study, drink water and read. I think these four things build a great foundation for any type of career. Also, practice personal hygiene… if you can’t take care of yourself, what makes you think someone is going to hand you an opportunity?

 

9. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.


1. There is no limit to what a weak minded person will do when they are intimidated by your greatness.
2. Trust your gut, most people are full of sh*t.
3. You are rare and unique, stop trying to shrink yourself to fit in.
4. Stop playing the short game.

5. Bet on yourself.

10. Can you please give us your favorite  “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

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“Be at cause, not at effect” is essentially saying, take life by the horns, make it what YOU want it to be. It’s relevant because that’s how I live my life and try to inspire others to do so as well.
11. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
First and foremost, I have to give it up to my fiancé for always holding it down and believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Javoe Rokour  has been an amazing business colleague and a pleasure to work with. Jerome Grace and Bass Gods for helping me fill in the gaps on the backend business side of things (book a consult with him ASAP) and Denver Delaney for helping me realize my vast skillset. Slice IX for putting me on the crypto wave. Ace Drucci for introducing me to the admin side of things and getting me my first major backed release. Chris Thornton of ULOV Entertainment for my mixing, mastering and visual assets.  All my clients, friends, supporters and haters. Really, it has been a cumulative effort of many small interactions that has built me into who I am today and I am so grateful to have experienced it all.
12. You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement  that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’m working on a movement now that will ultimately inspire people to be who they truly are and teach them how to re-program their subconscious patterns and get out of their own way.
13. We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. :-)I’d love to speak with14 How can our readers follow you online?
Text my community number : 3306255454

 

Artist Spotlight

CircleKSK ignites an anime-metal collision on “UnBreakable Turn” ft. Anya J

UnBreakable Turn

On their exhilarating high-octane track “UnBreakable Turn,” CircleKSK and guest vocalist Anya J aim to combine the technical prowess of Nordic metal with the urgent melodies and dramatic flair of an anime opening sequence. Creating a cinematic and adrenaline-fueled tune with a melodic edge, CircleKSK has risen to prominence as an innovative act.

The deliberate fusion contributes to the single’s captivating nature. J-Pop and anime-song sensibilities contribute emotional hooks and sweeping, catchy lines; precision, dense riffs, and a sense of weight are brought by Nordic metal. Echoing the song’s vivid melodic contours, Anya J’s heroic and personal vocals and demeanor heighten the dramatic impact of the performance. The structure is based on the standard narrative progression: lively, evocative parts leading the way to more somber ones that ground the emotion.

The production relies on contrast so that lighter parts sparkle and heavier parts thud with satisfying force. As if CircleKSK were creating music for the eyes as well as the ears, this piece could serve as the score for a dramatic scene or the music for a violent montage. Not everything is surface-level, though; the emotional core remains. Anthemic and deeply personal, “UnBreakable Turn” combines the vigor of youth with the gravity of experience.

An assuredly inventive single that fearlessly asserts new territory, “UnBreakable Turn” by CircleKSK is sure to please fans of big, dramatic music that isn’t hesitant to mix sweetness and steel, as well as those who enjoy cross-cultural mashups. The single, which has been lauded by curators and tastemakers worldwide, is a strong statement about artists who fearlessly combine cultural genres, showing that passionate J-Pop melodies and intense Scandinavian metal can coexist in one unforgettable track.

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Artist Spotlight

Garth Adam keeps the flame of Journeysong burning with the new single “Three Fires”

Garth Adam

Garth Adam‘s latest single, “Three Fires,” evokes a warm dialogue in a subdued studio that is intimate, contemplative, and subtly victorious. Adam candidly discusses the exhilaration of uncovering self-assurance in both himself and his songwriting, and this revelation serves as the driving force of the track. At its essence, “Three Fires” is a straightforward commemoration: the delight in transforming a modest idea into something extraordinary through patience.

Adam’s vocal style resides comfortably within a folk-influenced pop genre, which he characterizes as a blend of Neil Finn and The Lumineers, interspersed with elements reminiscent of Coldplay and James Blunt. The reference point is beneficial yet not confining; “Three Fires” represents Adam’s unique creation, an accessible, melodic composition that prioritizes artistry over novelty. The single, recorded in joyful sessions in Perth with long-time collaborator and producer Melvin Tree, exudes the warmth of musicians collaborating in a circle, with the vintage Studer analog desk imparting an analog glow to the final recording. Melvin, Dave Kelly, and a select group of skilled music students contribute backing vocals that enhance the track with harmony and impart a subtly communal, authentic quality.

The lyrics of the song emphasize Adam’s preferred motifs: travel, journeys, and the subtle transformations that occur during the voyage. However, it is not overly forceful; the songwriting is elegant, transitioning from observation to insight with effortless fluidity. Adam’s delivery conveys satisfaction; he is a songwriter who has witnessed minor concepts evolve into completed songs and has learned to trust that process.

“Three Fires” serves as a testament to the notion that skill and perseverance can transform a mere spark into something luminous. For aficionados of melodic songwriting with an analog essence, Garth Adam’s latest work is a comforting, exquisitely crafted ember to accompany one on their journey. It is a song that encourages repeated, soothing auditory experiences.

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