Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Chery.
Barbara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
At seven years old, my parents signed me up for music lessons. I was highly attracted to the guitar, but my parents assumed that being a girl meant that I needed to learn to play the piano, as the guitar was too masculine. I eventually fell in love with playing the piano as I began to compose my own sounds and music. (Thanks, mom and stepdad for guiding me towards the keys!) I quickly became in tune with my musical gifts. As I got older, I Lil Kim and Foxy Brown really sparked my interest. The vision was to be a female rapper but in reality, I was very insecure about my voice. It was so high pitched and wimpy. I didn’t feel like I was tough or as empowered as the women, I adored and looked up to. I also loved to dance! I was the girl who coached the high dance team, and we never missed a beat. Whether it was practicing in the mirror at home or watching music videos on 106 & Park and TRL, I always kept up with the latest dance moves. I was high off life, music, and dancing until, what I felt at the time, it went down a path I wasn’t proud of. I became a teenage mom at the age of 17. My new reality was that I would never be able to accomplish the big dreams and plans I had. I now had a daughter who needed me and I needed to be there for her, no matter what.
I attempted to do what was expected of me or any child growing up in a Haitian household. If you’re Haitian (or any type of Caribbean), then you know what I mean! I let go of my “ridiculous and unrealistic” goals and settle on a career path that would be more tangible. I enrolled into a community college to become a nurse! I had my mindset and I knew my baby and I was going to be well off. Though I did not struggle with my studies, I struggled with real-life applications and labs. Blood and guts were not for me. I wrapped up my AA but instantly realized college didn’t have to be apart of my journey since being a Nurse definitely was not in my future. From here, the path to becoming B Chery officially began. I went back to the drawing board, created music, and even started up my own Twerking class. My passions came back to life and the fire hasn’t dimmed nor extinguished since. As cliche as it may sound, stay true to who you are and always follow your dreams. No matter how long it takes, I know who I am and what I am willing to do to reach my goals. Everyday is a New Day, so wake up, let go of control, and focus on chasing the bag. You can quote B Chery on that!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has NOT been easy. Rapping is realistically a male-dominated industry. It is difficult as a woman for your craft to taken seriously and also be treated professionally. I’ve learned to get my own equipment, pay for my studio time, and not ask for any favors. I push my music daily. I have friends who support me and “friends” who can’t wait for me to fail. Even when I first started my Twerk out class. It was $5 to attend and there were times when I had zero participants. Twerk out class is an additional source of income I utilize to support my expenses I need to invest in my rapping dreams. So it surely hit me hard at the time when I would spend hours promoting, and not one person found it interesting to attend the class.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
B Chery is a consistent go-getter. I love to invest in myself and I am not afraid to take risks. I feel like this is very important as it keeps me open to new opportunities and experiences.
Pricing:
- Twerk Out Class $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bchery.com
- Phone: 5616356625
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenbchery/?igshid=1b0i8ydpm6mgb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bchery561
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Queenbchery
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