Today we’d like to introduce you to Kesh Green.
Hi Kesh, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
‘The Arts’ have always been my ‘refuge’ — a place for me to express myself without inhabitations. I spent my whole life dedicated to programs and training, from music to theatre to dance to visual design. I’ve literally been in every type of arts program since primary school to college. My mom played ‘no games,’ if there was a program available — I was getting enrolled.
As I got older, ‘art’ helped balance the pressures of academia and business. Yet, I got tired of dimming my light to accommodate the culture of spaces that were not made for me to thrive. I got tired of reframing my perspective so it would be palatable. So I took all of the experience and knowledge that I gained over the years and “ran off on the plug.”
Now, I am able to merge the worlds of art, dance, music and film to find new ways to express my vision. Currently, I direct, executive produce, photograph and creative direct (primarily working in the hip-hop music & media space). When I’m not on-set, I’m either running my art/visuals brand (K$LEAZY) or training.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think my life has ever been easy — just interesting. Being in the entertainment industry, you’re met with so many closed doors and “not-right-nows,” you eventually get used to it. The rejection and criticism either begins to light your flame or extinguishes it.
For the most part, I was able to balance the pressures of purpose and G.A.D (General Anxiety Disorder) without most people even knowing. Don’t get me wrong, it has been a lot of tears, panic attacks, and pain behind closed doors. Dealing with your mental health while having to perform everyday is never easy but my drive kept me going for the most part.
Yet in 2017, it seemed like life wanted to ‘shake the table.’ I had so many promising opportunities yet, like dominoes, they came falling down one by one. I had to walk away from positions, I was side-lined from performance because of injuries and I lost out on grant funding. Yet, the biggest challenge of them all was ‘losing’ my mother. I had to take a sabbatical from performance and from everything I knew to step into a new chapter. It was the most difficult time of my life and it still is, I’m just learning everyday how to heal, evolve and move through it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Honestly, depending on where and when you met me — I’m known in different spaces for different things. To keep it “short and sweet,” I like to say “I’m a multi-hyphenated creative.”
For my personal brand K$LEAZY: I create art, film, fine art photography and offer creative solutions such as branding & strategy. K$LEAZY evolved from my alternative creative persona that was used for works and projects deemed too provocative for academia and non-profit arenas.
Overall, my work is the merging of all the worlds inside of me — business, creative, political, spiritual & social; presented honestly in hopes to provoke thought, bring catharsis & galvanize creativity. One of my most recent accomplishments was being published in April for VOGUE Italia’s PHOTOVOGUE, as their Photo of the Day for my piece “The Pity, The Passion”. That moment reaffirmed me that I am on my right path, creating what I need to create. Additionally, I self-publish an art & literature work called “ Endless sadness” that explores the duality of life and reality through the lens of depression, anxiety and love lost.
I believe what makes me unique is, I take a holistic approach to creating. I feel like everything is connected and everything you have experienced or loved can be used to create. I believe having opposing passions and being inspired by subjects, such as philosophy, history and psychology always leaves me searching or developing deeper meanings. Plus, I’m like a bloodhound and extremely detail-oriented, so I become very passionate about everything I touch.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Personally, the Bible gets me through most of my days. A book I highly-recommend is Siddhartha, it’s one of my favourite “reads” (I revisit it when I’m feeling nostalgic or seeking perspective).
I consistently watch/listen to: I AM ATHLETE, The Joe Budden Podcast (Rory & Mal era), Here’s The Thing (KevOnstage & ThatChickAngel), Million Dollars Worth of Game and Pour Minds.
Also, I watch any and everything Sarah Jakes Roberts, she’s so inspirational to me. I follow Krystal Paige (@IamKrystalPaige) for creative wellness tips and solutions — her content always helps me get through creative blocks.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ksleazy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksleazy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSc4YZYB_AoPrV6u4NpXQIw
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Ksleazy
Image Credits
SCOPE
Donata St. Hillaire
