We recently had the chance to connect with Key Vhani and have shared our conversation below.
Key, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Self care. I always start my days with self care routines because you can’t give from an empty cup. I wake up early enough to fit in my daily self care routines.
When I first wake up, I open my curtains to let sunlight in. It’s good for the eyes to see sunlight first thing after waking up and not the artificial light from your phone, even though I do check my phone in the mornings too haha. But sunlight is always first. There are some days I wake up before the sun. On those days, I go outside for about 1 minute just to breathe in some fresh air because fresh morning air just hits different. If you know, you know.
I try to make sure I say “good morning self” or something positive to start off on a good note then I’m off to start my morning self care routines. I have a routine for brushing my teeth, washing my face, taking a shower, and even a routine for putting on lotion. I have routines for all of my self cares. It’s so important to take care of yourself and when you know what works for you it’s even better.
Then I eat a healthy breakfast with some fruit to get my energy up and I’m off to start my day. Fruit and water is a daily must have for me, especially in the mornings.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Thanks for having me back! Shout out to everybody that read my two previous articles with Voyage magazine. And for those of you who are getting to know me… Hi I’m Key Vhani, Key for short, and I’m a business owner, music artist, and college graduate.
Music and entrepreneurship have always been a big part of me. I started playing piano when I was 8yrs old, wrote my first song at 9yrs old, and my first rap verse at 10yrs old. It all just came so naturally to me. I actually still have all of my old song books.
My businesses Pretty Thug Music LLC, PTM for short, and Audiverse LLC actually started through my music. Pretty Thug started as an image for me as an artist, eventually turning into a brand, then a powerhouse business. It really grew and developed over the years, and even though I’m not at the finish line it’s definitely on track to becoming what I always envisioned it to be. Pretty Thug Music, LLC is a luxury entertainment company based in Miami, FL. We sell our very own name brand luxury fashion and accessories via our online PTM shop, and we amplify talented artists on our very own music streaming platform called Audiverse where fans can stream and download music from rising talent.
When I first started Pretty Thug Music LLC, I was worried people would misunderstand the name and associate it with a negative image. But I had so much faith in my message that I felt people would eventually learn to love and understand it. That’s why it’s so important to believe in yourself!
Check out my two newly released singles “Brave Heart” and “Step It Up” available on Audiverse and all music streaming platforms. I hope you all stick with me through this journey.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Weakness. Being too weak to admit you said or did something to hurt someone. Being too weak to admit to yourself you’re jealous of someone. Being too weak to admit to yourself you didn’t have the best behavior, then being so weak you get defensive instead of having the strength to own up and make it right. Being too weak to work on yourself and face your demons so you hide behind a false facade of yourself.
Any bond in life whether it’s a friendship, relationship, business partner, family, even pets requires self strength on both parts to keep the bond strong. As humans, it’s natural for us to make mistakes but there’s a difference in making a mistake and making an intentional decision. It’s our job as human beings to be strong enough to work on ourselves and face ourselves so we can grow, mature, and show up properly for each other.
Inner strength is the only thing that can restore a bond. Love alone isn’t enough. When we love through weakness we hurt others, choose not to fix our wrongs, and we let them go do to our anger, pride, and being too weak to right our wrongs. But with inner strength, we aren’t afraid to make things right. When you combine inner strength with love things can be always be restored.
With that being said, I do think there are certain things people can’t come back from. You can forgive them, even love them, but from a distance.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Creativity, strength, and discernment. Never be afraid to speak up for yourself. Financial literacy. To be my own biggest cheerleader and supporter. It also taught me to be more compassionate and have empathy towards others. To be more understanding. I think the biggest lesson suffering taught me is that people will never admit it, but they judge harshly. From the moment they first see you they’ve already placed you in a category of whether they think you’re deserving or not. Without even knowing anything about you. Presentation is everything. Appearance gets you in the door, intelligence helps you stay there as long as they aren’t envious of your knowledge. But you only learn those things if you’re really paying attention. Life is a teacher. That’s why it’s important to be a good student.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. I have something I like to call my “artist mode”, but for the most part my brand and image is still me. Just more on a surface and creative level. When I became serious about being an artist I wanted an image that still represented me. A lot of artists go through depression and disassociation due to having to play a character as their image and brand. You can only play a character for so long until the real you craves to be seen. And if you constantly have to step into a role, it’ll weigh heavily on your heart, soul, and mind. That’s why it was crucial to me to have an image where I didn’t have to play a character. And it feels AMAZING! No matter where you go in life or what you do, being yourself is the best thing you could ever do for yourself. After all, we’re here on earth to discover ourselves and to become the best version of ourselves.
That’s why I chose Pretty Thug. Pretty Thug is defined as a strong and resilient person that goes hard gracefully. That pretty much sums me up. And even though people may associate the word “thug” with negativity, I chose it for the people out there who are strong, smart, savvy, tough, resilient, creative, and stay beautiful through it all inside and out.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Life. Most people don’t truly understand life and what it means to be human or the purpose of your life’s journey. Even though they’re humans themselves, most people don’t fully understand themselves or others. That’s why they constantly fight each other and want to be more superior than others. Life is complicatedly simple. Most people don’t understand that. Through spiritual and personal growth, I’ve come to truly understand life and being human, the journey and the purpose. Like why people behave a certain way, think a certain way, move a certain way. Why I’m here existing, the purpose for it all. Why we have certain experiences. All of that can get really deep but the deeper you go the more you’re actually on the surface. If you know you know.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PrettyThugMusic.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ibeenkey.vhani?igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ==
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keyvhani
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4a5CUaNDWy716N82StMw0H?si=Rz9bJbJsSDenyUENEdy6uQ
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keyvhani?_t=ZT-8xNq4znTfCZ&_r=1
Image Credits
Vinse Media
