Today we’d like to introduce you to K’nya.
K’nya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Music has always been a big part of my life. I remember being three years old and listening to Selena as I danced and sang along to my favorite song. I remember singing as I grew up in my room and thinking, “Hmm, this sounds a little different. I like it.” I grew up in a household in which education was the main priority, as it should be; however, I developed a perspective of chasing a career that would bring home the “bacon”. I attended school and pursued career paths that were interesting but I didn’t feel fulfilled and the only thing I can relate to feeling fulfilled was the feeling I would get before going on stage at a Karaoke Bar. Over the past three years, I have hit many speed bumps professionally and personally: I’ve been at an all-time low when I was unemployed, I’ve been heartbroken, and I have irresponsibly neglected my talent and passion. That’s when I noticed how lonely and scared I was living – lonely because I needed God in my life and the belief in myself was nonexistent and scared because I was afraid to fail. Once I found God and trusted my faith, I began to write about everything – my thoughts, poems, ideas, quotes. Today, I’m a singer/songwriter persistently fulfilling my call. I have a responsibility and a choice to make something out of the talent I’ve been blessed with. My hope is that through my actions others will find their call within themselves.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had someone ask me, “Why do you think we hit speed bumps in life?” The answer is to see how BAD you want it. Bumps are tests and how you react to them is always a choice. How bad do you want to become the fruition of your dreams? What are you willing to sacrifice? My struggles have laid in questions like:
To go out or stay home to write?
To take a nap or go to the gym?
To look for love or find love within myself?
My advice to young women is to find love within yourself because once you love yourself you believe in yourself. Once you believe in yourself, the vision of the endless potential you carry will never be clearer – even if you’re afraid. Work on personal development, work on discipline, read, follow your dreams and stick to it. When you work hard you will come across the right paths and people. In essence, challenge yourself to the most important questions, in my life at least, – what makes me happy and what is my purpose? If there is anything within you crying out for more life and answers, then make the most disciplined decisions and find your call.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I’m a singer/songwriter. I discovered my love for writing within the last two years. I’ve always covered different artist’s music but one day, I thought to myself “I will never sound as good as Beyonce, Whitney Houston or Selena.” The truth is I could never be more accepting of that thought than I am today because there is only one Beyonce, one Whitney Houston and one Selena. So, I thought, “There is only one ME.” and that’s what sets me and everyone apart – my stories, my downfalls, my thoughts and ideas, my reasons and motivations and my past. I remember looking for an instrumental on YouTube and picking up a pen and writing my first song – I had never felt more alive. I’m a writer and it makes me happy to connect with others through music.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Life isn’t easy. Barriers are a part of life. The biggest barriers today are ourselves as women. We need to know that we are capable, we are strong and we are able. My solution is simple… take yourself serious. Educate yourself. Give yourself importance. How you view yourself is how others will view you. Don’t do excuses, do solutions. Knock a barrier down and prepare for the next one.
Contact Info:
- Email: knyamusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamknya/?hl=en
- Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/knya/civic-thoughts
Image Credit:
Primo De Leon
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