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10K80 February 24, 2020
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How broke bois can get through tax season without anxiety

As the new year progresses, we approach tax season. For a lot of us broke bois, taxes make us uncomfortable and we procrastinate getting them done.

It’s one of the most adult things you can do, and chances are you follow in your parents or older relatives’ footsteps when getting them done.

It might be a blur, for those who got them done for the first time last year. You met up with a notary? A tax expert? You went to an office and brought your W-2, but probably still needed another doc.

Then you went to go get it, came back and just answered a question here and there and signed some paperwork, paid around $100 and went on your way awaiting your return.

While we all feel uneasy with tax season, here are some pointers on how to lighten that burden:

Take a look at last year’s tax docs

Chances are that you have a folder with a copy of last year’s taxes. Taxes seldom change in the grand scheme of things.

So have a look. Follow the lines and compare the numbers to last year’s W2 (the doc you get from an employer), or if you’re self-employed your 1099 Tax Form. Those numbers are punched into each required category, and the boxes tell you what math you need to do.

Now, you don’t have to go ahead and fill out this year’s taxes yourself, but it helps to face your fears of confusing looking paperwork.

Find a tax preparing place

It might surprise you but most communities have a free tax prep program. If you’re in the NYC area, look up Urban UpBound, or NYC Free Tax Prep through the ACCESS NYC website.

Some spots are in-person walk-ins or by appointments, others assist you in filing yourself. All of them are free if you make under $64k.

Try Online Tax prep

The internet makes nearly all things convenient.

Tax prep is no exception. If you’ve got a W2 and no other streams of income, you can get away with the free version of TurboTax. If you have several different types of income such as income from liquidating stocks, even from jury duty, you’ll probably have to pay $80-$100.

Plus if you do it with TurboTax they save most of your info for next year’s return.

Gather your documents ahead of time

You’ll probably need the same docs you needed last year, so have those ready. If things have changed, it’s better to be over-prepared than underprepared.

If you keep your receipts as a freelancer/self-employed individual make sure you go through those and identify the ones that helped pay for your employment/business. This includes supplies, advertising, travel.

If it was vital to the business there’s a chance you can get it deducted from your taxable income. If you sold stocks, you want to get those tax documents from your broker, or app or website.

They usually make them available by the end of February.

File early

Anxiety or laziness can cause you to procrastinate until late March. But if you wait that long you probably won’t make the best decisions. You might need to rush to see that tax professional, or you might miss a few deductions you have a right to.

So as soon as you have your documents ready, FILE. Because when you’re done with it, all you gotta wait on is that return. And everyone loves that tax return $$.

10K80 February 18, 2020
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Creating space: What do creatives need to do their best work?

We’ve all heard about creativity sparking in specific environments or circumstances. And if you’ve been a creative for some time you know what you need to stay inspired.

Depending on your pet peeves where you are, who you’re surrounded by, and the energy you keep can determine what you need to do your best work. Still, unsure of what it is that might make a creative tick we had to investigate.

So, we asked our community what was necessary for them in their workspaces to make their best art.

Time

You know perfection takes time. And creatives know that this is essential to any project. Rushing a creative is a known no-no. It’s not just to physically possible to complete a project under ridiculous time constraints.

We need time to think, dream, visualize and plan for the future.

Space

This is quite literal and figurative. Creatives can get a lot done in constrained circumstances, but if there’s an opportunity for space then why inhibit that?

It’s obvious that if you’re literally in a crammed environment that you might not be able to create on the level that you want to. This is the same idea for having others on their back while they’re working.

You can’t make new ideas if you don’t allow them space to take up.

Inspo

Image result for bad vibes gif

A lot of the needs above tend to allow and promote inspiration.

But without being inspired, creatives will not be able to make anything worthwhile. If the vibe at the workplace is good, inspiration is more likely to thrive.

Even good compensation can inspire. Creatives can find inspiration in so many places, so make your workplace that much more inspiring.

Tools

Innovation comes from need.

It’s true. But to innovate and create you still need a starting point. Resources can really make or break your process and your product. Tools can also be a metaphor for a creative’s skills.

A good laptop is a tool and interpersonal networking is a tool and knowing how to photoshop is a tool. Sometimes other substances are a tool. With some of these a creative can manifest themselves, the rest may need to come from somewhere else.

A Good Squad

Most projects are not a one-person-show.

Collaboration can help art achieve higher potential. But the team has to be good. Whether that means everyone has great complementary skills, or they all have great chemistry. Everything can depend on the strength of a good team.

Plus it’s just way more fun to succeed together.

gen z February 18, 2020
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Is Generation-Z better at reality TV? ‘The Circle’ might just prove it

The era of reality TV in the 2000s was plagued with crazy drama and often trashy stories, that would often be scripted.

If you’ve heard anything about behind-the-scenes it’s even worse. Editors and producers on reality TV can be brutal and manipulative to the people on the show and the audience. A good representation of this is the fictionalized series Unreal.

Because of this flat way of storytelling, reality TV took a “guilty pleasure” place in our society. People often referred to it as stupid, basic but insanely addicting. Almost all of us have that one show we know is trash but can’t stop watching.

Whether it’s Keeping Up With The Kardashians, The Bachelor, Jersey Shore, or Real World, they end up having a major impact on us. Most would say a negative one.

So how does Netflix’s new reality show The Circle hit us? Is Gen Z reality TV just, overall, better?

 First off what is The Circle?

The show plays on the concept that you can be anybody when you’re on social media. Whether that’s the best version of yourself, the worst version, an aspirational version or just a straight-up catfish.

The show is set up with eight players who live in their own apartments isolated from the world, where they cannot see or hear each other and can only communicate with each other via ‘the circle’ the show’s version of social media.

They must interact, build relationships and ultimately make it through being ‘blocked’ to the end and based on their popularity (rated by each other) win $100,000.

But how is The Circle different from traditional reality TV?

The show was originally a British TV show created by Tim Harcourt, but it’s obvious that The Circle is the brainchild of a Millennial/Gen Z crew. So they’ve got standards. Those standards included authenticity, environmental impact, mental health awareness, and relevancy.

Is it real?

According to former players, The Circle is indeed real and not scripted.

It’s actually quite mentally exhausting. Players are isolated for weeks without access to the outside world. This means no phones, a connection to the internet, not even Netflix! So how do they pass the time when they’re not talking to each other? A book, some cards, a remote control race car.

But is it safe?

With only some allotted time on the roof of the apartment building with natural light and some time at the gym, things can get very “cabin fevery.” Of course, there’s always someone on the production team of The Circle watching. So, help is only a minute away including mental health help with the onsite psychologist.

What effect does it have on us? [Spoilers]

From the people that watched The Circle, there’s a clear understanding from most that it held up a mirror to our current society and how we judge people online. Packaged in a fun and entertaining set of hour-long episodes, The Circle has plenty of examples of everyday issues people face in the ‘real online world.’

“This show is stupid bc it’s supposed to make you feel like “awww everyone loves each other because of what they say not what they look like” highlighted by Chris and Mercedes finally meeting. But like, that’s kind of how I approached it coming into it so I personally loved it. I thought their interactions were hilarious and people are actually really like this in real life” – Medina

Fat-Phobia

Image result for fat phobia gif

One of the characters was Sean, a plus-size social media manager who used her thin best friend’s photo as her image, then later revealed to the other players her true appearance. Some applauded her for bravery to share her true identity.

Others said they valued honesty and felt that she should’ve come in as herself, a sentiment they did not express when other catfish were revealed. This was noticed by audiences who remarked that the show inadvertently presented us with fatphobia, and how society still reacts towards plus size women.

There was even a group chat titled “Skinny Queens” by one of the characters.

“The catty gendered divisions were upsetting and felt heightened due to its focus on superficial ideas such as profile pictures. Rejecting the blonde model versus the douchey Jersey Shore guy highlighted this for me. But it also showed that women are more critical of each other than men often are. Which is a PROBLEM.”  – Joshua

Racism and Stereotyping

Other audiences noted the overwhelmingly all-white influx of new players into the game as it went on.

On the show, there were only two Black women, both of them catfish, one was called “mean” by a contestant who only saw her photo and rated her low. But in the same breath called another woman, a Latina, “feisty” and rated her higher.

One of the players was Indian American and was judged as the stereotype of the adorable techie from the get-go. The players said he seemed cute but regardless he found himself rated at the very bottom in the first round.

“They were dragging Mercedez for the filter she put on her pic, but ain’t say a damn thing when Sean’s catfish pic also had a filter. They kept painting Mercedez as feisty and problematic. Also, it bothered me that the only two black women on the show were catfishes.” -Jennifer

All of the catfish understood the idea that looking attractive would be an advantage in the game. And they’re not wrong. The show presented us with the connection between attractive appearance, popularity, and winning actual capital.

“They definitely judged each other based on how genuine and real they seemed, even if their own persona was fictional.” – Suzana

Should The Circle exist?

If you noticed just some of these themes while watching, then perhaps there’s some positivity in The Circle’s existence. Some of the battles against the worst parts of our humanity is just seeing those parts for what they are.

“It’s cool that those who stayed true to themselves, in the end, made it through and won but the dynamic with the catfish Rebecca still left weariness because no matter the connection people can be different than who they say they are” – Raquel

ak the savior February 14, 2020
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The new bae standard: Couples that create together grow together

Couples that create together grow together.

Do you know that saying of how creating a child makes a couple closer than they’ve ever been? Why not apply it to your creative craft.

There’s plenty of influencer couples, YouTuber partners, and media creating lovebirds out there to prove the point that creativity helps build lasting romances.

Not convinced? Here are our five creative couples that make fire content.

Naz and Mel

The couple began dating when the two still lived in Ohio and their relationship is sporadically documented through Nazanin Kavari’s YouTube channel. The duo is now married, living in L.A. and are expecting their first child.

Nazanin is usually at the forefront of the videos they make with lifestyle, makeup, skincare, and fashion content. Mel often shoots the videos and does all the editing. Mel is also a photographer.

They regularly post Q&A videos and vlogs together as they build their life together.

Tylan and Anthony

Tylan often features his husband Anthony on his YouTube channel. With plenty of pranks and much need content that’s not just pinkwashing and white gay centered.

A lot of their content is also educational as well as anecdotal. Tylan’s YouTube channel is both just an authentic black gay man’s life but also a beacon of acceptance and positivity for young LGBTQ audiences who look up to him.

AK The Savior and Uzumaki Cepeda

 

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The Instagram famous couple recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary this January. AK the Savior is a hip-hop/rap artist and one-half of The Underachievers. Uzumaki is an installation artist and eccentric model.

They regularly post their art and music on social media and it’s clear their styles mesh together perfectly.

https://twitter.com/uzumakigallery/status/1179839618532855808?s=20

Donna & Brinton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtXujW2wmmI

This YouTube duo manages a channel together where they react, vlog and prank each other as many YouTube couples do. The couple is extremely humorous and playful at all times.

They upload regularly with plenty of silly content.

Meaux and Bam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgmBgkikY_c

Meaux and Bam are a lesbian interracial couple that share a YouTube Channel together called Meaux and Bam TV. The couple regularly posts vlogs, makeup and skincare videos, Q&A, and travel videos.

They’re a #femme4femme couple, something that is not always represented authentically through media.

10K80 February 13, 2020
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Finally Focused: Camila Javier is creating a safe space for women of color

If you’re into intersectional feminist photography you should know Camila Javier.

Women’s images in the media can often be unrealistic and potentially harmful to self-esteem. Add images of women of color and the narrowness of beauty standards shrinks.

Nearly almost nobody looks like a Victoria Secret Angel. Still, that doesn’t mean that the rest of the population is less-beautiful or less-valuable. Enter Javier, the creator of the “Girls & Panties” series.

 

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Javier’s work speaks for itself but I had a chance to interview Camila and learn about her journey as an artist and the inspiration behind the feminist series.

FilmMaker turned Photographer

Javier is a well-traveled creative. The 28-year-old was born in NY and moved as a baby to the Dominican Republic. At the age of 12, she moved to Argentina where she graduated high school and college with a filmmaking degree.

Originally, Javier wanted to be a screenwriter and tell stories. For some time after college Javier was freelancing, making short videos for independent brands and events.

“Until one day someone asked me to take pictures instead of filming and I said yes.”

It was then that she discovered a love for the medium. She felt that she could still story tell through photography. Her appreciation for photography led her to delve into the craft and take portrait photography classes.

“Portraits seemed the only style that would go with what I was trying to communicate, which is basically always telling a story.”

 

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Girls & Panties

@jacamila

The inspiration for the “Girls & Panties” series struck two summers ago in 2018.

“I wanted to start a series about femininity, I didn’t know exactly what or how. I just knew I wanted it to be more intimate and make the shots even closer, detailed.”

 

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The story that started the series was coincidental luck.

One day Javier was originally supposed to do a shoot with her best friend, a makeup artist, and a model but the model canceled. Since they already had carved out the time and location, Camila’s friend asked her to do a test shoot.

Her friend was going to do an underwear shoot soon and wasn’t comfortable posing for a male photographer.

“I said yes. During the shoot I asked her if I could take close ups of her body and instantly I knew that was the path I was gonna take. It evolved from there.”

@jacamila

With volume 2 of the “Girls & Panties” series having recently been shared, I asked Camila what the original goal of vol. 1 was and whether vol. 2 is any different.

“The goal for girls & panties always has been to create a safe space for women. A space where we feel comfortable, we can talk and not feel judged, have fun. Even if it’s a photoshoot or an event.”

@jacamila

When asked if her photography has changed over time, Javier opted for a different word to describe her work’s journey.

“I don’t think my photography has changed, I think it evolved. The approach is the same, which is close ups and intimacy and portraits. Just my view on intimacy maybe fluctuates with whatever I’m going through. Like the pictures of the panties around the subway I take everyday is as intimate as panties on a body.”

@jacamila

Camila shared that the response since volume 1 has been extremely positive and created a mini-community after volume 2. She recently held a showcase for volume 2 at Jones beach which attracted a large audience.

@jacamila

Camila intends on continuing working on “Girls & Panties” and creating a safe space for her subjects and her audience.

Her intentions of making this series specifically for women of color stems from her background as a woman of color.

“My parents are Dominican and my first language is Spanish. [This] is a part of my identity and it also defines my work, my art and what I wanna communicate. When I say ‘creating a safe space’ I mean for women, highlighting us, minorities.”

 

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cardi b February 12, 2020
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Big mad! 5 things to avoid doing when working with creatives

Creatives can be the saving grace for your brand or project, but if you treat them poorly you might miss out on some major success.

We asked our community of creatives what get’s them tight when they’re doing they’re doing their thing. So here are your top five things to avoid when dealing with a creative.

Do Not Rush Us

If you want something done well, do not push a creative to do it in half the time. It’s one thing to agree on a deadline it’s another to ignore the time needs of an artist.

This is their craft and they are sharing their talent and skills with you. Just because you need something sooner or have an idea of how much time you think it should take does not mean you get to go back on what was promised.

You can’t rush perfection. Which brings us to our next no-no…

Do Not Micro-Manage

Whether you have knowledge of the art or project you want the creative to complete or not, no one likes someone breathing down their neck.

It’s super insulting when you micro-manage someone, it shows you don’t have faith in their abilities to execute the work. You probably shouldn’t have chosen to work with them if you can’t trust them to get the job done.

Do Not Disrespect the up-and-comer

The world is judgemental.

The creative community is no different. But not having worked at a certain level of prestige, or with a respected brand or team does not make a creative less deserving of respect.

Everyone starts somewhere, and even if they’ve been grinding for a while, they shouldn’t need a big fancy stamp of approval, their quality of work speaks for itself.

Do Not Waste Our Time

It happens sometimes. You plan to work with a creative or hire them for a job and things fall through. We get it, not everything is meant to be.

But no one likes to be led on. If you don’t have any intention to collab with a creative DON’T act like you are. Honesty is the best policy.

You can absolutely express that you’d love to work with us but be realistic and tell us what the chances are of getting this project in the works.

This also applies to not knowing what you want. Being vague might allow for the freedom to strick a genius idea, but don’t change your mind every time we come to you with a fleshed-out concept.

Being set up for rejection sucks.

Do Not Expect High Quality with a Sus Budget

It’s true, sometimes we can make dirt into gold.

But if we say it’s not possible to make your Spielberg film on a kindergarten zoo trip budget then believe us. Most creatives will tell you straight up how much a project will cost and they’re not trying to swindle you with that number.

A lot goes into planning, materials, locations and just time. You’re not the only one who’s got something to lose. No creative wants to make bad art.

africa February 7, 2020
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Birthright AFRICA: A new perspective for the Black Diaspora

Going back to the motherland can be a life-changing experience.

We’ve heard time and again that those privileged enough to go come back with an entirely new perspective and a new drive to succeed and share their success with their community.

These people are often celebrities who stop by during tours or actively seek to discover what the continent has to offer.

But not everyone has the resources to make such an epic journey. Enter Birthright AFRICA.

The beginning of Birthright AFRICA

You’ve probably heard of “Birthright” as a Jewish heritage program, Birthright AFRICA takes that concept and provides free educational trips to Africa for every youth and young adult of African descent in the U.S.

The organization was created in 2015 by Walla Elsheikh and Diallo Shabazz. Their mission is to help create a generation of global leaders and entrepreneurs.

U.S. citizens between the ages of 13 and 30 are invited to explore their cultural roots by selecting nations in Africa as a birthright.

“Through travel and project-based learning in collaboration with our partners, we aim to instill pride, enhance confidence,  and spark the creativity of our Scholars to fulfill their leadership and entrepreneurial aspirations.” – Birthright AFRICA

The Year of Return

The organization commemorated 2019 as “The Year of Return,” marking the 400 year anniversary of the first slave ship arriving in 1619 Jamestown, Virginia.

Birthright Africa works with sponsors like HBO to provide scholars with the ability to visit countries like Ghana and empower themselves.

It’s important for Black Americans as well as Black South Americans and Canadians to view Black History through the lens of a Black majority.

Birthright Africa allows Black youth to see themselves outside of the “minority” status they’re often ascribed to by their home countries.

A new perspective for Black Youth

Birthright Africa scholar and 23-year-old Haitian student Shaina Louis told CNN, “For those of us in the diaspora, our history, according to the textbooks, starts with slavery.“

She continued, “I was doubtful and kind of cynical about what the future holds not only for me as an individual but also for black people as a whole.”

“There is a sense of inner peace and ease I now have, that wasn’t there before. I can move forward with my life, with the intention behind everything I do.”

Another scholar who visited Ghana in 2019 through Birthright AFRICA, Kareem Williams said this about the trip,

“There’s so much prejudice and microaggressions [in the U.S.] that I didn’t feel in Ghana. I felt so connected to my ancestors for the first time. When I came back to the US, I realized how much it changed me. Like my life will never be the same.”

https://twitter.com/BirthrightAFRI/status/1198502870280261633?s=20

Some scholars even consider moving to the continent after their Birthright trip. Take 2018 Scholar Peteso Barlee,

“Growing up I was definitely very proud of my African roots but I think the Birthright AFRICA program has certainly played a major role in enhancing that awareness. I am now entertaining the idea of moving to the continent once I graduate college.”

The U.S. as Williams mentioned can be a highly disenfranchising place for minorities and Black Americans specifically.

Birthright AFRICA helps expand the Black perspective by reorienting African heritage and the diaspora to history, culture, and mindset that does not begin and end with American slavery.

To register for a Birthright Trip you can register on the organization’s website and open up a continent of possibility.

Bruh February 6, 2020
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A higher level of love: Here’s your 2020 Valentine’s Day gift guide

As Valentine’s Day approaches those of us looking to celebrate with a partner panic about what to get them. Still, those of us who are single may look to use the day as a self-love day alone or with friends.

Either way, you’ll probably need a gift guide to get you through the love holiday. Peep our Valentine’s Day gift guide list for some inspo.

Love-Cut: The Heart Shape Diamond Gift

People say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but Love-Cut is more than a sparkly companion. They say half of art is the amount of effort, love and time put into creating it.

For this, love-cut is a work of art, crafted with meaning into its heart shape. The diamond comes in small 0.08 Carat to an extra-large 0.5 Carat and is currently on sale with stacked price points. Sometimes the gift of luxury is the perfect symbolism for devotion.

Valentine's day gift guide 5
PerfectValentinesGift.com

Edible Cannabis-Infused Lube

The easiest product to get for sexy times is lube. A staple in many sexual activities, it seeks to provide comfort and “easy-going fun.” The perfect intro for hemp or cannabis-infused lube.

Many of these lubricants only give you a light sense of relaxation when used and rarely get you high unless of course, they’re also ingestible.

Velvet Swing is one of those lubes that you can use topically as well as ingest safely. Either way, you’re in for some great valentine’s activities.

Valentine's day gift guide 4
@velvetswing

Poplar V-day Bundles

Wanna go all out, but don’t know what to get? Maybe a curated bundle is what you need.

On Poplar, the price points are leveled and with titles like “We just started dating,” “It may be serious” or even “I hope we have (more) babies together” you have clear choices.

Each bundle has at least two to three items, whether they’re edibles, candles, lube or a joint holder necklace.

Valentine's day gift guide 3
@Poplar

Chocolate

Some might say, what’s valentine’s day without the chocolate?

Chocolate makes everything better, whether you’re sharing or bingeing. Since it’s still winter most places, you could always go for some Mexican hot chocolate.

Or add a lil something to that rich chocolate flavor craving and let these kiva bars take you higher.

Valentine's day gift guide 1
@kivaconfections

Self-care day

Self-care should be a regular occurrence but if you want to show extra love to yourself or your partner on the day of the valentine so be it.

Why not get some hemp-infused everything to go along with that skincare routine. Put on some Savage X Fenty, light some candles, smoke a blunt or drink some wine (or both) and sink into the relaxation only hemp-infused face masks can give you.

Some CBD infused oils never hurt either. You can get the SERENE HOUSE Ranger Essential Oil Diffuser for the low at Urban Outfitters.

Valentine's day gift guide 2
@SERENEHOUSE
10K80 February 4, 2020
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Here’s to creative survival: 5 things freelancers need to accomplish goals

We asked our followers on IG and the homies in our discord community: What’s one thing that you need as a creative to survive in these streets?

The answers we got were a mix of behaviors, personality traits and overall survival needs for any professional. So here’s your inspo for being a better creative in 2020.

Tough Skin

We don’t mean give up your skincare routine. But you know very well that creatives on their grind don’t encounter easy-going people every minute of the day.

Criticism is also something that should affect you but enough to help you progress not quit the race altogether.

“You have to stay humble, keep your goals in front of you and grind like someone is trying to take everything away from you. Tough skin will be the first layer of defense to help you weather the storm.” – Serge Efap, Kulture Hub CEO

Vision and belief in yourself

Our long time fam Raphael Henriquez made it a point in our discussion to highlight the creative vision and the importance of believing in yourself.

What’s your purpose? It’s easy to get lost in all your goals and to-do lists. But it’s important not to lose sight of what your larger goal is, which should be interlinked with the answer to the question of why you do what you do.

Knowing the answer to that question and regularly asking yourself could save you from wasting your time at a job you hate or it could reinvigorate your passion for a project.

“I think it’s all about kind of finding your own niche or purpose… What’s your purpose in your occupation?” – Sandy Lin, Life Coach and Fitness Influencer.

Positive mindset

Besides believing in yourself which is wildly important for any creative, viewing yourself and others through a positive light is important. This includes what NYC sports photographer Avery “AJ” Munroe said,

“Dropping your ego and not being afraid or being too prideful to ask for help when you need it.”

Collaboration and building a community of interconnected and helpful creatives is always a good idea. It, in turn, fosters a safe space to ask questions and promotes curiosity like user and KH’s Operations Manager Nidgel D’Souza highlighted.

Adaptability

In turn, this positive mindset can allow for adaptability. Art changes, people change and circumstances change.

Being “open and aware” as user and owner of Ousia Enrico Livanos said, can only help you in mastering several skills and situations.

Taking constructive criticism and using it to be better is a top-five skill for sure. Not to mention, adapting to how your environment is evolving.

This doesn’t need to be assimilation, it can also mean switching things up with new original ideas if you feel something is too mainstream or cooked and has lost its authenticity.

This also includes being in tune with the latest technology, like NYC artist King Spiff suggested on the gram. How else are you going to pump out quality work if you don’t have an up-to-date phone or laptop?

This is where preparation meets opportunity meets preparation kulture fam.

Oxygen

As our homie, Chris Wong stressed: “humans lack the ability to survive without oxygen.”

Yes, there’s the obvious need to breathe for any living creature, but for creatives, this is particularly important. Creatives are often too busy trying to get so much done, but burn out is so real.

Take a step back, slow down and do some quick self-care by meditating, breathing or just napping.

10K80 February 4, 2020
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Music duo WESLEE shares how they stay on their grind

You probably know WESLEE from their numerous hits, Something ‘Bout You, Bathwater, Venus and Sweat Dreams.

The dynamic duo comprised of singer Emma DD and producer Josh Grant, have been on their grind for some time now. I had to talk to them about their music, art, and their latest release “Peaches.”

Emma and Josh met while doing sessions for other people. It can be difficult to find people you vibe with on a personal level.

It can feel impossible at times, especially when it comes to your passion. But when it happens it can be the perfect combo for amazing music.

“It wasn’t ever like a conversation or a decision we have just been making music together since.”

But every situation has its downsides. Emma calls London home and Josh, originally from Kanses is in L.A. I asked them how they manage to work together while being an ocean away.

“I think the hardest part about not being in the same place is that the spur of the moment ideas don’t happen as often.”

Weslee continued,

“We’ve never done the send a track and sing on top sorta thing. We need to be in the same room. So, having not lived in the same place makes that hard but that’s all about to change this year.”

https://twitter.com/weareweslee/status/1215208055945814016?s=20

Since the long-distance music-making will be coming to an end, we’re sure to be getting more fire bops from the duo. When I asked WESLEE what we should expect in 2020, their response was clear.

“2020 is about to be lit.”

Until then, we have “Peaches” to bump. The song reminds Emma of a sweeter time. She told me about the song’s origins.

“I had the title sitting in my notes for ages and was just waiting for the right time, and was probably just thinking about when times were sweeter and it all made sense.”

Creativity can strike at any moment. And WESLEE’s music videos and visuals are uniquely creative and immediately recognizable with their colorful and funky style. I asked them how they come up with their music videos and lyric videos.

 

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🌟👾✨Venus is out in the world today✨Link in bio✨👾🌟

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“Honestly, it just depends! Some songs the visuals came hand in hand! Other times the idea might just hit you whenever like when eating cereal in the morn (how we came up with “something bout you” video)”

WESLEE has been killing it in the R&B world for a while. I asked the duo what advice they have for emerging artists looking to break into the music industry.

“Surround yourself with good people and good vibes, and listen to those people and yourself.”

So what’s next for WESLEE? The answer is simple,

“music, music, music, more music.”