Today we’d like to introduce you to MUSU MUSU.
MUSU, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved music and I have always loved performing. I remember being in preschool and clamoring for the microphone to sing the national anthem in front of the whole school at the weekly morning assemblies. Somewhere along the way, I began to battle anxiety about performing, but my love for it never went away. Singing in church became somewhat of a safe haven for me because you can’t boo kids and you can’t boo God or else you’re going to hell *insert laughing emojis here lol*. As a kid, I was going through a lot at home and at school, so I frequently sought escape from my surroundings in my own head. I would write either to process my emotions or fantasize about the life I really wanted to live. When I got my hands on my first laptop, I started making my own original music. All throughout this time, I was heavily involved with the arts programs at school and church. Even after leaving school, I was active in my church’s choir ministry despite still battling anxiety every time I got on stage. I didn’t gain the confidence to put out my own music until 3 years ago, with my first single, “Pretending,” and I didn’t start performing my music until 2 years ago. Over the past few years, I focused on trusting myself as an artist and a performer and last year I released my first project, “valencia motel,” produced by Maestro Styles. My music is a reflection of my innermost being, my deepest wounds, and my most hidden desires, and it can be scary to be so vulnerable with people, but since the release of my last project, I’ve been overcoming anxiety by performing my music locally with every opportunity I’ve been blessed with, and continuing to build upon the sonic universe in my head.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest struggle has always been the voice in my head the tells me I’m not good enough. I was always set apart and I seldom related to my peers. I always seemed to say the wrong things at the wrong times, I was either too loud or not loud enough, I was just a weird kid and I didn’t realize how off-putting I was to people until they would call it out. Once very outspoken and unabashed, I became shy and withdrawn. Aside from my personality, my body image was a source of contention throughout my life as well. I grew up fat and dark skinned in a society that punishes women for being both of those things individually, exponentially so if you dare to be both concurrently. I didn’t look anything like the singers I was emulating. I didn’t look anything like the girls who didn’t want to be my friend. No one was around to mirror my reality back to me and reassure to me that my differences are what make me myself, so I began to believe that different meant wrong, like the rest of our society. From early on, I began to equate my differences with a sense of rejection and loneliness. However, the voice in my head is also my biggest help, in a devil on your left shoulder, God on your right kind of way. I have such a rich inner world since I’ve met with myself for so long, and the gift of choice to pick which voice I want to believe. The blessing in all of this is that the right side is a lot stronger than the left side is loud.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is MUSUMUSU and I’m a singer/songwriter. My latest project, “valencia motel,” is an R&B/Neo Soul record, but I generally delve into the realms of alternative R&B. I am equally as proud of my first single as I am my latest project. As a person and as an artist, I’ve changed significantly in the span of those releases. My first single, “Pretending,” was something I held onto for months, tweaking it until I felt it hit the ever elusive standard of perfect. I wanted to prove to myself that I was good enough to pursue a career in this field. When I listen to it now, there’s so much that I would change technically with what I’ve learned along the way, but the spirit of it and the fact that I dared to be brave and share it is what I’m most proud of. It’s also a very impressive first single, in my not so humble opinion! I love my latest release for a similar reason. I was naked, vulnerable, and willing to let people see me and choose to not like what they see. I think that’s what makes my music stand out. I’m not one for pretenses. People are used to braving a mask just to get through the day, but when they press play on my songs and really listen to what I’m saying, they can see themselves in the mirror.
What matters most to you?
This is corny, but love. It’s the one thing that could save the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/musumusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musumususoul/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@musumususoul
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/uA1yYlDBME2fhtLM4W
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@musumususoul
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Marcus Barnes
Additional Photos 1-4: Annakaan
Additional Photos 5-6: Tia Stevens
