“I make sure to prioritize myself and my mental so I can put out the best art possible.”

Akai Marje is a singer-songwriter, model, and event coordinator originally from Florida but now, based out of Atlanta. We’re honored to have share her amazing journey, inspirations, and some gems with us:

CF — Hey Akai, just wanted to start off by thanking you for your time and chatting with us! How has life been for you lately?

Akai - Hey! I appreciate y’all reaching out to me. Life has been good for the most part. I’ve been taking a lot of time to slow down and create a lot of breaks in between the creative endeavors that I’ve been having.

CF — That’s good to hear! It’s definitely important to take mental breaks here and there. Could you share with us some of those endeavors and your creative medium(s)?

Akai - I’ve been involved in making new music + preparing for shows later this year, getting back into modeling + building my portfolio, traveling for ballroom competitions and trying to edit + post content for all these things

CF — Sounds like you keep a busy schedule! How do you manage to keep up with all of that, while also staying inspired?

Akai - I give myself a lot of grace that I didn’t before, and I make sure to take breaks. Being in this industry will make you feel inadequate for simply resting and that was something that was hard for me at first. Now I make sure to prioritize myself and my mental so I can put out the best art possible.

CF —— That’s a great perspective to have! No matter how much you do, there will always be more so pacing yourself is important. Since we’ve discussed how you stay inspired, would you mind sharing who some of your biggest inspirations are creatively?

Akai - I loveeee so many artists but I’ve been heavy on Janelle Monae, Anderson.Paak, Tyler the Creator and Beyonce to name a few. They all create on their own terms without borders & lean into different avenues.

CF — These artists definitely push the boundaries of creative freedom. They continue to reinvent themselves on a visual and sonic level! Do you also have any models who have inspired you in that space?

Akai - Honestly when it comes to models, I would say of course Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell. But I also have to mention Beth Ann Hardison who was one of the 1st black high-profile models & activists - she brought a lot of people into the industry that we know today. Also, Tracey Africa Norman who was the first black trans model, even though I’m not trans I'm inspired by her just due to the fact that she too, broke down barriers for so many people to come after her.

CF — Love that response, history and legacy are essential parts of moving the culture forward. Since this is the ATL edition, we’d like to know how long you’ve been in Atlanta and also how the city has impacted you creatively?

Akai - Exactly! And I've been in Atlanta for 3 going on 4 (in January) years which is soooo crazy to think about. This city is my 2nd home and truly changed my life. With constant access to different people and different spaces, it truly is a place where the ball is in your court. I love Atlanta.

CF — Agreed, Atlanta is an amazing city with a rich culture! Where are you originally from and how was your experience transitioning from there to immersing yourself into the scene here?

Akai - I'm originally from Florida and honestly my transition was really good. It was very overwhelming at first and I did get burnt out because of how fast paced it is & how the city never sleeps. I would go to work, get a quick bite and then be in studio sessions basically every night for hours at a time. But after a while I found my own rhythm and found people that made those experiences so worthwhile.

CF — The opportunities are endless if you’re willing to put the effort in. Well, we thank you for your time and for sharing your amazing story, we wish you much success! Before we wrap things up, what should we be on the lookout for and how can the community support?

Akai - Thank you so much! You can follow me on all platforms at @akaimarje and also follow @themixerintl to stay tapped in with events I throw for the community.