Rolla- This Next Achievement (Musician, Entertainer & Entrepreneur)

Edition Seven-Week Seven:

By: Mercedes Barreto / Photography by: Ambery Antoinette

When you make special and certain advances, despite whatever your industry of expertise might be, how do you know when you are making such progression? Rolla explores with us her achievements in her career as a musician, artist, and entrepreneur, in this guided yet informative article.

What has been a highlight of this year 2022 in your career as an entertainer and musician?

“The highlight(s) for this year 2022 in my music career stem from a variety of smaller achievements, which are just as important to me because they are more than just smaller achievements. They are footprints I am setting into existence that, with my persistence alone, will bring much greater and bigger opportunities, which I have been speaking about, asking for, and working hard towards. These are only a few of my achievements listed so far. At the top of the year (2022), my song “WORTH” was featured on an LGBT Podcast, ‘The QReviews’ (The Q LGBTQ Creative Network – OUT LOUD RADIO). Although this next achievement occurred just last year, this accomplishment is more than just a highlight. It is the markings of my greatest and hardest works and accomplishments also. My song “WORTH” surpassed 10k streams, and I am #TunecoreCertified! I have to acknowledge this achievement forever since I have earned it fairly and honestly. Things like this usually do not happen to artists like me, and most importantly, it’s my foot slightly kicking a door in to unravel my next greatest achievement. This has something to do with the hashtag: #DOPEArtistThursday By GraveYardEnt. They have considered me a DOPE artist a few times, which is just another great acknowledgment and accomplishment I have received, which means I am being noticed as an artist. This is regarding my music, most importantly. However, I was also given another feature (write-up) in another magazine named Memphis Voyager Magazine (again, just a few things that have topped 2022 so far), and it is not yet over. So, folks of all walks are going to have to stay tuned and stay glued to see what is next and coming! Besides my smaller achievements, I am currently recording new music in the studio”.

What defines success for you? Have you achieved your goals so far?

“What defines success is my determination and my ambition to proceed, even when the going gets tough. What defines success is seeing to it that my younger, ‘little girl’ dreams are finally becoming a reality. What defines success for me is never letting someone tell me that I cannot do something because I will, and I will not stop until I do so, and I will continue with that until it has been achieved. I will continue on this road because I am just getting started. God gave me this beautiful talent to sing, and I AM determined to share the gift he gave me with the world! It is NOT over.”

What is a song that you feel will hit big and that resonates most with your listening audience?

“A song that I feel will hit big, and resonate most with my listening audience, are the songs I have not written yet.

The songs I have written that have not been heard (yet) will surely resonate with my audience. This is because I write by also telling my story. Whether someone has gone through something similar or has felt the same thing, we all have been through something. Whether it’s telling the story through my music or my other creative side by creating comedic videos. “

If you could pick two prominent industry executives to pump up your career and your music tracks, what two individuals would you choose immediately with no hesitation?

“Usher & Pharrell Williams would be my top two choices. This is because they are two amazing musicians who stand alone due to their style, their music (definitely, and because they do not sound like any other artists out there currently. They both had their distinctive sound back in the day. I can relate and resonate with them both because I view myself the same way. I always have and continue to find it slightly difficult to find artists that sound similar to me or that have a similar sound to my sound. I have not been successful with any similar findings. Therefore, they would be my major two picks right away.”

What makes music important to you?

“What makes music important to me is because God gave me this amazing talent. I simply refuse to waste it. I have a voice to share through beautiful creativity, with word… Music is powerful, it’s universal, it signifies relation, and it’s sincerity. It’s about purity, a means of therapy, and mostly, it’s my way of performing release and meditation! This is why music is important to me. God gave me this gift for a purpose!”

What is your source of ultimate inspiration on a daily basis?

“My ultimate inspiration, daily, is to see other greats’ that have or are achieving triple the number of their most significant expected accomplishments. It’s a drive for me. It’s saying to myself that if they have it and have done it, then I can do the same! #PointBlank .The biggest thing is disciplining myself not to be afraid and to knock down doors. I need to knock down those doors and be persistent, without any doubt or fear!”

Where can we find more of your work? What makes you iconic? Why should we listen?

“I am currently working on a new website for myself, which is exciting (that way, folks can link me up all in one place)! But until then, everyone can find more information about me on my linktree page (Swimming Against All Currents! | Linktree ) & for all other individuals, my music is here ffm.bio/musicsmilewitme. People should listen since I write music that is true to me, as a person, as an artist… I refuse to come off as something I am not. I am not trying to ‘out’ any other artists. Some portray an image that is not them, and I can see right through it. I want to be as honest as possible, so I am not only telling my story across the globe, but some young girls and boys will look up to me, if not already. I don’t want to give the wrong presentation to them, which I believe makes me very iconic! I am not saying I am perfect because, in the end, no one is perfect. #SmileWitME “

Anything to add here?

“To sum it all up, I am more than blessed, and I am always grateful for all the opportunities given me. I envision and visualize my future every day. I am working towards certain changes to live my life as I have envisioned. As a little girl, and even as of now, it’s imperative to bring it all back to the reality of things. I want the best for myself and my family, and I want to give back to those who have been on this journey with me since the beginning of time. Join me, swimming against all currents. #SmileWitME “