Meet B.Lin | Author & Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with B.Lin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi B.Lin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The reason I pursued an artistic and creative career is because I am naturally artistic and creative. Steve Harvey put it best when he said that “your gift is whatever you do best with the least amount of effort.” I come from a musical family so I’ve always been around music. I started writing poetry in 5th grade and raps in 6th, for fun and venting purposes. However, I wasn’t around anyone who was writing so I viewed it as a talent before I viewed it as a gift. It wasn’t until I wrote my first song at 14 that I realized it was a gift because not only was it a great song, I’d written it fairly quickly and effortlessly! It was a fulfilling feeling almost beyond explanation and I knew I needed to dive deeper. Writing is where I feel most…me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am currently 28 years old. I have been a singer all my life, a poet and rapper since grammar school, a songwriter since high school, and an author since 2020. I LOVE writing. It’s where I am most stretched, most inspired, and most authentic.

The journey hasn’t always been easy, but writing has always been my favorite escape. In fact, if I didn’t know how to express myself through writing I really don’t know how I would have gotten through some of life’s circumstances. In 2018, God told me to write a book. I heard it clear as day, but at the time it hadn’t been a goal so I wrote one chapter and then pushed it to the back of my mind. 6 months later, I was in a 4 car collision and it sent me down a path that I didn’t foresee. I was upset with God and upset that I wasn’t where I wanted to be in life creatively and I wasted a lot of that year just being upset.

Fast forward to the end of 2019, I was praying and had been reminded of the book he told me to write. I was so grateful because my anger from the accident had caused me to forget all about that book. Needless to say, I dedicated the first half of 2020(including quarantine from the pandemic) to writing and completing my book. I officially became a published author to the book “How You See It” by B.Lin on August 28th, 2020.

I love music more than anything. That’s the reason I had been so lazy with writing my book. I thought that I only wanted to write music and in the end, writing the book made me an even better songwriter. In June of 2021, my apartment building caught fire and I was the last to escape the building. Things could have easily gone another way because my smoke alarm had never gone off, God honestly woke me up that morning.

After the fire, a friend of mine encouraged me to purchase a journal and write out my feelings so that they wouldn’t stunt my growth. While living in a hotel for a few weeks, so many songs started pouring out of me and I’ve been a better creator in every aspect ever since. I say all of that to say that I survived two near death experiences for a reason. Every time I survive, I become a better writer. I’m most excited to pursue all that God has for me so that my life will be a testament for what happens when you turn trauma into triumph!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Chicago is the best city ever. I’m not saying that because I’m bias, it really just is. We have so much to offer. If my best friend was visiting me, I would take them to eat at Chicago’s Chicken & Waffles, Harold’s Chicken, Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, Portillo’s, & Gibsons Steakhouse to name a few. We’d also go to Promontory Point lakefront in Hyde Park because the view is stellar and I also shot my very first music video there! We would go to Lucky Strikes bowling alley downtown because it’s just a cool looking alley with a pool hall on the other side and I love a nice aesthetic along with bowling and pool! I’m a movie head so we would go to Icon Theater on Roosevelt and then do a little shopping downtown because who visits Chicago and doesn’t go downtown?! We’d also have to take a walk in Millennium Park so we could see the bean and the fountain! Garrets Popcorn would be an absolute snack choice. Hmm what else? I would find us a paint and sip as well and we would go to City Winery to enjoy a fun night and some good music! If it’s the winter, a bulls game could be added to the list and if it’s the summer, we would go horseback riding in a suburban area. I think it’s safe to say my bestie would have a wonderful time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I give God full credit for my talents and gifts. The fact that he created me with creative abilities just blows my mind and allowing me to be birthed into a musical family was just the cherry on top! I would also love to dedicate my shoutout to everyone I’ve ever loved. Had it not been for love, I would have a lot less poems, songs, and chapters written. Love is my favorite desire, my favorite reality, and my favorite muse.

Website: www.blincreates.com

Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/blincreates

Twitter: Twitter.com/blincreates

Youtube: B.Lin

Other: You can find my music on all platforms under B.Lin and my book, “How You See It” can be found on Amazon!

Image Credits
Likisha Patton, DDI Cinema, AG Photography , Dwight Thomas