We had the good fortune of connecting with Makeda Iroquois and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Makeda, what principle do you value most?
One of the values/principles that matter most to me n my work and in my life is truth telling. When asked “what is it that you want to say with your art?” I always mention that what I want to say may vary from day to day as my emotions and desire to express varies from day to day, but the principle that remains the same is: whatever I say MUST be the truth.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
This question is interesting because I feel like I am still arriving into my profession. In 2012 I made a mixtape on which one of the songs is called “Profess” and the hook goes “this is my profession…check me (don’t check me)” as if to say “Check it out, I do this. Don’t come for me.” Years later, there are still those insecurities and loose ends that have my older self unconvinced that I am a true professional in my field. What A ride. I can say that this describes my on going journey with my art up to this check point. Its been a constant churning of creating amazing music and concepts that people gravitate to and I can be proud of, only to still fall victim to this lingering personal “unfulfill-ment” that says “almost but not quite.” 2020 has been an explosive year for my ideas and I think I’m getting closer to making that thing that is ALL it can be, rather than “this was supposed to be…”
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve been wanting to take my friends to Bermuda for “Cup Match.” Cup Match is a holiday centered around the game of cricket (which is a huge sport in Bermuda) Its sort of like the island’s “carnival.” They have a week of beach parties, parades, yacht parties and tournaments topped with serious rival spirit form the two opposite ends of the island. Bermuda is really small but theres a lot of culture, history and architecture to dive into. Too bad COVID has put a damper on large crowds and I’m not sure if there will be a 2020 Cup Match but hopefully by the time I’m ready to take my friends the world will be open again.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out a colleague/peer and friend of mine Q. Elle (Que). As a woman in music with my perspective and experience, it is hard to find fellow truth tellers with a strong passion for integrity, forward thinking and a compassion for the world, let alone they be women. Que has shown me what it is like to balance being a business woman, a visionary, a team player, a free thinker, an artist and your own cheerleader when no one else seems to be in your corner. Its the resilience for me. I want to give this shout out to her because I know how hard it is to be who and what she is in the world of entertainment and that is a strong woman who stands for truth, culture, ancestry and freedom of self and most of all a true sister to those of the like. Que cannot be defined by my own words but for a glimpse into more of what we can expect from her in the future check out the following link: https://m.soundcloud.com/user-76532574/healing-and-spirituality-for-the-oppressed-soul
Website: makedairoquois.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makedairoquois/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeda-iroquois-226093143/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakedaIroquois
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakedaIroquois
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hfw643qU_o
Image Credits
Rowmel Findley Mahaneela Choudhury-Reid Kirk Collins Jr. Q. Elle