We had the good fortune of connecting with R3AL and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi R3AL, how do you define success?
The way I define success is through progress. To me it doesn’t matter how big or small the progress may be. If you made steps forward and not backwards you’re successful.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I consider myself to be a “trap conscious” artist. I’m in my own genre. That’s what sets me apart from others. I take the trap sound and add substance talking about life and give a different outlook on what some don’t see a way out of. By doing this I make you dance to your own pain. I make you celebrate what wasn’t a good day but you didn’t lose your mind. What I’m most proud of is getting feed back from my supporters when they listen to the music I release. It’s like they find little golden nuggets in the songs I write and hold on to it because they can add it to their life and use it in any situation. To be honest I’m not where I want to be professionally because I see so much more for myself. However, I work hard at it everyday because I know I’m closer than I was yesterday. It’s no where near easy, but it’s worth it! Because if this journey was easy everybody would take the path that I’m on. The lessons that I learned while being on this journey is you have to believe in yourself when nobody else believes in you. You have to be in tune with you blocking out the noise from the world. That’s how I overcome a lot of challenges I face and that’s what my brand stands for. BELIEVE!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First thing first! We have to go to Slutty Veagan! lol! The Fussy Hussy and One Night Stand are my favorites that they have to try along with 4 sweet potato pies, slutty sauce and slutty lemonade. Then we would go to Sun Trust Park to catch a Brave’s game and have a few drinks at the Battery Atlanta. After that I would take them to the High Museum of Art to see the Virgil Abloh exhibit. And of course we have to go to Magic City and Blue Flame lol! That’s art too! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would first like to dedicate this shoutout to my mother! She keeps me uplifted no matter what I’m going through and is always there for me. She is the meaning of sacrifice and humility. Sometimes words cannot describe how much she means to me. She has instilled a lot within me spiritually to the point where I can take it with me where ever I go. It’ s the best form of currency to me because we all know money comes and goes. However, the wisdom that she has passed down to me will stay with me forever and that holds a lot of value. This shoutout also goes to my big sister Kristin! Just like my mother she keeps me uplifted and makes sure that I’m sticking to the plan no matter what happens. I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my high school English teacher Mark Greenstreet as he believed in me from day one when I performed for him during a school assembly. He took me under his wing nurturing my writing and gave me a platform to express my myself through music. This shoutout also goes to my mentors Delon Fletcher and Travis Mitchell. These two men I hold myself accountable to. I consider them to be my OG’s lol! They keep it real with me and give the best advice using their life experiences teaching me how to be a better man, a better business and better artist.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smn_r3al/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMN_R3AL

Other: Two Weeks Notice Proud 2 Pay Capsule: https://smnr3al.bandcamp.com/ Apple Music Two Weeks Notice EP: https://music.apple.com/us/album/two-weeks-notice-ep/1461482845

Image Credits
Kristin Ellison

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