This trip to the west coast was a release..

Shoulders tired from holding the weight of the pain we’ve collectively held. This trip to the west was a retreat that we didn’t know we truly needed.

When you start to feel

like things should have

been better this year,

remember the mountains and valleys

that brought you here.

They are not accidents,

and those moments were not in vain.

You have grown and you are growing,

you are wrapped in

endless, boundless grace.

And things will get better,

there is more to you than yesterday.

— Morgan Harper Nichols

I am an American born Nigerian (1st gen), raised on the customs and nostalgia of my immigrant parents and my grandmother.

I remember them telling colorful stories about their adventures in “the village” and sitting in silent astonishment at their recollection of their youth. A common thread through all of their story telling was the descriptions of the trees around them. I could imagine myself walking in their footprints reliving those moments.

Funny enough, I would go to Nigeria and see some of those same trees with my own eyes and as I returned to America visiting botanical garden’s i’d see those same trees. Having a full circle moment seeing the same trees my parents watched growing up but in a foreign land. A new home. Where my only reference to home are the leaves and the stories of my ancestors.

Amidst a pandemic thousands of people from across the country gathered in Washington DC at the Lincoln to on August 28th, 2020. 57 years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream speech” were still marching and protesting for the same freedoms. A beautifully charged mass of people gathered to make their voices heard and make a statement nationally.

This was my first contact with the underground local music scene in Baltimore. A friend of mine invited me to the Butch Dawson and Friend’s show and it turned out that I was a friend of one of Butch’s friends.

My home girl, Kherri is DamnKham’s sister. One of the few female DJ’s on the scene. I was real interesting experiencing the night from a view of a female artist.

Meet my friend Vanté. A Philly based singer/songwriter/poet who recently released an EP called “FLOWERS”. I took a trip up I-95 to meet him at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to further dissect “Vanté the artist” as we perused the galleries having conversations about Art and Artistry.

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Well for those who won’t know, who is Vanté?

Vanté is a fun, laid back low-key type of person. I’m kind of a introvert but it helps with the art :)

How would you define your artistry? What’s your medium?

Definitely through writing. I express myself through poetry and music.

How’d that start?

I got my start in writing when I was in 8th grade. The first poem I ever wrote was about my hair brush. It was so silly but I just like the expression and how I felt afterwards. As years went on it just manifested into deeper poetry, then songs then singing. Slowly it all just came together.

Do you have a certain philosophy on writing?

Ummm just be honest with yourself. Try not to think so hard on what to say, Just write down however you feel at the moment. Being honest with how you feel first is what makes good writing in my opinion.

What inspired your latest project?

FLOWERS EP was about a recent relationship I had with a guy. It didn’t end to well. Almost nearly being depressed about it, I found inspo from it to write down how I felt. I talk really in depth about it in my poetry book Sweet, Melancholy.

What’s your favorite song on this project and why?

Oddly, it’s “Luna’s Lament”. I love it because it reminds me of like an Anime break song between credits .. or like something from Saga that plays in the background as you choose your character to fight with. And also lastly because, Luna from Sailor Moon has such a heart wrenching realization, something I relate a lot.

Have you always been a singer or is this new for you?

It’s kinda new but really it’s not. I always played around with the idea of singing and wanting to sing so I took voice lessons here and there. recording multiple songs and putting out this EP was very new to me, It was a lot of hard work but I learned a lot while doing it. I can’t wait to make more.

Do you see yourself exploring other mediums in the future?

Absolutely. I’m always open and willing to try new things so expressing myself through something other then music/writing will be a definite.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Ahh, ! have so many! But mainly, The Weeknd, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, Lana Del Rey, and Frank Ocean. Tbh music generally just inspires me.

What are your goals creatively

I really just want to inspire. I want my music, my poetry, whatever i’m doing to express myself; I want that to really resonate with people. With everything going on right now in the world, Music is used as a form of escape. People forget about whatever it is they’re going through while listening to something they relate to or just love overall. I always want my creative outlet to make others feel like that. Forget all their problems in the moment and just vibe out to my shit.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years creativity?

In the next 5 years God willingly, I see myself being a top selling artist, putting out music that relates to everyone, and being honest with myself while doing so. I just want to take my place in this world and help it in any way I can starting with music.

How can people listen to your project and stay connected to Vanté?

You can listen to my EP “FLOWERS” on soundcloud and spinrilla, search Vanté. Follow me on IG @vanteshow for new music and updates.