The Art of Being Vulnerable with Your Craft

Growing up as a young man with a lot of hard feelings, I found writing to be both an escape and a comforting canvas—a way to process my outlook on the world, love, and the chaos around me. I’m not sure if it was Poetic Justice, The Five Heartbeats (both of which I watched by the time I was eight), or listening to Tupac as a kindergartener that taught me this truth— paper could be a safe space.

Over the years, I always carried a notebook. That changed when I got an iPhone, and now my Notes app is full of songwriting, drawings, manifestations, poetry to ex-girlfriends—or to someone I’m texting right now. No matter the medium, I realized that to improve or evolve as an artist, I had to find the most honest parts of myself—for clarity, and to sharpen my craft.

Some of my most recent music is rooted in real-life truths and the acceptance that sometimes, I’m the antagonist in my own story (let’s be honest---villains often steal the show). Embracing that side of myself has helped me form deeper connections with my audience. It’s also allowed me to discover personal principles around honesty and vulnerability—principles that have helped me grow not just as an artist, but as a person.

As an R&B artist, I’ve learned that vulnerability is a superpower. When you show up as your most honest self—right or wrong—you open a space for real connection. Many of the things I’ve written, even those pulled from my darkest moments, have resonated with people because they speak to something universal. Writing about being selfish in love, or being in love with the wrong person, ends up touching people, because we've all wrestled with imperfections.

One lesson I've learned from working with people over the years is this: relatability and empathy are what build true connections, no matter where someone comes from. We all share moments of struggle, joy, heartbreak, and triumph—because we are all human. Much of that connection is rooted in the shared trials and tribulations of life.

This understanding has been shaped by years of listening to R&B and finding safe spaces in the music I fell in love with. You can hear it in the raw emotion and relatability behind songs like Usher’s “Confessions,” Janet Jackson’s “I Get Lonely,” SZA’s “Supermodel,” Summer Walker’s “Playing Games,” and Brandy’s “Brokenhearted.”

These classics—and many of today’s biggest records—resonate because of their transparency. Whether it’s pain, romantic love, or deep lust, this honesty allows fans to connect with our souls on a deeper level.

Whether you're making R&B or creating in any other field, learning to access your most vulnerable parts is what makes your work relatable. It builds trust. We’re all human, navigating love and life in ways that transcend race, gender, or circumstance. The more honest and relatable we are, the closer we become—and that closeness makes us one.

Passion and understanding have always been the catalyst for breaking down barriers. Vulnerability is the bridge.