Painting a Picture of Color.
Photography by Amy Schwartz
Like the colors on a canvas, aspects of artistry come together to create a unique whole. Intangible virtuosity, perseverance, and personal history paint a bigger picture. For Color., what you give is what you get, and she is giving individuality, optimism and pure natural talent to her music.
Artistry has the ability to inspire, to create, and to change. Color. is what her name embodies. Colors carry emotional weight and Color.’s music combines her prodigal skills and perspective to evoke feelings in listeners. As a part of S.N.B.JR. (Stopping. Negative. Business. JustRise.) Records, she blends instrumentals and honest lyricism to exude her mindset and outlook on life. She brings her genuine self to her artistry, a combination of parts that can only be described as Color. being Color.. Period.
I had the lovely experience of meeting Color. and the opportunity to ask her questions I was curious to know the answers to. Read the Q&A with Color. below and stream her latest single, TNT.
Hi! So nice to connect with you, Color.! Starting off, Your music combines rapping and singing in a very beautiful way. What are some inspirations for your sound?
Well, I started off as just a lil instrumentalist at a very young age like 4 or 5 y/o. Due to my Grandfather. Then I started writing poetry to instrumentals he created. Which turned into me trying to sing. And one day I decided to play around freestyle and thought if I actually tried to rap for real what would it sound like on this and since then it just flows with however I’m feeling with the instrumental. That’s why sometimes you may just get straight rap / straight singing but if the vibe is right I’ll give both.
Positivity seems to be a large theme in your projects. Where does this theme of positive thinking come from and how has it shaped your art?
It’s enough negative stuff going on in the world right now. And honestly the art shaped me like, the more I choose positivity in all aspects of my life the more positivity comes into my life. My art is a safe space for everyone to vibe and relate. And even if you can’t relate to what I may say in a song, there’s still a vibe.
Your music is very personal and reflective! How do you approach expressing intimate ideas in your songs?
As I said to the previous question I’m just very straight forward and honest in real life and in my music so, if the instrumental suits me whatever comes out just goes. Like I really can’t even explain it I literally can write a song in less than 10 min especially when the instrumental resonates with me it’s gone just flow out of me as if I ate bad dairy.
What do you hope resonates with your audience about your music?
Being authentic. Not following crowds. Not caring what others think and doing what works for you in this life. Be different.
You have an extensive history with playing instruments and writing and reading sheet music. Tell me a little about your band geek side! What instruments did you play and how has your history with playing instruments influenced you as an artist?
I play woodwinds, brass, a little keys and percussion (7 instruments). My Grandfather was a jazz musician and I used to be a little scared of him but when he was out and about I used to sneak into his room and play on his instruments and one day I got a little carried away and lost track of time.. annd he was just watching me through the crack of his room door and I’m just in my own lil world and he walked in and told me he was a little impressed and asked me if I wanted to learn how to read music and play for real, and at first I thought he was gone cuss me out for touching his stuff but nah now I’m a real musician because of him.
When did it click that you wanted to transition from playing instruments to being an artist?
Honestly I always believed playing instruments was supposed to be part of being a artist. Things have changed a lot in the music industry. Now everybody just press buttons on a pad and mix things that’s already been created by someone else. Which kinda sucks but consumers still consume. Whoopty doo.
I know your grandfather was a jazz musician. Who is your grandfather and how has he and the influence of jazz music shaped your writing and creative process?
My grandfather was THAT NIGGA. Like he was really booked back in the day his name was Sam. He toured all that. Now I must say I’ve always “ conjured” my own sound he just taught me the basics and told me to stick with it. We had jam sessions where I would freestyle of course on instruments, now that taught me how to just not think about it so much while I’m creating and just do whatever felt good to me. Which created ME. Color.!
What is the story behind your name? Any reasoning for the period at the end?
My name was literally rushed thinking I went to my first open mic event when I was like 12 or 13 and they’re like write your artist name on this list…I didn’t have one and I hated my government name but I’m like “let me think about what has different things that bring different feelings” due to me not really having a set genre of music that I make. And I’m like Color.? Cause Colors do bring different moods to the room it got a “ artsy” ring to it and I’m only good at using the right side of my brain. And the period just represents me just being authentically me like Color. Period I’m just Color. A walking creative.
I can’t wait to see what you do next! What can you tell me about some of your upcoming projects?
NOTHING. Stay tuned, and see what happens next on dragon ball Z.
Who are some artists you admire and see on the come up next year in Chicago?
@lilbabychiefdoit, @greenttea.tempos , @hunnyjanae, @keekokeyvon, @dseakadessy, @Christianjalon etc. the list is really endless.
What have you learned throughout your career so far? What is some advice you would give to listeners, readers, or aspiring artists?
Life is short whatever opportunity come your way take it. Coming up as a artist you’re an entrepreneur, you may not get paid everytime but that time will come trust me, don’t focus on that. Just do it. Do it broke, do it sad, do it mad, do it tired. Whatever cause if you gone tomorrow at least you did what made you happy.
Thank you so much for your time! Is there anything else about yourself as an artist or your projects that you want to speak on or have known?
Thank you for having me! Honestly I just wanna say I really do appreciate the open minded folks and strangers that have been keeping up with the things I create while my fan base is small and not popular right now one day I will show those day ones how much I really appreciate them so stick around it’s about to get fun. Wink wink.