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

Hi Rell, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Giving up is never an option…and yet, scaling back/changing pace/adjusting technique is always a good idea when I need an energy shift. For me, the temptation to “give up” may peak its head sometimes, but it’s constantly being grounded by remembering how far I already have come. “Keep going” can literally be a mantra on those days when it feels like nobody’s listening, when it feels like there aren’t any show opportunities, when it feels like the work you’re putting in isn’t going anywhere. Personally, I air on the side of keeping myself inspired – especially during the times when “giving up” seems like an option.

On the other hand, it is important to know when a project/space/relationship is beginning to sunset. That is natural. Being able to acknowledge and embrace change is important. Someone might call it “giving up”, but it may be a situation where a change is happening and you just need to flow with it or let it be. When you look at it like that, you’re actually telling yourself “keep going, and…”

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.
I remember being in like 4th grade or something when me and my friends wrote this song at school. I came home and asked my sister to help me write another part to it, or something like that. That makes me laugh today, because just earlier this week I sent my sister a song that I recorded and asked her to listen and tell me how it makes her feel. Having full circle moments like that is what makes me proud of myself- I’ve been making music for hella long! I’m just an artist, you know – a musician, a rapper, an Underground Educator and organzier, and lately I’ve been getting into acting. I’m learning more and more every day.
There’s hella creative people around me! I get to make music and build community with them and they are huge influences. The community at Mead Street Studio in South Seattle has helped me develop into the artist I am today.
A big part of my story as an artist is really about having a consistent creative output. I am always working on something new and a little weird or eccentric, because I never have been one to blend in with the crowd. Naturally I drift into something different, usually just because of curiosity or being bored with the norms.
People usually see an post online or an album release and assume they know where you’re at, for real. Being an independent artist aint easy at all. You can’t just be an artist – you gotta either BE or executive produced every element of your business and brand. That can take away from time spent making the art, so you gotta be committed. It’s a beautiful struggle…but worth it when you’re creating from a real energy and keep a growth mindset.
I got visions that I haven’t even scratched the surface of and that inspires me to stay focused and driven.

Link to Mead St. IG:
https://www.instagram.com/mead.st/

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you come to Seattle with me, you gon eat some Soul Food – Catfish Corner, Simply Soulful, Jerk Shack, Communion, sumn like that! I’m not taking you to the Space Needle or Pike Place, we don’t do that. I’ll take you to the water, either in the CD or Seward Park. You already know, we gotta drive through the Southend just so you can feel the vibes of the neighborhood. Since we’d be there, I’ll slide you through Mead Street so you can see the studio – wanna record something? We could turn it into a session! Other fun stuff? You gotta go to a Seattle Storm game; see Mt. Tahoma (on Nisqually land), tap in and learn all the Indigenous Nations that are in the PNW; we can get coffee at The Station or Cafe Avole; go to a high school basketball game like Rainier Beach vs. Garfield (for example hehe).
Some of the best things here are outside, so definitely get your nature time in. As far as nightlife, you just better hope Hrvst House or Sway & Swoon is throwing a party because otherwise idk…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to the Women in my life who are in my corner and inspire me. My Mom, my sister, my partner, my homies and beyond.
Especially thinking about my Mom who keeps teaching me how to love myself and others. She taught me about grief and creating space for yourself to grieve – those lessons inspired so much music that I made in 2023. She just published her first book this year and it goes to show that she is still committed to growing herself. It also shows that our creativity is unlimited! We gotta continue to find new outlets to express ourselves through life. My mom has kept a smile on her face through major pain and at the same time shows me that it is okay to cry it out too…She definitely deserves a shoutout!
It’s all helped shape who I am becoming.

Link to my Mom’s book:
https://www.amazon.com/Setting-Aside-Silence-Word-Time/dp/B0CNV5LPBC/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1702414896&refinements=p_27%3AShawn+Davis&s=books&sr=1-2

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rellbefree/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rellbefree

Image Credits
Sam Haile, Kyla Mae, Jake G.

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