Written Interview
Tell me about yourself. What do you enjoy outside of your art?
Outside of art I love being apart of my community. I’m social justice advocate I am very passionate about people. I want to make the world a better place before I depart from the realm.
What’s a day in your life like when you’re not creating?
When I’m not creating, I’m usually doing chemotherapy as I am battling cancer. But even in my down time I still am working behind the scenes with things related to my art. Rather is business or me working on my next poem for my next album release.
What first pulled you into your medium—whether that’s painting, photography, producing, or songwriting? Was there a specific moment that clicked for you?
What pulled me into my current space with my poetry and music has to be my battle with leukemia. I got diagnosed in 2021 and I had this overwhelming feeling of needing to leave something worth wild of myself behind. I wanted the people who knew and loved me to have a piece of me they could hold on to forever. I wanted my art to far outlive me.
How would you describe your style or signature as an artist? Do you feel like it’s evolving, or do you have a clear lane you love to stay in?
I am a storyteller, my ability to paint a picture with words you can feel in your very spirit is my signature. My style is a mixer of soul and poetry. I feel like my pen is always evolving with the varied stories I tell through my life experience. I don’t have a lane I love to stay in, I just write or sing where ever my soul take me.
What does being an artist mean to you on a personal level? Is it therapy, resistance, storytelling, or something else?
To me being artist is my life existence in this realm of living. Is my tool I use to heal people and myself. It is therapy, it is church. Sometimes it’s even the purest joy you can experience.
Can you walk me through your creative process from idea to execution? What sparks the beginning of a piece?
Many of my poem’s spark from a personal life experience, and my need to release it outside of myself. Once I pen it to paper, it begins to have life of its own. Then I reach out to amazing producers like Day solo or Tone DaGifted and they help me bring my words to life with music and vocal recording.
What’s the most “unhinged” or unexpected thing you’ve created or included in your work? No judgment, this is a safe space!
I wrote and recorded the poem The End? On my album Black God where I spoke about my sexual assault and being abused and feeling like I didn’t wanna be here anymore because of my cancer diagnosis. It was grim and dark. Something I am not very known to do. It was raw unfiltered truth I hadn’t really spoken out loud to anyone. And here I was putting it on an album for the world to hear.
Who or what are your biggest inspirations right now, inside or outside your medium?
People I have met in this life have been my biggest inspiration, rather is Tone DaGifted or Day Solo, Jeremiah Whitehead, Zaey DelSol, Muziekavelli or my brother Courtney Bell. Or writers like my sister Kai Moriah or singers like Taylor Tatum. I’ve met so many amazing artists in my journey who have inspired me to test my pen and be my authentic self.
How important is collaboration in your work? Are you more solo-driven, or do you feed off the energy of working with others?
I haven’t done a lot of collaborations, but I have a few under my belt. I love working with like minded artist. Feeding off each others energy masterpieces can be created. It’s also something that can be deeply conflicting if you don’t have kinder energy with who you are working with.
What’s something about being an artist that people don’t talk about enough?
Being a woman and an artist, the harassment and entitlement some people have for your personal space is a serious issue. I’ve had issues after preforming with men hugging and groping me it’s so uncomfortable.
If your artistic journey were its own piece, what would it look or sound like?
I love this question. It would look like one of those old black and white silent films. It would be so loud and understood with out a sound or bit of color.
What does success look like for you creatively?
Creatively success looks like me being able to just release music & poetry while being myself and people be inspired to do the same. My success would mirror inspiration.
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About
AshleyCae Lee is 29 yrs old. She is an activist and artist & model. She’s been battling cancer since 2021 both breast and leukemia. Despite her cancer spreading she isn’t giving up or giving in. She continues to use her voice to advocate for other patients even if it won’t come in time for her self. She has a day, dedicated in Flint MI. Dec 21 is AshleyCae Lee day. She’s actively working towards writing bills and talking with local legislators to better help aid patients with chronic illness. She’s currently the reigning Queen Ms. Michigan USA Woman. She’s a member of Zeta Mu Phi Kappa Chapter. She dedicates the last of days to bettering the world before she leaves. AshleyCae uses her art and voice to inspire and encourage people to speak up for themselves. Her favorite quote is from her poem which states. Rather I go or I stay. I’m healed.
Social Media
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/a753efd4
Instagram: @dr.wiseword
Apple Music: AshleyCae
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