Let me start quite unusual. Before I ask about the beginnings of your musical career, I'd like you to tell me about…the poetry. I think it will help us to better understand your music and you as an artist. Well, you started writing poetry in 5th grade. Do you remember what was the theme of your poems? What was their significance for the young, adolescent girl that you were back then?

When I look back over writings from my younger years, it’s like a diary. I would write a lot about confusion and “love”. I notice confusion when I would question the way my house was and what I was noticing about the world around me. I wrote about the crushes I had back when boys didn’t like me because I was still MiniMeg. Ha! You know those boys are calling me now though.

They say that poems are a special form of artistic expression. Their interpretation depends on the individual experiences of the readers. When you think of them today, when you read your old notes, how would you describe the person hidden in these verses?

The person hidden within my old poems is a girl who was questioning everything and desired to be accepted and loved. As you grow up, reality becomes clearer. I remember at that age I wrote poetry because I started to recognize my realty. I was becoming aware and curious of my surroundings and society.

Your real name is Meghan Gibbs. You were born in Albany, NY and now you live in Brooklyn. Without a doubt music is an important part of your everyday life. As a teenager, you often sang your own songs at home, but you lacked the courage to showcase your talent to a wider audience. I tell you frankly that when I look at you now it’s really hard to believe that once you were shy. What was the reason that you changed your attitude to yourself? I mean, when did you realize that by being self-confident it’s easier to succeed in life?

It is hard to believe that I was once reluctant when it came to pursuing music! But, a combination of things made me shy that I had to break out of. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been an outgoing person, but when it came to music, I didn’t consider it. I think it was a combination of not being motivated and not having a clear direction. When I was younger I was bitter because of certain circumstances, so I turned to partying to find happiness. I wish I could have told myself back then that immersing myself in music would be the thing that would bring me true happiness. I have a message that I am destined to speak  so I work to perfect myself and my craft so that I can be confident in what I am delivering.

I recall the words of psychotherapist and writer David Richo who once said: "Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us". Well, two years ago you broke your back. I believe it was a turning point in your life. Tell me, how did this happen? How does this experience affect on your future life?

Breaking my back was absolutely a turning point in my life and a catalyst to what I am currently pursuing. I injured my back while cliff jumping with some friends. Being a naïve thrill seeker, I jumped off of a 70 foot cliff into a watering hole. The combination of my spine not being strong enough to take the impact and not having shoes on to break the fall, I suffered from a compression fracture in my vertebrae. I had to rock a back brace for six months. This situation changed my whole life and outlook. First, I realized that I am not untouchable. Up until that point in my life, I took my health for granted. On that day, I was taught that there are consequences for reckless decisions. I learned that I was not unstoppable. This accident was a blessing in disguise. It just so happened to occur right before I began interning as a counselor in a middle school for my social work program at Syracuse University. I decided to focus all my remaining energy on being the best counselor I could for the 8th graders I worked with. So while all my classmates were out celebrating their seniority and senioritis, I was completely turned off from my partying ways and became really serious about social work. This realization changed my life. The lesson I was taught was that partying will always leave you empty. Giving back an teaching became my focus. Finding what you’re passionate about and working really hard to be successful at it is what the purpose of life is. Taking on social work has given me a unique wisdom that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The values I gained from injuring my spine and working in social work have directly influenced my music and motivate me to have a voice in this society.

You started rhyming in high school but you become interested in rap music in times of primary school. It happened after you heard the recordings of Wu-Tang Clan. I wonder what features of this genre of music you appreciate the most? What makes it so unique?

Besides the energy that I felt from listening to hip hop, I was drawn to the storytelling aspect. I loved that the lyrics told a whole narrative of someone else’s life. I enjoyed it because I either could relate to the feelings that were brought up underneath it all or genuinely learned something new. I felt like hip hop was more influential and entertaining then other genres I listened to at the time because there was substance; a lot being said (literally and figuratively). It wasn’t just hit indie pop love songs, it was struggle, it was triumph, it was honest, it was real. It’s also really fun to drop it low to.

Your first album - EP called "Invasion" was released in early 2013. How long have you worked on the creation of these recordings? What was the keynote - the idea that accompany you during the recording of this album?

My first EP “Invasion” was an awesome process to go through. At the time, I was solely working with producer (and then boyfriend) Kool Kev. He had the beats and I had the words. In just a few months, we compiled his instrumentals that fit my vibe, got my lyrics together, and recorded. It was a really fun process. We were in love so there was an amazing trust there; it was so open and organic.

I get the impression ... no, I'm sure that your lyrics are the result of your life experiences. Instead of simply keep emotions in yourself, you transfer them to the paper. You open your heart, you let the audience know your thoughts. For some it's a form of "artistic pornography", for others it's just honesty. I wonder how do you look at it? I mean, how do you think - is there still a place for sincerity in today's music industry?

If there isn’t a place for artistic sincerity in today’s industry, then I’m going make a place for it. Ha! No, I believe that artistic sincerity is making a comeback. With the wave of do-it-yourself, unsigned artists in full effect in the US, I think the media and major labels are starting to recognize that listeners want more. More real, less cookie cutter. For me, the main reason I am pursuing music is so that I can voice my experience.. all the details, whether glorious or exciting; sad or uncomfortable.

I asked about the concept of sincerity, because the song of which I would like to ask you about now is definitely one of the most sincere in your music catalogue. I am thinking of a track called "Moonshine". Tell me, what inspired you to write it? Well, it's a bit depressing really ...

Ah, “Moonshine.” My baby! That song means the world to me and I hope to one day be able to break down every line of it in an interview. The song is depressing. I was in difficult place when I wrote the verses. If I remember correctly, I wrote a lot of it in the waiting room of doctor’s offices for my back injury. At the time, I felt torn between beating myself up for making that mistake and how I was going to cope with it. The chorus came together from the song Kool Kev sampled for the instrumental, “Why Birds Follow Spring” by Alton Ellis. Kool Kev and I reworked Alton’s lyrics to create an anthem that discussed relying on Moonshine (the alcohol and the light in the night) to get through the sorrow.

I’m curious how do you imagine the further development of your career? What are your main goals, what would you like to achieve as a fully professional artist who undoubtedly you already are?

One thing I’ve learned while pursuing music is to stop trying to make things go as planned in your head. However, my goals that I am not willing to compromise on are to maintain having creative control, reach a mass audience, tour the US and internationally, work with those in the industry that I look up to, and continue my presence in the social work field.

What are your plans for the coming months? What are you currently working on?

Since my last project and having moved in with my best friend and artist, Morgan Quay, I have grown so much and am now currently working on a new project and visuals that accurately depict the level that I am at. My goal is to portray the modern woman. Today’s lady is an adaptation to today’s society. We are strong and hardworking, yet soft and loving. We are sexy and playful, but doubt our abilities.. and you will regret it. My next single is called ‘Punani’ and you already know its going to be speaking some truths.

At the end, please tell me, what is your biggest dream?  Something to which you strive each day?

My biggest dream and entire reason behind my music pursuit is to become an influencer on society. I plan to instill in people the idea that we are all human. We all bleed, we all feel down, we all feel proud, we all feel alone. I’m trying to bring community back. The idea of being responsible to your civil duty has disappeared in the American dream. With the ideals I learned in social work and the voice I aim to gain in music, I hope to eventually work alongside community leaders, politicians, etc. to redesign the American education system and eventually more public sectors.

Thank you for your time. It was a real pleasure to me. I wish you all the best and many further successes. Take care.

Journalist: Kamil Mroziński