Conversations with Raven Richards

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Richards. 

Hi Raven, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my performing career as a fashion model around age 24, 7 years ago in my hometown (Philadelphia, PA). I began figure modeling 4 years ago when I moved back to Atlanta (the city I attended college in; Spelman College). I began practicing songwriting and singing 7 years ago as a therapy to just express and get my feelings out. I released my first single at the beginning of 2021 called “I Want to Know”. My first taste of releasing music started in 2020 (during the peak of the Covid Pandemic) with the Rap group Nappy Roots. The beginning of this year, 2022 I released an alternative EP titled “111”. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Many challenges and struggles lol… From abruptly quitting 9 to 5 corporate desk jobs that were paying my rent and funding my photoshoots to build my portfolio to gain gigs with modeling agencies in New York and Philly and allowing jobs to drain me more than help me financially, to often becoming discouraged with the sound of my own voice. I have had a lot of smooth roads for years but challenges often arise that may cause imbalances here and there that I have to figure out how to manage and stay focus on happiness and my goals. The biggest reoccurring struggle I feel I usually face is working the wrong 9 to 5 job while building my art careers.

Mistakenly dating people who drain my energy has been a struggle. Often I had to break up with people or friends because they just didn’t align with my energy and goals. The energy I keep around me is essential. My tribe affects my mind, spirit, heart, and vibe.

Another challenge I faced was learning how to make my own beats so I could sing my songs to instrumentals the way I hear them in my head.

When I began recording music in 2014 my biggest musical struggle has been finding the right producers. It’s been a real headache. So stressful. I recorded multiple projects with numerous producers and a lot of the time I didn’t get my songs sent back to me (mixed or unmixed versions) to release, and/or producers didn’t want to remove a sample for clearance or they just didn’t deliver the product that I am asking for. Each time this happened I remained patient and kind with these producers while I didn’t always receive the same treatment in return. I started making my own beats because I got fed up with this happening so many times.

In summary, having patience while certain goals weren’t and aren’t attained was and is always a challenge for me lol. My single “I Want to Know” had three other singles I planned to release right behind that song that was supposed to be released as a package so when that didn’t happen it made me so angry. I wanted to continue to build the momentum from “I Want To Know” with the other records to show my talents in a packaged way. This is just one recent example of one of my musical idea’s not being brung to fruition that upset me, but still I refuse to let that major disappointment stop me.

Instead I chose to learn the music business more so I would be better prepared and aware for my next adventure. I don’t care for the way the music business operates and think the way money is earned in the music business is quite backwards, unfair, and designed to trick artists so that was a challenge to accept as well.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer/songwriter and model. I model fashion, commercial, jewelry, and nude/clothed figure modeling. Musically, I specialize in house, rap, r&b, and reggae genres. In the figure model field, I specialize in holding athletic, elegant, unique, action, and still poses for up to 20 minutes. 

I am most proud of remaining true to myself through all my endeavors. I can genuinely say I freely create the art I want to create and let external influences not affect the way I choose to sound or look or express myself. I am also very proud of my courage and resilience to keep going and not quit just because challenges may often arise. 

I feel the difference that sets me apart is purely me. I am myself and no one else is me so that alone makes me different. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Trusting my intuition will always guide me best. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ravensenergy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravensnest1
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ravensharisse
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ravensnest_
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAVF8xm06Dg
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ravensnest1
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OU3AsDSaCuAph8uwOXB9M?si=i3_bryUrRmCUu84vnrRxlA 

Image Credits
Stephen Hudgins