The more I dive into web3, the more firmly I arrive full circle at the belief that music & artistry reign supreme – above co-signs, NFT sales, etc. With that said, Carla the Poet (she/her) is the artist behind one of my favorite songs I’ve ever heard floating around web3, “Karma.”

I’ve been following Carla the Poet since I first encountered the catchy, easy-going, and motivational “Karma” via one of my regular Audius Discord show-hosting gigs. When she said yes to this iridescent wave interview, I made sure to take some time with her music pre-“Karma” to gain a deeper understanding of Carla the artist. I checked out recent interviews she’s done, and experienced her as a strong Twitter space host for Dequency, where she recently announced her role as a Community Manager.

What I came away with in my research and time spent with Carla’s art & presence in the space are three truths:

• Carla is hungry, and her growth as an artist, especially lately, reflects that.
• Carla is also for the people. In this interview and others, a theme of using her own influence to uplift others has emerged.
• And lastly, in the spirit of uplifting others, I join Carla in the call for web3 enthusiasts to think seriously about mental health – to take steps to prioritize it, and find the tools that work for you.

Without further ado!, here is Carla the Poet in her own words:

—

Artist statement: What’s your story?

Coming from a background of emotional turbulence, I began my journey of self discovery/healing around the same time I started making music. With self improvement becoming my main focus, I utilized music as a form of reasoning. Not only was it therapy, it also became an avenue for exploration & discovery. I began to find my voice quite literally, & from then on I became inspired. Inspired to inspire others to start their journey & figure out who they truly are. Three things that drive me to create are personal development, deep thinking, & manifestation. If we all have the courage to discover who we truly are as individuals, theres a high chance of creating a better world for all of us. This ties back into thinking deeply as it takes exploring oneself further to do the work needed for improvement. We all have the ability to manifest great things for not only ourselves but the world around us if we just try. My main mission is not only to inspire those around me, but to also be able to give back. Giving back can come in the form of the message provided in the music, but I’d also like to help fund and push certain projects/artists on the blockchain that I believe in. Of course, as a smaller artist it will take a lot of work on my end to be able to fund on a grander scale. Until then, I’ve decided to set aside a percentage of all sales to reinvest in these projects.

How are you feeling now?

I’m feeling pretty inspired! Especially because I am now even more surrounded by such amazing and intelligent artists in this space. Seeing everyone make such groundbreaking moves in a world where everything is still so new is very much so inspirational, and I couldn’t be anything but grateful to be involved.

What does success mean to you?

Success is constantly accomplishing the goals I set out to accomplish. It’s not an ending point for me, but the constant beginning of something new. As humans in society I don’t think we’ll ever fully be content, so we constantly have to grow beyond our last standing point to feel success. I would currently say that I am successful in many ways because of this.

What work of yours has you excited & inspired right now?

I have two works that are keeping me inspired right now. One is my song called Active which I did an animation for and dropped as my genesis on Zora. The other is my latest single Karma which managed to grasp the most attention organically that I’ve received thus far. The animation has me inspired because it was my very first time, with no previous experience, animating anything. It showed me that I can accomplish challenging tasks that i set out to accomplish in a short amount of time so long as I believe in myself. They both also have me inspired from a musical stand point as I’ve been challenging myself a bit more this year to go further creatively on my new songs. Also the feedback has been amazing!

What does web3 mean to you, and what excites you about it?

Web3 means evolving and expanding beyond what we know today. It also feels like our way of taking back control over the many processes that remain stagnant and unsustainable in Web2. What excites me the most about Web3 is that everything is extremely new, which gives us all a chance to connect and learn together. What we build here could potentially last for centuries and transform many lives in the process. Ultimately I guess I’m excited to see what new technologies can be built when we come together with our ideas and learned information.

What artists/creators are inspiring you right now & why?

In Web2, I would say Toro y Moi, Pharrell, Salehe Bembury, Virgil Abloh, Kanye West. These artists inspire me from a creative standpoint. They’re all uniquely versatile when it comes to their music/designs, and aren’t afraid to challenge their own boundaries. In Web3, BlackDave for sure, Iman Europe, Sassy Black, Latashá. These artists are all accomplishing major things in the space and I personally look up to each of them for their bravery when it comes to navigating Web3. They’ve all taught me so much in many different ways, making praise for them like second nature. The main thing they’ve all shown me was how to be a leader in the space, and I find this to be the area in which I’m most inspired by them.

If you made 10 eth off one of your own created NFTs tomorrow, what would you do first?

ETH currently is worth about 30k. I would map it out lol. I like to plan based on where I am currently and move accordingly. I can say that a percentage would be allocated towards music for sure. Another would go towards collecting art in the space/helping out newer artists as they transition into Web3. Lastly I’d figure out what I need urgently at the moment then I’d pay myself.

Fill in the blank: I wish the web3 music world was more ___________________.

collaborative (technologically)

What question do you wish more people asked you?

My advice for newer artists coming into Web3. Where I’d say focus on your mental health first!

How do you stay grounded in the VERY online world of web3?

I remind myself to take breaks when needed. Listen to my body first, then make time for Web3. Stay hydrated, well nourished, and well rested. Set time aside to learn, to connect, and to build/create separately. 

—

xo C