I’ve spent years trying to capture the feeling of the artists who shaped me, thinking the path to greatness was somewhere inside their choices. But you’re right when you say that those choices weren’t random. They came from their history, their pain, their obsessions. And I have my own version of all that. What I can create from my instinct and all my lived stuff is where the channel opens. So yeah, I’m done chasing templates. Time to build from my own cocktail. Thank you Idris Elijah for another enlightening music issue and have a great weekend!
I’ve definitely gone through phases of copying the artists I admire, thinking I could absorb their magic if I mimicked their techniques. But their brushstrokes came from a life I’ll never live. And mine come from a life nobody else has lived either. That shift from copying to trusting my own instincts feels a lot like what you’re describing here. It’s less comfortable, but way more honest. The Beyoncé Principle is basically: stop hiding the things that make you weird. They’re the only things that make you irreplaceable. Thank you Idris Elijah for this enjoyable content to start my Friday and enjoy your weekend!
I’ve studied so many voices, thinking if I learned their rhythms or their structures, I’d eventually write something worth reading. But the truth is, all the stuff I usually edit out (the odd phrasings, the sharp edges, the little obsessions) are the things that actually make my work mine. The Beyoncé Principle shows me that I’m not supposed to diminish the weirdness. That’s the good part. That’s the only part nobody can steal. Thank you Idris Elijah for this fun and motivating read and Happy Friday to you!!
I love how you framed Beyoncé not as a formula but as evidence. She’s proof that lightning strikes when someone is brave enough to fully commit to who they are, not who they think they should resemble. It made me think about how many talented people water themselves down trying to be acceptable versions of someone else. The real magic only shows up when you stop squinting at other people’s paths and finally take your own seriously. Thank you Idris for sharing these insights with us in another inspiring read!
You make a valid point here Brian. A lot of artist do water themselves down in an effort to be someone else. And that’s not the way. Thanks for sharing your takeaways and have a great weekend as well! 🤩🙌🏾
I’ve spent years trying to capture the feeling of the artists who shaped me, thinking the path to greatness was somewhere inside their choices. But you’re right when you say that those choices weren’t random. They came from their history, their pain, their obsessions. And I have my own version of all that. What I can create from my instinct and all my lived stuff is where the channel opens. So yeah, I’m done chasing templates. Time to build from my own cocktail. Thank you Idris Elijah for another enlightening music issue and have a great weekend!
I love these takeaways! You are most welcome! Have a great weekend 🤩🤩🙌🏾
I’ve definitely gone through phases of copying the artists I admire, thinking I could absorb their magic if I mimicked their techniques. But their brushstrokes came from a life I’ll never live. And mine come from a life nobody else has lived either. That shift from copying to trusting my own instincts feels a lot like what you’re describing here. It’s less comfortable, but way more honest. The Beyoncé Principle is basically: stop hiding the things that make you weird. They’re the only things that make you irreplaceable. Thank you Idris Elijah for this enjoyable content to start my Friday and enjoy your weekend!
Exactly! Stop hiding the stuff that makes you weird and unique! You are most welcome Jody, thank you for sharing and have a great weekend! 🤩🤩🙌🏾🙌🏾
I’ve studied so many voices, thinking if I learned their rhythms or their structures, I’d eventually write something worth reading. But the truth is, all the stuff I usually edit out (the odd phrasings, the sharp edges, the little obsessions) are the things that actually make my work mine. The Beyoncé Principle shows me that I’m not supposed to diminish the weirdness. That’s the good part. That’s the only part nobody can steal. Thank you Idris Elijah for this fun and motivating read and Happy Friday to you!!
You got it! And you are most welcome! Thank you so much for sharing 🤩🤩🤩
I love how you framed Beyoncé not as a formula but as evidence. She’s proof that lightning strikes when someone is brave enough to fully commit to who they are, not who they think they should resemble. It made me think about how many talented people water themselves down trying to be acceptable versions of someone else. The real magic only shows up when you stop squinting at other people’s paths and finally take your own seriously. Thank you Idris for sharing these insights with us in another inspiring read!
You make a valid point here Brian. A lot of artist do water themselves down in an effort to be someone else. And that’s not the way. Thanks for sharing your takeaways and have a great weekend as well! 🤩🙌🏾