Zine 46: Aurum Oro
Aurum Oro’s set for Baby Ballou’s virtual fundraising concert.
above text:
Intro Letter: This zine has been years in the making. When I first connected with Aurum, we had plans to make one. While it didn’t come to fruition til a few years later, she did bless me with a beautiful set for my 2020 online fundraising concert. But sitting down to delve into your perspective and offer slices to the listener, that’s a thing that takes time and energy. And one constant for Aurum Oro is life. That seems like a statement to apply to anyone but it’s a different meaning for her. While we all say “life got in the way” with a sense of loss or regret, Aurum will excitedly tell you the phrase on her way to the airport. Life gets in the way of what is expected of her. She doesn’t have time to conform to a societally palatable lifestyle because she’s too busy living life. So everytime she’d apologize for delaying, I always thought it silly - why apologize when you’re living your life first.
I didn’t cut this conversation down. it’s not that every sentence is pure gold by its own, but it’s the lived experiences within every story that has to be honored in its fullest form. I’m sure if I wanted, I could’ve cut it down like a forest and still gotten both her message and charm across. But that doesn’t seem just, not for a person who has traveled down roads Robert Frost himself wouldn’t have been able to stumble upon. Aurum doesn’t just stop to smell the roses, she feels the dirt in her hands. From root to petal, this conversation deserved to be honored the way she honors life; wholly.
Text Conversation:
Baby Ballou: What was the first song you remember resonating with you? Like the first song you can remember feeling like “this is for me”
Aurum Oro: So I think this is maybe like the RANDOMEST answer I could possibly come up with…but also if I think about the music I make now, maybe it’s not so random after all 😅 On Easter morning in 2001, so I was 8 years old, I found a CD of this girl band in my Easter basket. Idk if people even remember this project or this group. It was called “It Was All A Dream” by the group Dream, and they had a single called “He Loves You Not.”
I remember watching the music video on tv and just being in awe of this group, and absolutely obsessed with that song. So getting that CD as my first official CD that I owned, and playing that song on repeat (because that was really the only song on the album I liked) it’s just a core memory for me.
The way I write music now, I don’t know how to describe it really, but it’s very heavily pop influenced. It feels “round” to me 😹 Like that song!
Bb: Okay wow I just listened and for the like “he’s my man” pop songs, especially from 2001, I love the narrative of like “he’s not caged to me, I trust him and he’s free to do what he wants and I trust that it’s me.” Like very healthy. Loving that. Okay total tangent but let’s talk like og 2000’s pop and it’s impact on todays pop, specifically hyperpop. At the time, I would argue that a lot of the musical theater to pop girlies pipeline fans or the angsty hipster to hyperpop bb’s would have scoffed at the time (me being one of them) because the narrative of that kind of pop being vapid was so internalized. But looking back, that era was doing so much of what contemporary music is working with. Do you see any connection as someone who also went through cd’s as a kiddo to tik tok as a young adult?
Aurum: Omg YES, 100%. I think once I started getting older I also scoffed at that entire era, like it was just a weird fever dream we don’t need to talk about in modern times. But looking back, they paved the way for everything we’re doing now! As an adult, I can really acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices pop artists have had to make so that their art could live. They were completely committed to their characters; the fashion, the GLAM, the music; they’re all a part of their persona. And the absolute dedication it takes to pull that off, I just see the value in that type of commitment to your art.
Especially now that we have Tiktok, I feel that energy coming back full force! I was just making this graphic today to use as promo materials to market my music, and I decided to style it like an OG MySpace page, and the NOSTALGIA. It’s like this pathway opened up for me, and I saw how social media is really starting to feel like early 2000’s social media did, (at least to ME), and in certain sects of the internet. I think it’s time for the weird theatre kids to shine again. All of our closeted pop star dreams are re-emerging, and a lot of us are going for it! I think we got shamed into growing up a lot faster than we were ready for, and the innocence and purity of simpler times and sugary music are making a resurgence. And I’m just honored to be a part of it 😹
Bb: Yes! Growing up in the internet had so many advantages but we really did lose a lot of innocence. Between eating disorder tumblr, creepy Omegle and friendships and status being politicized online to a level more than just school dynamics. It’s weird how easy it was to fall into that thought process of like oh this pop isn’t real music. You’d see Facebook posts of like “one person wrote this classic rock song and it took 15 people to write single ladies” and I bought into it without critically thinking things like: royalties and credits have come a long way since then so there’s every chance an old rock band had as many opinions look over their lyrics, they just didn’t credit them. Why do you think pop music is important? What do people deny themselves when they write off pop music?
Aurum: I think pop music is important because of its simplicity. I don’t think it’s trying to be anything that it’s not. Pop music has consistent themes like love, heartbreak, partying, being a hottie, the desire to break free. But then you also have songs that are about even simpler concepts than that; like I’ve seen people on Tiktok making entire hit songs about food! And maybe the food is a metaphor for something deeper, but also maybe it’s not! I think pop just exists and is what it is. It’s normally to just have a good time and hear some good tunes and shake off whatever you were feeling before the song came on. And I think the simplicity in that is so vital to our lives, especially in the weird times we’re living in.
I think people write it off because we think we have to try really hard when we produce things. Everyone wants to be the best, and the deepest, the most insightful. I think music is kind of in a place where it’s just really pretentious. Because of the direct access the consumer has to the artist, it’s made them really judge mental and entitled! And to try to avoid that judgement, artists feel like they have to come harder than ever before. Everyone has such high expectations, and I think pop kind of says “I don’t care, I just want to make what I like and have a good time doing it”. That can rub people the wrong way. But that’s exactly why it’s necessary! I think especially as a POC artist, there’s a softness that comes with pop that we aren’t always afforded, and it feels like my right, and my life’s purpose to reclaim that softness; that innocence and purity.
Bb: Going off of that last sentence, entering that pop arena as a Black artist, did you have any obstacles or critics who said it wasn’t your place?
Aurum: I wouldn’t say that anyone has gone out of their way to criticize me or put me down like to my face lol, if anything I think the support that I receive online is actually really welcoming and reassuring! A large percentage of my followers are black femmes, so it’s really inspiring that my content means something to them. The energy that’s made me feel as if I don’t belong in this space, may have been my own self projections? But I think those were based on like real life experiences.
Before I was online as heavy as I am now, my experience with music was usually like underground parties or local artist showcases, in Los Angeles and Minneapolis. Whenever I would be invited to perform back home (MN) I always felt like I just didn’t belong in the line up. The majority of the local artists were either doing spoken word, or more traditional forms of rap, their work was really conscious and like “woke”?
People always received my music well! Like the crowd always enjoyed it. I think I just always felt really awkward getting on stage to be all bubbly, rapping about sex or being a baddie or whatever, after someone was just on stage pouring their heart out about the oppression they experience on a daily basis. I just didn’t feel like my sound belonged! And I had a similar experience in LA, but also the talent level was so much higher there, and I was just getting started! But a lot of the stages I got to be a part of, the artists were really talented singers and rappers and musicians, and so I think I just felt silly in comparison to them. Like I was less serious of an artist (which I was, I had a lot to learn at that time). But mostly like my message just didn’t hold as much weight as theirs, and maybe I needed to go deeper or try harder? But the older I got, it really had the opposite effect.
I’ve gotten less and less woke with my music. My goal used to be to wake people up and inspire a revolution. But now I feel like joy, peace, and unwavering confidence and acceptance of self IS the revolution. So really I just want to make music for people to have fun and love on themselves.
Bb: I love all of that, that’s a beautiful journey to discovering your happiness and emanating it for others. How did you overcome those self doubts? Was it gradual realization or a catalyst?
Aurum: It was definitely a combination of the two. Of course everything is a journey and takes time to stick, for us to really internalize the changes we wants to see in ourselves. But there were also very real catalysts along my journey that pushed me forward faster than the agárrate person I think.
I make really random decisions and move A LOT. I’ve literally lived all over the world. And every time I make a major shift like that, I think it catalyzes my process of finding myself, and gaining confidence in my message and what I’m working towards. Seeing the way I’ve been accepted and valued abroad has really boosted my confidence and made me more sure of myself. The talent level in other countries is also crazyyyy, the art in central and Southern America, and Eastern Europe…man. America could never 😹 so having the opportunity to learn from and collab with such dedicated and talented artists also really pushed me forward and made me more confident
I’m someone that has a natural desire to learn how to do EVERYTHING. The more skills I acquire, the more confident I am. And I think it helped me to get to a point where any insecurities I did feel, or and fear I had that people might judge me or look down on me for how I express myself, I realized they could never do what I do in a million years. Anyone that has had something negative to say about my self expression, I’m a better more well rounded artist than them, I’m cooler, I’m more free and expressive, and they can’t take that away from me! I had to get really honest with myself, like “How are we gonna let someone who literally COULD NEVER, try to tell us how to exist?” I’m so confident in my skill set, that I can’t hear the criticism anymore. And I know that any artist making things of value, doesn’t have the time or desire to criticize anyone else for their self expression. Only miserable people do that, and it’s not worth disturbing my peace for them.
Bb: 👏 👏 👏 YES! I’m still working through my feelings of “I don’t belong here as an artist” so I definitely need to take a note from you✨you mentioned how your entry into music was different and you found your sound in the pop world, let’s dive in; pop is still such a broaaaddddd net there’s so many messages, sonic techniques, styles etc within that genre. Using conventional or unconventional words to describe, what would you say your current sound ended up evolving into?
Aurum: It’s taken me 30 years boo! 😹 it’s ok, you’re gonna get there! The more consistently you do your thing, eventually you just realize you’re THAT GIRL. And the rest follows 😌
Hmm this is a tough question! I’m really not sure how to classify my sound, because I like to make so many different kinds of music! I had an era where I was really focused on trying to capture a traditional trap sound, because that’s a lot of what I was listening to at the time (I still do). And I felt like as a black artist, I needed to be able to rap, and I needed to be able to make beats that BANG. (I don’t put those restrictions on myself anymore). As I’ve gotten deeper into my music production journey, I’ve found myself just gravitating towards lighter sounds and like bubbly sparkly soundscapes. Even when I’m not trying, my music often comes out pretty lol 😹 I haven’t released a lot of that music, but I think I have to categorize myself as more of that type of artist because it’s what I make so consistently. So my music still has like a hip hop core, in terms of how I structure my drums and bass lines, but then just really sweet video game esque synths and vocals on top.
So idk it’s tough! I think my music might sometimes be more hip hop than it is pop, but more poppy than it is trap. It’s not consistently bubbly enough to be like bubblegum pop or hyper pop, sometimes I also get really alt and grungy and experiment over there…so it’s really hard to pin down 🫠 As I’ve been prepping promo materials for my next single release, I’ve been calling my genre “Brat Trap”, cuz regardless of what style I make music in, there’s a very consistent theme of being very spoiled 😹 I think it’s just me claiming everything I know I deserve on a track! Someone on Tiktok once said they really appreciate my voice and the “Bimbo Trap” style I was going for. At first I was offended, but then I kind loved it? But I ultimately decided on Brat Trap because it was a little less insulting to my intellect lmao.
Bb: I love brat trap! And I feel like music descriptors today lend themselves just as much to the vibe as they do the sound. Because i love and admire your ability to so clearly be aurum but also switch it up style wise. Brat trap works for the less trappy sonically songs thematically lolol what’s the new single represent as a song and then personally for you?
Aurum: The song is called “Crosses”, and it’s essentially about being unapologetically THAT GIRL. It’s kind of like describing how I exist in the world, floating into a party and being the center of attention, how my vibrancy and light attracts people, and not shying away from that fact, fully embracing it and honoring that power! It’s about popping out with your girls looking good, making a statement with your fashion even if everything you’re wearing was only a couple dollars from the thrift store. It’s about overcoming the pressures of living a “normal” life, and aligning with your inner superstar. It’s definitely based on my personal experiences, I’m talking in first person, but I hope people will put themselves in my shoes and internalize that feeling for themselves!
Bb: Ooo I can’t wait for it to drop!! What came to you first for the song, lyrics? Melody?
Aurum: Yasss me too 🥰❤️ I honestly can’t remember! Sometimes I have a melody in my head and I’ll record it as a voice memo, and then go to my studio and build a beat around that. But I think this song kind of evolved organically when I was already in the studio. It’s featuring my partner Daz, so I think it may have been a night where we were just vibing and I was making some beats, and we liked the direction this beat was going in, and started writing to it. I do think I came up with the melody for the chorus first, and then probably built the rest of my verse around that. I like to make a bare bone beat, maybe like the drums and a main synth, just to get the vibe. Then I’ll freestyle gibberish on the mic, but I have it auto tuned in the key of the song so everything matches. And I’ll just see what melodies naturally come out, and then I go back and try to fit real words to the gibberish sounds lol. It’s kinda like a puzzle!
Bb: Ooooo so the flow and inflection comes before words sometimes for you?
Aurum: I would say most of the time! Occasionally I have lyrics just in my head, and I’ll write them down or record a voice memo. But because I also produce my own music, I see the vocals as an extension of the production. Often times while I’m in the process of making a beat, I can hear what melodies mesh with what I’ve already laid down, and I decide whether or not the new melody should be an instrument, or some sort of vocals. So in a way, my songs kind of write themselves based on what the beat makes me feel and what that brings out of me. When I listen back to the freestyles of mostly nonsense, I listen hard to kind of get a feel for what I’m saying. The particular vowels and endings and inflections of the words are often most important to me, as a producer, and then the actual tangible language comes after. Sometimes I’m not able to decipher the gibberish, and I have to switch some words up and actually write something from scratch.
But I prefer the free flowing approach I take, and for my songs to tell me what they’re about! I often don’t even feel like I’m writing my own music, it really feels like channeling
Bb: Wowowow that’s so interesting, it explains why every piece of your songs works so smoothly with each other. Do you find that trust in your subconscious/instincts follows you outside of music?
Aurum: It definitely does! But it’s also probably the hardest part of existing the way I do. I wouldn’t say that I navigate reality in a “normal” way. I legit listen and wait for my intuition to speak to me, and then make whatever move I feel like I’m being guided to make. So it requires a lot of trust, and constantly checking in with myself, and just trying to stay calm through the chaos 😅🫠 for example, I’m in Mexico City right now with my partner. We’ve never been here before, but a series of synchronicities led us to believe that this was the right move for us to make. We’re having a bit of a hard time finding an apartment so far, so every day is just trying to keep our spirits high and not succumb to fear! To find ourselves in the middle of a major city abroad, with language and cultural barriers, just kinda praying that everything is gonna turn out ok, is NOT an easy feat. We have bad days, sad days. Days where we’re scared. But they’re balanced out with so many positive experiences too.
In our short time here we’ve made amazing friends, and had so many confirming experiences that let us know we’re in the right place. And even though things may seem out of our control, we still trust that we’re walking the path we’re supposed to. In just a couple weeks I’ve gotten 2 offers to DJ, we’ve been invited to really cool underground queer international spaces. We’ve eaten good food. We’ve laughed and cried, the full spectrum of emotions! This is hard, but sitting in monotony is also hard for me. My mental health is never good when I feel stagnant in the states, so it’s kind of like trading one set of difficulties for another. At the end of the day, the absolute surrender to what I can’t control, and being guided by my heart and creativity always makes me feel more alive than not. And that’s a really rewarding reality to be cultivated!
Bb: You remind me of my grandfather, up until his last year, he had big international travel plans he was doing. Traveling and learning were his default states, that was his stability in a lot of ways. What’s one of your favorite memories from following your instincts in travels?
Aurum: Aww I love that so much 🥰 I hope to keep living this way until I’m old! I just wanna be on of those elders who has alllll the stories to tell of the adventures of my youth 😹🙌🏾
Oh wow! Hmm there’s so many! But a really cool one, is when my partner and I decided to move to South Africa. The way we ended up there is a super random story lol. So we were in Mexico, and my friend from college invited us to come to Paris for NYE, it was our first time in Europe, and the euro was WAY more of a financial hassle than we were prepared to deal with lol, so we knew we had to pivot quickly! We randomly met a friend from IG that told us about Belgrade Serbia, it’s way more affordable and people speak English, so we were sold! We loved it so much, we ended up living there over a year. And I went back by myself for 6 months before the Pani hit! While we were in Serbia, we got contacted by one of the biggest stock photographers in the world to start working with her and taking pictures. It was consistent enough work it partially funded our entire stay in Eastern Europe! We never really thought much about why we were taking pictures or where they would end up.
Towards the end of our stay in Serbia, we met some friends that were from Johannesburg, S.A., that asked us to come with them back down there to work on music and try to get into the scene there. It was a major fail, we never got to the music, and it didn’t end up being a sustainable option, and we actually ended up having to go back to America after that 😹😹 BUT. While we were there, we went for a walk one day from our Airbnb, and took a wrong turn looking for the grocery store. While we were looking around trying to figure out where to go, I saw something out the corner of my eye…and it looked like me lmao. And I was like wait…WHAT?! I had never seen one of our ads in person before, and haven’t since! I started running down the block, and eventually this building came into view. There was an ad literally taking up the entire side of the building, and it was my partner and I! We were models for one of the biggest phone companies in all of Africa MTN, and they used our photos
And video for several ad campaigns! Seeing myself on the side of a building, not a billboard but an entire BUILDING, in Johannesburg SA, was one of the craziest synchronicities of my life. We had no plans of going there, weren’t even planning on getting that Airbnb, took a wrong turn to the store, so many specific things that led to us seeing ourselves literally larger than life. It was one of the trippiest moments of my life! The trip didn’t turn out how we planned, and none of our goals were met the way we expected. But we were obviously exactly where we needed to be in the world for an amazing and magical experience, and the lessons and experiences we did have while there, are definitely some of my favorite of all my travels 🥰
Bb: So cute!!! I love the smiles in that pic. My family’s from Eastern Europe so I’m aware of the bad that comes with the quaintness sometimes. so if it’s okay to ask, did you find trouble navigating that area, or any country really, as a Black person and couple of color?
Aurum: Oh really?! What part is your family from? I can honestly say we’ve been extremely fortunate in our travels, and haven’t had to deal with too much trauma associated with racial tension. There are always experiences that are a little tough to navigate as a black person abroad, but I chalk it up more to a lack of awareness or lack of experience with diversity, as opposed to outright racism you know? We’ve received so much love in every country we’ve been to, that at timesss it has bordered on fetishization? But it’s like, I knew at the core, people didn’t straight up mean to objectify me or belittle my experience as a black woman; they legit just didn’t know any better. I’m definitely much more immune to it in the beginning of a trip, and by the end I may be feeling a little exhausted from feeling “other” for so long. When I went to Serbia by myself the second time, I didn’t have the buffer of being with my partner, and it was definitely harder that time around. Eastern European culture is brutally honest, and without someone else to relate to my existence, I think their opinions got under my skin a lot more. I had gained weight since last time I was there, which as a black woman in her later 20’s was so NORMAL! But several of my friends had comments on my size, or tried to “motivate” me by telling me at least my face was pretty? Or you know, they don’t normally think black people are attractive, but I’m an exception…just things that I know they didn’t know how harsh and mean the things they were saying were, but still really hurt…but it’s like, European beauty standards are a legit thing. They’ve been an issue in cultures worldwide for generations. It’s more of an issue with the mind state of that region of the world as a whole. Cultures have different standards of beauty and different measures of value. So like, I wouldn’t say those interactions COMPLETELY ruined my travels or tainted my view of my experiences, it just made me very aware that the World thinks differently than I do, people have different values than I do, and it’s up to me to discern what I will and won’t allow in my personal relationships. And really pushed me to cultivate a love for myself independent of people and their opinions. It was a tough lesson for sure. But I do feel much stronger and wiser coming up against that kind of adversity
Bb: My family’s from Poland. Very amazing, compassionate people. But I also know that I would not go visit the home country openly wearing queer identifying items, at least not outside Warsaw or kraków. It’s a very bittersweet thing for me, Poland is a beautiful country that was told it wasn’t worthwhile or that it belonged to someone else for centuries and such poignant acts of love and unity came from those times. And while it’s not every person, unfortunately, on some issues, the powers that be decided they wanted to be what poland is supposed to stand against. How do you create music during your travels? When you’re on the move and not near a studio, do you write down tidbits as reminders, find a way to record, or do you kind of keep it all in mind and let it all out once you’ve settled somewhere for a while?
Aurum: I definitely understand that, I’m really sorry being able to return to your ancestral home isn’t a safe option for you, I could only imagine the kind of inner turmoil that facilitates 😔 I think Serbia had a lot of similar energy. After a people have been conquered and belittled for so long, there’s a very real apathy that settled into the culture for the sake of preservation, and an extreme aversion to anything “other”. It’s a lot to navigate around that kind of trauma, and it’s present in so many cultures around the world. That’s honestly one thing that’s been SO amazing being in Mexico City. This is literally the most openly queer city I’ve ever traveled to abroad, and I had no idea that was the vibe! I’ve already been in so many amazing queer spaces, with amazing art and dance and music, freedom of expression in love and fashion and body positivity. It’s free af down here, it’s SEXY down here. Like I’ve legitimately been blow away! Finding space to create is always a CHALLENGE during my travels! Because I usually travel to a city long term, eventually I’m able to get into a space and set up my workspace and get my groove back. But when I’m bouncing to countries more consistently, or when I first land somewhere, it’s tough trying to fit creativity in when I’m in survival mode. I am SO thirsty to make new music, like you have no idea lol! Even more than the desire to find an apartment to get stability and just feel safer and content in this city, I just wanna make MUSIC AGAIN 😅😭😭 In the times where I don’t have space to set up my studio and create as freely as I’d like to, like now, I try my best to channel that energy into other creative or administrative things that often get neglected. Like the past 2 weeks I’ve just been revamping my website, creating necessary materials like press releases and EPKs, finding publications to submit my music to. All necessary music business things I’ve been neglecting! But I’m definitely still writing down ideas and making voice memos to myself when inspo strikes, so when I DO find a space, I can hit the ground running 😅
Bb: I mean, I’m very fortunate in that I could navigate poland as a straight person if I wanted to. Obviously, no one should have to.
Duality can come in good or bad, but when it comes in good, it can be such a beautiful testament to the human soul. And you represent duality in so many ways but I think your ability to marry movement with grounding and a free as a bird lifestyle with heavy ambition, it’s an amazing role model to be especially in hustle culture where we’re often told it’s one or the other, whether by society or just because someone can’t afford both. What’re your thoughts on the non-stop grind, always hustle 24/7 mentality?
Aurum: Thank you! It’s definitely a challenge to navigate between the two, especially in America! I feel like there’s obviously a survival mentality around the world, because we’re all just trying to stay above water, especially in the times we’ve been living in. But I always find it much easier to cultivate peace whenever I leave America. I think the hustle mentality is crazy strong there, and it always ends up exhausting my mind and spirit, and zapping me of my creativity when I stay too long. I don’t think humans were put here to hustle. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with working hard, especially at things you love and are passionate about. But I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with just straight up chillin, and that’s something society makes us feel so guilty about! I love to learn and I love to work on projects and push past my boundaries, but I would never say that I align with hustle culture. If there’s one thing about me, I am going to REST! I take naps OFTEN lol
I find periods of rest and inactivity to be just as useful as periods of work and creation. I spend a lot of time just thinking, or daydreaming, and that’s a pivotal part of my process. I know that rest is something our culture has come to consider a luxury, and I think that’s inherently wrong. I just always think about the great philosophers and artists of the past, and how it was understood that it might take your entire lifetime to create that one masterpiece, or come up with that one hypothesis that can change everything. So I try to tune out the pressure of the world and find my little pockets of peace where I can channel and daydream in peace. I can honestly say I have no desire to be a “hard worker”, I want softness, I want to move slow, I want to live in the present moment. While everyone is on their grind, I’m doing my best to stay aligned ☺️✨
Bb: YES YES YES! we’ve all just kind of assumed that capitalism is what would have always happened emo matter how the dice shook out and it’s like…no we had centuries of existence without non stop survival for money and just because those centuries didn’t come with iPhones doesn’t mean we’re inherently better off. Also “while everyone is on their grind, I’m doing my best to stay aligned” is a chefs kiss sentence. And you’re right, life doesn’t need to be prolific to be valuable. I’ve come to not like the one hit wonder term and usage. It’s like an insult but if you made even one project that resonated for even a handful, let alone millions, of people, there’s no shame. You made something that touched people and whether you follow it up or not, your art matters. Obviously you being a general term, not you as in you. You find pockets of peace and your music invites others inside, I’m sure everyone who’s not a bigot is welcome, but who especially is your music for, especially any upcoming music?
Aurum: Thank you bby! 🥰 omg that’s so real, the term one hit wonder is legit CRAZY! Like yes, one hit IS A WONDER! You popped out ONCE and changed an entire generation, that’s legitimately iconic lol, and the industry and society have convinced us that’s somehow a failure. All because they couldn’t keep milking you for your talents 🙄 I can’t even lie, I would DEF be a one hit wonder in this day and age. Get me one good song, make a bag, and then disappear to some part of the world where no one knows me and live out my days in peace. Sounds dreamy 🤤😹🙌🏾 Lmao yes to anyone who’s not a bigot 😹😹🙌🏾But besides that, I do make my music with emphasis on femme identifying babes. My music has been my personal journey tapping into my femininity, and I think that’s why I’ve adopted this kinda spoiled hot girl persona in a lot of my music. Like I said, I started out making “woke shit” and have transitioned to making music for “That Girl” (which is a non binary phrase to me) I started making music that I needed to hear when I was at my lowest. When I was questioning why I was so different and growing apart from everyone I grew up with. When I was healing from heartbreak, or rejection, or failure. I started making music that lifted me up and made be believe in myself. I essentially think of my music as like an opportunity for my ego to play dress up, and take up space unapologetically. I’ve sculpted a new persona in walking into this new energy as Aurum. And although she’s a cocky bitch, she’s also a giving bitch 😹 I want people to FEEL THEMSELVES
I like to think about how my music is going to be used, like what specific scenarios. And I want to make music that you play while you’re getting ready to step out with your girls and be a baddie. I want you to play my shit while you’re in the gym sculpting your healthiest most confident self; getting ready for an exam, on your way to break up with a toxic ex, at the airport on your first trip abroad. I want to be part of life changing experiences for people, or just part of the day to day soundtrack on their journey to being that girl. Someone in Tiktok told me once that they play Umm every time they’re walking in between classes on campus, and it made them feel confident enough to stand up to their asshole misogynistic professor. And I’m like OMG YES!! THAT! That’s what I make music for 🥰 Oh and in addition to THAT, I specifically make music for POC babes that don’t feel like we’re allowed to take up space, and get weird, and be alternative. I do it for them especially. Because it has been a JOURNEY being an alternative black girl, and I just want to be someone that inspires other under represented groups to express themselves any way they see fit, even if it goes against everything they’ve been raised to think is palatable or acceptable for someone who looks like them.
Bb: Oooo so music is almost like a way for you to put your persona in drag metaphorically. Stay the fuck home definitely helped me feel like that girl during the quarantine when my brain was telling me everything was manure, that song helped me plant seeds in it. My last question is gonna be a pivot but I’m curious to hear what artists (of any medium) are resonating with you right now or inspire you?
Aurum: Yes!! Definitely my super fabulous, outspoken, assertive but still nurturing, Drag alter ego 😹🙌🏾 that makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed that song! It was literally just me playing around with my friends while I was quarantined in Serbia, (before I got evacuated back to America 😩) so whenever I hear that it meant something to people, especially at such a difficult time; it’s just like the best feeling in the world!
I’m really really inspired by all the Alt black girls that are killing it in music right now. The ones that bring crazy creativity and style to a mainstream audience, while still holding into their boldness and weirdness, but like, make it glam. So this includes like Doja Cat, Doechii, Kali Uchis, Rico Nasty, Coi Leray, Tierra Whack. I might be forgetting some, but like that type of roster. I love Don Toliver, always. There are some new up and coming artists that I am absolutely OBSESSED with right now, like Tia Corine and Young Miko.
In terms of brands, I’m a really big fan of Cole Bennett and his collective Lyrical Lemonade. The visuals that he creates are always amazing, and I love that he will purposely do challenges like shooting a video entirely on his iPhone, or purposely only using free iPhone apps to edit. Just to show what’s possible even with minimal resources and technical skill. And the way his brand has evolved in such a short time, They now host their own annual music festival. And their shows are PACKED. It’s just so inspiring to see how he built his brand from literally nothing, just creativity and making connections with cool people. And I would love to be able to do the same for myself and my brand in time 🥰
I didn’t cut this it’s not that every sentence is golden by it’s own, but it’s the lived experiences within every story that has to be honored in its fullest form. I’m sure if I wanted, I could’ve cut it down like a forest and still gotten both her message and charm across. But that doesn’t seem just, not for a person who has traveled down roads Robert Frost himself wouldn’t have been able to stumble upon. Aurum doesn’t just stop to smell the roses, she feels the dirt in her hands. From root to petal, this conversation deserved to be honored the way she honors life; wholly.