Swagger Like Her - Santogold

This is an interview from Santogold did with Ray Tamarra of The Crusade, one of my fave sites!

Job history
Intern/Professional filer at dentist office (family friend)
Paid intern at my dad’s law firm (I got fired by my dad).
Volunteer for BEBASHI (Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues).
Intern for sculptor Selma Burke.
Intern for poet/writer Sonia Sanchez.
Intern at Ruffhouse Records.
Paid Intern at Sony/Epic Records.
Sales Clerk/Mixtape Hustler at WyldePytch Records in London, UK.
Executive Assistant for Senior VP Epic Black Music.
A&R Assistant Epic Records.
VP A&R Cheeba Records.
President of 2GEE Ltd. a virtual boutique, e-commerce website (almost made me a millionaire, but instead made me a pauper).
Wardrobe Styling Assistant.
Gallery Assistant/Art Handler at Philadelphia International Airport’s Art Exhibition Program.
President of She Writes Her Own Music, Inc. (my publishing company)

What inspires/motivates you?

Mountains, ocean, grace in NY, yoga, music, love, and chocolate.

What are your biggest challenges or the downsides of what you do?

Being broke, the hustle/struggle of trying to make it, not having enough time to do art, or do anything that matters most.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I tend to work until I literally can barely stand. Then I take a couple days where I do absolutely nothing. I don’t know how effective that method is. I’ve been trying to get back to doing yoga regularly, but it’s hard because when things get too hectic, everything not urgent falls to the sidelines. I’m a Libra, balance isn’t something that comes easy to me. It’s always the point, but rarely achieved.

What career achievement are you most proud of?

I don’t know yet.

What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?
My biggest career/business mistake was spending my own money on my website business endeavor. You should always structure a business endeavor so that if it fails, you still have your own financial structure intact. My biggest personal mistake was probably somewhere in the love department.

Was there ever a time when you thought you might not succeed in what you’re doing? Please explain.

Every day. And every day I’m sure I will succeed. This industry is a constant mind fuck. Not recommended. It’s like a blessing and a curse to be an artist. This society does not value art anymore, it values celebrity. Talent no longer equals success, not that it ever really did, but at least those who succeeded were usually talented. And hard work doesn’t always pay off. The inspiration though, for me, lies in the people who are inspired by what I do.

Guiding principles?

A solid mental/spiritual foundation, a hard work ethic, and patience.

Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?

September 25th. I grew up in Philadelphia and went to Springside School, Central High School, Germantown Friends School, Wesleyan University, and Howard University.

Santogold