Blessing the Arts with Jim:
The Jimquana Ferrell Interview

Written by: ^Northernstar*, Youth Director

 

For the first time, I wanted to do something a bit different for my Youth Poetry section and I thought, “Maybe I should try to find a young poet to interview.” But, I had no idea where to begin or what questions to ask a young, aspiring poet. So, one day, I was on Facebook & started to read the “News Feed” on the home page where I saw a flyer by a childhood friend, Jimquana Ferrell, promoting an open mic event she’s hosting. I said, “Bingo. That’s my person.” I was skeptical adding Jimquana, who I refer to as Jim, in the “Youth” section because she’s twenty-two… but, I give props to anyone under 25 making a name for themselves & creating new ways to express art in many forms..

 

I met up with Jim on this cold, winter Saturday at Burke’s Restaurant on 36 Light Street in Downtown Baltimore. She came in with a black pea coat & pink furry hat, opening her arms to welcome me with a warm hug since it’d been ages since I’d seen her, and took a seat as the waitress asked if we wanted anything to drink. We both said, “Water, please,” at the same time with laughter…

 

Hello, Jim!

Hi, Chavez! [laughs]

 

How are you, today?

I’m very blessed. And you?

 

I’m great. Thanks for asking! Okay, so you have an event, “Blessing the Arts Mondays”, you will host every last Monday of the month. Tell me more about that!

I sure can! [face lightens up. excitement in her voice] Okay, so besides the fact it’s every last Monday of the month, I allow any form of art to be welcomed. If you are a poet, musician, clothes designer & would like walk around with a mannequin, then feel free to do that… It’s your business. My slogan is: “There is NO art form unwelcomed”. So, I try to live up to that. The foundation of the show is Spoken Word because I consider myself a poet. I’m a Spoken Word Artist.

 

Tell our young readers, who may not know, what Spoken Word is?

 

(The waitress comes over and asks if we are ready to order after sitting our drinks down.)

 

Not yet. Can you give me a few minutes please? … But, to answer your question, Spoken Word is the express form of poetry. It is what I feel when I perform. It may not be captivating when you read my poetry… but, when I perform it, I think you get a better interpretation of it because you see how I emote these personal feelings. You get to see & feel the emotions when I’m performing, whether I’m happy or I’m sad, so it’s the dramatic side of poetry!

 

“I believe you should always push yourself. Find out what your fear is & jump into it!”

 

Hmm. I liked your definition of it! What is the feeling you get when you’re performing?

[sighs] Aww, man! [smiles] When I first get on stage, I get nervous. I think, “Aww, man. I wonder what she, over there, is going to say. Or what the guy in the front may be thinking.” Sometimes, when I look at people in the audience, I see their faces and it’s like, “Okay, let me hear what she’s got to say,” and then I see others faces like “OKAY, LET’S HEAR WHAT SHE’S GOT TO SAY.” It’s the same phrase, but different expressions! I try to channel the feelings I had when I wrote the poems, such as if I write a poem about past relationships… I might get a little sassy if it didn’t turn out too well. Or I may get emotional if I express the feeling of being in love.

 

Nice way to get over the fright! Who influences you as far as everything you do as an artist: poetry, singing, writing?

As far as music, I love Sade… I love Van Hunt… Alicia Keys. I love John Legend. I love Sade. Did I say her already? [laughs]

 

[laughs] Yes, you did!

I really really really do! I love Lauryn Hill & Norah Jones, as well, too!

 

Nothing wrong with a little Lauryn! How do you feel about music right now?

Umm… I think it’s a time & place for every form! Many people from the “Poetry Setting” would like to get angry with some of the mainstream music that exists today, but I think it has its place. Every song can NOT be too deep. Every song does not need to be a message.

 

It doesn’t. I agree. Who wants to dance with someone while a serious topic like deadbeat fathers is being played simultaneously?!

Yes, I agree! Sometimes we need those songs. Every song can’t be a revolution. I’m sorry, but it can’t! Like I said, there’s a time & place for all of the music. We need to keep in perspective!

 

I love what you said because I’m a person who isn’t really impressed with the music today, but what you said allows me to view it differently!

But, if I’m writing, I do listen to some inspirational music to get me into the mood, such as Lupe & Sia. And I love a lot of music from the UK because there is a lot of talent there!

 

Aww, this is turning into a music conversation. Let’s change the subject. [laughs] What lengths will you go toprogress as a poet, singer, daughter & person?

You said daughter?

 

Yup!

[sighs] Woo! Well, I believe you should always push yourself. Find out what your fear is & jump into it! It’s so hard, but I look back on all of the things I’ve done and I would’ve never done them. I look back at the “old me” from a year ago and the “me today” & my life is totally different. There are many things I take risks to do that I was terrified of doing earlier in my life. I would just talk about it and say, “One day… one day I will get the courage.” And I’ve been singing since I was 6 years old, which started out with four people watching me… Then 10, then 100, then 150. So, I’m continuing to grow as an artist & trying to be a fearless person. [smiles]

 

“Every song can NOT be too deep. Every song does not need to be a message…”

 

Aww!

[laughs] Don’t say, “Aww!” As far as being a daughter, me & my mom have a very close relationship. I really love her and it’s funny because we’ll have a disagreement about something & I’ll try to stay mad at her, but I can’t because she’ll do something silly like start dancing in my face. [laughs]

 

That’s the same way me and my family are!

[laughs] Yeah, but I can’t stay mad at her! She makes me curious to know how I will be at her age and my grandmother’s age and my late great-grandmother’s age. Aww, I love my mom!

 

Aww. Got to love family. Now, before I wrap this up, I want to know if I had a time machine, what place or time would you travel to… What would you change & why?

Wow. That’s a really hard question! It feels like I want to be deep real quick by saying, “Let’s go back to slavery.” [laughs]

 

Please don’t. I’ve heard that a million times! [laughs]

Honestly, I would go back to that moment in my senior year of high school & my freshman year at college. When I graduated from high school, I had a 3.9 GPA and I didn’t want to go. I’m still in college & doing good, but if I could do it all over again… I would be pre-med! And I know I could do it now, but… [laughs] …at this moment, I’m saying I’m just going to stick with education. That’s more years in school & I’m trying to get up out of there. [laughs] So, yeah, that’s a moment I would go back to.

 

Well, okay! Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview!

No, thank you! I really do appreciate this and don’t go blackmailing me putting up pictures of us in elementary school. [laughs]

 

[laughs] I won’t!

 

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