It was a warm and breezy Monday afternoon in spring. I found myself filled with gratitude and joy, and I could feel my smile opening my heart as I relaxed into the beanbag poof I was sitting in. The radiant sunlight warmed the room, and all I could do was bask in it, sipping from the 3D monkey mug of coffee in my hands.
This was so much better than the record label experience I had always heard about. My husband and team were settled in around me at the We Could Be Music house in Costa Rica, and we were all discussing strategy and promo for the music we were working on together.
Our ideas flowed and melded, the excitement palpable as my vision came to life in between of bouts of laughter and conversation. All of my tension melted away like clouds parting to reveal a rainbow, and I thought to myself:
“Yes, this is it.”
Starting with a foundation of authenticity
Ever since the start of my music career, I knew that authenticity always had to be at the core. I knew I could only work with people who truly understood me. Real recognizes real in any industry, and I knew that I’d seek it out, never settling for less.
When you’re an empath with an old soul that has anxiety and depression like me, it can be downright exhausting. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I knew it would be worth it. It can be so difficult to find your place and your people in the midst of all the noise, but it is possible.
If someone had told eighteen-year-old Precious that one day, she’d be signed to a non-profit record label based in Costa Rica, she never would have believed them. Today, I am a professional music artist, music educator, author, actress, and disability advocate.
Building a career – and a community
I’ve released incredible music with an incredible team doing what I’ve always wanted to do.
I’ve played the Kennedy Center in New York with my incredible band mates that I’m blessed to call friends.
I am a published author, and I serve as President of of RAMPD (Recording Artists And Music Professionals With Disabilities).
Some might say my accolades are the measurement of my success. On paper, I’ve done so much more than I could have ever imagined, and I know this is only the beginning.
However, for me, the true definition of success is the people I get to uplift and share it with as a result. My husband is the love of my life, and also my music director. My closest friends and family are my biggest supporters. My fans are so kind and uplifting. My colleagues and friends at RAMPD are thriving as individuals while uplifting the community together.
No one gets anywhere alone, and my success has come from everyone who has ever helped me, supported me, and believed in me. The greatest blessing is the people I get to share it with, the communities I get to bolster with my voice, and the genuine connections that have made it all possible.
Perspective is everything, and comparison is detrimental. Hard work, determination, reliability, and showing up must go hand-in-hand with talent. Love and light are the root of all that is good, and success means nothing if you have no one to share it with.
Video description: Precious and her husband, Shane Lowe, in the video for her single, Rosé. In it, the couple is enjoying a cozy night at home, cuddling on the couch, snacking on charcuterie, sipping wine and playing with their cat. The lyrics are in Spanish, but the song is about someone having a rough day and coming home to the solace and comfort of a loved one. (Full lyrics and a transcript are available on YouTube.)
About the author
Precious Perez is a blind Latina artist, author, educator and disability advocate. She’s a classically trained vocalist/songwriter and holds a degree in music education and vocal performance from Berklee College of Music.
Precious is currently serving as President of RAMPD (Recording Artists And Music Professionals With Disabilities), an organization committed to amplifying Disability Culture, promoting equitable inclusion and advocating for accessibility in the music industry.
There are lots of ways to follow Precious: you’ll find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn. Her music is available on Apple Music and Spotify. For more ways to connect (and to buy her book), visit her LinkTree.
You can also read her previous #MyBlindStory post, From Berklee to the Music Industry: Bringing Disability to the Forefront.
