@corey_stardust_99 Being part of the lgbtq+ community has taught me how to be confident in myself and know that I'm enough. That I can be a gay black artist and thrive in the art industry much like some of the artist and fashion icons we know. I proud to know we are a big family at the end of the day. We come together to celebrate our likeness and difference, against all odds we face.

https://soundcloud.com/stardustlife/in-love-with-it/s-YPYi3the6i7 (Lyrics in Description) This song is made with MuiscMakerJam and it has to be the most personal song I've made to date. Inspired by Halsey, I wanted to capture the seriousness of the lyrics and but keep the upbeat style that makes you want to drive at night, sit by the window while it's raining or even just sway while working on a paper. I've been making music since I was 13 and now I'm 21. I primarily was a songwriter but I shifted to producing with loops. I've recorded some, however, vocals isn't my strongest talent as of now. This song is the perfect amount of chill and can relate to anyone and that's my goal with my music.

Art is the rawest way to reflect ones feelings and creativity. It may even display a powerful message. That is what art has done to me. It has allowed me to express my creativity and emotions. Like most, it started when I was little. Always loved nature, animals, food. I've grown to know and learn different skills and what I'm good at. Yet I've also manage to push my comfort zone. In elementary school, I was always passionate about at class. Even music class, I was excited. It was my art teacher who got me through elementary. I was bullied for and art was my escape and my teacher helped me with that. It showed in library projects, at home and even more now in my adult life. That is what I want to do for someone's child. I want to be their escape and show them what art can be for them. I struggled finding my passion when it was under my fingers the entire time. Over the years, I've seen my siblings take a little liking for art and when they come to me for advice, it feels good. If I can teach someone to take their talent and run with it, I will feel completed. I want to be the teacher that sends an elementary kid to winning state or having their painting in a well known building or museum. This scholarship will help me get through university and into a class room where I can reach to the ones who need an outlet. I had that person and now I want to be that person. Personally, not only do I want to teach, I want to having a painting hung up in a museum or someone's house. Even sculpt for someone important. I don't want anything more than having the knowledge of having someone see and pursue their talent. Having art classes while in school has and continues to help me think beyond my comfort zone and my go to style of art. I've seen my art grow over the past eight years as I make album covers for the songs I write. I want to continue to see that growth in myself.

Music has be a very vital part of my life. I remember back in 2009(age 10), I got a 3DS for Christmas and one of the features was videos that Nintendo provided each week. Linkin Park "Burn It Down" was a constant video that was on and me and my little brother bonded over that song. Even performed it for my mom. That started my passion to write music. My first ever lyrics was when I was in 6th grade. It was to Jeff Hardy's "Similar Creatures" song because I couldn't understand the lyrics. Shortly I wrote my first song Natural. Eight years later, I've written over 200 songs and explored so many music genres. Music itself has gotten me through depression, anxiety, breakups and crushes. Even to this day, music is my choice to uplift my mood. Writing and creating music has been my therapy for years. I started producing my own music through loops and learned to record in hopes I'll become a singer. It created a bond that I hold with my mom when I was having thoughts of ending it all. One of the most important reason music means so much to me is because it helped me realize I'm gay and it helped me come out. If it wasn't for the help of Troye Sivan's music, I wouldn't know who I am today. His music videos "Youth", "Heaven", and "The Blue Neighbourhood trilogy" really helped me see that being gay is ok. I even had his song "Heaven" playing when I came out to my mom in 2018. Now I look to black queer musicians/artist to show me that I can be like them. I can be an open black gay man and be successful in music. I've been able to express myself and bond with other fan members, friends, and artist alike. I've made life long friends with many, all over our bond for music. I'm in my school's writing club where I share and write music and the majority of the members have been able to relate deeply. Even if I don't become a famous singer or songwriter, I want to publish all my songs to reach to people like many have reached to me. I want to connect my words to someone's life and let them know, "you're not alone. I've been there and so has many others". There's not a day music isn't involved in my life and I can't see that ever changing.