Advertisement
Photos credit: Leslie Njeri
__________________________________________________________________________________
Breaking into the music industry is romanticized in headlines and social media feeds: viral hits, sold-out shows, and instant fame. Yet for most artists, the reality is far more complex. The road from obscurity to recognition is winding, uncertain, and often more internal than external. For those just starting, the most important tools aren’t just talent or catchy songs — they’re mindset, resilience, and strategy.
Before chasing streams, followers, or record deals, emerging artists must cultivate a mindset rooted in clarity and self-belief. Successful musicians aren’t necessarily born that way — they become that way through perseverance.
Key elements of the foundational mindset include:
This foundation changes how artists interpret setbacks. Instead of seeing rejection as failure, they see it as feedback — a necessary part of growth.
A Saturated Industry Meets Authentic Voice
Today’s music landscape is more crowded than ever. Millions of tracks are uploaded to streaming platforms every year, making standing out a real challenge for emerging artists. At the same time, global audiences have unprecedented access to new music from every corner of the world. This paradox — saturation and accessibility — demands that artists develop something beyond good songs: distinct identity and authenticity.
Take the early career of Billie Eilish as an example. Long before the global success of hits like Bad Guy, she was a 13-year-old uploading a bedroom-recorded track called Ocean Eyes to SoundCloud as a casual project with her brother, producer Finneas O’Connell. The song took off organically, catching the attention of music industry professionals and eventually leading to a record deal.
What made Ocean Eyes stand out wasn’t just its sound — it was its sincerity. Eilish’s voice and aesthetic were different from mainstream pop at the time, and that made listeners pay attention.
The Challenges Emerging Artists Face
With the amount of music being released online, emerging artists confront a number of barriers:
Even with talent, artists can easily lose direction without resilience.
Overcoming Setbacks and Avoiding Pitfalls
Emerging artists who succeed tend to do so not because they avoid failure, but because they navigate it intelligently. Here are common strategies that support long-term growth:
It’s worth noting that even breakout artists like Eilish maintained a strong connection to their artistic identity and didn’t compromise it for early success — a move that helped sustain recognition beyond a single viral moment.
Examples That Illustrate the Journey
Billie Eilish is a compelling case study for how an emerging artist can ascend without following conventional paths. Her early collaboration with Finneas in a bedroom studio produced a sound that was haunting, intimate, and unlike much of contemporary pop — and listeners gravitated toward that uniqueness. Ocean Eyes went viral first on SoundCloud, eventually leading to a major label deal and an EP that built her audience steadily before her first album exploded worldwide.
Her journey demonstrates:
Similarly, artists like Precious Pepala gained recognition through viral moments — in her case, a TikTok cover that drew millions of views. That attention became a springboard for original releases that began defining her as more than just a viral talent.
These examples reveal a pattern: breakout moments can accelerate careers, but authentic artistry and narrative continuity keep audiences invested.
The Psychological Landscape: Self-Belief and Comparison
One of the most underrated challenges for emerging artists is how they relate to their own progress. Social media makes comparisons unavoidable, and it’s easy to feel overshadowed by peers who seem further along. But focusing on someone else’s timeline often undermines personal growth.
Artists who sustain their careers tend to focus inward:
This doesn’t mean ignoring the world — it means using external feedback constructively, not competitively.
From Emerging to Sustained Success
Emerging artists who continue forward do so by transforming challenges into development opportunities. They don’t see difficulty as a reason to quit but as a test of growth.
Success becomes:
This combination of artistic integrity and strategic thinking is the hallmark of artists who not only break through but stay relevant.
Rising through the competitive landscape of modern music, Nessa Dove has emerged as a voice that blends authenticity, melodic sophistication, and fearless self-expression. A singer, songwriter, and guitarist, she is carving her own path in the pop-alternative scene, crafting music that resonates emotionally while showcasing her undeniable musicianship.
In this interview, we dive into Nessa Dove’s creative journey — from her early influences and the challenges of breaking into the industry, to the inspiration behind her songs and her vision for the future. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering her for the first time, this conversation offers a window into the mind of an emerging artist who is both thoughtful and unapologetically bold in her artistry.
ABOUT NESSA DOVE
Nessa Dove is an emerging artist known for her work as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer whose sound blends elements of pop, alternative, and soul. She is recognized for her distinctive voice, melodic songwriting, and guitar skills, creating music that combines emotive storytelling with catchy hooks.
Nessa Dove comes from a diverse East African heritage, and her multicultural background influences both the depth and range of her creative expression. While details about her early life are limited publicly, her musical journey has taken her to major U.S. performance hubs, including New York City and Los Angeles, where she has taken every opportunity to grow as an artist.
She is self-producing and songwriting, not only performing but also writing, arranging, and co-producing much of her own music — a testament to her versatility and artistic autonomy. Her guitar playing features prominently, with virtuosic riffs, melodic licks, and solos anchoring many of her songs. Nessa Dove’s musical style is best described as a pop-alternative fusion — melodic, heartfelt, and often layered with guitar-driven energy. Her songs vary from uplifting, anthem-like tracks to more introspective, emotionally resonant compositions.
Dove has performed at notable venues in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. Her live shows have been praised for their intensity and connection with audiences, reflecting her commitment to authenticity and performance craft. She has also been recognized as a songwriting finalist in major competition circuits, demonstrating early critical acclaim for her musical originality and creative vision. Nessa Dove remains an independent artist on the rise, building her presence in the broader music landscape with a blend of creative writing, performance energy, and artistic autonomy. As she continues to release new music and expand her reach, she represents a new generation of genre-blending artists who value both musicality and message.
INTERVIEW WITH NESSA DOVE AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Can you tell us about your earliest musical influences and how they shaped the artist you are today?”
Nessa: When I was a little girl, between 4 and 6 years old, I used to watch my Dad pull out the guitar to play “Happy Birthday” whenever it was one of our birthdays in the family. I rarely saw him playing the guitar any other time, so I immediately knew the guitar was something special, enjoyable and something magical!
My earliest musical influences included Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. I grew up singing and dancing to Michael Jackson hits. Funny though, as I danced to his songs, I had a toy guitar in my hand. I would pretend I was playing electric guitar as I danced and sang along. Ha! These early influences helped me cultivate a deep appreciation for catchy melodies, visually pleasing aesthetics, and the execution of GREATNESS and excellence. Later in my journey, I would discover artists such as B.B King, Jimi Hendrix, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Lauryn Hill and Prince, who all blew my mind! After these discoveries, my love for the guitar caught fire.
Guitar Thrills: “Walk us through your songwriting process — how do you usually start a song, and what inspires the lyrics and melodies?”
Nessa: My songwriting process almost always begins with the music first. A vocal melody idea or a guitar riff comes first, and then I think about the mood and the message. I get inspired by listening to other music, spontaneously, in the shower, anywhere lol. After the musical inspiration comes, I then think about what I want to say, express or talk about. Lyrics come second in my songwriting process. Oftentimes, musical elements or lyrics are inspired intuitively, I try to capture them as they come, and then I fill in the gaps afterwards.
Guitar Thrills: “What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when breaking into the music industry, and how did you overcome them?”
Nessa: Some of the biggest challenges I faced have to do with mindset, and aligning myself with an artist identity. I have been influenced by so many styles of music, cultures, and people. I have overcome and continue to overcome these by working on myself outside of music. For example, I am currently on an adventure, I’m calling “My Journey Home”. (My journey home within myself, and my journey home to my roots.) I have been travelling and living in Kenya and Uganda for the past several months where my family comes from. (Something I had never done before). Spending time with family, soaking in the sun, basking at the beach, listening to local music and collaborating with local talent. All these things have contributed to my journey and have greatly impacted my sense of self-identity and what I can offer the world in terms of my music and my story.
Breaking into the music industry requires a strong identity and being able to reach an audience who will resonate. I feel the more I pour into myself, discover who I am and the more I connect with people around me, the more I am headed in the right direction. I feel much more tapped into my gifts and my purpose.
Also, being exposed to different artists, cultures and musical styles along my journey in Canada and the United States, I’ve had the opportunity to develop and hone my music skills. I’ve played for different artists, played in different churches etc. This has been a huge blessing and is essential to my growth also.
Guitar Thrills: “How do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while navigating industry pressures or trends?”
Nessa: I balance staying true to my artistic vision while navigating industry pressures or trends, by going back to the drawing board. I ask myself, what do I want to achieve, what outcomes would I like to see? Who am I here to serve? Who will resonate? How can this be a sustainable career for me? Am I being true to myself? Are people enjoying this? Then I make necessary adjustments, and I compromise. If I'm not compromising my core values, I will try to adjust, learn and do what it takes to serve and find my audience. If that means hopping on some trends, social media haha etc I’ll do it. For the most part, I will say though, I have been someone who has stuck more to my artistic vision rather than followed industry trends/pressures.
Guitar Thrills: “Your live shows have been praised for their energy — how do you prepare for performances, and what do you hope the audience feels?”
Nessa: My best performances have been when I’ve meditated and/or prayed and visualized before a show. When I’ve imagined an amazing show and had the intention to give the very best of myself. I hope the audience will feel something mesmerizing, awe inspiring. I want my live shows to be an experience. Where people go on an emotional ride. Where they feel inspired and connected to something bigger. I want my shows to speak to the “Soul”. Where the mind can take a break. And you can experience Bliss.
Guitar Thrills: How has your multicultural heritage and personal experiences influenced your music and storytelling?”
Nessa: My multicultural heritage and personal experiences have taken me on a Rollercoaster ride! Haha. I’ve been influenced by and have lived in different places. As a result, I enjoy different types and styles of music. This allows me to relate with people from different walks of life and connect with them in different ways. Through music and storytelling, I think my multicultural heritage has given me a broad brush to paint with, draw influences from, and connect. I like to think of myself as a “Bridge” of sorts, I like to connect dots. To find commonalities. One pivotal memory I have is from my busking days in New York City. It was during one of my performances on the Subway platform where I looked around, I saw a crowd forming around me of just about every race, nationality, economic status. (For example, there was a homeless man banging a pot in rhythm and dancing, with obvious “Wall Street” type people in the same crowd. They were all singing along, enjoying the music, and enjoying this moment we shared together! This was a snapshot in my mind. “Music IS a Universal Language”, “Good music is good music” and the song “Come Together” by the Beatles, delivered by a Black, East African, Canadian female artist playing Electric Guitar in the middle of New York City, was a vibe haha.
Moreover, through my travels these past few months, I’ve also been able to see just how much talent there is all over the world! Being able to listen, draw inspiration from different people and cultures gives me so much to play with. I believe these influences will inevitably show up in my music, my storytelling and my outlook on life. I feel like I can relate to people more, find common ground, and fully understand that there are differing, but valid, viewpoints that exist all around the world. I appreciate the human experience more by exposing myself to it through different lenses.
Guitar Thrills: “Who have been key collaborators or mentors in your career so far, and what lessons have they taught you?”
Nessa: There have been some notable mentors in my career who have encouraged me and reminded me of my “Greatness” in times when I needed it most. These are people I treasure. The lessons they have taught me are to keep going, to be disciplined, to practice, and to have a positive mindset!
Guitar Thrills: What role does your audience play in your creative process, and how do you engage with fans beyond your music?”
Nessa: Nowadays, I like to think about how my audience will feel. I imagine what their reactions will be, what will speak to them. In a live performance, I feed off their energy. If I see they are really enjoying something, I will lean into it more and make it more dramatic. Especially when it comes to Guitar Solos. Haha! The effects I use, how long I linger, and how dramatic it becomes. Beyond music, I engage with my fans by sharing stories and bringing them into another world of mine. An equally passionate project I started called “StayStrongMvmt”. I created the Stay Strong Movement during the pandemic as an outlet for other artists and creatives to showcase their work, to collaborate with one another, and to be voices of hope and empowerment. Stay Strong Movement champions hope in times of struggle and challenges. It’s a way of life that speaks to the Soul, that nourishes the Soul. I am passionate about being an uplifting voice in the world. I want to inspire, encourage and empower my audience to achieve their wildest dreams and become the best versions of themselves. Aside from music, it’s through my message and what I stand for that I engage with my audience. I’ve had mini festivals, events and plan to do more!
Guitar Thrills: Looking ahead, what are your artistic goals for the next few years, and how do you envision your music evolving?”
Nessa: My artistic goal for the next few years is to become more of a beast on the guitar. Haha! I am very passionate about evolving as a musician and guitar player. I also want to share more of my story, release more music, collaborate with legends and create unforgettable music, and LIVE shows. I envision my music evolving to incorporate new influences I come across along the way. These could include musical influences such as Afropop, Afrobeats, and Reggae. (Especially now that I am in Africa).
Guitar Thrills: “What advice would you give to other musicians starting out who are trying to find their voice and navigate the industry?”
Nessa: The advice I would give, would be to take some time to connect with themselves. To feed their souls. Discover who they are, what they are truly passionate about, what resonates with them, what they are naturally good at. This will help them find their voice. I would then advise them to hone their craft and to connect with other musicians! To get around people doing the same thing, to try and add value, to trust themselves. And finally, to be disciplined, patient and to have fun!
Conclusion: The Becoming Matters as Much as the Becoming Famous
The journey of an emerging artist isn’t linear. It’s filled with starts and stops, uncertainty and breakthroughs, setbacks and triumphs. But at its core, artistic success is not measured only in viral clips or sold-out shows — it’s measured in consistency, growth, and connection.
Emerging musicians like Billie Eilish and Precious Pepala illustrate that the path to recognition is not a singular blueprint, but a synthesis of authenticity, craft, and resilience. They show that success doesn’t come overnight, but as the result of small, intentional steps that build momentum over time.
A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Download Digital Copy 
