Today we’d like to introduce you to Macy Temple.
Hi Macy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was in middle school, I used to sign everyone’s yearbook, “Keep this; it’ll be gold one day.” Although I was one of the most shyest kids, I always knew I wanted to do and be so much more. I had many hobbies and passions that sparked my interest. However, writing little raps in class to show one of my friends was the most exhilarating. It felt like home. I used to have this reoccurring dream of being on stage singing Jazmin Sullivan’s “Lions, Tigers & Bears” and wanted to make my dream a reality. However, with the influence of my parents and a mix between my insecurities at the time, I decided to just stay in school and pursue a degree. College was tough. However, throughout college, I began to develop my creativity and my sense of purpose. I began taking pictures, performed a poem at an open mic, traveled, and just began exploring life. I even changed schools and majors a couple of times. I started as a biology major but finished with a degree in General Studies. Switching my major was one of the best things I could have ever done. I had the opportunity to take a couple of psychology courses that then reawakened my passion for helping people and how I help people. I talk to them, and I am always looking for solutions to problems. I decided, well “I’ll just be a therapist,” and began my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The day I started my master’s program was also the day I started at a charter school as a College and Career Counselor. I thought college was tough, but that time of my life was the most hardest and revealing. I struggled with encouraging the students to do and find something that will truly make them happy, all while trying to push them to get an education or go to a trade school and get a trade. I felt like a hypocrite. I wanted to be an artist, a creator, a healer, a jack of all trades, but here I was, not even doing the one thing I wanted to do the most: put my music out there. I ended up leaving the job. My mental health was suffering, I was struggling with my masters, life was “lifeing” as they say, and I just did not feel comfortable in my skin. How could I help anyone, especially these students, if I couldn’t even help myself was how I saw it. I struggled trying to figure out my next move. However, God works in mysterious ways. A week or so after leaving the job, I got the opportunity to perform for the very first time at an event/showcase being held by one of my old middle school classmates. That performance changed everything for me. People really liked the one song I performed. I got a couple of connections, and I knew that this was what I was supposed to be doing. My ultimate goal is to have my own brand and production company, while I do want to continue to make music, I still want to help others. That part is still in the works as I finish my master’s, but it is certainly coming. Right now, I am trying to figure out how to combine the two. The process has been one of my biggest challenges. However, that hasn’t discouraged me. As I continue to dive into both the world of music and the world of mental health, I am learning that the they don’t necessarily have to be separate. Everything is about organizing, having a plan, and executing the plan. I can’t tell everything that I have coming up, as I am not one to boost. However, I am extremely excited for what 2024 has to offer me. I am working on working for myself, performing more, creating more, and just letting the universe do its thing. Keep your eyes open for me because I’m coming harder than ever this year.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been a bumpy one, for sure. Trying to have a social life, keep yourself together, and not doubt yourself, all while trying to stay in school, chase your dreams, and be a woman, is not easy! My mental health is something I have always struggled with, so I’ve had to find different ways to manage that. Of course, seeing a therapist is ideal. However, they are pricey, and finding one that actually fits you is a challenge in itself. Another challenge has been funding a lot of my endeavors. Everything cost money, so when you don’t have it or are on a budget, it can appear that you can’t do anything you truly want. Even though I’ve never had an issue managing money, trying to find a job that pays well enough yet doesn’t take up all of your time so you can work on being your own boss seems to be a common theme for most people as well. However, I believe my biggest challenge has just been actually putting the puzzle pieces together. Actually, trying to figure out what exactly it is I want to do so I know where to I am going, I know who I need to talk to, and I know exactly what I need. Which is actually a little comical because the more I dive into the world the more I am learning I will never know for certain. There is no direct path to the things in life that I want.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My artist’s name, Maxx, was originally an acronym, M.A.X., which stands for Macy, Alex, and Xandra. It’s a combination of my first name and middle name, Macy Alexandra, as well as my two alter egos. When I was in my era of focusing on poetry, my poet name was Alex the Great. Alex came a little later as an alter ego. Alex is a badass, has a smart mouth, and doesn’t care what anyone thinks or has to say. She feels how she feels, and nothing or no one can change her mind. Xandra is another alter ego that came as I was studying about herbalism and natural ways of healing. Xandra is the hippie of the group. She’s kind, never gets upset, and is sensitive to other’s needs. Naturally, both are me, Macy. However, when it came down my music and just making my visions come to life, M.A.X. was the perfect expression of that, in my opinion. I make music that touches the soul and the essence of people. I have always had the ability to read people’s emotions, and I feel that I capture that in my music. Anyone could listen to my music or read the words I write under the pictures I take and feel something. My speciality is evoking emotion in others for healing. Whether I do that through music, photography, poetry, or just simply talking to people. My brand MAXOPM, however, is all about giving to others. The production company I am developing is also about developing and giving back to other artists. The Helpful Project, which is a small coaching business I am launching this year, is about helping others. Everyone always tells me I am so nice, extremely helpful, and giving, but I am also known to be very shy and reserved. My creative outlets, like music and photography, are my way to tell people who I am and give back to myself. I am proud of myself for getting over the fear of whether or not people will like it or what they will think of me and my raw lyrics, because I believe that is what sets me apart. The realness in everything that I do. It doesn’t matter that I don’t follow trends, it doesn’t matter that I am not much of a social media person, it doesn’t matter that I prefer to listen to old-school music; all that matters is that I am trying to bring emotional awareness to people while being my true authentic self.
Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Follow me on Instagram: @maxotheartist and @maxopm Email me: maxopmoffical@gmail.com
Check out my latest two songs on all platforms:
– Creep/Confessions by. maxx
– Peacemaker (Featuring Soda Peacemaker) by. maxx
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxotheartist/?igsh=MTVoaHpwa25kOGg2Yw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MAXOPMofficial
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o41RTpsbqKI
Image Credits
FrankEighty
Rizz Taylor
Draven Cruz
Mark Temple
