We recently had the chance to connect with Mizz Werdwide and have shared our conversation below.
Mizz, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I enjoy building comfort for those who have experienced trauma or are watching someone they care for navigate it. Traumas are invisible things that affect us mentally, emotionally, and sometimes even physically. Through our music, and a book that I wrote under a pseudonym to protect myself, I unleash my demons so that others feel less alone in theirs. Traumas are often taboo topics to talk about. They are private, embarrassing, and hurtful to share, and can make us feel damaged or broken. We are not broken. Through our lyrics, we normalize talking about these things openly to face our inner demons head-on and survive them. We build that for our listeners, and for ourselves.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the vocalist in a band called OPAKE, established in 2024. Lyrically, we devote our space to things that may be sensitive in nature. From SA to bad breakups to childhood traumas to identity and preferences behind closed doors, we tear down the walls. Everyone has a past. Everyone has a future. Everyone lives in the present. Connecting that timeline that defines where we have been and where we are going is paramount in our happiness and survival. We live in a time when we question our every move based on others’ opinions – but why?! We dig deeper into our cores and expose our insecurities, while reinvesting in our future by reinventing our thought processes and viewpoint – through lyrics.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My first experience with abuse was at the age of twelve when I stayed at a friend’s house, and her dad’s guest forced himself on me. I realized then that even our body is capable of betrayal, and trust became the one thing I would never hand to anyone. I hated myself. I hated how I felt, how I couldn’t feel anything emotionally after it – I hated that I was void of ever experiencing those types of touch in a normal setting when the time would have been right as I grew up. I hated that I lost myself and became a recluse. Thoughts swirled inside my mind of how it could have been my fault. But this initiation to pain has molded me into a stronger person. I leaned into my pain and navigated it by protecting every facet of myself. I walk ten steps ahead in every scenario. It began with the dot on my timeline that would eventually evolve into….me.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Trust has been my biggest fear. Sure, I am afraid of other things. But trust is my ultimate nemesis. Trusting any one person with too much information about myself feels like showing my vulnerabilities to someone who can use them against me at any time for any reason. I have become more and more private in what I choose to share. However, music has afforded me the ability to share them without anyone truly knowing my facts. Privacy is something I value. I just know that our lyrics have helped others, and that keeps me pushing forward to unwind those hands of time to change the trajectory of how we let that define us.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
If you are authentic to yourself, who cares about fitting in with fads or foundational shifts? Let’s be honest, trends start with someone doing something new or different. Why can’t that person and change be you?
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
I will always be unapologetically myself. I am unfiltered, unwavering in my desire to learn everything I can, and genuinely love everyone I meet. I have never met a stranger -strange people, yes, but stranger, no.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://opakeofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opakeofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareOPAKE/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@opakeofficial
