Finding Timelessness in the Mirror: LIVt Discusses Authentic Black Storytelling on The Pop-Up!
Recently on The Pop-Up!, hosted by The Big O, the Black Media Matter Studio transformed into a haven for raw, artistic reflection when R&B and hip-hop artist LIVt discussed the complexities of the Black experience, filmmaking, and the courage it takes for creators to truly find their voice.
For the artist, whose name is pronounced with a silent "T" as an homage to her late father, the appearance was a homecoming to a platform that has long documented her growth. Reflecting on her transition to a dedicated solo path over the last decade following her father's passing, she explained that her creative mission is fundamentally rooted in genuine representation.
"My voice is authentic," she said when asked to define the core of her artistry. "My voice is fun. My voice is a woman, a Black woman... My goal is to past and present…hat's the goal. Timeless.”
That pursuit of timelessness, however, demands an uncompromising vulnerability. She spoke candidly about the internal mirror every true creator must eventually face, noting that public artistry requires a unique brand of bravery.
"To truly find their voice, I think it's hard because one, that means you kind of have to hold the mirror up to yourself a little bit and be okay with what you find and learn the parts that you got to own as a human," she said. "To me, as an artist, you have to own the good, the bad, the ugly about yourself and be able to talk about it in some form of fashion.”
She acknowledged that stepping firmly into one's identity can often alienate others, particularly in spaces lacking diversity where absolute self-assurance is met with discomfort rather than praise.
"From my experience, people want me to have a voice but wait for permission to use it," she said.
Despite the inherent loneliness that can accompany such public exposure, she remains driven by the community impact of her dual passions: music and film. Beyond the immediate emotional connection she seeks to forge with audiences, her goals focus on economic empowerment and shattering systemic barriers for women behind the camera.
"Outside of affecting people creatively, I want to help people be able to get experience and opportunities that they wouldn't get, and to make money,” she said, explaining her motivation to employ primarily people of color to break down walls that limit artistic accessibility. “I want to eliminate those barriers as I move up. That's how I see my work impacting outside of just the creative aspect, but I want to make an economic impact.”
LIVt’s new release Summer Crush just dropped last week, including two new bangers to add to your summer playlist. Make sure you check them out on all major streaming platforms.
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
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