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Up & Coming

Overcoming Obstacles: How Artist Bella Blaq Is Overcoming Challenges

By Seth Barmash
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Hot on the scene today, Bella Blaq, born Shekira Snipes, hails from Blakely, Georgia, and brings a lifetime of music appreciation and natural talent to the forefront of her career. She has always particularly liked hip hop, which was especially apparent at the age of 14 when she and some of her peers began to perform freestyle concerts in the schoolyard and at her family home.

Bella likes to showcase hints of old-school hip hop with her own modern flare, taking inspiration from legends like Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, and Lauryn Hill. Always working on perfecting her craft, Bella never misses out on time in the studio, and is continually putting out new music for her fans to enjoy.

Some of the major highlights of her career have been opening up for heavy hitters today like 2 Chainz, Future, and Young Dro. Not to mention, Bella has much in store on the horizon, including major collaborations with the multi-platinum producer, Epikh Pro, and the release of her latest single, “Keep Goin”. Charting on both Apple Music and Shazam, Bella is taking her career to the next level and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Fans can hear more from Bella and stay up-to-date with her latest projects by checking her out at the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/thebellablaq/
https://www.tiktok.com/@bellablaq
https://triller.co/@bellablaq
https://twitter.com/thebellablaq
https://www.facebook.com/isupportbellab/
https://www.youtube.com/c/Bellablaq

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Up & Coming

Exclusive Interview with Will Preston

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By Paper Planes Staff
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PaperPlanes: What inspired you to pursue a career in music and what drives your passion for creating music?
 
Will Preston: Music has always been a part of who I am. I don't recall ever not humming or singing or interacting in some way with music and rhythm.  Growing up, I found it to be a powerful way to enjoy quiet time. I was writing songs and creating melodies long before I understood it as a profession.  It's hard to answer the question with a definitive response regarding the moment I knew that I wanted to write or sing because it doesn't really seem like a decision.  It was always in me.  After releasing my first project, It's My Will, pursuing a career in music felt natural.  I didn't approach releasing music with any solid expectations.  I was just excited about the process.  Discovering that music lovers connected with me as an artist became added fuel. What drives me is my personal passion for music, but I'm also inspired by the ability to create something timeless that resonates with people, whether it’s helping someone heal or simply giving them a moment of joy.
 
PaperPlanes: Can you tell us about your musical influences and how they've shaped your sound?
 
Will Preston: My influences are incredibly diverse, ranging from classic R&B legends like Luther Vandross and Gladys Knight to contemporary artists like John Legend, Allicia Keys, Eric Roberson, and others. I listen to practically all genres of music and enjoy a vast range of artists.  I think I've taken something valuable from the scope of diversity that translates into my artistry.  I also draw inspiration from writers like Lionel Richie, Babyface, and Stevie Wonder who are all masterful at telling stories through song, which is something that resonates with me.
 
PaperPlanes: What's the story behind your single “Merry Go Round”? Can you walk us through the creative process?
 
Will Preston: “Merry Go Round” is a deeply emotional song that captures the never-ending rollercoaster of a seemingly toxic relationship. It’s about the push and pull of love that’s hard to let go of, even when you know it’s not good for you. Writing the lyrics had an emotional intensity that evoked a duality of love and hate for the situation.  It's obvious that there is a strong connection, yet it's also very clear that they just can't seem to turn the tragedy into a fairytale.  As the line says, "It's insane we know the problem, but we just don't seem to care." I wanted the melody to reflect the intensity of the story. The vocal needed to evoke annoyance, inquisitiveness, pain, and even a dose of satisfaction.  I wanted listeners to feel the struggle and the vulnerability through every word and note.
 
PaperPlanes: How do you balance your artistic vision with commercial considerations in the music industry?
 
Will Preston: It’s a delicate balance, but I always prioritize authenticity. I believe if the music is genuine, it will find its audience. That said, I do stay aware of trends and what resonates with listeners, but I never compromise the core of my artistry for commercial success. Instead, I aim to create music that bridges the two—a sound that’s both relatable and true to who I am as an artist.
 
PaperPlanes: Can you describe your songwriting process? Do you have a specific approach or routine?
 
Will Preston: My songwriting process is organic and often starts with an emotion or a concept. Sometimes I’ll begin with a melody or a lyric idea that randomly pops into my head, and other times it’s a chord progression that inspires me. I like to let the music guide the direction of the song. I also draw from personal experiences or observations, which makes the music feel more authentic.  I rarely know ahead of time how the song will ultimately play out.  That's part of the excitement that I find in writing songs; looking back saying "Wow, that wasn't where I thought I'd take that."
 
PaperPlanes: Who are some of your favorite artists or bands that you've collaborated with in the past and what made those experiences meaningful to you?
 
Will Preston: Collaborating with other artists is always special because it allows you to see music from a different perspective. One of my favorite experiences was working with Eric Seats, a talented producer who brought out a side of my music I hadn’t tapped into before. We created a great song entitled "That Good Love". It’s those moments of growth and shared creativity that make collaborations so meaningful.  I also think back to my recordings with Funkee Boy.  He's not only a masterful producer but a brilliant musician as well.  Working with him is always a great time. 
 
PaperPlanes: How do you stay connected with your fans and build a loyal following?
 
Will Preston: I believe in genuine connections, so I make an effort to engage with fans through social media, live events, and even one-on-one interactions. Sharing pieces of my journey—whether it’s behind-the-scenes content or the inspiration behind a song—helps build a sense of community. I also listen to their feedback; knowing that my music has impacted someone brings me joy.
 
PaperPlanes: What's the most challenging part of being a musician and how do you overcome those challenges?
 
Will Preston: I don't have one specific challenge.  Minor things come and go.  It's just like anything else in life, you equip yourself with tools to deal with those things when they arise.  Nothing has been so overwhelming that it has caused me a great deal of adversity in the music industry.  I could say something like balancing creativity with the demands of the business side of music. I overcome these hurdles by staying focused on my purpose as an artist. I remind myself that it’s not about accolades or numbers but about staying true to my artistry and creating meaningful work that connects with people. Surrounding myself with a strong team and staying disciplined in my craft helps me stay grounded and motivated.
 
PaperPlanes: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or tours that you have planned for the future?
 
Will Preston: I’m really excited about what’s coming next. “Merry Go Round" is a single from my upcoming album that is scheduled to be released in April. There are also plans for shows in the near future as we prepare for the album release.  This year also marks the 20th anniversary of my debut project, "It's My Will", and I'm planning some exciting things to commemorate that which I can’t wait to announce.  I've also recently launched my clothing line, My Best Interest Apparel (www.mybestinterestapparel.com) and that's been an exciting journey thus far.  It's going to be a busy year and an exciting one.  It’s always incredible to connect with fans face-to-face and bring the music to life on stage.  I'm definitely looking forward to it.
 
PaperPlanes: What message do you hope your music conveys to your listeners, and how do you hope it impacts them?
 
Will Preston: At its core, my music is about connection and emotion. Facets of love, life, and experiences.  I hope listeners feel seen, understood, and inspired when they hear my songs. Whether it’s helping someone process heartbreak or giving them a moment to celebrate, I want my music to leave a lasting impression and remind people they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through.  So often people say that it seems that I wrote a song specifically for them....and in that moment I always respond, "I did."
 

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