Meet MisterAde

We had the good fortune of connecting with MisterAde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MisterAde, how do you think about risk?
Pursuing anything in the entertainment industry is considered high-risk in the eyes of many. Initially, I was a student at Howard University located in Washington, DC. There I was studying Elementary Education with the full intention of becoming a 2nd grade teacher. Before the pandemic, I was often in the classroom working with kids assisting them on how to read and write. Funnily enough, pursuing music did not lead to me leaving my education. I had physical and mental health problems that were escalating and needed to be addressed. Even though I look able-bodied, I am disabled. I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), fibromyalgia, early on-set arthritis and other unique conditions for my age group. There were years of doctors, misdiagnosis and treatments. Additionally, many failed “practical” career attempts because it’s hard on my body working a normal 40 hour work week.

My pain levels fluctuate everyday and new symptoms come and go. My partner’s sister said “Life is too short to not pursue your dreams.” As morbid as it can sound, I never know how or when my current health situation could escalate to something more. I want to maximize the time in my life to doing things I care about and Music just so happens to be one of them. I do come from a privilege place where I have many family and friends supporting me. If my risk fails, then so be it. I will try new paths until I can’t anymore.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was raised on music like The Cranberries, Three 6 Mafia and Al Green. I have always been exposed to a wide range of music and my dad often played classical music for me when I was a child. In high school, I did a lot of opera and classical singing. Today, when I create music, I often find myself mixing genre’s and incorporating different features of different genres into one piece.

I feel like that sets me apart from a lot of smaller artist as well as I produce a lot of my own backing tracks. I do a lot of things myself regarding social media, music distribution, production, recording, etc.
I started off producing on GarageBand on an old MacBook and then graduated to an iMac using Logic Pro X. Learning the different programs has taken me 5 years to learn pretty thoroughly and there are still little tools and tricks I am finding.

The biggest and hardest lesson that I am learning is to keep going and do not be afraid. Putting yourself out there to be perceived and criticized is terrifying. It’s easy to coward away from it all but I remember this is the thing that I want the most. I want the world to be able to take my music and stories and apply them to their lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spots so far have been antique shops and all the different thrift stores. I often go thrifting or to different antique stores to find outfits for performing. The Oddemporium and Brooklyn’s Antiques are fun to simply browse as well. A lot of old records, knick-knacks and amazing period pieces.

As for food, Saucy Southern’s and Falafel House have been my go-to spots. Saucy Southern’s has a fun western take on soul food. Falafel House is great for my mediterranean food lovers. Everything is so fresh tasting!

When It comes to bars and entertainment, I absolutely adore lions lair. Great staff and they host lots of fun events.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my mother for raising a very resilient person like me to keep going no matter what. She has always been very head-strong and a go-getter who works very hard. My mom also shouts out my music on her Facebook page to all our friends and family. At first, I was annoyed but now I find it endearing.

Additionally, I would like to shout out my partner, Tay. She is always very uplifting and has supported me through my darkest moments. She also likes to sing my songs loudly in the shower.

Last people I would like to shoutout are both of my grandmothers. I get all my beauty and personality from them. They have just been so helpful and bring such light into my life.

Instagram: @mxsterade

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCFtMPYRZzfgvTC-sPKZAaXw?si=Ryu92IA8v7xCJbz5

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/035i5xryrsC2chwWPLdRtO?si=pV8tOBriTPO6-4snMieB7w

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/misterade/1577821844