What’s your artist name and where are you from?
My name is Rodney Tristan and I am from Seattle, WA. I grew up in the Seattle area, and I love being here. It is a melting pot of so many different cultures, and I feel like we have so much young talent in the Pacific Northwest. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the globe sees the Seattle area, the way we do.
Why do you love music?
I love music because it lets me express things in ways regular words can’t. I love being able to see that my music resonates with people, and it encourages me to keep making music that’s true to myself. Music has helped me connect with so many people around the world, and I really have no idea where I would be without it. You never really know how far your music reaches until you meet someone who’s a fan of yours in a completely different part of the globe.
What makes you different as a music artist?
What makes me different is that I have a wide range of musical experiences from Jazz to Classical, and R&b to Pop. It helps me have an original sound that encourages the listener to groove and move their bodies. I think music is an experience, and that as artists, we have a profound impact on our listeners’ mind, body and soul. And my hope as an artist, is that I am making a positive impact on those who choose to listen and support me.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself making music and performing in front of my fans and family. I hope to be in a place where I can make music without having to worry about finances or having to work another job to make ends meet. I also want to be able to provide for my family, and my future one once it comes down to it. Whether it happens in 5 years or not, I know i’m gonna be grinding either way. I love music, and I hope that one day it’ll open the doors that I need it to.
What do you want to accomplish in life?
I want to make a name for myself as an R&b Pop artist. I hope to see my name with all of the other greats that have come before me, especially with respect to the culture that created the music I love today. Without Black Culture, we would have never been able to enjoy music the way we we do now. Another dream of mine is that I want to create my own studio who’s main focus is supporting young talented artists who don’t have the means to create.
What do you bring to the music world?
I bring an open and driven attitude. I have learned so much from my peers that I want to become a mentor for other young creatives. In this industry it is so important to learn from others, and so I want to be part of the wave that helps other musicians grow and flourish.
What do you want to be remembered by?
I want to be remembered as an Asian American artist who shows other creatives that it’s possible to make it out. That with enough work, we can reach the dreams that can seem somewhat far away. I feel like Asian Artistry has come a long way since the 2000’s, but the only way we can go is forward and I want to be part of that movement.
About the Creator
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Meet Baby CTM
What’s your artist name and where are you from? I go by the name of Baby CTM and I’m from Newark, New Jersey born and raised. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia when I was 12 and came back to New Jersey when I was 18. I feel like me also being from the south gave me the versatility to do almost anything when it comes to music.
By Sarah Blessing3 years ago in Motivation
“He Kept Going When No One Was Watching — And That Changed Everything”
No one ever noticed the days he almost gave up. There were no messages asking if he was okay. No one wondered why he became quieter. No one asked how much effort it took just to keep going. To the world, he was just another ordinary man. His name was Ayaan. Ayaan’s life didn’t collapse in one dramatic moment. It slowly faded. Missed opportunities. Rejected ideas. Silent disappointments. Every failure was small, but together they became heavy. He had dreams once. Big ones. Dreams that kept him awake at night, imagining a future where his hard work would finally matter. But over time, those dreams began to feel unrealistic—almost embarrassing. People around him seemed to move forward effortlessly. They celebrated promotions, achievements, and milestones. Ayaan watched from the side, smiling politely while feeling invisible. At work, his efforts were ignored. Among friends, his voice faded. At home, expectations weighed heavily on him. Slowly, a dangerous thought settled into his mind: “Maybe I’m not good enough.” That thought followed him everywhere. It followed him on crowded buses. It followed him into sleepless nights. It followed him every time he tried again and failed. One night, after scrolling through endless success stories online, Ayaan closed his phone and stared at the dark ceiling. His chest felt tight, not because of pain—but because of exhaustion. He whispered quietly, “How long do I keep trying?” There was no answer. But that night, Ayaan made a decision—not a loud one, not a confident one. A tired decision. He decided to keep going, even if nothing changed. The next morning felt the same. The same routine. The same doubts. The same fear of wasting his life. But Ayaan showed up anyway. He worked when no one praised him. He studied when no one guided him. He practiced when no one believed in him. Some days, motivation disappeared completely. On those days, discipline took over. He reminded himself: “I don’t need applause. I need progress.” Weeks passed. Nothing dramatic happened. No sudden success. No recognition. No miracle. But something subtle began to shift. Ayaan became calmer under pressure. He learned to sit with discomfort instead of running from it. He stopped comparing his journey to others. The silence that once scared him now became his training ground. Months later, a serious problem appeared at his workplace. It was complicated, risky, and easy to blame on someone else. Most people avoided it. Some pretended it wasn’t their responsibility. Ayaan didn’t announce himself. He didn’t seek attention. He simply started working. Late nights. Mistakes. Corrections. Learning. There were moments he wanted to quit. Moments when fear whispered, “You’re not ready.” But he answered back, “I’ll learn.” Slowly, the problem began to disappear. Not perfectly—but steadily. People noticed, quietly. One afternoon, his manager called him into the office. Ayaan expected criticism. Instead, he heard a question that stunned him: “Where did you learn all this?” Ayaan paused. How could he explain years of silent effort? How could he explain working when no one cared? He simply replied, “I kept going.” That moment didn’t change his life overnight. He didn’t become famous. He didn’t suddenly become successful. But it changed something far more important. His belief in himself. For the first time, Ayaan understood that life doesn’t always reward effort immediately. Sometimes, it watches. It watches who continues without praise. Who improves without recognition. Who grows in silence. Years later, Ayaan looked back at the version of himself who almost quit. The man who felt invisible. The man who thought no one was watching. And he smiled. Because he finally understood the truth: Life was always watching. Not to judge. Not to rush. But to see if he would keep going when it was hardest. The world doesn’t reward those who only work when they’re seen. It rewards those who build strength in silence. And sometimes, the moment that changes everything doesn’t come with applause. It comes quietly. After patience. After effort. After consistency. That is when everything finally begins to change. Final Message Keep going—even when no one is watching. Especially then.
By Inayat khan6 days ago in Motivation
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