The Ramen-Fueled Journey to "Imani and the Magic Drum"

 

​

​

​

Let me tell you, my journey to creating "Imani and the Magic Drum" was anything but ordinary. Picture this: Los Angeles, 1994. I’m living in a studio apartment that’s so small, calling it a 'kitchenless hotel room' would be a compliment. And yes, there were times I bunked up in a shelter. Talk about a rollercoaster ride, right?

 

I was there for music, chasing a dream with just two songs in my pocket, “Cold November” and “The Wedding Song.” Thanks to meeting the childhood friend of Ramsey Lewis' son Bobbie, JT, who....I met through my childhood friend Shawn Wallace. (I know..my cousin's baby sister's girlfriend) Anyway, JT had an in at Motown LA, I was in the city of stars, ready to co-write my way to fame. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite go as planned.

 

My culinary expertise those days? Mastering the art of Ramen cuisine. And when I say I had a pager and used payphones, I’m not trying to be retro cool. We're talking about the days when cell phones were as rare and heavy as a brick.

 

My first crib in West Hollywood was a floor-sleeping, furniture-less adventure. I moved out faster than you can say “rent hike” and crashed with relatives until, well, I kind of wore out my welcome. Classic struggling artist scenario, right?

 

Before the LA saga, I was a bright-eyed student at UIC, working at the Kohl Children’s Museum in Chicago. This job gave me the spark to apply to the Los Angeles Children’s Museum. Voilà, I had a gig waiting in Cali!

 

In LA, I met Stevie and Angie in Venice Beach. We became an instant family. Stevie was a singer, and together, we toured the town, belting out my motivational anthems. Yes, even back then, my songs were like pep talks in melody.

 

When the MO Jazz chapter closed, I found my rhythm in Leimert Park, banging Djembes and creating art programs at the African American Museum. Fast forward a bit, and I'm rocking it at the Carson County Park District with my first organization, Growing Seeds. I was even a local TV celeb for a hot minute!

 

But then, I learned a hard lesson about workplace gossip. Yep, I got fired for bad-mouthing my boss. Lesson learned: Keep it zipped!

 

Things went south when my car decided to join the “no brakes” club. Stuck in Pomona, I was offered a gig at a private school but was scared of messing up again. Enter my song “Faith” - a tune I wrote to lift my spirits. Spoiler: It worked.

 

So, back to Chicago I went. More contacts, more family, and a chance to dive into theater and performing arts. Teaching at South Shore Cultural Center, I penned “Imani and the Magic Drum,” inspired by my Kwanzaa encounters and, of course, “Faith.”

 

Fast forward through various performances and a 20-year stage hiatus, and here we are in the pandemic era. I’m tinkering with GoAnimate, trying to bring “Imani” to life. The first year was rough (let's be real, it was a hot mess), but like Imani herself, I was all about that self-determination.

 

Now, in 2021, while balancing traditional employment (that's another wild story) and family matters, “Imani and the Magic Drum” is finally getting the glow-up it deserves. Thirty years in the making, and I’m still betting on its magic – the power of self-belief and perseverance.

 

So, grab some popcorn (or Ramen, for old times' sake), and get ready for a Kwanzaa tale that's been simmering in my creative pot for three decades. Trust me, it's worth the wait!

 

Until next time,

Kai Simone