Do you suffer from imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a challenge many people face, especially when they feel like they don’t belong, despite their achievements. For artists from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly queer Asian Americans like Kaamz, the feeling of not fitting in is compounded by a lack of representation, making them question their place in the industry.

Kaamz grew up in an environment where academic success and stable careers were the focus, not creative expression. "I wasn’t the best at STEM subjects or a particularly strong writer, and my family didn’t have the resources to buy my way into a career," Kaamz explains. Despite this, music became their escape, but choosing hip hop as a medium didn’t come without its own set of obstacles. "Rap wasn’t a genre I expected to connect with," they admit, reflecting on the expectations placed on them by others. “I don’t fit the mold people expect me to. I don’t look like a rapper, I’m not what they envision." This led Kaamz to doubt their place in the genre, even questioning whether they should continue creating music.

But through it all, their passion for songwriting kept them going. "My love for creating music wouldn’t let me stop," Kaamz says, describing how their EP Fade Away became an expression of perseverance. The project reflects their journey of self-doubt and the determination to keep pushing forward despite being told they didn’t belong.

For Kaamz, embracing the idea of being "other" became essential. “I began to realise that being different, being the ‘other,’ made me unique,” they say. Rather than giving in to expectations, they focused on the power of their own voice, even when it felt uncomfortable.

Navigating self-doubt has also been a learning process for Kaamz. A personal mantra, “Big Talk Big Walk,” has helped them confront these feelings. "If I’m writing a song about confidence and self-love, I need to believe it too," they explain. "It’s about faking it till you make it—eventually, your brain catches up to what you’re saying."

For many artists, imposter syndrome is a battle between who they are and who society wants them to be. Kaamz’s journey, particularly as a queer Asian American in hip hop, has meant constantly proving they belong. Yet, in the face of this challenge, Kaamz looks to others for inspiration, like fellow artist Audrey Nuna, who has also broken through in a space dominated by few with similar backgrounds. "When I think of Audrey, it pushes me to keep going,” they share. “If she can do it, so can I. I want to be part of a legacy that inspires the next generation."

Despite feeling like an anomaly, Kaamz has found strength in their difference, and that’s something they want to share with others who might feel isolated or invisible. “I want to show that queer Asian Americans can be in hip hop, and we belong. I want to be the representation that I didn’t have when I was growing up,” they say. Kaamz aims to break down barriers not just for themselves, but for the younger generation of queer Asian American artists who will come after them.

Though the pressure to fit into a mould is a constant, Kaamz has learned to carve out their own space in the music industry. “I want my music to help create a community that’s inclusive of everyone, regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexuality,” they explain. For Kaamz, music is more than just a career—it’s a way to unite people, make them feel seen, and prove that anyone, no matter their background, can achieve their dreams.

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