This week’s Man Crush Monday is Julius Sese, an entrepreneur, performing artist, musician and Mental Health advocate. I would describe his music as the kind that’ll soothe you through a road trip and a crazy Monday morning without losing your focus. His latest album ‘SCARS’, however, is something else. He breaks all the walls around him and lets you in to feel his pain, victory, testimonies and so much more.
Who is Julius Sese?
Julius Sese is a singer, song writer, creative producer, vocal coach, voice over artist and research associate who believes that everyone should use their instrument and position to inspire, motivate and uplift.
What’s your backstory?
Well, I grew up in a small town called Kireka and I loved singing since I was a child. My dad was a doctor and also a choir director. He loved music so I always admired how he juggled his profession and passion. We always had cassettes at home of the latest music of all genres.
I wasn’t fortunate enough to go through schools that encouraged students to explore their talents. When I was young, for the most part, it was always academics until my O ‘level where I actively engaged in music, dance and drama. I won a few accolades here and there only to drop it in my A ‘level in order to concentrate on my academics. But, I was very active in scripture union and my church since I was in a day school, so I would also sing there and that’s how I kept the musical aspect of it.
Tell us about SCARS. And what inspired you to create the album.
SCARS is an album I just released on all online stores like amazon, sound cloud, iTunes, Spotify, amazon, you tube etc …and it’s a collection of thoughts I had while going through the different episodes of my accident journey; from when I got run over by a 10-wheeler-truck, the immobility stage, all through my recuperation. And I wanted to address a few issues so that people who have gone through experiences such as mine can relate and be encouraged. I decided to write in song about the challenges in recovery such as mental health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, esteem and scars.
There’s something special about Perfect Imperfections. Is there a personal story?
Yes, I wrote the song at my lowest after the accident because I literally couldn’t recognize who I was anymore. My attitude toward life was negative, I didn’t like the post-accident effects on my body, I had scars all over, my esteem was shattered and I was in a very deep hole. It was so dark and lonely and I realized no one could get me out but myself. So, I decided to write these affirmations like “all the flaws on my body make me me and I am perfect I know.” And I kept telling myself this every day, and I decided that if I ever got through to the other side, I needed to speak up and encourage everyone to be their own cheerleader because sometimes, if not most, you are all you got. And that’s how I decided to write ‘Perfect imperfections’.
Who do you create music for?
I thrive in controversy a lot and I am usually thinking; if I do not stir up conversations on certain topics about some things, maybe no one will. It’s always a question of to be famous and release the next banger or to be a voice for that niche / group of people who are going through and need answers or a voice to this problem. So, I ideally choose the latter, it’s a hard road yet oddly satisfying because there’s just something about walking in your purpose, which is oddly satisfying, not monetarily per se, but fulfilling when someone who relates to your story calls you and tells you how what you did, or sang, or wrote saved them. The feeling is unmatched and unexplainable. So, my target consumer is that person who can relate to the issues I am addressing.
You’re passionate about creating awareness about social challenges such as Mental Health. Why is this close to your heart?
Well, I think I have been privileged enough to sing for, and with a lot of high-profile people both in and out of the country. But to also see the reality of the life a common man lives – people survive on less than a dollar a day! That was such an interesting juxtapose situation.
Coming from a humble back ground, I have seen a lot of issues that have gone unattended to forexample; child and maternal health. The most critical challenge at the moment is mental health, which I was a victim of. After going through my accident, I know how mental health can literally affect your whole life, career and personality. The fact that we don’t pay enough attention to it is sad.
I was so focused on my physical healing that I forgot about the mental bit of it. So just addressing the issues affecting society doesn’t make me another person in my community but one who is adding value and speaking up and effecting change and initiating conversations that our society is adamant to speak up against or isn’t paying attention to.
Mental health doesn’t discriminate against tribe, age, color, race or gender. Just about anyone and everyone is susceptible to being affected mentally. Let’s be informed and aware so as not to be the ones who lead people down that drain, rather be the ones to notice the signs and offer support.
We should also be vulnerable enough as men and Africans to express ourselves; talk about and do away with the old adages like “men don’t cry”, “be a man”, “counselling is for white people” etc.” Let us talk about it because our culture is yet to adopt the concept of therapists and accept vulnerability for men.
It’s been a challenging many months. What lessons have you learnt from living through a pandemic?
Live life a day at a time, appreciating the small things we take for granted like breathing, a job, friends who keep checking on you etc. There’s no guarantee of tomorrow.
What’s your life mantra?
“If you don’t do it, then no one will “and “do your absolute best today, it just might be your last.”
Lastly, if you were to choose between being rich, and being famous – what would be your choice and why?
I would choose being rich because you can use wealth to get the latter.
You can stream SCARS on all platforms.
Connect through;
Facebook: Julius Sese
Twitter: juliussese
Instagram: julius.sese
Youtube: Julius Sese
satisfashionug@gmail.com
