Celebrating CheyATL: The Creative Mind Behind Sweetest RNB
From an early age, CheyATL born Cheyanne Watson had a deep love for writing. Whether penning stories, scripts, or dreaming up imaginative worlds, storytelling was embedded into the fabric of her being. Little did she know, this passion would serve as a stepping stone into her career.
"Honestly, my love for writing has shaped my career path thus far," Cheyenne reflects. "As a kid, I wanted to write things – books, scripts, you name it. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized my passion for storytelling and creative expression could be channeled perfectly into a marketing career."
It was this realization that propelled Cheyenne into the dynamic realm of music marketing. With an innate passion for music and a desire to help artists tell their stories, the entertainment industry became a natural fit.
"Adding my love for music and helping artists tell their stories, you can see why I gravitated towards the entertainment industry," Cheyenne explains. "Working in music marketing allows me to fuse all of my passions – writing, ideating creative campaigns, and collaborating directly with talented artists. There's nothing more inspiring than being tasked with capturing an artist's vision and amplifying their voice to the world."
From her humble beginnings, Cheyenne's journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of creative expression and dedication to amplifying voices in the music scene. In 2019, Cheyenne began her career at DJBooth, gradually working her way up to her current role at Audiomack as a content marketing manager.
But Cheyenne's passion extends beyond corporate roles. She is also the beauty and brains behind Sweetest RNB, a platform that highlights up-and-coming R&B artists through playlists and articles.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Chey about womanhood, navigating the music industry, and more. Check out the full interview below:
How do you celebrate yourself?
I celebrate myself by allowing myself to rest. We’re living in a fast-paced, always hustling culture and while setting ourselves up for success is important, it’s equally important to take that time out for yourself to rest, reset, and realign when needed.
What do you love the most about womanhood?
I love everything about being a woman, period! I believe we’re the lifeline of society. Our intelligence, our creativity, our intuition… our ability to approach tough situations with empathy, grace, and resilience is something I value and take a lot of pride in. Womanhood is magical from all angles.
How has motherhood shaped who you are today?
Man... motherhood is the reason I am who I am today. The moment your life transcends from a more self-centered journey into one of mentorship, caregiving, and truly putting another's needs before your own – that's when you're forced to step into your highest self. Motherhood demanded that I dig deeper, become more patient, more nurturing. You can't stay stagnant when you have little humans looking to you as their guide. It's a big responsibility but also the most precious gift.
What challenges do you face as a black woman being in a male-dominated industry?
As a Black woman navigating a male-dominated industry, I feel I’m constantly having to check my imposter syndrome. When you’re always in rooms where no one else looks like you, it’s human nature to feel you’re somewhere you don’t belong. I don’t have the answer for how to 100% overcome this, but I do feel our thoughts often shape our experiences just as much as the other way around. We are what we tell ourselves, so I have to constantly remind myself – I belong here, I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
What inspired you to pursue a career in marketing?
Honestly, my love for writing has shaped my career path thus far. As a kid, I wanted to write things – books, scripts, you name it. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized my passion for storytelling and creative expression could be channeled perfectly into a marketing career. Adding my love for music and helping artists tell their stories, you can see why I gravitated towards the entertainment industry. Working in music marketing allows me to fuse all of my passions – writing, ideating creative campaigns, and collaborating directly with talented artists. There's nothing more inspiring than being tasked with capturing an artist's vision and amplifying their voice to the world.
What advice would you offer to the next generation of women in the industry?
Have an unwavering belief in your own voice and perspective. As women, we bring such a vital, unique point of view to creative spaces - embrace that power. Don't be afraid to speak up and make yourself heard, even if you're the only female voice at the table.