Hi, my name is Kobi Ayensuo - and I am a musician, poet and creative of many hats. And I am fundraising to make, record and release my debut EP called coming of age. It will explore coming into my queer and trans identity, falling in love, first crushes, walking away from toxic love, growing up catholic and stepping away to affirm and thrive in your queerness.
I am fundraising for £10,000:
This will allow me to take time to create record and release my EP.
Pay all the session musicians to record on my tracks.
Pay a producer to mix and master my EP
Pay for marketing, PR and new artist photos and album art to promote and release my EP
Pay for transport costs and access costs to get to studio sessions as I am a disabled musician
Why am I fundraising?
There are a number of barriers that have prevented me from recording and releasing this EP. I am black trans queer and disabled, I have experienced homelessness, sofa surfing, leaving home in my early 20s to escape emotional abuse, transphobia, homophobia and the backlash I got for pursuing a creative career.
I'm also have a chronic illness - I have endometriosis which has gradually deteriorated - I'm currently a wheelchair user. I have had endometriosis since I was age 14 and in 2023 I experience the worst flareup I have had in years. After this flareup, I lost my mobility. I was housebound for 10 months and every flareup I had was absolutely excruciating. My symptoms are characterised by sharp shooting pain in the side of my abdomen and it's affected my quality of life. I currently have a dynamic disability. I use a walking stick and a wheelchair and I'm also fundraising to get surgery for endometriosis (https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kobi-get-surgery-for-complex-endometriosis).
All of these factors have meant that I have been financially stunted throughout the years and unable to fully bring my dreams to life. In 2023 before I got very sick, I got as far as to film the music video for my debut single 'Sweet Home' which will be on my debut EP. Then I got very sick - and any progress I made towards my dreams and music were stunted. I want to change that.
I believe in my voice as a musician so much I know that it is my soul's calling to sing and make music full-time. And you can help me to do that to bring this queer trans coming of age story to life. I know you're gonna really love these songs and this music
Full transparency I have also applied for a grant called power up for black creatives - if and when I'm successful - fingers crossed! Any funds that you help me to fundraisers with this fundraiser will be used to film the music videos for my EP and pay the creatives who will start in the music video, film the music video and edit it together. So either way, this fundraiser is a win-win.
I also have dreams to put on the headline show this year and record and release more music after this so this is just the beginning.
On TikTok and Instagram, I will be doing '30 Days of Serenade and Talking to You' giving you songs and chats, stories as an offering as you help me fundraise this project.
Link to my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kobi_ayensuo
Link to my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kobi_ayensuo/
Your support means so much. Thank you so much. Let's bring 'Coming of Age' my debut EP to life.
Big love,
Kobi Ayensuo
(they/them)