MegaGoneFree has been a recurring voice in our headphones with their outstanding vocals, but they have also been the voice of diversity and inclusivity on TikTok. Since surpassing 4.9 million followers on the app, we thought it was time to get them in for a chat as fans want a further insight into their life.
TikTok is amplifying the voices of Black music creators on the platform with the release of the second annual Black TikTok Trailblazers List. Part of that list is Mega, who is a Black LGBTQ+ independent artist who began to form their identity as an artist in West Baltimore. As their following expanded from 120K to 4.9 million in a year, the big move to New York City at 18 led them one step closer to success.
So, that’s where we join Mega who is on a Zoom call at their home in New York City. They may be looking out on a sky of snowy drizzle but Mega can certainly brighten up a room with their presence, words of positivity and ultimate realness.
- DISTRACT ME: The Best Hi My Name is Carmen Winstead Memes
FRESHERED: Take us back to square one – how did you start off?
MEGA: It all happened by accident. I became an artist in high school and I really started to hone my craft as a songwriter at an after-school club. Students had a safe space to create and I used it as an outlet for my emotions, you know, as a hormonal teenager!
FRESHERED: Did you go to college?
MEGA: After I graduated high school I took a break from music and I was going to go to college to study business but I decided it wasn’t for me. So, I moved out on my own at 18 and I was lucky enough to find student housing; I took this time to find myself and become an adult.
FRESHERED: Has student life ever appealed to you? Or did you know from day one that wasn’t your vibe?
MEGA: I actually did not know that because my whole high school career I thought I was going to college but in my senior year I had a rough time so it shifted my college options. I was going to go to Maryland Bowie State University but I went to orientation and I was like ‘nope’.
FRESHERED: Did you have a job at this point?
MEGA: At the time my job was walking dogs, and I came back around to music because I started going through stuff in my personal life and remembered how music had comforted me before. This is also around the same time as I started making TikToks in early 2020.
FRESHERED: How did your TikTok success start?
MEGA: I joined TikTok out of curiosity and started creating POVs (a TikTok trend where you create sketches from the point of view of someone or something else) and I gained around 80K from doing that. Then I started promoting my original music like ctrl+del and UV light and this is where I began to learn about content creation. I then started singing covers which blew up. My favourite cover to sing is ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana. I learnt the riff on a ukulele which was cool.
FRESHERED: Can you tell me more about TikTok Trailblazers?
MEGA: They selected a bunch of us to highlight the black community on TikTok and set an example for smaller creators on the app to acknowledge that all of our work is being appreciated. The programme has grown massively since last year and I have no doubt that they plan on making this a bigger thing. Since being a part of the programme, the Trailblazers keep up with each other’s content and follow each other.
FRESHERED: What is the best thing about being TikTok famous?
MEGA: I love being a catalyst for good conversations, I have a bunch of covers where I switch the pronouns to be more inclusive. I love seeing those communities feel validated and united in my comments sections. Letting them know that they’re being seen and loved. As far as real life I have a problem with acknowledging that I am kind of famous because I’ve always been taught to be humble. But I love the safe space I’ve created for my followers to feel part of.
FRESHERED: Any words of wisdom for content creators? Is there a secret to success on TikTok or is it luck of the draw?
MEGA: I’d say it’s a little bit of both. The public will pick who they want but it’s kind of up to you to give the people what they want to see. One thing to note is that consistency is very important. I went through major burnout when I first started and that caused my engagement to do some weird stuff. So, stay true to yourself and what you’re about. I sometimes caught myself trying to follow trends but you need to take a step back and reflect on what you’re doing it for.
FRESHERED: How do you deal with burnout?
MEGA: Because of the burnout I had to establish when it was time to stop working, get my head out of my phone and return back to real life. So in my spare time, I’ll play video games and scour HBO for new shows.
FRESHERED: What show are you watching at the minute?
MEGA: I just recently started Games of Thrones and I know I’m late but it’s a couple of my friends’ favourite shows.
FRESHERED: What do you think about Euphoria? Is it a true reflection of high school life?
MEGA: To a degree, because at the high school I went to we were up to some shenanigans. But I’m conflicted, on the one hand, yes but on the other hand… did you see Cassie’s play? I feel like shows like that are only real to a degree.
FRESHERED: Would you say TikTok, as a platform is progressive, is it good for mental health and do you like the community?
MEGA: I would say I genuinely really enjoy TikTok, I use it for everything. I even used it to find like-minded creatives in my area when I moved to New York. That being said it can be draining and, in order to be a content creator, you have to be aware and keep up to date with everything…which can be a lot.
FRESHERED: What’s your take on the political mindedness of students and how do you think they can affect change?
MEGA: I definitely think we can affect change, even through TikTok, as it is really good for building communities and highlighting certain situations. Because of that, it has caused a lot of people to connect and strike the change. I personally in real life don’t know a lot of people like me, and that’s why I go on TikTok to find like-minded people because there are so many things I relate to on the app.
FRESHERED: How did you find that transition from Baltimore to New York? Have you followed your dreams?
MEGA: It was kind of easy for me; I’m not going to lie. I’m always going to follow my dreams and go in the direction that leads me to success, with no hesitation. I know that with New York I would have more opportunities just being in this state than living in Baltimore, which is such a small city. But it has been tough being alone all the time and trying to find familiar parts of the city where I can embrace myself, but that’s also why it’s exciting.
FRESHERED: What would you say to people between 18-21 who feel they have lost their way?
MEGA: I would say, take it slow, I think a lot of people, including myself, think about the future way too much. So think about things right now that you can change and take steps to slowly be where you want to be.
FRESHERED: Advice for your younger self?
MEGA: I wish I knew that things didn’t matter so much, when you’re young things seem like these feelings are gonna be your life. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. Cliché but true.
FRESHERED: Have you made mistakes along the way?
MEGA: Of course, I make mistakes all the time, I’ve been in tricky management situations. I always go with my gut and a lot of the time it’s telling me to ‘just do it’ in situations where a lot more thought is required.
FRESHERED: How has the pandemic had an effect on you?
MEGA: As far as my career I feel like the pandemic was an aid to me because everyone fled to TikTok. In March 2020 everyone joined (the platform) in heaps and I think that had a lot to do with my success. Omnicron is spreading like wildfire in New York, but I’m naturally a homebody so you don’t have to tell me twice to not go outside!
FRESHERED: What does your normal day look like?
MEGA: My normal day consists of waking up putting on makeup, recording content creating whilst engaging with socials and then sitting down and planning the rest of my week. This is when I reflect on what works and what didn’t work and what trends are going on.
FRESHERED: Where do you see yourself in five years?
MEGA: I don’t like to plan too far ahead. I take one day at a time because I can barely plan for the summer. Hopefully, I’ll be a big recording artist.
FRESHERED: You recently saw Marina in Manhatten, how was that?
MEGA: I wanted to meet her because I have two covers of hers that went crazy viral on TikTok but I didn’t get to show her the videos. She had an amazing show and she’s one of my favourite artists so it was pretty emotional. A lot of the people at the concert actually knew who I was too which was cool.
FRESHERED: Is she your idol?
MEGA: My two idols are her and Melanie Martinez
FRESHERED: Any upcoming projects or things for fans to look forward to?
MEGA: I’m working on a project, I have a couple of singles that are about to roll out so you can look forward to that. Also, my music video from my last single is about to drop so look out for some more amazing content and me to change the music game with some new music.
- OMG: The most infamous moments from The Oscars