Conversations with Francis Macharia aka Roman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francis Macharia aka Roman.

Hi Francis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Nairobi, Kenya, the son of a Kenyan mother and a Tanzanian father. I moved to the United States when I was quite young, just five years old. Despite being a foreigner, I have lived in Georgia for most of my life. Being from a different country, the culture shock was immediate and frightening. I had to learn how to survive in America without the guidance of people who had done it before me. There was no one there to show me crucial things young adults should know, such as: how to apply for universities and scholarships, which neighborhoods are safe, or even understanding something as seemingly simple as racism. My parents did the best they could, but they simply did not know these things themselves. It was a long road of trial and error that led me to where I am today.

Having what seemed like multiple conflicting identities, I was able to cultivate my own unique experience by being privy to both sides. Not exactly Kenyan or Tanzanian, but also not 100 percent American either. A space that was mine and mine alone. I HAD to find myself, and find myself I did. I am immensely grateful for my experience at the University of Georgia, as it felt like the key I needed to unlock the next chapter. It took some time, but when I finally arrived at the answer, I knew in my heart it was worthwhile and worth all the struggle.

I am a metal-loving, guitar-playing, Japanese-speaking, hip-hop fiend with an unstoppable instinct to work hard and chase my dreams. My upbringing instilled in me a hunger and drive for life that nothing else could, and over time I have become ROMAN.

Roman and I are one and the same, but Roman can express all the things I usually cannot; a creation of my struggle to carve an identity out of the warring factions within me. I am proud to introduce you to my greatest creation, ROMAN, spoken not with plain words but with a language older than life itself, music.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly not been smooth sailing. Life has been very difficult for me at times, but I am blessed to be where I am today. Some of the challenges I faced included extended periods of homelessness during college, familial turmoil at different points in my life, and cultural differences with seemingly everyone around me at times. It can be really hard to always feel that you are the odd man out, and even more difficult to stay true to yourself during those times. I lost my way many times, but thankfully, I always found my way back to the path I knew I was meant to be on.

I cannot say that I did this alone. Everyone needs a solid team, and I am thankful for those around me who helped me stay true to myself, even when I didn’t know who I was. Above all, I am thankful for my partner, Princess Dikko, my best friends, my siblings, and my parents. I would not be the person I am today without these people.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am first and foremost a musician. I am a producer, audio engineer, and rapper/singer. I specialize in making music that speaks to motivate and heal people. My favorite compliment is when someone listens to one of my songs and tells me, “That’s exactly what I needed”. Truth be told, I didn’t realize that’s what my specialty is until recently. I started out making music that I thought would satisfy what people wanted, what I thought would be marketable. Not surprisingly, it never seemed to be quite right, and the engagement reflected that. As of now, I create music that speaks to me. I make songs that serve as my own motivation and often, my own form of therapy. In being true to myself, I have finally found a footing with other people that connect with what I have been through and what I have to say.

When it comes to my achievements, I am most proud of the multiple Spotify editorial playlist placements I have had the honor of receiving in the past two years. I only started getting said placements when I decided to create music that I felt in my heart, and I think that increasingly so, that’s what sets me apart. I create songs about my life, my struggles, my fears, and my hopes. You can hear in my tracks that I mean what I say, and even more so, that I hope my music helps someone out there feel as though they aren’t alone in this world, as I have felt many times in my own life.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as happiness. I have had many unhappy times in my life where all I could remember wanting was to be happy. I used to think success meant having a lot of money or owning fancy houses and cars. I am becoming increasingly aware that as long as I am pursuing my dreams and that I am surrounded by people that love me wholeheartedly, I am already successful. Lavish houses, immense wealth, and the like are not my criteria for success anymore. Now, I strive to be the best version of myself; the best musician, the best future husband, and the best friend that I can be. That’s good enough for me. My old high school teacher used to say something that I don’t think I fully understood despite how deceptively simple it is; Do your best, no one can ask for more, nor should they expect less. Making music makes me happy. Being a contributing member of society, a good friend, and the best partner I can be makes me happy. While it isn’t always easy, it is always worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/itsroman14
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsroman14/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/REALitsroman14
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQfv2LJrHH5IqXdcFHMmO6g

Image Credits
Princess Dikko