We all have our demons, and we address/challenge them in different ways, and anti-pop artist EMM has chosen to express and portray the struggles and challenges she’s faced in her own life in a rather unique one. She’s created a music video trilogy that sees her embody three different video game characters that conquer the demons that have affected and impacted her life, personally and professionally.

The first video in the trilogy is for “Adderall”, and dropped on Friday. PopWrapped caught up with EMM to find out more about the creative process to the video, how she’s been affected by the ongoing pandemic and the people she’s most inspired and influenced by.

Hey EMM! The video for “Adderall” was amazing and marks the beginning of your promotions for your upcoming mixtape ‘Sapphire.’ How does it feel now that it’s out?

Thank you so much for having me. I’m so glad it’s finally out in the world. I waited so long to put it out so I could get every detail right and I’m happy it’s finally ready.

What were your favorite and least favorite parts of shooting this video?

It was 28 locations plus reshoots. It took over a year to create the whole visual side of the ‘Sapphire.’ And my squad did it with no label or production house. We really did everything. So, it’s not like a lot of artists where you roll up on set, shoot for two days, and leave. I’m doing everything from the first shot conception to the final color grade touch-ups with my team to the caption on YouTube when it goes up. And we are all young and figuring it out as we go. The best part of making anything is seeing your vision manifest in real life. A lot of things were really challenging but I like to focus on the good stuff.

Is there any particular idea or message you want those who hear the track to take from it?

“Adderall” is about being gaslit and blamed for things that have nothing to do with you and everything to do with someone else’s issues. I hope it reminds them not to take any shit from abusive people.

Due to COVID-19, the music industry and everyone involved has had to shift how they release and create music. How has the pandemic impacted your productivity and creativity?

I’m really self-sufficient as a writer and producer so my musical productivity wasn’t impacted very much by not being able to see people. Rehearsing while social distancing with the band was hard but we made it work. I was shooting the visuals for most of the pandemic. That was slower because we had to wait on certain locations to open up. We shot at 28 locations and had to do permits and COVID stuff for all of them to protect everyone on set, and it was just myself and two assistants doing all of that paperwork. It took a lot of patience but it wasn’t anything we couldn’t work around.

I hired over 100 people, mostly various types of artists like lighting assistants, production assistants, graphic designers, etc. during the pandemic to work on ‘Sapphire.’ No one got sick. And I’m really thankful that I got to help those people out when work was really scarce. I think I’m more proud of that than anything else. And women bosses don’t brag enough so I will. Because of all of our hard work, 2020 was the most creative and productive year I’ve had so far, despite everything going on in the world.

You have made it clear throughout your career that you believe in being a voice to help other women rise and take control of their own destinies. Can you share some other female creatives that have inspired you overall and your art and how they inspired you?

I’m inspired by all my female songwriting and musician friends who wake up every day and hustle for their craft. They come up against so much shit and keep going. For them, it’s fighting against having to fit into a ridiculous beauty standard to book gigs or fighting for their talent and experience to be respected, or fighting to be paid fairly for their art, or fighting for their mental health and recovery. They remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing and why I have to keep being brave.

As a self-made artist, do you have any advice for other young female artists?

Work your ass off, don’t give up, and don’t let anyone tell you who you are. Nobody truly makes or breaks you except yourself.

What else can your fans look forward to from you this year?

They’ll just have to wait and see!

Check out the video for “Adderall” below and for more information on EMM, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.