I’ve always loved nature, so I never liked the idea of us harming our world. I started noticing how much people talk about climate change but don’t take actions to help stop it. I wanted to use music as a way to tell people to start giving back to our world — that we couldn’t just let our world die without doing anything, no matter how old or young you are.

How do you hope your song will impact listeners regarding environmental issues?

I hope it makes people stop and think, even just for a minute, about the choices they make every day. Small actions matter, and I want this song to be a reminder that change is possible if we all care enough to try.

Which environmental issue is closest to your heart and why?
Plastic pollution is the one I think about the most. It’s everywhere — in the ocean, on the streets, even in places that should be clean and natural. I hate seeing animals hurt by it or ecosystems destroyed because of something we throw away plastic without thinking. It makes me want to be more mindful and inspire others to do the same.

Can you describe the process of writing the lyrics and creating the melody?

It started with me writing down ideas — little lines or specific things I wanted people to stop doing. From there, I shaped them into lyrics. The melody came naturally; I wanted one that could move people’s hearts and leave them inspired.

Who are your musical influences, and did they inspire “Change”?

I look up to artists who use their voices to tell stories — people like Alec Benjamin and others. And I wanted to do something just like that by telling people about the issues in our world.

What message do you want your audience to take away from this song?

That it’s never too early to care. Everyone has the power to make an impact, no matter who you are. Change starts small but when we all change together, it can become our future.

How did you feel when you first heard your song fully produced?

It felt unreal. Hearing all the pieces come together — the lyrics, the music, the story — it was like my thoughts had finally taken shape. I was excited, but also nervous, because I knew people would finally hear what was in my head.

What challenges did you face as a young artist creating music with such a strong message?

Sometimes people don’t take young voices seriously, and that can be frustrating for me. But I think that makes it even more important to keep going, even if things are hard. Writing “Change” was also challenging because I wanted it to be honest but not something that would make people sad — I wanted hope in it too.

What are your dreams for the future, both in music and in life?

In music, I want to keep writing songs that people enjoy listening to. I’d love to release more albums and maybe perform around the world one day. In life, I just want to stay true to myself, keep learning, and hopefully make the world a little better in my own way.

If you could give advice to other young musicians, what would it be?

Don’t wait until you’re “old enough” to create. If you feel something, write it, sing it, play it. The first step is always the hardest, but if you believe in yourself and never give up, you can do it.

When you first heard Nova’s song, what was your reaction and vision for the music video?

When we first heard the song as directors, we were in awe. Nova’s voice, her tone, and the intelligence and heart in her lyrics completely stunned us. We also loved her unique look and were excited to represent her diverse cultural style on screen.

Since we planned to launch the video on Earth Day, we knew the project needed an “Earth-first” message — one that felt powerful and inspiring, even while acknowledging the fear and urgency of climate change. We brainstormed how to visually express the darker side of the climate crisis while still leaving viewers with hope and the belief that they could take action.

We designed a concept that began in a dark, intense world and gradually transformed into one of hope and empowerment. We reached out to one of our favorite nonprofit organizations, Algalita, who helped us find the perfect locations — the oil refineries of Wilmington, representing a toxic, dystopian world, and the plastic-polluted beaches of Long Beach. To balance the heaviness, we also featured beautiful community gardens, a symbol of renewal and action.

Fashion played a huge role in the storytelling. We collaborated with fashion designer Kelly Alexander, who created a breathtaking, custom sustainable collection fit our vision flawlessly. And as a former professional dancer, Bayou worked closely with Nova on her movement and choreography — it was amazing to see it all come together so gorgeously.

What was it like creating the video?

It was an incredible, purpose-driven experience. Nova was so hardworking and gave 150 percent.  pacTogether, we were 300 percent committed to telling this story in the most powerful way possible.

Everyone on set felt a deep sense of mission, knowing that this project was about more than just a music video — it was about raising awareness for the planet. We loved directing the camera movement and using hair, makeup, fashion, choreography, and caring direction to truly bring out the best in Nova. It felt like a collaboration in service of something much bigger than ourselves.

What was the most memorable part of the production?

There were two magical moments that stand out.

The first was filming at the refinery. The rising smoke, the eerie lighting, the industrial landscape — it all felt like something straight out of Blade Runner. It was haunting and symbolic of the environmental dangers we face today.

The second was the night shoot on the beach. It was visually breathtaking — our whole team walking along the shore under a blue light, capturing Nova’s performance with the Ronin. There was such a sense of peace and magic in that moment. It felt like a message to her generation, a call to protect our planet before it’s too late.