Kanashii: The Artist Who Turns Pain into Poetry

In a genre bursting with bravado and bravura, Kanashii is a name that cuts through the noise, not with gimmicks, but with gut-punch honesty, soul-wrenching melodies, and a cinematic sound that lingers long after the beat drops. Born Arturo Macias Sanchez in the vibrant city of San Francisco, California, Kanashii isn’t just another rapper trying to climb the charts, he’s a storyteller, a survivor, and a sonic architect whose music is as personal as a diary entry and as powerful as a feature film.

Kanashii first made waves in the music scene with “Charge,” a hard-hitting track that climbed to number 64 on the iTunes Charts and racked up over 100,000 streams in just one week. But for Kanashii, this wasn’t just a lucky hit, it was the beginning of something bigger. A statement. A spark. A signal that a new voice had arrived in hip-hop, one unafraid to mix vulnerability with venom.

That same year, 2019, he took the reins of his career by founding Kanashii LLC, his own independent record label. Later that year, he secured a distribution deal with Vydia, a major player in the indie music world. 

What sets Kanashii apart? Let’s start with the sound. His music dances between genres, part rap, part alternative, all heart. Tracks like “They Want Me Dead,” “Why,” and “Hold Up” showcase his ability to switch from searing bars to melodic hooks without missing a beat. And then there’s “Bring It Back,” a bold pop-rock song that proves he’s not afraid to experiment.

But what truly elevates Kanashii’s music is its emotional depth. His lyrics are raw, unfiltered, and intensely personal. He raps about heartbreak, loss, depression, healing, and the fight to keep going. This isn’t just music to some. It’s no surprise his fanbase continues to grow, drawn to his authenticity like moths to flame.

In early 2023, life hit hard. Kanashii lost his sister, a tragedy that sent him spiraling into a deep depression. The music stopped. The lights dimmed. For a while, he considered walking away from it all. But as artists often do, he found his way back through the very thing that made him who he is: music.

After a year-long hiatus, Kanashii is back in the studio, stronger and more inspired than ever. He’s currently working on a surprise EP titled “Pain Is Temporary,” slated for release later in 2025. If his past catalog is any indication, this upcoming project will be an emotional odyssey through grief, resilience, and rebirth.

Kanashii: The Artist Who Turns Pain into Poetry

Photo Courtesy: VS1atl

Kanashii’s impact goes beyond streaming numbers. His visual aesthetic, dark, haunting, and cinematic, perfectly complements the emotional themes of his songs. Whether it’s the shadowy hues of a music video or the cover art that screams heartbreak, everything he creates feels intentional and immersive.

His bond with fans is another superpower. In a world where so many feel alone, Kanashii’s music serves as a lifeline. He’s not just rapping to his audience, he’s speaking for them. People who feel misunderstood find solace in his words. People who’ve been through hell see a bit of themselves in his journey. That connection? That’s real.

What makes Kanashii even more compelling is his underdog status. No major label machine. No flashy gimmicks. Just raw talent, tireless work ethic, and a mission to be heard. He built his brand from the ground up, and everything he’s accomplished is a result of passion, persistence, and pain transformed into purpose.

As he evolves, so does his sound. His growth is evident in his lyrics, production, vision, and artistic risks. He’s not afraid to evolve, and that courage keeps him ahead of the curve.

Kanashii and his music is a mirror, a catharsis, and a celebration of survival. In every beat, he proves that pain may be temporary, but art lasts a lifetime.

Listen to Kanashi and his music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

Kevin Green’s Career Lessons from CHOPPED: Weaving Random Experiences

By: Kevin Green

The difference between good enough and extraordinary isn’t talent—it’s the courage to trust your instincts when everything is on the line.

When the email arrived during the height of the pandemic—“You’ve been cast on Food Network’s CHOPPED—Season 53, Episode 11”—I was quietly orchestrating the second biggest career transition of my life. I had already left my corporate job, but now as a high school teacher, preparing to resign and relaunch as a personal chef, this opportunity would test everything I thought I knew about performing under pressure.

Between navigating COVID protocols, negotiating time off work without raising red flags with my administration, and preparing to perform in front of cameras, I was walking a tightrope between the life I had and the one I was beginning to rebuild. What unfolded was not just a cooking competition—it was a crucible that would reshape my understanding of career transformation.

The Reality of High-Stakes Performance

There was no tutorial. No soft landing. No preparation for staying composed under fluorescent lights with millions watching. You get a brief walkthrough of the kitchen before the timer starts ticking, and then you’re on your own. CHOPPED is unforgivingly real—the cooking, the chaos, the curveballs are all raw and unscripted. You bring the skills you’ve developed, rely on your experience, and trust that everything you’ve learned will surface when you need it most.

Standing in front of that mystery basket, I faced what seemed like random, disconnected ingredients that had no business being together. Sound familiar? Every ingredient appeared unrelated—until I realized they were all threads waiting to be woven together into something meaningful. That’s exactly what career development looks like for most people: a collection of experiences, skills, and interests that seem random until you learn how to connect them intentionally.

The Breakthrough Moment

You don’t have time to second-guess your creativity when the clock is counting down. You either trust what you feel—or you don’t. If you don’t trust it, your work won’t flow authentically. If it doesn’t flow, it won’t connect with others. And if it doesn’t connect, you’ll present something that doesn’t reflect who you are.

This experience taught me that clarity comes not from having all the answers, but from trusting the process of weaving together what seems unconnected. I didn’t walk away with the $10,000 prize that day, but I walked away with something more valuable: a framework for understanding how disparate experiences create unique value.

From Kitchen Chaos to Career Clarity

Kevin Green’s Career Lessons from CHOPPED: Weaving Random Experiences

Photo Courtesy: Kevin Green

After CHOPPED, I made a fundamental decision about how I approach both cooking and life. I claimed my food style: sophisticated gourmet with a touch of the South. More importantly, I stopped trying to impress or imitate others and started expressing myself authentically through every dish. I understood who I was—and who I wasn’t. That moment of clarity became the foundation for everything I’ve built since.

This experience revealed what I now call the Tapestry Approach to career development. Just as those seemingly random ingredients could be woven into a cohesive, delicious dish, our scattered experiences—the teaching, the cooking, the competition, the transition—were all threads in a larger pattern of purpose. Each experience informed the others, creating something stronger and more meaningful than any single element alone.

Today, I work with young professionals who find themselves in their version of that CHOPPED kitchen—surrounded by skills, experiences, and opportunities that don’t seem to connect. They’re talented people who know they have something valuable to offer but haven’t figured out how to weave their experiences into a career that reflects who they are.

Your Mystery Basket Moment

The pressure of that competition taught me that breakthrough moments rarely come from playing it safe. They come from trusting your instincts, embracing your unique combination of experiences, and having the courage to present something authentically yours to the world.

Maybe you’re standing at your metaphorical kitchen station right now. The pressure’s on, the clock’s ticking, and you’re looking at what seems like a random collection of experiences, wondering how they could create something meaningful. Here’s what I learned under those bright lights: every ingredient matters, every experience has value, and the magic happens when you stop trying to force connections and start trusting the natural patterns that emerge.

The ingredients in your career mystery basket—your education, your jobs, your side projects, even your perceived failures—aren’t random. They’re threads waiting to be woven into your unique professional tapestry. The question isn’t whether you have what it takes. The question is whether you’re ready to trust the process of bringing it all together.

That moment on CHOPPED taught me that sometimes it takes intense pressure to reveal what you’re made of. But it also taught me that clarity comes not from having a perfect plan, but from trusting your ability to weave together whatever you’ve been given into something meaningful.

Suppose you’re ready to discover how your collection of experiences can be woven into a career that truly reflects who you are. In that case, I’m here to help you navigate that process. Let’s turn your mystery basket into your masterpiece.

Kevin Green helps young professionals navigate career transitions and discover their unique path to fulfillment through speaking engagements and workshops. Learn more about his work at Kevin Green Elevates.