"I’ll only know that I really left an impression once the people who looked up to me stop turning to what I have to say for the answers and start looking at themselves."

Prisca Mukula or @officialprisca_ on instagram; is a unique and daring woman. Prisca is overflowing with talents such as singing, playing the violin, trumpet, guitar, clarinet, ukulele, and piano as well as writing. She is also currently in forensic psychology at Carleton University. When an intelligent and creative person feeds their mind with thoughts, and knows how to appreciate them; you uncover Ottawa’s next Icon!

Questions

How would you describe yourself?
Interestingly enough I don’t really think about the answer to this question a lot, anymore, who I am. I’m not too concerned with describing myself because

1. I'm so lost
2. I find it to be restricting and
3. Everyone’s perception is different so I’ll try to answer this in the vaguest way possible.

I’m always thinking about a situation, a song, people, what I can do next etc. my brain does overtime every day and I’m learning/starting to love that and use it to my advantage, and funny enough I use to think about who I was a lot constantly trying to figure out what my style is, what I wanted to do, and I think that’s such a trap. Don’t do it. As long as you act genuinely you’re already you. Did that even give you an idea of who I am lol?!


Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
10 years from now I’ll be 28 and so I see myself as a 28-year-old living. I don’t want to put any expectations on myself but I know in my gut that I’ll be content in whatever I do because I won’t let myself just go to waste. I think the end goal for every artist is to be able to live off their art so I can say that’s in my future.
 

Is there a song you’ve been recently learning, or do you only sing original songs?
If you come over to my house or even just call me when I’m home a lot of the times you’ll hear me playing on my ukulele because I’m always playing something. Learning a song doesn’t really take that long so in a day I can do multiple. I just pick based on what I’ve been hearing, what catches my attention or based on what I’m feeling BUT I’ve been singing a lot of Billie Eillish’s song “when the party’s over” because the lyrics are so badass but with such a kinda calming melody. I love my ballads but I don’t like a lot of the current ones because it’s a bit too cheesy for me (no shade to any artist) with her music she has these almost disturbing lyrics but the beat is always so warming, I love that contrast. It honestly reminds me of Nina Simone.

As for my original songs, I actually have a lot and I sing them/ write them when I feel inspired too. I can write more than one song in a day just like I can go a week without writing a song. They’re all unreleased and I think I’ve only ever shown maybe 5 people 2 of my originals so I’ll see what the future holds for them but for now I don’t feel the time is right maybe I’m just being overly precocious
 

Horoscope:
Horoscopes are so cool, it’s a common interest that me and every single one of my close friends have. I’m a total and complete Virgo such a difficult sign and totally misunderstood. I just want to say Virgos are not boring..!
 

Have you ever done stand up poetry? If so, where and when? (Share your work!)
My first ever time performing poetry outside of a school curriculum requirement was at my school’s poetry competition 2 years ago since then I’ve performed a couple times at a poetry event called “tell em girls” organized by Maya Bassude as well as at another event that wasn’t actually specifically just poetry. I love performing that’s where I find I grow the most, writing in your room is one thing but testing out your material seeing how it sounds in a room full of people is a whole other experience. I recently found my kinda trademark/ sound when it comes to performing and I’m just now working on developing it, I’m nowhere near where I know I want to be or can be performance wise but I’m seeing the progress and it’s exciting. I’m thankful for that specific journey. Not to mention the amazing artist I’ve met through performing who I now call friends it’s an amazing atmosphere to be in.

Always happy to share a poem, this one is just a really short snippet of probably my favorite poem I’ve ever written I’m working on doing something cool with this… I’ve never performed it only 2 people have seen it so this is exclusive lol. This one is about loving someone who’s not necessarily ready for your love.

“Every single fleeting moment reminds me of you
Like water flows
Like water flows
Every single fleeting moment reminds me of you
Like the same water flow that runs down my cheek
every time I leave you
Only making me realize how much I don't need you anymore
Realizing
i pledged allegiance to a man without alliance

See I could never be his girlfriend but I was his lover

He looked at me like I held the key to the secret of life
But only in public”

For any other poem I’ll usually have it on my Instagram bio or post a video and for upcoming performances, it all goes through Instagram
 

If you were to pass down a legacy, what would you want that to be?
I have a little brother and so I already feel this responsibility to set an example but I’m really unconventional so to me this feeling never transpired as I need to do good in school (which still holds importance) or get a fancy government job to show him what it is to be a good fulfilled human, it pushed a lot out of me. I wanted to be the most authentic version of myself to show him that he can be and should be exactly who he feels that he is in every way (dress, talk, act, feel etc)

I think that’s the ultimate message I’m really trying to send, my legacy. Be authentic, spontaneous and unapologetic. It’s sooooo cheesy but it’s what’s the most important to me, you’ll lead a miserable life trying to follow someone else.

I’ll only know that I really left an impression once the people who looked up to me stop turning to what I have to say for the answers and start looking at themselves.

Why do you think I chose you to be a part of my series “ICON OTTAWA”
This question took me a while to answer because I was genuinely surprised when you asked me. I think you chose me because you believe in the artist in me and so that warms my heart, that’s the greatest gift an artist comes across, the people who see the artistry and believe in it. I think this question was my shortest reply yet not because I’m being modest avoiding giving myself too many compliments but I truly think it was as simple as that. My artistry is not only the poetry or the singing sound coming out of my mouth it’s everything, the intent behind the art, the feeling, authenticity it essentially is everything I make and do as a person.

The reason I chose Prisca,

After much thought and consideration, Prisca's ICON is Fluid.

running water

she is in the air
down to earth
running ferociously
falling with purpose
and holding herself strong

She teaches us that even when the environment forces you to change and adapt, when people try to define you and put you in a criteria...
WHO you are, is an embodiment of the cycle of life you naturally create. The personification of your being is something you need to have faith in and let fall into place rather then force into existence.

A big "Thank you" to everyone on the team
 involved in making this possible! Looking forward to .03 of OTTAWA ICON

Location: Westboro Beach
Photographer: Willow Lamoureux Photography / @willowthephotographer
Assistant: Anna Pickles / @anna_pickles_41319
Model: Prisca Mukula / @officialprisca_