Passion of X Poet Profiles: Figgy Baby (There Is A Moment)
As a lifelong poet, musician, and people-person, Figgy Baby (they/them) is one of the Queer 26’s cornerstones, and continues to bring an essential sense of growth and warmth to the group. Every community needs a caretaker of sorts, and the Q26 is fortunate to have one in Figgy.
Ever since they were a kid, Figgy has sought the spotlight, finding joy and revelry in being able to entertain others. Initially, their main calling was dancing, but eventually they tried to follow after their older brother, a prodigious musician. After some experimentation, however, Figgy discovered their best instrument was, in fact, their own voice! As a teenager, Figgy began to combine their love for music with their love for writing, and a talent for rapping soon naturally emerged. In their late teens, they started performing live sets, hosting get-togethers with friends that eventually spread to the wider scene in Los Angeles. Just like when they were a kid, they felt like they were completely in their element while performing, and they still love performing above all else–for instance, during COVID they hosted a number of silent discos, and still remember those performances fondly.
That said, they truly know how to make magic happen in the studio. Figgy’s musical process is dedicated enough that they release new music every month, and they’re always trying to find new ways to create and build upon their sound. As well as this, though their writing process tends to be more solitary, they feel lucky to have creative partners in fellow producers Fictitious Professor and Jade Eye. The way Figgy described their collaborative process– naturally improvisational and buzzing with creativity– sounded like any musician’s dream.
As such, they were a natural addition for Passion of X, as a musical producer and original creator. Figgy scored the music for the dance section, which proved to be a welcome challenge and departure from their usual style: the score for this section was more orchestral in nature, and required Figgy to compose around someone else’s creative vision. The result was a sweeping, ethereal piece that gorgeously complemented the section it coupled. Of course, Figgy also had their own section, titled “There Is A Moment,” referencing the moment one has where they realize the importance of their own freedom. This section is divided in three parts, all roughly following the same character: an amalgamation of Figgy’s own life, with inspiration taken from the lives of others. The first part will follow a young person coming out to their immigrant Latino father; the second will follow this person riding around Copenhagen, wearing a dress for the first time (inspired by a beloved piece of fan mail); and the third, a look into the lives of two queer lovers.
Of course, we’d be remiss not to talk about Figgy’s contributions as a creative leader, particularly when it comes to writing. During the initial stages of Passion of X, Figgy led a writing workshop, just as they’ve done for the Q26 for a long, long time. To Figgy, creation is “life,” and therefore, one must always take it with the highest degree of seriousness. They stress that the two most important components to writing are discipline and craft, meaning that one must always take time to write (even if it’s just journaling for five minutes!), and one must always be dedicated towards elevating their craft. “I don’t believe in writer’s block,” they said, “I think it’s a fake thing. You won’t always like what you write, but you’ll always have something to write about.” This is a philosophy that Figgy tries to impart in their workshops, not just because they enjoy taking care of their communities, but because they believe in the power of growing and learning collectively.
You’d think that, after returning from a tour in Europe, Figgy would be slowing down for the rest of the year–but they’re only getting started. They have all sorts of plans for the future, including a tour in Mexico, and you can bet we’ll be cheering them on all the way through!