There are interviews where you learn about someone’s career.
Then there are interviews where you learn about the person.
My conversation with iLoveMakonnen quickly became the latter.
Over the years, Makonnen has been called many things: artist, innovator, trendsetter, cultural disruptor. His music helped shape an era, his voice became instantly recognizable, and his journey has played out in front of millions of people around the world.
Yet when asked how he feels hearing those labels attached to his name, his answer was surprisingly humble.
“In certain ways, I can believe it, but then in certain ways I’m like, okay, you got to pat yourself on the back a little bit,” he said. “I appreciate that others see me in such a great light. It’s very humbling.”
That humility became the thread running through our entire conversation.
Rather than focusing on accomplishments, Makonnen spent much of our interview reflecting on growth, self-awareness, and the lessons that come from surviving seasons of life that many people never see.
The Life He Never Expected to Have
One of the most striking moments came when Makonnen spoke about getting older.
At 37, he admitted he is thinking about life differently than he once did.
“I didn’t really plan for my life to see this long,” he shared.
For years, survival was the focus. Making it through the day. Making it through the year. Taking life one challenge at a time.
Now his perspective has shifted.
Instead of simply surviving, he is planning for the future. Building. Creating. Thinking about longevity.
The voice in his head no longer asks whether he can make it through difficult moments. It reminds him to keep going.
“You did stuff. You did. Okay, great. Put it on the wall. Now get back out there and get to work.”
It was a powerful reminder that success is not a finish line. Every achievement eventually becomes part of the foundation for whatever comes next.
What Fame Doesn’t Teach You
For many artists, fame is viewed as the destination.
Makonnen knows better.
When he first entered the industry, he imagined a world filled with excitement, opportunity, and connection. He dreamed of touring, meeting artists he admired, and building a life through music.
Some of those dreams came true.
Others revealed unexpected realities.
“I thought everybody would have been happy and thankful for the opportunity,” he explained. “A lot of people were very sad, stressed out, and overwhelmed.”
The experience changed the way he viewed success.
The larger the spotlight became, the more he realized that visibility does not automatically create fulfillment. Fame can bring opportunities, but it cannot replace genuine relationships, inner peace, or self-worth.
What surprised him most was discovering how isolated many successful people truly felt.
It was a lesson that reshaped his understanding of what actually matters.
Learning the Difference Between Friends and Friendship
Perhaps the most memorable moment of our conversation came when Makonnen shared a lesson life had to teach him more than once.
“Just because you’re their friend doesn’t mean they’re your friend.”
The statement landed with the weight of experience.
For years, he poured energy into relationships, often extending himself for others while expecting the same level of care in return. When that support wasn’t reciprocated, the disappointment was difficult to ignore.
Eventually, he realized the lesson was not about becoming bitter.
It was about becoming a better friend to himself.
That realization appears throughout every chapter of his story.
Again and again, Makonnen returned to the importance of self-reliance, self-respect, and understanding his own value without needing external validation.
The Meaning Behind iLoveMakonnen
One of the most beautiful moments of the interview arrived when Makonnen explained the deeper meaning behind his name.
To many people, iLoveMakonnen is a stage name.
To him, it represents something much larger.
He created the name during a period of intense self-reflection. A time when he was learning how to accept every part of himself, including the flaws, insecurities, mistakes, and experiences that shaped him.
The message was never meant to stop with him.
His hope is that people replace his name with their own.
“I wanted them to change the name from Makonnen to your name,” he said. “You become ‘I Love’ who your name is.”
It is a simple concept, yet a profound one.
In a world constantly encouraging people to become someone else, Makonnen’s message is remarkably different: become more comfortable being yourself.
A Different Definition of Success
Throughout our conversation, Makonnen repeatedly returned to one theme: self-awareness.
He spoke openly about grief, loneliness, personal growth, and the work required to heal old wounds. He acknowledged mistakes without becoming trapped by them. He reflected on difficult seasons while remaining grateful for the lessons they provided.
That perspective has changed him.
When asked what would surprise someone who met him ten years ago, his answer was immediate.
“My attitude.”
The artist who once carried anger now carries perspective.
The person who once reacted emotionally now pauses to reflect.
The individual who once searched for validation from the outside world has learned to look inward first.
Perhaps that is the greatest achievement of all.
Because by the end of our conversation, it became clear that Makonnen’s story is no longer about proving himself to the world.
It is about continuing to discover who he is.
And that journey appears far from over.
Follow iLoveMakonnen for updates on new music, creative projects, and upcoming announcements.
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Because the best stories begin when people tell the truth about who they are.
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