HCAF STARS SERIES, JULY 2025: INTERVIEW — Yahuza Usman

QUESTION: The Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation is known for her central role of nurturing creativity in youths across the country. How have being its member contributed to your growth as an artist, and what opportunities or experiences have been most impactful for you?

ANSWER: My growth as an artist has been significantly shaped by the vibrant network and support of the Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation members. HCAF has served as a catalyst, fast-tracking my creative journey by surrounding me with people who believe in the power of young voices. Many members are more than friends—they are brothers, mentors, and, in truth, family. A turning point came when Daddy Terkule Aorabee Snr from Taraba State trusted and supported me to attend HIASFEST 2023, despite barely knowing me. That singular act opened doors and helped my creativity begin to truly bloom.

The sense of brotherhood within the Foundation is exceptional. We celebrate each other’s wins as though they are our own, and that solidarity has kept my flame burning. One figure who continues to inspire and uplift me is Daniel Aôndona. His mentorship, belief in my art, and tireless encouragement are among the most treasured gifts HCAF has given me. These experiences have not only elevated my craft but also reaffirmed my purpose as a young creative from an underserved part of the country.

QUESTION: What themes and experiences push the creativity behind your work, and what part of the creative process poses a challenge to you?

ANSWER: Love and dreams are the beating heart of my work. Every poem I write, in one way or another, is tethered to either love or the dreams I fiercely nurture. I am drawn to love not just as romance but as connection—between people, between passion and purpose. And dreams? I am unapologetically a dreamer. My art mirrors the journey of someone who believes every goal is within reach if you persist long enough.

As for challenges, titling remains the most difficult part of my creative process. I often find myself leaving my works untitled or simply naming them after the date they were created. Sometimes, finding the perfect title feels harder than writing the piece itself.

QUESTION: As a renowned creative, what advice would you give to emerging artists who are looking to balance the pursuit of artistic excellence with the desire for recognition and validation?

ANSWER: My advice is simple but urgent. Do not chase validation! When you create for applause, you risk losing your voice. Focus on refining your art, expanding your knowledge, and developing your unique style. Recognition is a consequence of excellence—not a goal. The best form of validation is the growth you see in your own craft. So, aim for mastery. Chase perfection, and recognition will inevitably follow.

QUESTION: What purpose fuels your creativity?

ANSWER: The pursuit of knowledge is the fire behind my creativity. I am driven by a hunger to learn, explore, and grow through reading and reflection. Every new thing I discover becomes a seed for something I can write about. My pen is my way of understanding the world, and each work is both a product of what I have learned and an invitation for others to learn with me.

QUESTION: Fifty years from now, what do you want the literary world to perceive of your art?

ANSWER: I want to be remembered as a writer who labored for love and dreams. Someone who gave fear a reason to flee, and built bridges between possibility and reality. I hope my art stands as a lasting witness to the power of passion, the strength of perseverance, and the necessity of love as a legacy. Fifty years from now, I want the world to say I wrote not just for myself, but for every dreamer who needed words to keep going.

QUESTION: Is representation a priority for you, and do you see a need for your writing to reflect your background or ancestral links?

ANSWER: Absolutely. Being from an underrepresented region like Mafindi in Taraba State, I carry a responsibility to amplify my roots and give voice to my community. My background is not just a backdrop—it is a heartbeat that echoes through my writing. I want readers across the world to encounter the realities, dreams, and beauty of my people through my words. With time, I hope Mafindi becomes not just a place on a map, but a presence in the global literary consciousness.