Autistic Seattle musician explains how he remains optimistic

If you live in Seattle, Shoreline or Renton, you’ve probably seen his signs up on a nearby telephone pole. Self-published novelist and hip-hop artist Alexander Hubbard, aka Fantasy A, joined KIRO Radio’s Jason and Burns to talk about growing up autistic and how he maintains his optimism.

Hubbard, 23, told the hosts about being diagnosed with Asperger’s at the age of 3 and his music, which has topics that range from his struggles at school, family problems and how people take advantage of him, to finding love.

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“It helps me when people need to understand what I’ve been through with my autism and it helps me not to shy or (be) afraid to tell the whole world about it, and that’s how people reacted,” he said. “If they keep hiding their feelings, they will hurt them the most. Me, I’m not afraid of it. I want people to know what I’ve been through so they would know to other people as well.”

Beyond rapping, Hubbard says he writes fantasy novels and works two jobs: at Safeco and CenturyLink fields as well as at the Starbucks mailroom.

Hubbard spoke about being bothered by racism of all sorts and the importance of getting to know someone before judging them. That’s part of the inspiration behind the quote on the bottom of his flyers: “Be yourself, be inspired and be respectful.”

As for dealing with his critics, Hubbard said he ignores them and focuses on the fans who give him encouragement.

“That’s what I want to focus on,” he said. “And the hating comments, I’ll just let them hate and pretend that they’re not there.”

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