Who do you think are your biggest musical influences and in what way?
Lauryn Hill is my biggest musical influence. And OutKast. As far as Ms. Hill is concerned, I want to be able to make people feel how she made me feel when listening to The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill – free. I felt inspired. I was lifted. I was encouraged to think and feel more deeply. It was just very avaricious. She also had a way of embedding very real and deep topics in dope music that was palatable for a wide range of people. That’s like an ultimate goal for an artist like myself. I’d say OutKast did the same. Dudes are soooooo cold yo. But they used to say things. Deep things. Meaningful things. But they were so cold that you didn’t really recognize how deep or clever they were until you listened later. And the careers of both Lauryn Hill and OutKast are marked by versatility. They could do almost any sound and operate outside of what was expected. They’re definitely influences and they set the bar high.
Do you prefer the stage or the studio? Why?
Aww, man. I love making magic happen in the studio. There’s nothing like when an idea hatches and creation starts to take form. It’s a microcosmic imitation of what God does every millisecond. I love that process. But there’s also nothing like the stage when you can perform that creation. You can live it out. Walk it out. Breathe it. And when do you connect with the people? Bruh. Nothing like it. I think the artist in me doesn’t want to subscribe to the binary, so I don’t want to choose. But if I had to choose, I’d prefer the stage. It’s experiential for more people.
What’s the deepest thing a fan ever did for you or said to you?
One listener sent me a picture of her spreading the word about my music in Grand Cayman. That’s crazy to think people in other countries are listening to my stuff. And whenever a listener hits me up with a word of encouragement, that’s deep. Folks don’t have to share how they feel. They have to be moved to want to move you. So I appreciate every time someone extends themselves to encourage me. And the deepest thing a fan has ever done for me is to donate to my Kickstarter campaign, propelling me to a place where I can actually continue to make music as an independent artist. About 200 people came together to raise over $10,000 for the making of my sophomore album. Receiving the votes of confidence is deep to say the least. I don’t know if words can convey the gratitude I have for all the folks who backed the project. The best I can do is make a dope album, which I think is definitely happening.
What’s your next project?
My next project is an album, backed by the successful Kickstarter campaign I mentioned before. I’ve got some things to say. I’ve got some sounds and stories that have been on my heart for a while. I’ve been in this space where I’m absolutely fascinated by what it means to be fulfilling the dreams of my ancestors whose faith sustained them in the wilderness. And then, what it means for someone to be liberated enough to dream – despite a history that says you don’t have time for that. I’m excited about it. I’ve been building with Pete Rock’s mentee, Rody the Producer. We’re from Mt. Vernon, so there’s a lot of love being poured in. There are also some other really dope producers I’ve enlisted so I can’t wait for folks to hear the product!