Hip Hop Community News

[WATCH] ‘First Take’ Rivals Stephen A. Smith and Will Cain Disagree About Jordan Neely Case

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Screen Shot 2023 05 24 at 4.25.53 PM

The on-air rivalry between ESPN’s First Take co-hosts Stephen A. Smith and Will Cain is unmatched. Emotional and controversial debates dating back to 2016 boast YouTube views in the millions.

Recently, Smith joined Cain in his new show Fox News Tonight, where Cain and Smith debated about the fate of Daniel Perry, the ex-Marine who choked a Michael Jackson impersonator and a homeless man named Jordan Neely to death on a downtown Manhattan subway last month.

Cain supported the former Marine, saying, “I think the world needs more people like Daniel Perry to step up!”

Unexpectedly, Smith did not jump to convict the 24-year-old Perry, stating, “I don’t know all the facts, so I’m not ready to convict Daniel Perry, like a lot of people, politicians and citizens have been so quick to convict this man of that,” Smith said. “I think we need to hear all the evidence. He did have him in a chokehold for an access of three minutes. That seemed a bit accessive, particularly when that he had two other people helping him [restain Jordan Neely on the subway train]. But then again, we need to know more.”

Cain, as expected, took the exact opposite stance as Smith, declaring, “You’ve got to be careful in a situation like this Monday morning quarterbacking. In my estimation, while I appreciate you wanting to wait for the facts, Stephen A. [Smith], I don’t think that the man should have even been charged…I don’t think what we see here [was] reckless, and I certainly don’t think he intended to kill Neely, and then to a larger point, by even charging him you create a dissident for strong men…you dis-incentives strong men to step up and help the vulnerable.”

The post [WATCH] ‘First Take’ Rivals Stephen A. Smith and Will Cain Disagree About Jordan Neely Case appeared first on The Source.

Florida School Bans Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Poem, Citing “Indirect Hate Speech”

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Florida School Bans Amanda Gorman's Inauguration Poem

Just day’s before controversial Florida governor Ron DeSantis is expected to formally announce his 2024 presidential bid, his recent legislation, which focuses on eliminating LGBTQ literature in K-12 classrooms, has added several more works to its list of censored or banned works- including Amanda Gorman‘s 2020 Presidential Inauguration Poem, “The Hill We Climb.”

The removal of the work from Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes, a Miami-area K-8 school, came after a parent of two students objected to five titles at the school. The complaint against “The Hill We Climb” cited “indirect hate messages” and indoctrination and was ultimately deemed inappropriate for elementary school students. (It will still be available in the high school library.)

The advocacy group PEN America reports that at least 175 books have been removed from school libraries throughout Florida in recent months following the passage of DeSantis-backed legislation.

A Harvard graduate, Gorman was the United States’ first national youth poet laureate. At 22 years old, she was the youngest poet in memory to read at a presidential inaugural ceremony. A full viewing of the poem’s reading by Gorman can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ055ilIiN4.

The post Florida School Bans Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Poem, Citing “Indirect Hate Speech” appeared first on The Source.

The Gap Sues Kanye West for $2 Million Following Failed Partnership

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The Gap Sues Kanye West Following Failed Partnership

Kanye West’s Yeezy line might be on sale again (sort of), but one place that his apparel will not be for sale is at the Gap. About eight months after the implosion of their partnership, the Gap announced that they are suing Ye in the amount of $2 million dollars for a breach of contract.

The Yeezy Gap apparel line deal, which included men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, was announced in 2020 and was supposed to last 10 years (with an option to renew after five) and generate $1 billion in annual sales.

The Gap’s lawsuit against West actually stems from another lawsuit against the Gap.  According to court documents, a real estate company called Art City Center (which owns a building in Los Angeles that Gap had leased from them to be used as a storefront for the Yeezy line) sued the Gap for nonpayment. In the documents, Art City Center alleges that Gap significantly altered the property for the Yeezy store, but did not restore it to its original state. Since West was the party to formally end the partnership, Gap is using the lawsuit to get Ye to pay the bill to cover the costs incurred by Art City Center (plus additional fees).

Since the ending of the partnership, both sides have pointed fingers and claimed the other side failed to fulfill creative and/or contractual obligations. For the first 18 months of the partnership, only two products were released (for online sales only): a puffer jacket and a sweatshirt. In May of 2022, the Gap released the “Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga” line, a high-end line of 36 styles created in partnership with the high-end designer. However, the line’s cheapest items (t-shirts) started at $140 and hoodies were priced starting at $240- much higher than the Gap’s regular products.

There was also controversy over the display of the line at a Gap location in Times Square, where clothes were shoved in what appeared to be garbage bin bags throughout the store.

While the Gap’s stock prices initially shot up about 40% following the announcement of the partnership with West, sales had fallen about 10% from the year prior in the fall of 2022. While other economic factors could certainly be involved, the Gap reports that Ye was not fulfilling his contractual obligations while he claims the brand did not adequately promote and market his line.

The post The Gap Sues Kanye West for $2 Million Following Failed Partnership appeared first on The Source.

G Herbo’s ‘Swervin’ Through Stress’ Initiative Officially Registered as 501c3 Nonprofit

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G Herbo’s ‘Swervin’ Through Stress’ Initiative Officially Registered as 501c3 Nonprofit

G Herbo has announced his Swervin’ Through Stress initiative is now a recognized 501c3 nonprofit corporation.

By introducing and educating the BIPOC community at a young age, as well as by giving access to resources, tools, and coping mechanisms to combat the long-term effects of undiagnosed mental illness both at the personal and community level, Swervin’ Through Stress seeks to de-stigmatize conversations about mental wellness.

“Our community doesn’t talk about mental health enough,” Herbo said to Billboard. “With Swervin’ Through Stress, I really wanted to create a space where it’s OK for us to talk about what we’re going through. A lot of us can relate to each other’s struggles.”

The news that Swervin’ Through Stress has obtained 501c3 status comes after the release of G Herbo’s highly anticipated mixtape, Strictly 4 My Fans 2, which features remarkable collaborations with GloRilla as well as up-and-coming artists Mello Buckzz and Drench. This outstanding accomplishment aligns with the mixtape’s engaging soundscape, provided by renowned producers like Southside, DJ Victoriouz, Oz On The Track, Luca Vialli, and others, and is reminiscent of Lil Herb’s gritty drill beats.

You can tap into that project here.

The post G Herbo’s ‘Swervin’ Through Stress’ Initiative Officially Registered as 501c3 Nonprofit appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: NFL’s Inspire Change Initiative Hits $300 Million in Support for Social Justice

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NFL's Inspire Change Initiative Hits $300 Million in Support for Social Justice

The NFL today revealed that the league’s Inspire Change campaign had received more than $300 million in social justice donations from the NFL Family. This achievement comes as the NFL and the Players Coalition renewed 15 grant partnerships to encourage further improvements in police-community relations, criminal justice reform, education, and economic development.

“Players Coalition and the NFL have collaborated over the past five years through Inspire Change grants to help drive direct impact by supporting organizations at the frontlines of social justice and racial equity work,” said Anquan Boldin, co-founder of Players Coalition. “While the work is far from over, we look forward to advancing aligned partnerships with grant recipients and building on our continued partnership with the NFL to address priority social justice issues.”

“The NFL Family is proud to have contributed more than $300 million to support social justice efforts in communities across the country, but our work is far from over,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility. “The positive impact of this work is being felt every day, and we are committed to continuing our efforts with players, clubs, and our Inspire Change grant partners to break down barriers to opportunity and end systemic racism.”

You can see the impact of Inspire Change on organizations like Alabama Appleseed in the video here.

“There was no reason for the NFL to care about what was happening in Alabama except that they legitimately wanted to help solve problems,” said Carla Crowder, Executive Director of Alabama Appleseed. “The NFL gave us not only resources to hire more people, but a national platform to lift up the crisis around prisons, excessive punishment, and the human rights of incarcerated Alabamians.”

The Player-Owner Social Justice Committee, which consists of a 10-person panel of players, Legends, and team owners, recently approved the 15 renewal grants. Nonprofit groups that are bringing about measurable change in all four areas of Inspire Change are given grants.

You can learn more about the Inspire Change initiative here.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: NFL’s Inspire Change Initiative Hits $300 Million in Support for Social Justice appeared first on The Source.

RHOA Kim Zolciak-Biermann Requests Estranged Husband Kroy Biermann Submit to Drug Test in Divorce Case

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Kim Zolciak Biermann requests estranged husband Kroy to submit to drug test

The Real Housewives franchise cast members are no strangers to drama- especially RHOA cast member Kim Zolciak-Biermann, whose current divorce situation with her estranged husband, Kroy Biermann, is playing out in the media in real time. In addition to requesting a significant divorce settlement, she now also wants the former NFL player to submit to a hair follicle drug test as part of the divorce proceedings.

Court documents show that the middle age reality star has petitioned the Superior Court of Fulton County to determine if Biermann, 37, is currently using drugs or has in recent history.

The case would require that Biermann “submit to a five-panel hair follicle drug screen” and he would not be allowed to “cut or remove any of his hair until such time as the screen is complete.”

The request comes following Biermann’s filing for “sole physical and legal custody” of the couple’s minor children, who range in age from nine to 11 years old. (Zolciak-Biermann has two older children from a prior illicit relationship.)

Zolciak-Biermann, meanwhile, has requested primary physical custody of the couple’s four children, joint legal custody, and significant spousal support from Biermann as well as the restoration of her maiden name.

Zolciak-Biermann stated that she requested the hair follicle drug test because she “has serious concerns for the safety and well-being of the minor children,” according to court documents. 

Despite the fact that Zolciack-Biermann is requesting the drug screening, the court filing states that she expects her soon-to-be-ex husband to cover the drug screening costs.

The post RHOA Kim Zolciak-Biermann Requests Estranged Husband Kroy Biermann Submit to Drug Test in Divorce Case appeared first on The Source.

Tamika D. Mallory and Rev. Michael McBride Pen Letter Highlighting Lack of Black Leadership in Collectibles Organization Panini

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Tamika D. Mallory and Rev. Michael McBride Pen Letter Highlighting Lack of Black Leadership in Collectibles Organization Panini

Tamika D. Mallory, a co-founder of Until Freedom, and Reverend Michael McBride, a co-founder of the Black Church Political Action Committee, made the announcement that they had written a letter to sports and entertainment collectibles company Panini criticizing the company’s lack of a black leadership team and requesting immediate reform of its hiring practices.

Mallory and McBride sent the letter to Panini America CEO Mark Warsop on Monday, pointing out that even though black and brown athletes account for 75% of the company’s revenue, the company’s executive team in no way reflects the company’s diverse athlete base.

Mallory and McBride claim that the situation is even worse, given that Panini has made billions of dollars off black and brown players. In addition, only 3 of the 800 company employees listed on LinkedIn are black. The discrepancy confirms that Panini employs few to no black staff across the board.

Mallory and McBride issued an ultimatum to the company, demanding it takes urgent corrective action and employs black leadership in essential positions. If not, they intend to work together to push Panini’s athletes and partners, including the English Premier League, NBA, NFL, NBA Players Association, and FIFA, to boycott the firm.

Additionally, they spoke with the attorneys general of Texas, Ken Paxton, New York, Letitia James, and California, Rob Bonta, on their diversity requests.

In the letter, Mallory and McBride point out the hypocrisy in Panini’s business practices, writing that “Panini’s simultaneous profiting from its collaborations with black and brown athletes on the one hand, and exclusion of black people from its leadership on the other hand, is unacceptable.”

Mallory is a well-known civil rights activist who co-founded Until Freedom, an organization for intersectional social justice built on the leadership of people of color from various backgrounds to combat racial and systemic injustice. She co-chaired the Women’s March on Washington, the largest one-day protest in American history, and was the National Action Network’s youngest-ever executive director. Following George Floyd’s murder, Mallory gave a stirring speech that was hailed by many as “the speech of a generation.”

In response to the appeal for leaders committed to stopping mass imprisonment, defending the right to vote, reducing gun violence, and advocating for the equitable treatment of all people, McBride co-founded Black Church PAC.

You can read the full letter here.

The post Tamika D. Mallory and Rev. Michael McBride Pen Letter Highlighting Lack of Black Leadership in Collectibles Organization Panini appeared first on The Source.

Kim Kardashian, Michael Rubin, and REFORM Alliance Unite to Clear Restitution Debts for Women on Probation/Parole

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Kim Kardashian

Today, the nonprofit criminal justice reform organization REFORM Alliance, in partnership with co-chair Michael Rubin and Kim Kardashian, is announcing their collaboration to alleviate the financial burdens of over fifty mothers trapped in the probation and parole system. These women hail from various locations including New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, Los Angeles County, Florida, Virginia, and Illinois.

Through the joint efforts of REFORM Alliance, Michael Rubin, and Kim Kardashian, the restitution, fines, and fees of these mothers will be paid off. This significant step will enable most of them to terminate their supervision or become eligible for early termination, a move that has garnered the endorsement of many of their probation officers.

Among the beneficiaries of this relief is Danielle Davis, a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2012, Danielle was convicted of a nonviolent offense and sentenced to twenty-three months of parole and three years of probation. Unfortunately, when her sentence was scheduled to conclude in 2017, an additional twenty-three months of parole and three years of probation were added, not due to any new crime or violation of probation conditions, but solely because of unpaid restitution. In 2022, her probation was extended for another three years.

Kim Kardashian expresses her empathy for the struggles faced by these mothers, stating, “It’s hard to fathom what these mothers have to go through. All they want is the chance to rebuild their lives, and yet our system keeps them trapped in an endless cycle of supervision. I want to do my part to give these women the second chance they’ve earned. I urge lawmakers and advocates across the country to work toward changing outdated laws that keep too many people unnecessarily behind bars. I will continue to bring awareness to these important issues until there is change.”

Throughout the eleven years of Danielle’s supervision, she has had no violations and no encounters with the law. As a mother of four, she has recently undergone two open heart surgeries and struggles to meet her probation reporting requirements, including the burdensome task of traveling from Philadelphia to Media, PA to meet with her probation officer despite not owning a car. While living on a fixed income, she makes monthly payments ranging from $50 to $100. Danielle confesses, “I thought I’d die on probation” because she could not afford to settle the full amount she owes.

Together, Kim Kardashian and Michael Rubin are relieving Danielle of the remaining balance of her restitution, fines, and fees, along with more than 50 other women facing similar circumstances.

“Probation and parole were meant to support people as they re-entered society,” explains Michael Rubin. “But instead, these systems keep people stuck. Forcing people to remain on supervision because they can’t pay restitution is deeply unjust – and it doesn’t improve public safety one bit. REFORM Alliance is committed to transforming probation and parole and getting people out of the system for good so that they can be back with their families, contribute to their communities, and move on to live productive lives.”

This initiative will liberate the women from the trap of constant supervision and provide them with a foundation for rebuilding their lives. These mothers have demonstrated their commitment to rehabilitation and have successfully complied with the terms of their supervision without any violations. Additionally, many of them have the support of their supervising officers in terminating their supervision once their financial obligations are fulfilled.

Kim Kardashian, Michael Rubin, and REFORM Alliance aim to raise awareness about the flaws in our parole and probation systems while supporting this deserving group of women on Mother’s Day.

“These women have shown a true commitment to transforming their lives,” states Jessica Jackson, REFORM’s Chief Advocacy & Operations Officer. “Like many other mothers still ensnared in the system, they’re taking responsibility and striving for a better future for their families. It’s time for all of us to do our part to support them, and to create a criminal justice system that truly prioritizes public safety. I hope these women have a beautiful Mother’s Day and that this effort helps them move on with their lives.”

Jessica, a mother of three, has been serving as REFORM’s Chief Advocacy & Operations Officer since the organization’s inception in 2019. Her personal experience with the criminal justice system came when her then-husband was incarcerated due to an offense related to his addiction, shortly after the birth of their first daughter, Hannah. This firsthand encounter motivated Jessica to dedicate her career to criminal justice reform.

REFORM Alliance is fully committed to the transformation of probation and parole practices throughout the United States. They aim to achieve this by advocating for changes in laws, systems, and the overall culture surrounding criminal justice. Their vision is to replace America’s current criminal justice system with a restorative approach that emphasizes fairness, accountability, and rehabilitation. Collaborating with local, bipartisan coalitions, REFORM Alliance has successfully contributed to the passage of 16 pieces of legislation in 10 states. These legislative achievements have paved the way for approximately 650,000 individuals to exit the criminal justice system.

In order to identify the women who will benefit from their efforts, REFORM Alliance has worked closely with community-based organizations and supervision agencies across the country. By partnering with these entities, they have been able to ensure that their support reaches those who truly need it. A list of organizations is available below.

·       Above All Odds 

·       Sappho Fulton, Womxn Beyond Borders 

·       Pennsylvania Department of Corrections 

·       Court Collections Unit for Court of Common Pleas, Cumberland County 

·       Mayor Levar Stoney (Richmond, VA) 

·       Nolef Turns 

·       Neighborhood Resource Center 

·       Fail Safe ERA 

·       NY Dept of Probation 

·       Sister I Can Help (IL) 

·       Living on Purpose ATL 

·       Motherhood Beyond Bars 

·       Lifechangers Legacy 

·       World Harvest Prison Ministry 

·       R.E.S.T.O.R.E Duval 

·       Anti-Recidivism Coalition 

·       Ladies of Hope Ministries 

The post Kim Kardashian, Michael Rubin, and REFORM Alliance Unite to Clear Restitution Debts for Women on Probation/Parole appeared first on The Source.

Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

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Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

In a captivating interview with Patrick Adams, the music industry luminary, and visionary producer, he unveils his insightful take on the transformative power of his latest release, “If I Ruled the World,” and more about the artistry that makes him one of the must-hear multi-hyphenate talents out today.

In conversation with The Source, Adams delves into the inspiration behind the track, shedding light on his artistic process and the profound message he hopes to convey. Adams brings a wealth of experience and musical expertise to the table, making this interview a must-read for music enthusiasts and admirers of his work, and new fans that will join the journey.

How did you get your start in music, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

I had some relatives that were musicians, and they actually still are. So they’re all a little bit older than me. I was the little cousin that was always hanging around, watching everybody rehearse. And then the house next door to me was filled with musicians and they had a band. And so, during this time period, there were a lot of bands that were out and playing in Minneapolis. I was the little young pup that would hang around, and I got to hear it all the time. And so I just was like, you know what? I think that’s something that I want to do. I would watch and listen to them, and then I’d go into my own space and my own time to grab my little ice cream buckets and make me a little drum set. And that’s how I got started.

Can you describe what your creative process is and how do you go about writing and producing your music? Cause I know you do everything in-house.

The process has evolved over time. It got to the point where you’re just experimenting, and you just turn the mic on, like you do a beat, or you get on the piano or the keyboard, and you come up with something. You’re then writing in real-time without even using a pen. And so experimenting with that lately has been fun. It gives you this opportunity to be free and create on the spot. I love it.

You span different types of genres. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted each era of music that you’re creating?

For sure, family members and then Herby Hancock as a child really sparked my interest. A couple of the albums that he had back in the day were major influences. Also, the Ohio Players, The Stylistics, and The Chi-Lites. Even listening to songwriters like Crosby, Stills and Nash, and James Taylor. And then evolving into Prince and Earth, Wind and Fire, and Stevie Wonder. Sly Stone, Babyface, Teddy Riley. And then, moving forward to current artists like Drake and how he would create his songs. That is parallel for me when I look at how Prince would write a lot of his music, they carry melodies.

Anybody could sing some of these melodies. A good example for Prince, even when he did the song, “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night,” the way that he sang it, which he did a lot of songs this way, anybody could sing that melody. And with Drake, they make it listener friendly where anybody can feel like “I can do that.” So just listening to and studying how they do that craft is a major for me. You listen to people like Charlie Wilson, and it’s like, nah, I could never do that. Stokely, you can’t, no, I could never do that. It’s some people who are just so ridiculous with their vocals.

What do you think sets your music apart from other creators?

I don’t really approach music thinking of genre. Whatever God gives me in that moment, I accept it. I can sit down and accept whatever is coming out, and I take that and let it go to where it’s going to go. I don’t sit down and say, you know what? I’m gonna write a song like this, or I’m gonna try to fit into this. It’s just being free and being able to create in a free space. Letting it happen organically.

If you are working in one genre and creative energy pushes you into another. How do you manage mentally? How do you make that shift or know when it’s time to go back?

For example, I could be working on songs for my gospel project, and then I may go down, and I get in the studio, then my keyboard and hands take me somewhere else to a different melody. I just let that take me where it’s going to go. Depending on how far I go in that moment, it could take me all the way through the arrangement, or it could take me through part of the arrangement, and then I just save it and table it for later and then get back into what I was initially working on.

Right now, what’s buzzing for you heavily is “If I Ruled the World.” You mentioned just having that energy that takes you away to places of creation. Do you recall what specifically was in your heart, mind, spirit, or musical energy when you started to work on that?

I’m from Minneapolis, and the neighborhood I grew up in was over where the situation happened with George Floyd and the riots. That was my neighborhood. And my kids grew up in that neighborhood as well. So, that incident and many other situations that have happened not only in our country but around the world was the motivation. The tipping point for me was the invasion of Ukraine, and that led me to enough is enough. I can’t take this anymore. And so I just started playing, and then those words started coming out.

We all just need to look in the mirror, and we can’t keep pointing the finger here and pointing the finger there. We all just have to look in the mirror and figure out what we can do to make this space better. And so with the creative process musically for it, that’s where that derived from. I wanted to go back into that neighborhood and grab some of the pillars in the community and others that grew up in that neighborhood and be a part of the video. We took over the square, and it actually was minus two out there. So we were hurrying up trying to get those scenes done.

You had the experience of seeing your graphic on display on a billboard in Times Square. How did that feel for you?

It was a humbling experience, and it was crazy cuz I got the phone call the night before the release of the single and the video, and I was asked how I would like this particular ad for that song to be displayed in Times Square. The release comes out, and someone sent me a clip of the ad being played in Times Square. I called this individual up and said, ” man, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. So long story short, I was out there that following Friday and actually got to see it in person. God is good. That’s all I can say.

You are currently working on your R&B album. What energy do you want to bring with that release?

It’s a mixture of uptempo and dance songs. Some ballads, some mid-tempo. It touches on a couple of different areas. As far as musically, it’s some stuff that reminds you of back in the seventies and some stuff that might be like in the eighties. We just wanted to touch on these different areas musically. I think it’s a fun project. I’m out here in LA, mixing one of the dance songs right now. It’s coming out really nice, man. I’m excited about it.

What challenges have you had as an artist, and how do you set out to overcome them?

The main challenge for me is creative control, which is probably a challenge for almost every artist out here unless you’re doing your stuff independently. The freedom to be able to release your own stuff and have the avenues to make it work is an unbelievable thing. I’m excited about that, and the challenges are staying on it from the advertising and marketing side. I’m not a huge social media guy, but it pushes you to do it a lot more. So right now, that’s the biggest challenge.

The post Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More appeared first on The Source.

Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

by
Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

In a captivating interview with Patrick Adams, the music industry luminary, and visionary producer, he unveils his insightful take on the transformative power of his latest release, “If I Ruled the World,” and more about the artistry that makes him one of the must-hear multi-hyphenate talents out today.

In conversation with The Source, Adams delves into the inspiration behind the track, shedding light on his artistic process and the profound message he hopes to convey. Adams brings a wealth of experience and musical expertise to the table, making this interview a must-read for music enthusiasts and admirers of his work, and new fans that will join the journey.

How did you get your start in music, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

I had some relatives that were musicians, and they actually still are. So they’re all a little bit older than me. I was the little cousin that was always hanging around, watching everybody rehearse. And then the house next door to me was filled with musicians and they had a band. And so, during this time period, there were a lot of bands that were out and playing in Minneapolis. I was the little young pup that would hang around, and I got to hear it all the time. And so I just was like, you know what? I think that’s something that I want to do. I would watch and listen to them, and then I’d go into my own space and my own time to grab my little ice cream buckets and make me a little drum set. And that’s how I got started.

Can you describe what your creative process is and how do you go about writing and producing your music? Cause I know you do everything in-house.

The process has evolved over time. It got to the point where you’re just experimenting, and you just turn the mic on, like you do a beat, or you get on the piano or the keyboard, and you come up with something. You’re then writing in real-time without even using a pen. And so experimenting with that lately has been fun. It gives you this opportunity to be free and create on the spot. I love it.

You span different types of genres. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted each era of music that you’re creating?

For sure, family members and then Herby Hancock as a child really sparked my interest. A couple of the albums that he had back in the day were major influences. Also, the Ohio Players, The Stylistics, and The Chi-Lites. Even listening to songwriters like Crosby, Stills and Nash, and James Taylor. And then evolving into Prince and Earth, Wind and Fire, and Stevie Wonder. Sly Stone, Babyface, Teddy Riley. And then, moving forward to current artists like Drake and how he would create his songs. That is parallel for me when I look at how Prince would write a lot of his music, they carry melodies.

Anybody could sing some of these melodies. A good example for Prince, even when he did the song, “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night,” the way that he sang it, which he did a lot of songs this way, anybody could sing that melody. And with Drake, they make it listener friendly where anybody can feel like “I can do that.” So just listening to and studying how they do that craft is a major for me. You listen to people like Charlie Wilson, and it’s like, nah, I could never do that. Stokely, you can’t, no, I could never do that. It’s some people who are just so ridiculous with their vocals.

What do you think sets your music apart from other creators?

I don’t really approach music thinking of genre. Whatever God gives me in that moment, I accept it. I can sit down and accept whatever is coming out, and I take that and let it go to where it’s going to go. I don’t sit down and say, you know what? I’m gonna write a song like this, or I’m gonna try to fit into this. It’s just being free and being able to create in a free space. Letting it happen organically.

If you are working in one genre and creative energy pushes you into another. How do you manage mentally? How do you make that shift or know when it’s time to go back?

For example, I could be working on songs for my gospel project, and then I may go down, and I get in the studio, then my keyboard and hands take me somewhere else to a different melody. I just let that take me where it’s going to go. Depending on how far I go in that moment, it could take me all the way through the arrangement, or it could take me through part of the arrangement, and then I just save it and table it for later and then get back into what I was initially working on.

Right now, what’s buzzing for you heavily is “If I Ruled the World.” You mentioned just having that energy that takes you away to places of creation. Do you recall what specifically was in your heart, mind, spirit, or musical energy when you started to work on that?

I’m from Minneapolis, and the neighborhood I grew up in was over where the situation happened with George Floyd and the riots. That was my neighborhood. And my kids grew up in that neighborhood as well. So, that incident and many other situations that have happened not only in our country but around the world was the motivation. The tipping point for me was the invasion of Ukraine, and that led me to enough is enough. I can’t take this anymore. And so I just started playing, and then those words started coming out.

We all just need to look in the mirror, and we can’t keep pointing the finger here and pointing the finger there. We all just have to look in the mirror and figure out what we can do to make this space better. And so with the creative process musically for it, that’s where that derived from. I wanted to go back into that neighborhood and grab some of the pillars in the community and others that grew up in that neighborhood and be a part of the video. We took over the square, and it actually was minus two out there. So we were hurrying up trying to get those scenes done.

You had the experience of seeing your graphic on display on a billboard in Times Square. How did that feel for you?

It was a humbling experience, and it was crazy cuz I got the phone call the night before the release of the single and the video, and I was asked how I would like this particular ad for that song to be displayed in Times Square. The release comes out, and someone sent me a clip of the ad being played in Times Square. I called this individual up and said, ” man, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. So long story short, I was out there that following Friday and actually got to see it in person. God is good. That’s all I can say.

You are currently working on your R&B album. What energy do you want to bring with that release?

It’s a mixture of uptempo and dance songs. Some ballads, some mid-tempo. It touches on a couple of different areas. As far as musically, it’s some stuff that reminds you of back in the seventies and some stuff that might be like in the eighties. We just wanted to touch on these different areas musically. I think it’s a fun project. I’m out here in LA, mixing one of the dance songs right now. It’s coming out really nice, man. I’m excited about it.

What challenges have you had as an artist, and how do you set out to overcome them?

The main challenge for me is creative control, which is probably a challenge for almost every artist out here unless you’re doing your stuff independently. The freedom to be able to release your own stuff and have the avenues to make it work is an unbelievable thing. I’m excited about that, and the challenges are staying on it from the advertising and marketing side. I’m not a huge social media guy, but it pushes you to do it a lot more. So right now, that’s the biggest challenge.

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