Q&A’s from Highlighted Artists: Smooth Flow Playlist
1. What inspires your sound?
My sound is inspired by a combination of Alternative, R&B and Lo-fi music. I listen to all 3 genres independently and I feel like my music grabs influence from all of them which gives it a strange sound that doesn't really fall under a single genre.
2. How long have you been making your own music?
I've been making my own music for 3 years now. I've been a musician for 15 years and finally dove into my own music a few years back. I also played guitar for 10 years before I started singing.
3. Who is your favorite artist? Do you draw any sounds or styles from them?
My favorite artist has to be Corbin (previously Spooky Black). When I first listened to him in 2014 it was the first time I'd heard music like that. I write music that I'd like to listen to myself so I think it will always be influenced by my favorite artists. I don't listen to my own music btw...
4. What is your creative process like? (do you write the music or the melody first)
My creative process doesn't have a set approach except that I always write/record my music in complete solitude. When I'm writing I don't listen to any other music either, I don't want it to have influence on the sound. I find many times that the melody will come to me before anything else, usually the hook/chorus. I actually won't start writing a song until I have a catchy hook in my head to start with. Next, I usually write the build up to the chorus. The verses are always the last part of the song I write.
5. What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
This one's probably a fun fact, but I have a computer science degree and I'm a software developer. A lot of my free time I spend writing code. I like to automate different aspects of my life with programs.
6. What is the best advice you’ve been given? (musically or non-musically)
The best advice I've been given is not to jump at an offer. Since "waiting" has blown up I've been approached by a lot of the big record cos but have chosen to stay independent. 2.5 years later I'm still independent and my plans haven't changed.
7. What Is something you would tell your fans?
I want to tell my fans that new music is coming. I can't believe you're all still listening to "Waiting" and sticking around, it makes me so happy. “Waiting” was my debut single, it's been about 2.5 years since it was released and it's still my only released song. I'm planning to release a new single followed by a 4-5 song EP.
8. Would you like to collaborate with anyone? If so, who and why?
I definitely have a list of artists I'd like to collaborate with. Corbin, Jesse Rutherford, Bobby Raps, Doja Cat, to name a few. I love their sound and would love to get on a song with them.
1. What inspires your sound?
Being around nature has been inspiring my sound as of lately, especially during quarantine this year. I’ve taken some time to just sit outside and listen, its peaceful. Between the birds singing, the trees swaying in the wind, nature can be quite musical. I try to recreate the magic feeling that nature brings in my music.
2. How long have you been making your own music?
I’ve been in love with making music since high school. What started out as a dream of being famous, turned into finding a true passion for music. I spent time learning how to sing, how to write songs, and record myself early on, I feel in love with the process early on.
By college, I knew I wanted to pursue music seriously, it was the only thing I really enjoyed exploring and learning. I began putting together small EPs that I shared online with my friends from school and back home. They weren’t getting much traction or recognition but it was fun to just create. My parents were supportive of my passion for music and even enjoyed it, but they encouraged me to finish my educational pursuit and get my degree first.
Since college, with support from my friends and family, I’ve been able to really put my full focus and effort into the music and haven’t looked back.
3. Who is your favorite artist? Do you draw any sounds or styles from them?
Stevie Wonder is my favorite artist of all time. His music was something my parents played a lot growing up and in my adult years, I’ve had time to really re-discover his catalog. His storytelling is universal yet unique to him, its one of many things about him that I admire and that I’ve studied and emulated. You can feel his presence in the music, even in a harmonica solo, you can hear the emotion in every breathe and note played. I strive to do that same thing with every second of sound I create.
4. What is your creative process like? (do you write the music or the melody first)
You know, sometimes I wish I had a template for the creative process, maybe that would help wrangle all the ideas in my head haha.
Every time I sit down to work, I let the session flow how it wants and whatever happens, happens. When I’m by myself working, I just start. Whatever the point of inspiration is, a vocal melody, or a topic idea, I run with it and try not to be judgmental of the decisions I make in that moment. It helps with just getting the song started, which can be the hardest part.
When working with others, the right kind of collaboration is vital. The energies have to match, else it will sound forced. I always start my sessions just talking with the producer or songwriters I’m working with to connect somehow with them. It’s important to be comfortable and vulnerable with whoever I work with to be able to be authentic in whatever we are creating. In the actual creation process, I like to play the role of the architect and help arrange ideas and bring out the best in whoever is in the room. My goal is always to just make the best music, regardless of who does what or if the song sounds like something for me or not. It’s all about the music.
5. What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I studied environmental policy during my time at University. I’d probably be working in some compliance job or somewhere in the government right now. I do have dreams of being a lobbyist for green energy and fighting for environmental justice issues regarding the looming climate crisis. Right now is such a pivotal moment in our history and we’re going to have to fight for our future now.
6. What is the best advice you’ve been given? (musically or non-musically)
My dad will always tell me, to this day, whether I talk about my dreams or about a problem in front of me, “If it was easy, everyone would do it.”
That's such a cheesy line and I dismissed it for so long, but as I get older and farther in my journey in music, that lines rings true more and more each day.
Being a black man in this industry is difficult as it is, and the hurdles placed before me as someone navigating it independently are arguably even higher than my peers. But I don’t let that stop me or limit my imagination, instead I use it as fuel to work even harder and to be better for myself. Anytime I get down or frustrated with situations, I know the seeds I’ve sown will prosper in time.
7. What Is something you would tell your fans?
Fan is a weird word for me, but my supporters are some of my favorite people in this world. I’m thankful that people have gravitated to the music in the way they have. But it’s something special when someone reaches out personally and tells their story of how they’ve connected with the music. We’re all connected in this world, and for people, for strangers at that, to feel they know you a little and to trust you to soundtrack their life is special and I’m thankful. As a kid, I always wanted to feel that connection to others, and in a way I’ve found that.
The foundation for all that I do as a brand and what I strive to be as a person is founded in love. And not just the romantic love but the love you have for one another, and for your community. Especially in these tumultuous times, it’s been one of my priorities to seek out those who demonstrate this love and want better for themselves and their community. I really want to cultivate a world along with my supporters that is founded on just that.
8. Would you like to collaborate with anyone? If so, who and why?
Jazmine Sullivan is somewhere near the top of my imaginary “greatest writers of all time” list. She is absolutely brilliant in the way she emotes though her voice and in her songwriting, I just feel I would learn so much from her. I imagine I’ll be sitting in awe the whole time we are working in a session, I look forward to the day haha.
1. What inspires your sound?
Hearing good music from other artists.
2. How long have you been making your own music?
About 9 months now.
3. Who is your favorite artist? Do you draw any sounds or styles from them?
Summer Walker and I would say I’m very much inspired, but still try to create my own sound from what I’ve been inspired by.
4. What is your creative process like? (do you write the music or the melody first)
I always find the melodies first and then form them all into words.
5. What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Probably things I shouldn’t be.
6. What is the best advice you’ve been given? (musically or non-musically)
Don’t settle for anything other than YOUR vision. You are the artist your vision is what got you recognized.
7. What Is something you would tell your fans?
Stay true to yourself.
8. Would you like to collaborate with anyone? If so, who and why?
For sure. Summer Walker of course, Kehlani, Brent, Drake, and many other great artists.