WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
I’m currently in Brooklyn for the summer. My wife and I came here for some work things and to soak up what might be the best summertime vibes in the world. But we currently live in Los Angeles.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Randomly enough, I was born in Nashua, NH. My parents are from Boston and they moved across the border to start a family. Then we moved to the Bay Area (CA) when I was eight, so I consider myself a Cali kid and the Bay definitely raised me.
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
The best thing about my hometown is it’s eclectic and creative culture. Along with the soul and R&B from Marvin to Anita to Boyz II Men, I grew up listening to a lot of Bay Area rappers that always had their own unique sound and flow and I think that freedom to be authentic and unique stuck with me. From E-40 to the Hieroglyphics, Del the Funky Homosapien to the Living Legends, they all had this dope quirky vibe to their sound with a clear appreciation for melody and musicality. The cultural melting pot and the history of activism and conscious art in the Bay fostered a specific creative freedom in me as well. And the diversity kept me open to different ways of living and seeing the world.
WHAT ARE SOME YOUR FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?
For as long as I can remember, my parents had high quality sound systems and constantly played music. They’d work out to DeBarge’s “All This Love” album, clean the house to Anita Baker and Sade, and then throw these big barbecues and parties at the house and play all the classics: Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Gap Band, Tom Browne, Parliament and more. My folks were serious about work and raising educated kids, but also knew how to party. My pops was an engineer and major techie, he used to record all his favorite music videos and make video mixtapes that were hours long. He always knew how to create a vibe.
From the years I spent in New Hampshire I’d say sledding in Roby Park was my most fond memory. In general, we used to spend so much time in nature as kids. Wandering through woods and creeks or just running around the neighborhood with no cell phones or tracking devices. Just a mandate to be home before dark. I’m grateful for that foundation and connection to the outdoors.
WHY MUSIC?
My parents loved music. They loved listening and dancing to music, and I came out of the womb with the same love. There’s a video of me at two years old dancing and singing Kool Moe Dee’s “Wild Wild West” while eating popcorn (I was kinda a fat kid who loved food as much as music). By the time I was four or five, I had a toy piano that I would mess around with and my parents responded by putting me and my sister in piano lessons. At the same time I was singing in choir at church so much of my time outside of school was spent around music. After playing classical music for five to six years, I got bored of it and started to write my own songs and compositions around 10 years old. I was always a happy kid who liked to make people laugh and smile, but I think music was my outlet for expressing more complex emotions from an early age. I was more sensitive than I think me or my parents realized, and music has always been the only way for me to tap into and communicate certain parts of who I am.
WHAT'S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
These days I write almost everything on guitar. Songs either start with an acapella voice note or a melody sung along to a few chords or arpeggios on guitar. Once I have a melody or two I like, I usually record a basic sketch of the song in Logic with guitar, drums, organ and bass. I sit with that basic track and write the rest of the song before heading into the studio to lay down final instrumentation and vocals. But the essence of almost all my songs is captured in that first voice note. Everything else just helps bring that essence to life. At my most centered, I take the time to pray and ask God to move me out of the way so whatever is supposed to be written is divinely inspired. And that doesn’t mean I’m not tapping into my emotions, but I try to remind myself that God is my co-writer so that I leave room for inspiration beyond me.
HOW DID THE ETHEREAL CONCEPT FOR THE SONG "NEVER LIKE THIS" COME ABOUT ALONG WITH THE BEAUTIFUL VISUALS FEATURING LUPITA NYONG'O THAT ENSUED?
The melodies, chords and many of the words for “Never Like This” actually came all at once in a voice recording I still have. It was somewhat unique in that way. Which, to me, punctuates the fact that this song didn’t come from me but through me. The chorus in that voice note is almost exactly as it’s sung in the final song. The falsetto felt natural and happened to match the lyrics in a way that felt special from its inception. It’s not always like that, but I feel lucky when it turns out that way. The song always felt like a bit of a drug trip. Lyrics like “You got that fire, your love is burning me out” all ended up having these double meanings that felt floaty and hazy up until the outro which explodes with joy. So when I was talking to the director, Michael McQuilken, about the video and the message of transcendent love, he told me about his vision of the subject flying from earth into the cosmos and I loved it. I had no idea how he was going to accomplish it but he’s a genius who made magic all from his Brooklyn apartment. Lupita was a fan of the song before I even finished it and she actually introduced me to the director, who she affectionately calls McQ. Neither she nor I had any intentions of her being the subject of the video, but McQ saw the vision, asked her, and she enthusiastically said yes once she heard the concept.
IS THERE A MUSICAL PASSAGE OR MELODY THAT NEVER FAILS TO MOVE YOU?
Aww man, there are too many! The first that comes to mind is the intro to Earth Wind and Fire’s “Keep Your Head to the Sky”. Then there’s the opening to Stevie’s “Bird’s of Beauty,” Frankie Beverly and Maze “Happy Feelings,” Aretha Franklin’s “Day Dreaming” intro plus first verse is everything. In a whole different world, Ben Howard’s “End of the Affair” melody and guitar intro is one of the most gut wrenching sequences of music I’ve ever heard. And the outro is one of the most inspiring pieces of music I’ve ever heard.So there are five, haha.
WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
In life, my mother, father, and sister. They gave me love, unfailing and unconditional love from the day I was born. Even if it wasn’t always in my love language, I know now that I’ve stood on that foundation of love through every accomplishment. Through every journey. Through every up and down, their love was a constant hand to grab to pull me up, to give me props, and to cheer me on. And my parents in particular introduced me to God, faith, and the life of Jesus and the spirit of Christ, which I strive to embody. They introduced me to music and provided guidance to nurture my gift. I’m who I am because of my family.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC AND HOW HAS IT EVOLVED OVER TIME?
I’m currently really into the more laid back side of 70s fashion legends like Marvin Gaye and Teddy Pendegrass. I love tasteful statement pieces that communicate personality but I never like anything that feels like a costume. Simple, relaxed, and approachable is my vibe. Generally, when it comes to fashion, art, design, and architecture, I’m drawn to understated and timeless aesthetics.
WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
I love listening to good music, even when I’m not making it. I try to work out four to five times a week. I bike-ride, I like going for walks to any body of water I can get to. I also spend a lot of time with my wife hanging out and talking about this complex world we live in. I also stay as tapped in as I can into ongoing social justice issues that particularly affect the Black community. I’m generally a super social person, but lately I’ve really enjoyed spending quality time with a small group of really good friends.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
I indulge in a little plant medicine from time to time. It’s definitely one of my favorite ways to turn things down a notch. I grew up watching a lot of movies so I’ll zone out to a good movie to relax as well. If it’s an action movie it doesn’t even have to be that good. I’m a basic guy in that way, but I’m also a sucker for a good romance or a quirky love story. I’ve seen “Love Jones”, “Garden State”, and “Meet Joe Black”, more times than I can count. Other than that, prayer, playing the piano, meditating, and taking walks are my favorite ways to relax.
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