Brickhouse: How has the recording industry changed since you released your last album? Do you like the current state of music?
Ronnie: The industry has changed dramatically since my last project and I don’t know if I like it from a business standpoint. There were no 360 deals, There were no all inclusive clauses in contracts and there were more options to set up a boutique label for ownership and royalty purposes. The good thing for music though is that an Independent artist has more platforms today than 8 years ago. You can release music on the net with various sites and mixtapes have more power that they did years ago. You can really do for self in this era of music which is good for artist that love music like me. I want to help bring lyricism back for Hip Hop music. I think that artists have to be allowed to work with out the pressure of suits telling them what to do to follow a cookie cutter formula to try to get a hit.
Brickhouse: When you are not working on music or podcasting, you are touching people in a different way. Talk a bit more in depth on the types of speaking engagements you have been apart of.
Ronnie: Of course I preach, I am an ordained Minister, and I speak at various churches and spiritual events all over the country. Conventions, workshops, and training events in the spiritual community. I also do motivational speaking encouraging people to choose life over death and giving them tools to do so. I host events as well concerts, radio events, and business launchings. I have been asked to do opening prayer for city and local government events as well.
Brickhouse: You periodically release inspirational rap freestyles on your Facebook page for your followers. I've heard rumors that you may be in the studio working on new material for an album. Is there any truth to that?
Ronnie: That is absolutely true. I stepped away from music to peruse other things but it keeps calling me back. In fact, music is the girl that brought me to the dance so to speak. Before I was speaking or mentoring in church, I was rapping. It’s a first love and especially in these times, I have a lot to say. I’m trying to get something out in the summer of '17 even if it’s a mixtape. I have to get this music out of my head LOL.
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Mind Up Radio. Comedian Koffee Black who was one of the young people I worked with at the church. invited me to be a guest on Truth About Lies Podcast to talk about social issues and he and I talked about it . He Introduced me to MrJackBrickhouse and after a few meetings Mind Up Radio was born. It was really organic how things fell in line. I needed the spiritual base to be grounded. I needed the speaking and rapping to get the connections and touch the people, and now the podcast is a way to give back to those who are trying to establish something positive as well.
Brickhouse: Of the endeavors mentioned above, which are you most passionate about?
Ronnie: I am quite passionate about all of them because all of them are needed and necessary for me to do what I’m doing today. I love the energy of getting on stages and rocking mics, I also love the moments I get to teach and enlighten people with truth from speaking and I love talking to people and motivating people through the podcast. Each one gives me a unique energy.
Brickhouse: Your podcast Mind Up Radio has really received a warm reception since it's release last year. Talk about the process you use when developing show topics.
Ronnie: It’s been a real blessing, People have been supporting me and I appreciate to the fullest. I didn’t think about how it would be received when I started but as I started releasing episodes, people would instantly show love and appreciation and I’m grateful for that support. My process for show topics really comes from life and conversations. I will have a conversation with a person or hear someone having a conversation and the light bulbs would turn on. I think what I do especially in season 2 comes directly from the people so I just flesh it out and put the episode out to the people. In season 1 I was learning my way and cutting my teeth in podcasting trying to find my voice and the format that fits. In season 2 I started incorporating guests who are resident experts at the topic at hand and that has been a good formula for us.