U.G. Digital Mag: One of the things this makes people wonder is how do you find inspiration in the situations that may turn out to not be uninspiring to you, or those where you have the most struggle? You’ve endured a lot in the process, and it’s been things that would turn the average artist around. You’re winning, undoubtedly, but sometimes people are winning and they don’t realize it. What has kept you moving forward?
Divine Brown: It’s the love for what I do. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I absolutely adore music. I adore being on stage. I adore sharing my gift. It really is not about who loves me. For some people, it’s important to have their egos fed through that, but for me, and the heroes I look up to, it’s about sharing the gift, and that for me is heaven on earth.
U.G. Digital Mag: A lot of people strive for that, but never get there. I always say follow your passion and make a career out of it. I see that’s what you have done.
Divine Brown: Yea, I’ve known for a long time, and that seed was planted in my heart in the very beginning. The interesting thing is I’ve learned a lot along the way. I continue to learn about the aspects of what I do and having it included into the whole picture. I’m an artist’s artist. I know the administrative part sucks, but it has to be done. Within reason, I have to tread some uncomfortable waters to get to where I want to go and grow. I have to also be able to admit when I’ve reached the pinnacle of some arenas, and hand things over to someone I trust to finish it off. The key is working with people I trust. Through the course of management, it’s been interesting. A lot of managers don’t know what it truly takes to manage an artist. It’s one of the hardest and thankless jobs out there, but at the same time, it can be thankful if you love what you do and do it for the right reasons.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s the problem. Many managers aren’t doing it because they love it. They’re doing it because it’s a payday. There’s a lot of money in some cases. If you look at other careers, like healthcare, you and I know so many people don’t do it for the love, and because of that, the care suffers.
Divine Brown: Health is an interesting example to use. If you don’t love it, you can’t inspire the patients who need it the most. That much I understand. It doesn’t matter if you work in geriatrics or cancer. I caught that from you, and you speak 100% truth. You have the spirit where patients want to be around you. I get it. So the thing is, essentially I’m all about inspiring people through what I do musically. I’m so thankful because there’s been a tremendous growth for me in the past few years. I knew I had these abilities, but now it’s effortless. It comes from putting myself out there and in these uncomfortable positions.
U.G. Digital Mag: But that also happens when it’s organic and you’re not forcing. It’s almost inevitable that you will be successful.
Divine Brown: I totally agree. I feel blessed and I’m in a great place. I’m enjoying every waking moment of this journey.
U.G. Digital Mag: Your motto is aspire to inspire. Who have been the people to inspire you? So many people come to mind when I listen to you. People like Jill Scott, India Arie, and Jaquar Wright. I think you are in an elite class artistically.
Divine Brown: Wow. There’s so many. I love Jill Scott. I love her overall vibe.
U.G. Digital Mag: I thought of her when you said it wasn’t about whether people like you. She’s the same. It’s her heart, and her healing.
Divine Brown: Yea, and that’s the thing. I think attention is a by-product of what I do, but it’s not why. I also love Ledisi. She’s such a powerhouse.
U.G. Digital Mag: I love her too. It’s funny because a while back, right as she released her latest album, she was on the Tom Joyner show, and she was scatting