H i W , w e l c o m e t o V E N T S ! H o w h a v e
y o u b e e n ?
Doing well and staying on the move
promoting my new album, “Perspective
Jukebox” dropping July 21 st!
C a n y o u t a l k t o u s m o r e a b o u t y o u r
l a t e s t s i n g l e " T h e S t a t e m e n t " ?
I wanted to write a record that went
along the lines of my brand of Hip Hop,
which I define as Conscious
Commercial. The Statement is heavy
with politically opinions, but also carries
a commercial radio feel to it thanks to
the production and catchy hook.
D i d a n y e v e n t i n p a r t i c u l a r i n s p i r e y o u t o
w r i t e t h i s s o n g ?
Living in Baltimore City I experienced
the Freddy Grey case first hand along
with several protests being held around
my neighborhood. I remember returning
from Armed Forces Tour overseas to
see a Rite Aid 2 miles from my place
burned and closed from protests.
Though that was 2 years ago “The
Statement” was my opportunity to be
the voice of the Baltimore in regards to
expressing issues with the injustice of
cops, our government, terrorism, lack of
education for inner city youth and much
more.
still keeping the lyrics fresh for the real
Hip Hop heads.
D o y o u t e n d t o t a k e a d i f f e r e n t a p p r o a c h
w h e n y o u a r e w r i t i n g f o r s o m e o n e e l s e
t h a n w h e n y o u a r e w o r k i n g o n y o u r o w n
o r i g i n a l m a t e r i a l ?
I would say yes because when you’re in
the songwriting seat putting together a
record for another artist your job is to
embody their style, train of thought and
way of life. You have to basically
become the artist you are writing for in
my opinion.
W h a t r o l e d i d B a l t i m o r e p l a y i n y o u r
w r i t i n g ?
I would say my city plays a part in my
music when I’m talking about homeless
issues and politics.
W i t h s o m e s o c i a l a n d p o l i t i c a l h o r r i b l e
c l i m a t e i n m a n y p a r t s o f t h e w o r l d - d i d
y o u d r a w i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m t h e s e t y p e s o f
e v e n t s f o r t h e l y r i c s o n t h i s m a t e r i a l ?
W h e r e d i d y o u f i n d t h e i n s p i r a t i o n f o r
t h e s o n g s a n d l y r i c s ?
I make music for everyday people and
the blue collar struggle, so being
relatable means a lot to me. Yes, my
path has been longer due to the brand
of Hip Hop I make, but I’m not willing to
sacrifice my core values just to please
T h e s i n g l e c o m e s o f f y o u r n e w a l b u m people. My audience is the people who
P e r s p e c t i v e J u k e b o x - w h a t ' s t h e s t o r y care about their communities, their way
b e h i n d t h e t i t l e ?
of life, issues that affect the youth and
I chose this title because each record more.
has a message/purpose in it, while
playing with the commercial ability of a A n y p l a n s t o h i t t h e r o a d ?
Jukebox.
I actually have been on the road since
April 29th kicking off my tour schedule
H o w w a s t h e r e c o r d i n g a n d w r i t i n g at Xavier University with Marc E. Bassy.
p r o c e s s ?
My next three shows are Deutschtown
This is my 3rd album I organically put Music Festival July 1 5th, Fox 45
together. I scrapped the paper and pen Morning Show July 20th and Artscape
about 4 years ago in favor of mentally July 22nd. Please feel free to keep up
creating my songs piece by piece until I with
my tour schedule via
know them front to back. I than record bandsintown/Wordsmith.
and can easily put on a live show the
same night based on how well I know W h a t e l s e i s h a p p e n i n g n e x t i n
my records.
W o r d s m i t h ' s w o r l d ?
It’s not until January and February
A f t e r 5 a l b u m s r e l e a s e d - d i d y o u i n t e n d 201 8, but I’ll be collaborating with the
t o m o v e o n a r t i s t i c a l l y w i t h t h i s r e c o r d o r Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a
i n s o m e w a y t h i s i s m o r e l i k e a b a c k t o Hip Hop rendition of a famous musical
y o u r r o o t s ?
composition called “Carnival of the
I would say this is my first true Animals” along with another concert
commercial project front to back while called “Concerto of Two Timpanists”