06 May 2007
Choir Boy
Just About You
1. Tell me a little about yourself? Where are you from, Brothers/Sisters, Children, Affiliations, Marital Status or anything else?
Choir Boy: I am from America's Renaissance City, home of Lauren Hill, Paul Simon, Savion Glover, Whitney Houston, Tisha Cambell, Derek Luke, Shaq, and Queen Latifah to name a few. I'm sure you get the point, but to be specific, I'm from NEWARK, NJ AKA BRICKCITY! I am a recording artist, producer, songwriter, musician who doesn't believe in boundaries! I grew up with both of my parents, who are still together & they both are ministers in the Christian faith. I also have two brothers who currently are serving as United States Marines in the "War on Terrorism". (Iraq and Afghanistan)
2. How did you get started? Have you always wanted to do this? Where did the inspiration and passion come from?
Choir Boy: I grew up in the church so naturally I have a strong background in Gospel Music. I would listen to the Winans, Commission, John P. Kee, etc. However, it wasn't until Elementary School that I began playing instruments in the band under band director Sheryl Rogers. That's really where I began honing my skills. By then I was also writing rhymes and would imitate Large Professor, Nas, and Black Moon. Around the 6th grade, I started producing and recording my own material. I later went on to Graduate from Arts High school were I learned to read and write music also to sequence tracks under world renowned Oboe player Oscar Petty.Its funny because growing up I never wanted to be an artist but a conductor. My dream was to conduct my own orchestra...
3. What jobs did you hold before you became successful?
Choir Boy: While I was in the 12th grade I was an in-house producer for an upstart entertainment company who inked a deal with Interscope Records. I walked to and from the studio with this big book-bag full of CD's and a disk full of sounds. I would sleep in the studio when everyone was out partying I was working sun up to sun down...I also played the drums and on occasion the organ for Bishop Herbert Bright at Faith Tabernacle Church in Plainfield, NJ. I played there every Thursday and Friday. Finally, I got a job as an orderly at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. I worked in the operating room, transporting patients. It was quite an experience. I've even wrapped a corpse and taken it to the morgue which was quite an experience...
3. Who influenced you the most in your career/life when you were starting out? Is there anyone's path that you particularly admire and would like to emulate?
Choir Boy: As an emcee it was cats like Large Professor, Nas, and Blackmoon. Later on it was Notorious Big, Jay-Z, and Nas again. I admired Jay-Z's wit, his flow and charisma, the way he would sound over a beat; it was incredible and then the fact that he doesn't write his lyrics, WOW. About four years ago I started making up lyrics in my head it's very challenging but fun. As a vocalist it was artists like Paul Simon, John Lennon, Curtis Mayfield, Michael Franks, Brandy, D'angelo and Marvin Gaye. I admired Marvin Gaye for his album What's Going On. I studied the album everyday for an entire year and even picked up a book about him. I read about his life and found out how similar our stories are. He had a Church background and had a father that was a minister. He also had a brother at war in the military and spoke on the issues of the day in a very different way fusing Soul music with Jazz and positive messages...Hhhmmm sound like anybody you know?
Ultimately, I would like to have LL COOL J's longevity coupled with 2 Pac's passion and work ethic, Jay-Z's wit and business savvy, Dr.Dre's ear, Swizz Beats' energy and Stevie Wonders musical genius an unstoppable combination!
The STRIVER in You
1. What signifies a STRIVER to you?
Choir Boy: Well, from the beginning I knew what I wanted to be. I knew it had something to do with music. I can honestly say I have been doing music everyday of my life...I tried so many times to have serious relationships with the ladies but my passion for the music won't allow me to devote my full time and attention to them. A few years ago a close friend of mine was murdered due to gang violence. I then made up my mind to adjust my music and be mindful of the messages that I put in my music. I am very passionate about what I do so it's kind of like if I wasn't doing music I would just die.
2. What makes you original or sets you apart? Why are you on top of your game? Nothing is new under the sun.
Choir Boy: What sets me apart from other artists is that I am a hybrid i.e. a collection of some of the greatest artists ever; I possess the demeanor of a Marvin Gaye the passion of a 2pac, the depth of a Nas, the singing voice of a Michael Franks, Paul Simon, or John Lennon, the flow of a Notorious Big or Jay-Z, the hard drum patterns and arrangement of a Dr Dre., the space-out sound of a Timbaland or Pharell and the modulation and chords of a Church Musician. Yeah I know WOW!
3. How do you define success? People often talk about "Making IT", butt when will you consider yourself as having made it?
Choir Boy: Success to me is more about the impact I have made. Not only in the entertainment industry but to lives all across the world. When people from all walks of life can examine my music and find truth, that's success! Also when my music enables me to be financially secure.
To Our Readers
1. Do you see any changes or patterns in the industry and what is your opinion of that? What is the insider perspective on getting ahead in your industry?
Choir Boy: The music industry is going completely digital. The record labels are terrified of this change. With this new digital industry the independent artist is empowered. Now he doesn't need a major label to get his music distributed around the world. Companies like Myspace and Cdbaby are huge assets to music becoming free again. Artists will be able to extend their creative reach and take the listeners to new places in music, I'm excited just thinking about it!
2. What advice would you give others attempting to make their dreams come true? What are your 3 lessons for success? Or what is your recipe for success?
Choir Boy: 1) Be sure of what you want to do. 2) Begin with the end in mind. 3) Find someone who is doing what you want and ask them questions like: How did you get here? What schools did you attend? Where did you intern and/or how did you get educated in the field you want to enter. Education, i.e. acquiring knowledge, gathering information, helps create a road map to your dreams!
Last Words
1. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning and what is the last thing you think of at night.
Choir Boy: When I wake up I pray to God thanking him for another day and before I rest I pray for my family, for direction and for discipline.
2. What do you know for sure?
Choir Boy: I know that in due time the world will know who Choir Boy is. What he stands for and most of all will be inspired by a kid from Newark, NJ who refused to give up on his dreams!
3. Any last overall advice?
Choir Boy: Have tunnel vision. FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS! Keep out the negative people that will tell you.” You can't do it" also reading is key! Reading keeps you sharp! Last but not least, "What would you attempt if you knew you couldn't fail?"
check out Choir Boy's Music at www.myspace.com/thechoirboy
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