Application are due by January 8th 2013

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I actually didn’t start really singing until middle school. Somehow I ended up taking choir, and became a part of my schools actual choir. I didn’t realize I could actually sing back then though. I just did it because it was fun and we got to go on a lot of field trips and miss school.

2. When did you decide to pursue your music career?

About two years ago I started working on the Spirit of Baltimore for Entertainment Cruises as a singing server. Before working there I had worked, “The Fudgery”, and “Coldstone”. So I was required to do a lot of live singing at both those jobs, but not so much on my own, and I never really took it serious. Singing for Spirit was different though. There was a mic, music backing me, a way bigger crowd, and it was solo. All by myself. I was completely terrified. I couldn’t tell you anything about the first time I performed, I was so nervous, I’ve blocked it from my memory. Lol. But as time went on and I kept doing it, I got way more comfortable. After seeing people’s reactions when I got up there every week to sing “The Temptation” classic, “My Girl”, I was fully motivate. I never imagined that my singing could impact people like that. It was the best feeling in the world. I’ve always known that I wanted to perform. Acting, dancing, singing, it’s always felt very natural, doing it. It’s just that for so long I had this really big phobia of failure. I didn’t want to start something that I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. I’ve always known in the back of my head that this is what I wanted to do. But you know, people put a lot of doubt in your head, about singing not being a promising career, and needing to go to college, and having backup plans and a whole lot of other B.S. Anyway, one day I was invited to this party that a coworker of mine was having, my sister was also in town that weekend, so I told her to come through, and meet all my new friends from Spirit. Well by the time she got there, I was good and done. I was sitting outside on the balcony with a friend of mine who never ever stops singing. While we are sitting there, she starts singing, as usual, and I decided to join in. I’m not even sure what we were singing or how much on key we could have possibly been. But somehow, my sister heard us. It probably had been years since my sister heard me sing, other than occasional YouTube video’s I’d done, but a lot had changed about my voice. So much, that it actually brought tears to my sister eyes. Of course I was a bit embarrassed, but I appreciated it. The next day she called me up and told me that she really wanted me to do it. She wanted me to go ahead and pursue a career in music. She promised she would do everything she could to help me, and be there for me the whole time. Knowing that this is what I really wanted to do since I could remember, I couldn’t have said no. So I said yes, and we’ve just been grinding ever since…

3. Which famous musicians do you admire/ learn from?

I’ve always admired and respected the classic acts the most. Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles. People who changed the game. Made their own lanes, and were the absolute best at what they did. As well as those of today, Kanye West, Beyonce, John Legend. I learn a lot from these guys.

4. Does anyone in particular influence your artistic/musical talent?

No, I don’t think there is anyone in particular who influences my music or talent. I’m influenced by my surroundings and whatever is put in my heart to share at that moment, through music.

5. What do you attribute to your drive as an artist?

I really want to make some sort of change in the world for the better. I’m still not 100% sure what my purpose is, but I know it’s going to have a lot to do with people. I feel like if I don’t keep going than I’m going to let a lot of people down, and I don’t want to be a disappointment.

6. They say practice makes perfect. How often and for how long do you practice what you do?

Well I write every day. Sometimes all day. I don’t have like a set schedule, for when it’s time to practice. Maybe I should. Just whenever I’m in the mood, which is basically whenever I’m not working, I’ll just sing. Sometimes I’ll go to the park; sometimes I’ll just be home in my room singing in the mirror. Singing at occasional open mics, that’s practice. I love to run. Sometimes I’ll sing while I’m running. I imagine, that’ll come in handy when I’m doing a lot of dancing and singing on stage at the same time.

7. What are your immediate career goals as an artist? (Within the next 3 years) and what are your long-term career goals as an artist?

In three years, I will be 24. By the time I’m 24 this will all have to have come together by then. By then I should have had already released an official album, and getting ready to release another. I’d like to write some music for other artist too. Have my name featured on other projects. Long term, I want to do it all. More singing, better dancing, movie roles, Grammy’s. I’m really into video production, so eventually I’d like to start directing music videos, as well as my own. Start up some businesses, partnerships, restaurants. I really want to give back too! I’d like to start some kind of performing arts center for the youth where they could go and perfect there crafts at an early age. That would mean a lot to me.

8. As an artist, how would you define the word “success”?

Success for me is being happy. Whether or not I make it as far as I can dream. I just want to be happy. Money wouldn’t have anything to do with it. I want to be happy and I want to make other people happy.

9. How do you cope with the major obstacles that starving artists face in the industry?

If you’re talking financial obstacles…I don’t really go out much unless it’s productive. I try and only eat home. No shopping, I’ve got holes in just about every pair of shoes I’ve got, because I refuse to spend money to buy new ones. Had to move back home with my parents. And there is no such thing as vacation, unless it’s going to the country to visit my family in Virginia. Basically, I do what I can to cut out any unnecessary spending. I’m cheap. But it’s all going to be worth it, no worries. Now if you’re talking mental obstacles…I’m a pretty religious person. I don’t always go to church, but I have a lot of faith. I know that everything is going to work out. I feel that I’m in the right place, and I am doing what I should be doing. There won’t be anything I can’t surpass because I know that in the end, God will make a way for me. I just deal with it, whatever it is, I suck it up and just deal with it for the time being.

10. How much creative control do you have over your own music?

Oh I’m in control. 100%. On my most recent project “Set Free” I’ve had the opportunity to work with two pretty amazing producers; Patrick Murphy and Dave Hampton. And they were awesome. We came in and we basically collaborated. Even if they’d come up with all these different sounds for some of the songs on their own, I always felt in control. Every now, people who I allowed to be close to me while working on this project, would give suggestions or opinions on what they thought. But in the end, I’ve always had the final say. I’ve always been in control 100%.

11. What are your up-to-date performances plans? New releases? Shows/tours? News?

Well I released my 7 song EP, “Set Free”, on October 1. I really want to focus on pushing that for a while. Hopefully I’ll have a video out before the year is over. I’ve been doing a lot of open mics, but no official show’s yet.

12. How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?

It’s not easy. My ego is getting bigger every day; I have so much less patience for the work field, honestly I’m over it. It’s frustrating being around people who don’t really understand your true potential and what you really are. I have pretty understanding managers and supervisors, but co-workers, they want to be your friend and when you’re not really interested, they get a little offended. I’m just focused, and my focus is not there. I keep a smile on my face because I know that it’s all just temporary. But the truth is, I hate it. But hey, singing isn’t paying the bills just yet!

13. If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

I don’t know that much about the music industry because this is all so new to me still. But I realize now that people in the industry aren’t put in the positions they are solely based on their talents. I know so many talented people who would run circles around a lot of these fools on stage these days. I’d like to change that, I think it would be so much more inspiring and mean so much more to be at a music awards show and actually be surrounded by a league of the most talented people in the world.

14. What advice do you have to share with someone who is in the beginning process of pursuing their career?

It’s not easy. It’s going to be hard. Very hard. You will fall. But you gotta pick back up and like older people will tell you, “keep on, keepin on”. Doctor, lawyer, teacher, singer, actor, whatever it is that you aspire to be, you’ve got to put your all into it and fight. It’s a competition, and only the strongest will prevail. “Go hard, or go home.”

15. What does “24SevenArtist” mean to you?

24SevenArtist. To be true to your art. To be true to yourself. Not just when you’re on stage, or in the studio, or doing an interview. “24SevenArtist” is to be an artist 24/7. When no one else is around and your all alone. When you wake up in the morning, before you go to sleep at night, when you’re having conversation with someone you’ve never met before. Your thoughts, your intentions, that is what make’s “24SevenArtist.

Gold Album (500,000 units sold)
-I’m With You - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Check out this video of the Red Hot Chili Peppers live in concert!

Good music never dies!

24SevenArtists