Can you tell us about the inspiration behind “One Life”?

Lyrically Ques and I wanted to talk about how difficult it is to sometimes overcome the traumas and tribulations that are passed down from generation to generation. We wanted to find a way to navigate through that, can someone overcome the environment in which they’re raised? I believe so.

What was the creative process like for writing and recording the track, especially with the collaboration with Chris Jennings and Quesmark?

It was definitely one of the most organic songwriting experiences I’ve had so far. I came into the session with an idea, and we followed that one little idea until we got to the end of the song. Chris is such a postive presence in the studio and no idea is off limits, and Ques has this incredible intellect. Workling with him again was educational adn pushed me to bring my best.

How do the different elements of hip-hop and blues rock come together in the song to create a unique sound?

Blending hip-hop and blues sounds has always peaked my interest because they both come from the the roots of all popular music, so bringing those two genres opened up so many avenues for creativity. Initially we had a heavier boom-bap rhythm in the drums, it was a great groove but when our friend Larry came in and laid down the beat on the live kit we knew thast was the sound we needed. It was the perfect blend of the hip-hop and rock rhythms.

Can you talk about the message you hope to convey with “One Life” and how it encourages listeners to rise above their traumas and overcome the doubters? How does the upcoming video for the song complement the message and themes in the lyrics?

“One Life” is a reminder that I am the captain of my own fate. “Stay true to you, and run your race” is a line that jumps out to me. I was inspired by Dr. Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search For Meaning”. Even in the darkest of times, humans always have control of how they react to a situation and no matter the situation, hope persists. Hope can come from many different places, good firends, good music, a sunny day, etc. The video conveys the importance of finding that hope and postitivity

Can you talk about any challenges you faced during the recording process and how you overcame them?

Well typically I like to have a song ready to go when I go into the studio, this time however I only had a guitar riff and an idea of what I wanted the message to convey. So that was daunting, as we kept digging into where the song was headed. Lyrically, finding the chorus took us a while but we stayed persistent and eventually it presented itself.

What are some musical influences that have shaped your sound and style, and how do you incorporate them into your work?

I grew up listening to a lot of blues and classic rock music, with my father being a musician several different kinds of music were in the house. As I got older, I started to fall in love with hip-hop artists like Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and Public Enemy. The connection between the blues and hip-hop has always attracted my attention, and I wanted to write a song that brings those two sounds together.

How do you stay connected with your fans and engage with them through your music?

One of my New Years Resolutions was to be more consistent with my email newsletter. One way of doing that was by having my mom write the “Message from Ma”. Its been really popular so far. I am also active on Instagram and Facebook. There is a privage group I run on facebook called, The Sugarheads, its a a great place where I can really connect with people who are passionate about my music.

What are your thoughts on the phrase “You got one life, it’s yours to waste”?

All we have is our days, we need to make the most of them. With the traumas and difficulties that are being passed down through generations, its a reminder that we can rise above if we believe we can.

Thank you!

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