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Straight Official Sit Downs

Straight Official Sit Downs: Afro Preachah

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Afro Preachah

AFRO PREACHAH stopped by our headquarters for this edition of Straight Official Sit Downs where we spotlight emerging artists. @TenthLetterMedia got the opportunity to chop it up with him this time and the vibe was dope! Check out their one-on-one down below and click here for more Straight Official Sit Downs.

Q&A WITH AFRO PREACHAH

Introduce yourself. Tell us where you are from and what first interested you in the entertainment industry?

They call me Afro Preachah. I was born in Kansas City, KS and grew up in Missouri before moving to Minnesota. The name was given to me by my producer friend Griff.  What interested me was watching music videos from Run DMC, Public Enemy, Morris Day, Bootsy Collins.

Who or what inspires you to create?

 My first inspiration was my father and grandfather.  Both are preachers. Growing up in church. The rhythm of music in general. Music, words and rhythm have been on auto play my whole life.

How would you describe your sound?

 I would say it’s a fusion of then and now. Old and new.  Hip-Hop, Funk, R&B, Soul and sounds of Gospel.  So folks call is “Sexy Chuuch music”.  It makes me laugh.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Tell us about your creative process. What are your go-to’s for a session?

I like to just vibe out in my mancave when I get the music from my producers.  Play video games, watch anime, smoke one. Surround myself with art. I basically “Nerd Out” (laughs).

What artists would you like to collaborate with?

Artists I’m a fan of.include Morris Day, Tech N9ne, Trinidad James, MC Lyte, Chris Brown, 69 Boys & Bootsy Collins.

Afro Preachah

The music is for you & them, not me. The real grassroot. I’m just the vessel. I could never say thank you enough. Living my dream to do music for folks that want it is a true blessing. Gratitude.

Afro Preachah’s words to his fans

LET’S SHIFT GEARS

What’s a skill/talent that you possess that no one knows about?

I practice five different forms of Kung-Fu & Martial Arts.

If not for music, where would you be in life right now?

That’s a great question.  I’ll have to ask God and get back to you on that one.

If you could change the music industry in any way, what would you change and why?

Well, in a dream I had all labels support all artists from an independent artist aspect. Why that change? Speaking for myself, I’m an LLC. Yes, I’m an artist but business comes first.  So, presenting any kind of business that would hurt personally is off the table. 

Important things artists should know. How to balance their checkbooks, understanding sync licensing to running your independent artist website. Labels offer real music business education.  In these past years in my opinion, we’ve had why to many negative outcomes in our African American entertainment community.  Label can make just as much money by educating their artists to own themselves. Then I woke up! (laughs)

Afro Preachah

WRAPPING IT UP

Do you have a new project out? If so, tell us more about it and where we can hear it.

Yes, actually a couple projects. “Watch Me” produced by @Lstmusic and “Rap Caviar” by @flamesquadDJMC. You can stream, download and watch video on www.afropreachah.com

Give us your final words. Let us know where we can follow on social media.

You can find me @afropreachah YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X.  For all the content that doesn’t make it to social media go to www.afropreachah.com and subscribe. 

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Straight Official Sit Downs: John Alex Gatsby

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Photo Cred: The Source Magazine

JOHN ALEX GATSBY is an emerging artist that sat down with our own @klassikceo for this edition of Straight Official Sit Downs. The official online site of The Worldwide Fleet DJs, we get you up to speed with new talent from across the land. Check out their one-on-one down below and click here for more issues of Straight Official Sit Downs.

Q&A With John Alex Gatsby

Where are you from?

Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Greensboro, NC

What first interested you in the entertainment industry? 

I would go to the radio station with my dad who was a DJ on 97.1WQMG in Greensboro, NC and answer the phones across the hall at 102JAMZ with DJ Tapmoney and seeing all the action. Growing up music was always played in my house. My dad taught me how to DJ, how to mix and exposed me to so many different genres of music.

Who/what inspires you to create? 

I’m inspired by multiple artists including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Usher, Chris Brown and so many other legends

The Creative Process

How would you describe your sound? 

Unique. I like to offer genre bending music. I like to promote positivity in my sound, challenging harmonies and a wide vocal range to top it all off.

What is your creative process like?

I “cook up” with my producers, I don’t accept beat packs. I am influenced by the moment and create from scratch on the spot in the studio. That’s best musical magic making.

What artist(s) would you like to collaborate with?

 So many! Stevie Wonder is at the top of the list. I like Jazmine Sullivan a lot, Jay-Z would be a dream come true.

Photo Cred: EARMILK

This is a marathon not a sprint, and you must not follow your dreams but instead, chase them.

John Alex Gatsby

Shifting Gears

What is one message you would give to your supporters?

Firstly, thank you because without you there would be no me. Secondly, I would encourage everyone to not only follow their dreams, but chase them.

What is the most talent/skill you have that most people don’t know about?

 I am a multi-engine certified pilot. I have been flying airplanes longer than I have been driving cars!

Who are some artists/people you admire and why? 

I admire anyone who is willing to go through the process. Those who put forward the dedication and put in the work necessary to be heard by the masses, all while dealing with the internal scrutiny and asking “Am I good enough?” I can relate to every artist struggle and admire anyone who is willing to go through it just because we love making music so much.

In Conclusion

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be? 

The industry is gonna be the industry, if I were to change one thing, another thing would simply become more problematic. Because it is what it is, what must be willing to change is my ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment.

What’s next for you, where would you like to see yourself in the next year?

My primary focus is to keep making good, relatable music, continue to work with various platforms to get my word to the masses and enjoy the journey along the way. In a year, I will be enjoying the ride, enjoying the fruits of my hard work and working even harder to level up yet again.

Follow John Alex Gatsby on Social Media

@JohnAlexGatsby on everything. check out my site and get some merch at www.johnalexgatsby.com DM me on the gram, I would love to hear from you!

#GetSOM via @klassikceo

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