Member Since: 6/5/2006
Influences: Musical: Tony Rice, St. Louis' own & one of holy hip-hop's "OGs" (Original Godfathers), for I can truly say that without your example at the genre's beginning and your personal friendship today, there might be no Marcellus T.; Dr. Dre; 2Pac; Ray Charles; Dr. Funkenstein (George Clinton); DJ Quik; Raphael Saadiq; all the jazz greats & innovators; the "Godfather of Soul" (James Brown); Maurice White (Earth Wind & Fire); Motown's "Funk Brothers," who toiled for years in obscurity but loved what they did; gospel's pioneering artists, Kirk Franklin & Andrae Crouch, for following their unique vision; Fred Hammond; B.B. Jay; Mr. Del; Canton Jones; Ant, Larry (bka Rhymes Elect) & Big Nate Mitchell, who personally mentored me and helped me find my voice as an artist; my (distant) cousins, Booker T. Jones [Booker T. & the MGs] & Fantasia Barrino, whose successes help me see that dreams do come true and inspire me to do my part to make our family proud; and my mother & my late great-grandfather, who put their heart into their music. --------------------------------------
Personal: Jesus Christ; Pastor Toran C. Smith (Ames, IA), Adele Fortier (RIP) & Jonathan Fortier, each for sowing into my life and showing me how to believe in myself; Pastor Donnie McClurkin, who, several years ago, even though he didn't know me, took time to listen to my music, encourage me and told me to "keep doing what you do"; my other (distant) cousin, Thomas "Hitman" Hearns (another inspiration to my family); all my fans and supporters; all the pastors who went against the grain to embrace my artistic ministry; all the "throwbacks" looking for a people's champ to speak up for them; and last but not least, all the haters and critics who counted me out -- you more than anyone have kept the desire to succeed burning within me as I thank God each morning for another opportunity to prove you wrong.
Record Label: Words 2 B Life