1. Where are we talking from today?
A. I am speaking from my musical haven so to say- GrindCity Studios, located 25- 30 minutes outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
2. What would you like to accomplish in 2019?
A. My original goal for 2019 was to release an album every quarter. However, various circumstances did not allow for me to release an album for the first quarter, so I amended my goal to just releasing great music that connects to the
movements of today. Music that speaks to both political and social actions; socioeconomics; freedom and justice
3. What is your take on politics?
A. Politics are the main resources and tools that people have readily accessible. There is a dire need for more children to be aware and groomed indefinitely to speak, on their right(s) and use of their right in the political shaping of this country- the world. Many little ones want to grow up to be the next great rapper or ballplayer and don’t get me wrong these are great aspirations as well, but we also need to do a better job of exposing our young people to other ways to become agents of change.
4. Where did you get your artist name from?
A. Nemesi wasn’t my first choice lol! I was a combat medic in the United States Army and while I was stationed in Europe, I was called The Love. I originally went by B - Love lol while I was doing music with other groups. However, when I left Germany I decided to change my name and I found my calling so to speak in 1992. Racially charged things from growing up in Mississippi (where I’m from) inspired my voice and lead me to seek out an artist
name that would connect to the messages and flow that I was and am focused on delivering. So back to my name Nemesi lol! Long story short- Nemesi came in 1992 and was adapted from the female Greek goddess Nemesis. Nemesis is known as the goddess of vengeance and would dole out rewards for noble acts
and punishment for the opposite; she kept the balance between retribution and vengeance. Since Nemesis was a Greek goddess, I decided to drop the “s” and keep the meaning.
5. Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?
A. Music is very important! It has been constant in every aspect; more constant than people. Growing up you could label me an introvert. I was the kid that would run to my room and read various magazines about music and listen to popular artists
of that time. I was also the kid that didn’t know better and would order cassette tapes for 1 cent lol!- you know the ones that were advertised that you could get so many tapes for a penny but you would have to join the club and purchase a cassette at the regular price of $XX.99 for so many years. Man, you’re bringing
back memories! I remember mom bumping blues and gospel on the weekends through the record player. Mom and Pops had a café where you could play pool, pinball, grab food or just listen to the jukebox. My mom was also very creative and wrote songs. I just remember when music was playing it was always good;
the best of life for the family you know parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, etc.!
A. I’ve always tampered around with creating music and/or entertaining from an early age. As a teenager, I would dabble in writing and talent shows; that continued on and off for several years. I got serious when leaving Germany in 1992- I began to see the impact of lyrics and music on people from groups or
artists such as Big Daddy Kane, NWA, KRS 1, LL Cool J, Poor Righteous Teachers (I really liked them), Ice Cube, James Brown, Nina Simone, just to name a few. As an artist, I felt a sense of responsibility to the craft!
A. I didn’t choose to pursue music as a career per se but instead chose music as a way to release my mind and voice my inner-most expressions. The Persian Gulf War added so much more depth and contrast to my creativity. I remember being
in a circle of talented soldiers like Tony Cooper and Eric Wright the rapping duo forming the conscious rap group “Combined Force”. Also writing music for Preston Holloway and R &B group “New Arrivals”. We had an audience that was interested in hearing us perform even in the middle of a war. I just stayed
consistent in writing and developing the craft; it wasn’t until years later that I realized that I had already created a body of work that rivaled other industry artists.
6. Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what could you see yourself doing?
A. Of course- I did and had to. I married at 19 and needed to provide so I went into the military as a combat medic. But I still was writing/creating and keeping the passion alive.
A. If I wasn’t an artist today, then I would be an educator in the fields of political science, African- American Culture/Studies. Something along those lines.
7. What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?
A. When you hear people reciting something you created that resonates with them. I have a friend, Dornell, who I’ve known since 1995. When Dornell hears the music to some of my earlier works, he will begin reciting the lyrics! That is huge for me.
To know that I have created various bodies of works such as (Looking 4 A Peace, Motion Picture, and my latest album Concentrated Vibes, etc...) that people can connect to, vibe to, and it stays with them/elevates them.
A. An unexpected or welcomed challenge is creating something that my kids can listen to or look at and be proud of. I am conscience about my lyrics not just as words but the meaning. I know that my children have respect for my work because of how they address their friends. If friends of theirs want to connect with me as a mentor, to provide guidance, or to record, they tell them don’t come to my dad with some f*cked up/disrespectful sh*t because he is not having it.
8. What was it like putting together your EP?
A. This particular time- with The Concentrated Vibes album, it was a very different and very exciting approach for me. I was able to get with a producer- Mr. Frank Lovejoy, who plays different instruments and creates different sounds. Mr. Lovejoy uses his generational era to enlighten and emphasis various things;
every song was created out of the initial emotional connection to the essence of hearing the music for the first time. Whatever came when the music was played is what was captured.
9. Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you still love to work with in the future?
A. Let's see…I will have to say that I am inspired by the musical styles of Michael Jackson and Sade. The way that they packaged their messages and presented them to the audience is awe-inspiring. Others like Rakim- I used to recite Paid In Full, Doug E. Fresh- The Show, Public Enemy, and Chuck D, KRS 1, Ice Cube,
Tupac. These artists were some of the ones that I connected with because they were conscience of the struggle during their time and they kicked knowledge through their lyrics; goes back to packaging.
A. Hands down, Ice Cube and Chuck D!
10. What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to
connect with your fans now?
A. I recognize that social media is what’s popping right now to meet your target audience and attract a new audience. For this to occur, I need to stay on top of the evolution of these platforms. Right now, I’m dealing with an issue around my intellectual property because there was a mishap that caused the
website to go down on the day of the album release. In one word, challenging lol!
A. Social media is good, but I like social events to build
rapport/relationships/networking in the form of connections. I like to support and be supported.
11. Where you @ online?
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lBzG8m0WmzRkXj1cVsgVc
https://play.google.com/music/preview/Bruypan33ipnnl3zcttkivn4zey?play=1&u=0
https://www.iheart.com/artist/nemesi-270001/albums/concentrated-vibes-74883030/?autoplay=true
}
Comments