Fantastic Negrito

So-called leaders aren't doing anything, so it's become the job of artists like me. We have to get on the front lines and fight for the people who have love and tolerance in their hearts and want to live in a unified world. ”

In the Pines' is a very old song dating back to slavery. Lead Belly made it popular. ”

I'm not interested in re-creating the same blues I love so much. I'm interested in pushing boundaries. ”

I love the power of music and artistry and feel a responsibility having a platform to preach good things. ”

I was raised on African music, Harry Belafonte, and the Boston Pops. Then I got a dose of soul and hip-hop. I related to it immediately. ”

What I decided was I'd be happier not being in the confines of a corporate infrastructure producing music. That's when I was free, and it opened up the door to have a different personality and incarnations. That's really when I had success in my music life. I was able to license my music. ”

I think once I had lived life, once I had failed enough in this lifetime and got back up a thousand times from failing, I really connected to the blues. ”

NPR changed my life; I don't even front. ”

I became Fantastic Negrito, and I felt like there was a rawness and an honesty in that music that I could relate to. That I was ready, finally, in my life to be that honest with myself. ”

When I look into the audience, and I just know we understand each other, I can see their faces, and they know what I'm talking about. I feel like I've helped. Everything I've been through in my life, it helps people. Then that makes it worth it. ”