Intellect Interview | Respect The Artist Interview
How did you get your Artist name?
The name Intellect spawned from wanting to be different, as well as using my music to touch hearts and spark the mind. Really wanted to share a message and stories that challenged your Intellect, as well as use my art to share my thoughts.
How did you get into creating?
At a young age, I wrote poetry - mainly to get girls - that transitioned into writing raps, which progressed into songs and I just feel in love with the process. I can truly say I fell in love with the craft, the album that really did it for me was Kanye West’s Graduation album. That’s when I realized I wanted to be an artist for the rest of my life.
Where are you from?
I am from Chicago, IL.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
It’s truly my God given talent and my purpose. So I had to make sure I put in my 10,000 hours. I truly worked at it, and took the blows that came with being a novice. My first project sucked, terrible quality, terrible delivery, terrible song structure. I vividly remember classmates flinging my CD down the hall like a frisbee. That drove me to continue work hard and master my craft and become the best artist I can be. I still have a long way to go, but I feel with God and hard work I cannot lose.
What does your current setup look like?
Currently I have a home studio, where I use ProTools. I enjoy recording and creating by myself, just the music and I.
Who inspires you?
Life inspires me most, conversations with anyone can inspire me. My daughter also drives me to be the greatest artist I can be. Aside from that artist who inspire me are Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Kanye West, J. Cole, Drake, Michael Jackson and Childish Gambino.
What is your goal when you create?
To hopefully spark your mind, touch your heart or fill you with joy and happiness. I treat my album’s like a five course meal, you have the dinner, which is messaging and storytelling but you also have the dessert which is the fun, feel good vibe records. Best of both worlds, but the main goal is to give the listener feeling. I want my audience to feel something and walk away with something!
What's your go-to song right now?
My go to song of the moment has to be “Don’t Get It” by myself I just love the song the energy it brings. Aside from that “We Paid” by Lil Baby has been getting heavy rotation.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream?
To pray, prepare, and chase it relentlessly. Never get deterred or focused on anyone else’s story or path or road to their goal. Stay laser focused, be willing to put in the work, and if you give it your all live with the results.
Tell us about your most recent release
My latest release was my album “Intellect Is Power” which is available on all streaming platforms. Intellect is Power is a profound phrase, coupled with him donning a general on the cover it’s clear he is making a statement with this album. Intellect finds himself exploring power, and how the different forms of power can affect you. Intellect truly finds his power with records like “So Good”, “Looks” and “Don’t Get It”. Where he displays not only his wittiness and lyrical ability but also his vocal and songwriting progression. The power of Love and Lust is displayed with records like “Go” “Faded”, “Perfect Aim” and “Lingo”. The project closes with the misuse of power and how that power directly affected him with songs like “Monsters'' and “Growth Spurt”. Intellect is Power is a journey where a young black man discovers the power within himself as well as the things that may have power over him.
Share a link to your most recent release
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