Big salute to you on the completion and release of your album “23709”, which features “Black Rose”. Tell us the development of the project and how long it took to complete.

The concept of “23709” was to go outside of my comfort zone and do something different. Growing up in the DC area all I seen was crime and drugs so when I first started getting into writing that's all I talked about. It seems like money, drugs and the high lifestyle is all you hear now in music I didn't hear any originality.

I had a conversation with my sister and she told me to be vulnerable and give the people what they need and that's a fresh sound. I dropped my first album “Crime Syndicate” 10 years ago and during that gap I lost my mom, lost family members and friends and once all of that happened I started writing again.

What was your creative process for “Black Rose” specifically, and what inspired you to write it?

“Black Rose” is actually a continuation of a song I did on my last album called “Lady Chrysanthemum”. Its a story telling scene where a girl got caught up in the parties, the money she basically lost her way and she died.

“Black Rose” is her sister who was doing good in school but then she started getting attention that threw her off her goals. In the song I said she went to visit her sister at grave site and that's when she got back on track and became successful. We a lot of celebrities fall victim to the fast life some live and some tragically died. And it happens in everyday life we have to fight battles that took us off our vision but it depends on the person if they want to move forward and press on.

Do you plan to shoot any music videos for tracks on the album?

I do plan on shooting a video for this song I want to go back to my old neighborhood in DC I used to hang out at and shoot.

I have the concept of me basically rapping on the steps and have an actress play Black Rose as it shows her journey from start to finish. As I'm rapping I'm in the background just telling the story.

Why did you select “23709” as the album title and how did you go about selecting the songs’ order from start to finish?

I actually have a tattoo that goes down my arm that says 23709. 23709 basically is the first number of the area codes I lived in. 237 being DC/MD/VA, 0 being UK and 9 being North Carolina.

Each song I wrote was a chapter in my life from growing up, being in and getting out the military after fighting a war, drug and alcohol addiction and beating that. The song ends with Nine showing love to NC and helping me with my growth not only as a person but spiritually.

With “23709” now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of the year?

I am still writing getting different instrumentals from people I know that have that sound I like. I never said once this album was done that's is it I'm done. I still have a lot more in me to get out.

I give credit to those who constantly asked me when I was going to release more music and it took a while to get that feeling of going back in the studio. Since I'm able to write and craft my lyrics the way that I do I'm not putting any pressure on my just moving at my own pace. Hopefully the same vibe “23709” has, the next album will be just as dope.

Stream and Share “Black Rose” on Spotify

Stream and Share “23709” on Spotify

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