Hometown: Chicago!

Homebase: I split my time between Chicago and Milwaukee.

How did you fall in love with music?

I discovered music from the records and tapes that my Mom and Dad listened to when I was growing up. I was always fascinated by different sounds--especially the voices of singers.

Bill Withers' voice stands out in my memory in that his song "Lean on Me" is the earliest musical memory I have from my childhood --and I'll never forget current of electricity that would shoot up my spine when I'd hear his voice. MC Hammer was important too because he is the first memory I have of hearing music ("U Can't Touch this") and wanting to move and groove!

Did you always want to be a musician?

I think I decided to be a musician when I got my first solo (of many) in my high school's gospel choir. I just loved the freedom I felt let go and let all of my energy and emotions out in my singing--and that people liked it. When I think back on it, I'm pretty sure I looked like an epileptic chicken doing that with all of my nervous, awkward energy! But in all seriousness, I think it's a rite of passage for a musician to feel like they can freely express themselves--and gospel choir gave me that.

Why is your album called Vetted?

I feel like everything I've done in my life in some way or the other has been vetted--whether it be something trivial like which cereal I should buy at the grocery store or something more profound like who I've chosen to be my life partner--it all goes through some type of vetting process.

Like right now, as an emerging artist, the power structures that be are sizing me up and vetting me on a daily basis--i.e. Does he have enough likes on Facebook or followers on Twitter to be offered XYZ opportunity? Does he sell out venues? Is his voice good enough? Does he have a compelling message? The list goes on.

To have come to this point in my life right now, I've been vetted in some way or the other--and I was fortunate to have made the proverbial "cut".

But there are others who are far less fortunate. Those who didn't have access to education as I did. Those who couldn't get that job they really wanted or deserved. Those who didn't have access to healthcare, wholesome nutrition or green space. Those who live in transit deserts. Those who are locked up in prison for the profit of someone else. Those who couldn't immigrate to America or could only do so underhandedly. Those who live in constant fear of deportation. Those (Flint, MI) who didn't have the even the most basic public utility--clean drinking water.

All of these precious souls have also been vetted in some way or another--yet the unfair scrutiny with which they have been vetted has yielded undesirable results.

This album is for them.

You've been pretty vocal against Trump. Do you think your music is the best way to protest against him?

Most definitely. Words, slogans and tweets all have limited impact. And not to mention, they're all very inexpensive. Music on the other hand, by its very fundamental existence, is something far greater: action. It stirs our souls to act. There is no music without action. And action is much more powerful than words.

All he really has are his cheap, empty words; and I say that music (or the spirit thereof) will ultimately win the day over those words.