Today we’d like to introduce you to Bakari B..
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am an emcee from Atlanta. With family members in both Stone Mountain & BenHill, I was raised around a diverse background of music. From all things Atlanta & the south (The Hard Boyz, OutKast, Kilo Ali, UGK, etc., as well as other regions of rap music), to R&B and pop, I was able to experience and understand a plethora of genres. This influential background fuels my hunger for knowledge, willingness to learn, and overall confidence to become a more efficient lyricist.
I try to use my craft to paint vivid imagery within each song concept. I want to make you feel like you are right there with me creating our own journey.
Lastly, as the legendary Stan Lee would say, I do believe that with great power, comes great responsibility. I understand that Rap & Hip Hop are platforms in which any human being (regardless of race, age, gender, sexuality, background, etc.) may tune into, so I attempt to be as universally inclusive as possible while striving to carry authentic & optimistic music over into any community.
Please tell us about your art.
I create music that leads to an experience. I find value in storytelling & “painting a picture” when it comes to this art form of Rap. A huge part of this inspiration came from a mentor of mine named Dana Rivers, who would always tell me, “You can always give people music. You can always give people ‘bars.’ You can always give people something to listen to, but are you giving them an experience?” For years, this has always stuck with me, so I try my best to provide substance, inspiration, and a nice mix of diverse skills (‘bars,’ flows, schemes, etc.) when writing & recording.
For anyone that listens to my music, it is my hope that they leave with something motivational, relatable, and/or a great vibe overall. I try my best to create content that connects to my listeners. From speaking on college life & education to the issues that arise in this country, and different aspects of life, I attempt to have a diverse catalog of tunes for anyone to learn from & enjoy.
For me personally, I am inspired by the lives, activism, and musical impact of 2Pac & Will Smith. Both individuals contributed so much to the art of Rap and the culture of Hip Hop that their careers have spanned over decades. Their longevity, versatility, and impact are something I strive to either achieve or (respectfully) surpass. I am also influenced by J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar because they have transformed what it means to be an artist of today.
For anyone that is considering giving my music a listen, know that I will not disappoint you. Know that music is my passion, so I spend every day trying to improve on all aspects of my sound. Lastly, know that I have a story to tell that is valuable, that is astonishing, that is encouraging, and that is genuine.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Honestly, I believe there are many challenges that artists face today.
One obstacle, in particular, is not networking to establish connections. I do believe that there is a sense of stubbornness that every creative individual has to where we feel the need to isolate ourselves to accomplish a goal or a feeling of “I can do this on my own.” This way of thinking is holding a lot of musicians back as it could be potentially blocking a lot of blessings. For example, here in Atlanta, there are a plethora of creatives in our communities, but we rarely see us come together to create content on small and/or large scales. If I know that there is something I am looking to accomplish and there is someone who can do that needed skill better than me, why would I not reach out for assistance & create a connection or partnership with that person? Maybe my thought process is “old school” or outdated, but no one accomplishes anything strictly alone. The most successful people always have a team, so I hope my city (and others) take heed.
For my last hindrance, I believe that being a part of Hip Hop culture is a challenge, especially for emcee’s/lyricists like myself. From the time you begin your career, there are constant comparisons, discrimination, racism, scrutiny (personal life and business-wise), and other issues you may experience because of your status. This can either be an aspect of life you embrace or an aspect that breaks you. Especially with social media being more prevalent than in the past, these are problems you may experience on a day-to-day basis. How do we overcome this challenge? We have to individually obtain the confidence & the belief in ourselves, knowing that we will be true regardless of what occurs. And, going back to my previous point, having that team/collective garners an extra push or boost that we will need along the way.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
If you would like to experience my music, it is available on all platforms from iTunes, Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, etc., under Bakari B.
If you would like to see any of my videos, find me on YouTube under Bakari B. If I gain your interest with my visuals, feel free to subscribe as well.
Also, feel free to connect with me on social media. My Instagram is @TheLyricist16 (or search Bakari B.), and my Twitter is @BakariB16 (or search Bakari B.). I am all about building a collective & a network, so let’s capitalize on what we have to make some dope work!
Contact Info:
- Website: BakariB.cool (coming soon)
- Email: TheLyricistHimself@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyricist16/
- Facebook: https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1205237707 (Apple Music)
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BakariB16
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3hIQLvCLvPBbgw2FWJvEOy (Spotify)
Image Credit:
Essence Ransome (Essence Ransome-Ambersley)
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
