Conversations with King Leo Bakari

Today we’d like to introduce you to King Leo Bakari.

King Leo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The KiNG LEO BAKARi story started at a community theater group meeting in Norfolk, Virginia. I only went to escape the rough reality at home. I left an actor. When I wasn’t playing recreation basketball, I was a regular in school plays and community exhibitions. I credit this time in my life for teaching me how to rehearse and remember moments over lines.

The love for artistic expression would never leave me, but, I’d say my first major role came many years later when I played a young Duke Ellington in the award-winning short film “U Street, DC”. At my audition, a well-known actor who had a small role on the hit show “The Wire”, was also auditioning for the role. I remember it occurring to me, that I felt intimidated by him. How was I going to “beat” someone with his experience? I should go home. Before I could leave, I was called in. I went in, and at the end of my audition, I was offered the role and they didn’t see anyone else. This wouldn’t be the last time I felt intimidated, but, it taught me to trust myself to do what I do even when I am.

Soon thereafter, I landed the role of ‘Emmett Till’ in the controversial one-act stage play “Anne & Emmett” written by Janet Langhart Cohen and produced by her husband and former Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen. The play was about an imaginary meeting between Anne Frank and Emmett Till. While we were a company, I was the flagship Emmett and performed often, including the invite-only opening night – which never happened. That day, at the Holocaust museum, I was on stage dressed as Emmett when a man entered the museum shooting. Officer Stephen Johns lost his life that day, in much the same way Emmett Till did. This happened on a Wednesday. We had a sold-out show booked for Friday night, and that show had to go on. This was another level of intimidation, but again, I did it. During this time, the director of the production was the late and great Obie Award-winning director/playwright Robbie McCauley. She taught me so much, the biggest of the lessons would be – “Use the nerves, don’t fight them.” I was no longer interested in the “fame” of what I was doing, but more so its purpose. She helped me understand the power of the entertainment medium and our responsibility to culture. The story of Emmetts and Stephens must be told, honestly. It’s how we do better and honor their lives.

I had done all of this without any representation. When I would try to get representation, I’d be told – you have no TV credits. So, I ended up going to an ‘As The World Turns’ open call and landing a role on the soap as a Cop. I did two episodes and was really disappointed by some of the politics on the set. There was a lack of brown people and an unwritten pecking order for eating lunch I knew nothing about. Out of ignorance, I violated this order and made a plate before the stars did. I remember not feeling bad about breaking the unwritten rule, but I was concerned that the stars would think I was disrespectful. There was a stage person who witnessed this and told me “Don’t worry about that, just be good when they yell action. That’s what we’re all here for.” I did just that and I never made this mistake on any set ever again.

By this time, I had done the two episodes of the soap and I was still touring with “Anne and Emmett”. I had stayed with the production for a few years, but after having my hands kissed by THE Patricia Neal after a show in Martha’s Vineyard, and then receiving a glowing review from THE Hinton Battle after a tour of the production he directed – I decided I was ready to go to Los Angeles, CA and take things to the next level.

I hit the ground running in Los Angeles. Very soon after landing there, I became the MC of a “new hollywood” elite monthly party, produced by comedian Tahir Moore and DJ’d by a guy named Ron who went by DJ R-Tistic. Beyond this, I worked as a model – doing things like Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience album photoshoot, and Bevel’s ‘Homecoming’ campaign. On the acting side, I’d do a few really great pilots, but ultimately, after auditioning in front of John Singleton for the lead role of his new show “Snowfall” and not getting it, I decided I’d had enough. In my frustration, I started to explore other avenues of artistic expression. One night, my really good friend, the award-winning singer/songwriter Stacy Barthe, called me to come to the studio with her. She really was just concerned about me and didn’t want me sulking alone at home. So I went. We ended up at Ryan Toby’s house, where a new artist who had the coolest energy ever was recording for his new project. Stacy ended up falling asleep in the session. I tried to wake her up so we could leave, but that’s when Ryan told me to let her sleep, she had vouched for me, and to join the session. I did. The artist was Ro James, and the project was his hit debut album ‘El Dorado’. The song we wrote that night ended up making it onto the album as an interlude called “I’m Sorry”. This changed everything for me. Music was always there, but not like this. I wanted to take this further.

From here, I was encouraged to make a “deposit” to the culture of music by introducing myself. Eventually, I landed on the concept “R&B: Rhythm & Bars – The Mixtape” where I worked with the now award-winning DJ R-Tistic and producer Darnell Knight. We put R&B production under my lyricism and made something amazing. From there, this same tribe would go on to work on my debut album ‘5: The mAlbum’ introducing me as an artist and the world to my sound, Jazz Hop. I’d go on to perform at events like Ava Duvernay’s ‘Blackout Festival” at the iconic Grammy Museum and different LA festivals,

During this time, I started studying screenwriting. I took a class of which the teacher taught from the book “Save the Cat”. The method of storytelling I learned to put a definition to my process. I’ve always had a scientific mind, so this book putting science to my artistic abilities opened up a whole new world for me. This new world was much quieter than the world of acting and hosting, but it was so much more me. I write. Rhymes and scripts.

Eventually, I wrote a pilot spec script called “Living Again”. Best described as an Atlanta-based, black “Will & Grace”, but I made her gay and him straight. This spec changed everything! It would ultimately relocate me to Atlanta and secure me representation with the best agency in the world, Smith & Young Talent Agency, Today, I’m still with Smith & Young. I still write, rhymes and scripts. I’m currently working a really dope female drama with my pop-culture icon friend Babs Bunny, and literally as I type this, just came off the stage at The Atlanta Jazz Festival 2022 after rapping with the legendary actor/jazz singer TC Carson. Additionally, I currently serve as Head Chair of the non-profit ‘The Atlanta Writers’ Society’ where we work closely with Film Impact Georgia and the Dekalb Entertainment Commission to support under-represented creative writers of the Atlanta area. I still get intimidated, but I still move forward. In all things, I use the nerves, I don’t fight them. I’m an artist. I’m KING LEO BAKARi, writer/rapper. However, don’t be surprised if you see me acting again. All actors know, it never really leaves you.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. My journey has been littered with many challenges and lots of mistakes. Yes, I did receive a glowing review from my Tony Award-winning director Hinton Battle, but not before he almost fired me. I had been trained so well in the role of “Emmett Till” by Robbie that it was hard for me to break out of what I knew when Hinton took over as director. He worked tirelessly to break me. I cried a lot. In this instance, it all worked out.

However, there was another time when Issa Rae had started her own production company, well before Insecure, and I was cast as a host of a pilot of a show she was producing. I was so excited! Issa and I were always friendly, so I was very much so wanting to do the best job ever! The pilot was filmed and cut. I was so excited I started promoting myself as the host of the show, prematurely. My manager/lawyer at the time got a call asking me to take everything down. I had made a huge mistake. I don’t know what ever happened to the show, but I don’t believe it ever surfaced. I haven’t seen or spoken to Issa since, and not for a lack of trying. This was a mistake that I’ve had to forgive myself for, but not without recognizing this as an expensive learning experience. In case Issa sees this, “I’m sorry sis, and I’m insanely proud of you!”

I have made huge sacrifices to audition or be considered for things and been told no. I’ve rapped to empty rooms. I’ve spent a lot of money on projects that never released. Nothing worth having comes easy. I’ve learned to love myself and pray in times of weakness. This has proved to be the recipe for “pushing through” for me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a screenwriter & rapper. I specialize in writing to subject and partnering with visionaries who might need a writer to help make their visions actual intellectual property. I’m known for making strong pitch decks and treatments. I’m most proud of working on projects and with people that are considered “deep & dope”. My authenticity, and unique ability to translate vision to words with professional formatting and visuals set me apart from my peers.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
“Save The Cat” by Blake Snyder “Power of the Actor” by Ivanna Chubbuck
TheAtlantaWritersSociety.org
The Dekalb Entertainment Commission -> https://dekalbentertainment.com/

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LeoB.me
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingleobakari/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKingLeoB/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kingleobakari
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KINGLEOBAKARi
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/51212
• Other: https://www.flowcode.com/page/kingleobakari

Image Credits
Pictures with HHJ in the corner – Hugh Hood Jankins Productions, Feature Photograph – Quack Nation Studios, Atlanta Writers’ Society – Atlanta Writers’ Society, Houndstooth Jacket Picture – Elton Anderson