Today we’d like to introduce you to Cam Christian.
Hi Cam, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Me & my little brother used to make beats in an abandoned trailer in our backyard. It was a hobby back then but not knowing what I wanted to be or do when i grew up, I at least knew I was good at something. After graduating high school, I went to the University of South Carolina where I majored in Psychology and minored in Media Arts. I more so gravitated to Media Arts but since the program was more photography-focused, I transferred. I moved to Orlando and enrolled in Full Sail University where I majored in Recording Arts. This is where I understood that I could make this music thing a career. I didn’t want my family to sacrifice for me anymore and pay that tuition, so I just dropped out and moved to Atlanta, where my older brother was pursuing a music career of his own. Fast forward a bit, I joined an EDM group called aColorWar. At that time, black EDM artists were unheard of, and that’s why we did it. To push the envelope and start the conversation.
During that time, I shared the stage with T-Pain, Chance the Rapper, Flo Rida, The Chainsmokers, Third Eye Blind, and so many more legends. Most would consider that a huge accomplishment but for me, it left me with a desire to do it on my own terms. I wanted to be able to perform MY original music. Not with a group or a DJ set. Afterward, I spent a lot of time songwriting and producing for other artists until the winter of 2018 when I got my heart broken. It was that pain that fueled me to get back into being an artist for real. I wrote & produced an EP called “I’m Straight”, which was a journey of the breakup itself. Although, it was a tough time in my life but it was super pivotal in my music career. Fast forward, I started writing country music with my older brother Sam King who was working out of Nashville at the time. Going back & forth to Nashville I had an epiphany recollecting my days when I was in the EDM group. I took this as another opportunity to push the envelope.
Why not just release your own country album? See, I went to USC where guys like Darius Rucker and Toro y Moi attended. Two African American artists who’ve dominated genres they had no business in, let them tell it. It’s because of artists like these and my brother, I was able to write and produce “Palmetto”, my debut album which so happens to be country music. I look at it like this, I don’t want to be a black country artist. With all due respect, don’t bunch me in with Kane Brown, Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, or any of those amazing country artists that just so happen to be born black. I just want to be respected as an artist in general. I want to be an inspiration to another up & coming artists who may feel the pressures of having to put themselves in a box because of the color of their skin.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Said no one ever. Following your dream in any industry ain’t gon be no cakewalk but pursuing a music career…borderline insanity. I sacrificed damn near every aspect of my life. I approach relationships differently. My dating life is unstable. I can’t get a 9-5 job or move up the ladder in a company because it’ll take me away from what I’m trying to achieve. Why would I work my ass off to help someone else achieve their dreams or make their business flourish, then get home and be too exhausted to work on mine? Every decision I make is music career-focused. It’s a gift and a curse really.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a songwriter before anything. I do produce music too but writing a song I feel is really where I’m most valuable. I’ve written songs for commercials, TV shows, jingles, radio, streaming, whatever. I’m not limited to a specific genre and I know that’s my strength. Growing up, I would ride in the car with my pops and he used to talk to me about every song that came on the radio. He knew every song. He knew all the band members. He would point out certain parts in the background. He just taught me how to LISTEN to music for real and I’ve carried that with me. Although I’ve experienced a lot in my personal life, I tend to feel what others feel and translate that feeling into a song. If I’m writing a song for a female, I’ll pull emotions from women in my life whether it be friends, family members, or someone I’ve dated and capture those feelings over an instrumental but still making it appealing to what’s going on in music today. Anyone can write a song, but I really take pride in making sure it’s good.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You really just gotta be unapologetic in what you’re doing. If you feel like dancing, dance. Don’t worry bout if you don’t got rhythm or look awkward. In the past, I spent a lot of my life people-pleasing or ashamed of certain flaws or weaknesses. Being that way really benefits nobody, and it stunts your growth as a human so I don’t do it anymore. You don’t have to try to look cool or impress anybody. Once I started really being present in whatever moment was happening, I actually started experiencing true fun. Like, real joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.plantlantastateuniversity.org
- Instagram: @camchristian.mp3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djcamchristian
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/7bpqLPw_8Tc
- Other: https://linktr.ee/camchristian.mp3
Image Credits:
All photos shot by Nomad’s Film Studio
