What is your stage name?
“Jeph.ilosopher“
Where are you from? State / Country?
“Baltimore, Maryland, USA.“
What made you want to pursue a career in music?
“I realized I had a talent and I believe everyone should apply their unique talents to the fullest capacity.“
Can you share some highlights of your music career, if any?
“2 multi-city tours with Colby Jeffers, flying to Canada to work on music video content for Baha’i Inspired, being featured on 88.1 WEAA radio station for my music production, collaborating with artists from all over the world.“
How would you describe your style and sound as an artist?
“Lyrically dexterous with dynamic, masterful and catchy flows with the purpose of inspiring perspective and motivating us to strive for a better world.“
In what ways do you believe your music resonates with your audience?
“My music resonates with those that believe music is food for the soul, and you want to find something that not only sounds incredible and moves you, but also aligns with your core values. My music is for people that aspire for personal growth in whatever they do.“
How do you approach collaboration with other musicians or producers?
“I approach collaboration with other artists/musicians by first understanding where they are coming from, what vibes they are subscribing to, and ultimately what their goals and aspirations are. I hope that my collaborations bridge the gaps between different backgrounds and cultures and adds something powerful and fresh.“
Can you share any experiences working with a team in the past? Or are you truly independent?
“I’m mostly independent, but I’ve done some a few teams projects with others. I’ve worked with musicians from all over the world with Musiversal to craft the production for my latest album The Unmasked Inmost. It was an impactful run because I learned how important communication and respect is in order to reach the goals we both have. I would definitely be open to doing this more.“
Have you had any significant achievements or accolades in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
“I’m proud that I’ve stayed true to who I am and have always prioritized my family over my personal success. I know that there’s an alternate reality where I would have made it big, but I guarantee you it would’ve been rocky for my loved ones because making it big requires big sacrifices and big changes. I chose to align my music with service to humanity and I will continue to use my music as way to make the inspire others to work for a better world.“
What motivates you to continue pushing yourself as an artist?
“My faith as a Baha’i. I believe that true change in the world requires each individual to work to improve themselves while we work to build up our communities. I don’t engage in partisan politics or partisan movements, I engage in my community’s well-being.“
Have you faced any challenges in your career, and how did you overcome them?
“There have been times when I had to pause the music in order to make sure my family is good, for example, finishing my college degree. Early in my career, there have been a handful of empty promises. I also live with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition where I’ve been losing eye sight slowly over my entire life and there is no official cure, so the music scene and concerts have not been the easiest venue for me. I continue to find my footing with this, but at least with making music, there’s no barrier with my visual impairment.“
How do you engage with your fan base on social media, and what role does it play in your overall strategy?
“I’ve been making songs about my people! I ask them to tell me about their goals, lessons learned and aspirations and I write raps about it to share with the world and highlight the amazing people around me that just so happen to support me. The project is called #TrulySeenRaps and I’m currently at the point in my career where anyone can reach out to me and share their journey for me to rap about them for free. It’s my way of using my talents to uplift others, and I’m passionate about telling these incredible stories.“
What is the next single you want to release?
“The next single I’m releasing is called EMPATHY, and it’s a story of a man struggling in his relationship, having communication issues, and how he finds a path towards mutual understanding and harmony, but it’s got another layer of me also adopting a rap style that I used to not be a fan of. This is the dual meaning of the song, that when you put yourself in someone else’s shoes for real, you can achieve true empathy.“
