00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:01.040
Oh, it was hot.
00:00:02.720 --> 00:00:05.280
Am I the only person that like I feel a little overwhelmed?
00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:06.000
It's like it's full.
00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:06.639
I feel full.
00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:08.400
Like, I'm not gonna cry right now.
00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:13.759
Waking up every morning, TV on beach for the MP.
00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:16.559
I'm like, you girls, they don't understand Britney.
00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:19.120
Like, I felt like I said, you know what?
00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:19.839
She's good.
00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:22.079
Cause if I did all this for men, you'd be crying.
00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:24.640
I really felt safe.
00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:26.399
Ooh, I felt safe.
00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:27.039
What's up?
00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:27.920
It's Chris Kalen.
00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:31.280
Welcome back to another episode of The Princess Diaries.
00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:40.719
I'm really excited about this one because I've just, I feel like I've watched this person like grow from the outside looking in, and they already came as a pre-packaged artist to me.
00:00:40.880 --> 00:01:06.719
But anyway, joining me today is David Gibbons, an independent pop EDM artist, vocalist, and creative director from South Carolina, whose music blends emotional storytelling with electronic house, synthpop, and festival-inspired sounds to create a truly immersive experience, fresh off of earning his master's degree in speech mythology and audiology from Vivian South Carolina State University.
00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:18.079
David is simultaneously building an exciting independent music career with his new single Ghost, giving listeners a deeper look into the creative world he's building through music, visuals, and storytelling.
00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:20.879
And I'm very excited to hear about this journey.
00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:23.280
And welcome to the Princess Sweet David.
00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:24.319
Thank you for having me.
00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:25.439
I'm excited to be here.
00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:26.719
I am so excited to be here.
00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:31.920
First of all, congratulations on receiving your master's from the South Carolina State University.
00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:33.040
Go Bull Dogs.
00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:34.079
Yes, let's go dog.
00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:41.120
Like you, like I said, when I first met you, I it was like a music listening, whatever it was.
00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:49.680
But when I tell y'all, David came, like he had, it was like this media kit, but it was like a digital, like a 3D, this was before 3D printers were a thing.
00:01:50.239 --> 00:01:51.760
And it was so neat.
00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:55.040
And that's something that always stood out to me about you.
00:01:55.280 --> 00:02:00.959
So like from there to now, I'm just, I just want to say congratulations on everything that you're doing in your growth.
00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:01.680
Thank you so much.
00:02:01.760 --> 00:02:02.640
I appreciate it.
00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:03.280
Yeah.
00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:06.079
So, like, first of all, how are you feeling?
00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:09.280
Like, just like you actually, so at off-camera, he pre-interviewed me.
00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:11.039
So let me do my job.
00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:13.360
How are you feeling today?
00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:14.639
I'm I'm excited.
00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:19.680
I if I can tell you the song that's playing my head is This Is a Dream Made of.
00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:21.280
I wish I could bust up in a song like that.
00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:23.120
I just don't sound like that when I do do that.
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:26.879
Listen, I've always wanted to sit down with you because I love your spirit.
00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:29.919
I love how you are very in-depth with everything you're doing.
00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:39.039
And I know we talked about, you know, checking with you because I know there's a lot of things when we are so successful at what we do, we kind of don't ask the successful people how you're doing.
00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:39.280
Yeah.
00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:40.319
Is everything okay?
00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:41.680
Is is your heart okay?
00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:42.879
Is your mind okay?
00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:45.120
You know, so I just wanted to like level up on you a little bit.
00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:46.319
No, and I appreciate that.
00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:50.479
Like, y'all don't understand how much I really enjoy that, but thank you.
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:53.439
So, like, you just received your master's.
00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:54.479
So, what's that like?
00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:56.319
How are you feeling sitting in that?
00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:58.719
And you just got a new j a job today.
00:02:58.800 --> 00:02:59.520
Congratulations.
00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:00.080
Thank you.
00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:01.520
That is amazing.
00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:03.120
So, how are you feeling in that?
00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:05.680
I'm blessed.
00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:07.840
Yes, because it was a long time coming.
00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:16.080
Um during that journey, there was a lot of obstacles, not just with the work code, but also with people.
00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:16.400
Right.
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:19.520
People who underestimated me and said that I would never be.
00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:24.159
Um, I even took some time off during that time to like refocus my own myself.
00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:34.479
And coming out of it with a degree, it was like I can't tell you the amount the amount of tears I cried the night before graduation.
00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:40.479
I was I I got up at like three o'clock that morning and I was just like just giving God praise.
00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:43.439
Like, thank you for getting me to this point.
00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:44.960
And so yeah.
00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:46.080
And you know what?
00:03:46.240 --> 00:04:07.439
And with you graduating from South Carolina, say I'm glad that as a graduate you were still able to have that moment because I do feel like Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evit tried to like overshadow that, and the thing that bothered me, not only being an alum, but realizing, like you said, the experience that you just shared, like that should not be overshadowed by someone with a political agenda.
00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:08.159
Exactly.
00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:22.079
And I honestly felt very disgusted as someone who was going to represent our entire state would call our future South Carolina leaders from our illustrious university a woke mob.
00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:23.600
I I don't understand it.
00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:29.519
If you're gonna be a governor, you represent all of us black, white, Latino, Asian, gay, straight, whatever.
00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:32.319
You represent each and every one of us in this state.
00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:37.600
And for you to say that about a group of young people who will represent us in the future, yeah, you can have it.
00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:38.480
Yeah, absolutely not.
00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:40.319
And then she doubled down, made a commercial about it.
00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:40.800
But you know what?
00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:41.279
She lost.
00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:43.040
God don't like ugly.
00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:51.360
But yeah, so you wear so many hats from artists, vocalists, creative directors, speech pathologists, and y'all, an audiologist.
00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:56.399
And um, what do you feel like what version of David wakes up in the morning first?
00:04:57.439 --> 00:04:58.240
The human.
00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:02.720
The human wakes up first, and then the next person comes up as the artist.
00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:03.279
Right.
00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:06.720
Um, I say human because that's the person I need to check in with first.
00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:08.639
I need to check in with my human side.
00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:12.560
Make sure that I'm good, make sure I'm okay, make sure I stay prayed up before I walk up my dome.
00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:12.800
Yeah.
00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:13.199
Okay.
00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:14.560
And uh one more time.
00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:20.800
So the human wakes up first, and then the artist, because without the humanity, you can't create the art.
00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:21.600
Absolutely.
00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:23.600
So, what can you finish your sentence?
00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:30.160
People think they know me, but they have no idea that I am more than me see.
00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:41.600
There are so many sides of me that people don't know, and I don't share that with a lot of people because I always have this because again, this comes out to the human side.
00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:50.560
I have this innate fear that maybe I'm too much, or maybe people don't understand me or won't understand me, or they'll judge me, which is a normal human thing, y'all.
00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.319
That's just that's normal.
00:05:52.720 --> 00:06:02.560
But the more I gravitate to someone who I can sense like their spirit is good, or I can see their light, yeah, then the more I reveal about me.
00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:05.199
And I'm pretty crazy, pretty nerdy.
00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:10.800
I'm I'm I'm loud when I when it's time for me to be loud, but also I'm very quiet, especially like when I'm home.
00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:15.040
I'm like, I'm gonna sit in a room, just be like, I'm just gonna draw a picture or something.
00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:16.560
The introverted extrovert.
00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:17.040
Right.
00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:28.319
And like I was literally looking at a TikTok something, and the lady was just like, you know, most people who are like made to be successful, and it were just characteristics, and it was so funny you said that, and I feel the same way too, is like the introverted extrovert.
00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:31.519
When I'm out, I have no problem being like a social butterfly.
00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:36.800
But like when I am in my space, like I tell people all the time, like I talk for a living.
00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:38.160
I like to be quiet in my house.
00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:39.199
Like, exactly.
00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:41.600
I got a dog, he don't talk, okay?
00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:44.560
So, no, that's something I definitely enjoy.
00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:51.279
So, how has studying speech pathol speech pathology and audiology made you think different about your own voice and you as an artist?
00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:57.600
If it did, um, it made me realize that singers, we are more susceptible to a lot of things.
00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:00.480
I'm not gonna go into technicalities of what that is.
00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:02.800
Um, you guys can do your own research on that.
00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:03.360
Hello.
00:07:03.519 --> 00:07:08.079
Um, but it really forced me to really start taking care of my voice, taking care of my health.
00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:12.240
Um, one thing I did after graduation, like immediately, I went to the doctor.
00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:14.399
I went to the doctor, I got me a therapist.
00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:16.480
That those two things are so important.
00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:18.399
I literally had a guest, uh, Blue Flame James.
00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:20.879
I think he said like on his 30th birthday, went to the doctor.
00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:22.240
Finally, he had brain tumors.
00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:22.639
Whoa.
00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:23.759
At 30.
00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.199
So I'm so happy.
00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:29.040
Like, you're the second guest black man I had come up who was like, go advocating.
00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:30.879
Please go to the doctor, check out more yourself.
00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:31.360
Go ahead.
00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:33.199
Please, like, your health is so important.
00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:37.920
Like, I know that during my time in grad school, like, I let a lot of things last.
00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:42.639
I used to go to the gym like regularly, especially when I was working, when I was working like full time.
00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:56.319
But once I started going to grad school and it was like traveling back and forth late nights, studying, doing clin doing clinic, doing the music, even going on, doing shows, doing tours, it was like, oh, I'm thinking a lot of things like just fall to the wayside.
00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:56.639
Right.
00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:02.000
So as soon as graduation was over, I said, um, hello, I need a a meeting for my therapist.
00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:03.600
I need to go with the doctor.
00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:05.519
Um, I already signed up for the gym.
00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:07.120
I was like, we're gonna get together.
00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:09.040
But you you took the initiative, and that's the thing.
00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:13.120
It's like, okay, like checking in, I need to do this and let me do this.
00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:18.480
So, with you know, just getting your master's, and you told me you just got off of tour.
00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.720
So, how are you balancing all of this?
00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:22.720
Because I thought I'm busy.
00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:24.160
You you vown up to me.
00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:26.160
Listen, I started tour the day after graduation.
00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:26.800
Are you serious?
00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:27.680
Yes, so we had a show.
00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.680
So, what tour was what tour were you on?
00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.480
Well, it was mine.
00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:31.759
Oh! It was mine.
00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:33.360
I did I decided like you know what?
00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.799
You headlined your own tour.
00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.159
I did my own tour, y'all.
00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:37.120
That's awesome.
00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:38.080
What's that say?
00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:38.720
Make some noise.
00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:39.440
What the fuck?
00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:39.919
Woo!
00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:41.519
I did my own tour.
00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:44.559
I've I've always wanted to go on tour and meet people and perform.
00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.279
And tour looks different for everybody, right?
00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:51.279
Um, it is a mental thing and it is also a financial thing.
00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:51.679
Yeah.
00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:54.480
So luckily enough, you know, my tour is very small.
00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:58.080
We started in um I forgot where we started.
00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:01.600
We started in Charleston first, and then we went all the way down to Atlanta, Miami.
00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:05.519
We went to um Columbia for a little bit.
00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:09.360
And it was fun, but I know that it was exhausting.
00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:09.679
Yeah.
00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:10.960
People always say that.
00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:12.000
It's exhausting.
00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:20.559
But you know what made it better was like I got to meet people and I got to interact with them and touch them and say and hear them say, you know, the music's great, it touched their lives.
00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:22.879
I said, if I can save one life with my music, I'm good.
00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:23.360
Yeah.
00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.720
And that's just the beauty of it.
00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:31.519
It's like social media, I love social media likes and everything, but when you can actually like meet people and they're like, I follow you, I like your music.
00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:33.840
It this is it just it just feels different.
00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:37.679
It does to know that you can actually bring people out and like put butts in seats.
00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:39.120
It it really does.
00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:43.279
And I'm just like, I surprised myself, like, oh, people came out to see me.
00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:44.000
Right.
00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.200
I was like, okay.
00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:48.240
Like, am I the only person that's like I feel a little overwhelmed?
00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.600
It's like it's full, I feel full.
00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:51.360
It's like, I'm not gonna cry right now.
00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:54.320
I I've had those moments, I've had them.
00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:55.840
Like, this is beautiful.
00:09:56.000 --> 00:10:04.000
So, South Carolina, like I feel like we're just and I don't want to say we're just popping on a music scene because when you think about gospel music in South Carolina, it's been a thing.
00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:09.519
But then, like, as far as rap is concerned, we have three artists from the Carolinas who made double XL.
00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:13.600
So I I don't want to say like we're just pop popping.
00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:19.840
But with South Carolina, we're not really known for the pop or EDM artists.
00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:24.320
So, like, what made you want to like swing that midway and like make a career in that?
00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:26.080
Because I will say you're very good at it.
00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:28.399
But it's just, you know, it's out of the normal.
00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.399
You're a black man in South Carolina.
00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:35.039
So listen, um when I first started, I actually did start an RB.
00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:35.519
Okay.
00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:38.399
When I first started, but then it just didn't feel comfortable.
00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:39.039
Right.
00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:42.960
Um, I took a break after that first single trying RB.
00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:46.320
And I said, if I was gonna do this again, I was gonna do what I grew up on.
00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:48.639
I grew up on mostly pop.
00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:53.039
I grew up on like the Britney's and the InSync's and the 98 Degrees.
00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:58.960
I grew up on EDM legends like Zed and DJ Sammy and um Cascada.
00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:01.759
Every time we touch, I get this feeling.
00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.159
And every time, that was my that was my jam.
00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:07.679
Like listen, wigging up every morning, TV on VH1 and MTV.
00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:10.159
I'm like, the new girls, they don't understand Britney.
00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:16.639
Like, I tell them, like, I was like, y'all had to be there for that hit me baby one more time, like that black skirt.
00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:30.080
Y'all don't, y'all see Britney now, and I know like things that have happened now with her mental health, but it peaked Britney spirits in Christina Argent Leverett, like the girl, these girls now like Tyler, you cute.
00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:35.600
But like Britney was giving us folk choreography, vocals, backflips, all at the same time.
00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:40.480
Like visuals, I mean, I don't understand when people disrespect Beyonce.
00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:47.279
It's like, do y'all didn't no one is giving that no one is giving that energy that they don't understand.
00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:48.559
That people they don't get it.
00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:50.000
But I sorry, I didn't want to cut you back.
00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.559
No, you're good.
00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:53.360
I just got so emotional when you started talking about bricks.
00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:55.279
Listen, we're here, we're here, we're here.
00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:59.919
But to be from someone from South Carolina who understands that there is a space for us.
00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:03.279
Yeah, I feel like there's a space for everyone, everyone here in South Carolina.
00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:09.039
One of the things why I did this kind of sound is to prove a point that you can grow here.
00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:12.320
Yes, that you can grow and make something happen in South Carolina.
00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:17.039
I went to Atlanta a couple years ago, and there was a guy, the studio that I used to go to.
00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:18.399
The guy's from Columbia.
00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.759
He's from Columbia, South Carolina.
00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:20.720
And I said, you know what?
00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:25.039
I'm gonna do like a music festival in South Carolina, bring all the artists out.
00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:29.039
And he told me flat out, bruh, ain't nothing can happen in South Carolina.
00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:30.080
Nothing.
00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:30.799
That's why I left.
00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:34.159
And that kind of hurt a little bit.
00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.279
Because people always say that.
00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:35.919
They do.
00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.639
And it it wasn't just a one-time thing.
00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:40.159
I've been hearing that over and over again.
00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.759
I said, you know what, I am not a quitter.
00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:43.600
I'm not someone who said it was negative.
00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:45.120
I'ma find a positive in this.
00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:48.559
So everything I've done is just to prove that I can grow.
00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:54.720
I've been to I've been to Europe, I've been to Trinidad and Tobago, I've got multiple awards, and I didn't even leave home.
00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:57.039
You can make this happen here.
00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.399
You can grow here.
00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:08.159
And with the artists like Trap Dicky and Trim and even 803 Fresh, the door for South Carolina to be a music hub here is cracked.
00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:10.080
It's not busted wide open yet.
00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:22.639
It's not busted wide open, but it can happen if we start developing systems, start developing collectives and troops, start having spaces where we can start developing the future voices of South Carolina art.
00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:23.519
Yes.
00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.399
And what would that look like?
00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.919
And what do you think that looks like?
00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:31.600
Hmm, we need to start having promoters actually focus on South Carolina artists, not just going out for like the big names.
00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:31.840
Yeah.
00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:34.080
Bring up somebody that you see is really working.
00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:34.480
Yeah.
00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:36.799
Um, having artist development training.
00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:41.120
Like, where are the companies that do artist development actually creating, you know, the image?
00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:43.279
Like, have you seen Popstar Academy?
00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:43.759
I have not.
00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:45.120
I've heard about it, but I need to watch it.
00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.600
Watch it.
00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:45.919
Okay.
00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:46.720
What is it?
00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.879
So Popstar Academy is on Netflix.
00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:49.200
Okay.
00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:54.559
So it's actually the second half of a reality series called Dream Academy, which brought us the group Cat Sai.
00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.639
Ah, okay.
00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.919
I do love Cat's Eye.
00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.600
All the little girls love.
00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:00.799
Yes.
00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:04.639
Like, okay, no, I do love that.
00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:06.960
But I agree with you as far as artist development.
00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:14.080
There are so many artists that I've reached out to, and it's like, you know, and when I say this, I don't mean any offense, but when I say I want to help with public speaking, it's for interviews.
00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:18.000
So you're not sitting there and someone was like, yeah, no, yeah.
00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.679
It's not an interrogation.
00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:22.000
Like, we're doing an interview.
00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:25.840
I do feel like with a lot of artists, that part is missing.
00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:33.120
I feel like, you know, you can have the package in some aspects, but that interaction off of social media and being able to interact in real life.
00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:36.960
And like, yeah, music, I feel like music is a half of it.
00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:42.639
But when you want to do these radio runs, when you're going on these red carpets, when different, because everyone has a camera now.
00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:46.159
Either you're being filmed on metaglasses, on the phone, whatever it is.
00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:49.600
So you need to be prepared for and honestly, interview at any time.
00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:49.919
Exactly.
00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:53.600
Like you, at this point in time, anyone wants to be a blogger influencer.
00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.879
You need to be ready at all times.
00:14:55.039 --> 00:15:00.399
So, like, I will say, in the beginning, I did notice like trim, she wouldn't really do interviews.
00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:06.320
But then when she got clearly her training or whatever her camp had her do, now she's answering more questions.
00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:11.200
And now she can say, she can tell you more about herself and to articulate it and control the narrative.
00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.399
And that's all it is.
00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.600
It's controlling your narrative.
00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:14.399
Exactly.
00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:16.960
Like, no one can tell your story except for you.
00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:19.120
But you need to know how to tell your story.
00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.720
Storytelling is everything.
00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:27.600
So speaking of storytelling, like you've traveled and I feel like you're so well versed.
00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.120
So how did you even?
00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:36.960
Because I know I beforehand, um, you know, you tell me about just your experience and you traveling, and how did you even get involved in that aspect?
00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:40.159
Because I know it was like a group that you were traveling with or something like that.
00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.200
Um, with me.
00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:43.679
No, no, no, but like in Europe when you were torn?
00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.639
Yeah, just me.
00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.279
Oh, really?
00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.080
Yeah, just me.
00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.879
I thought it was like something.
00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.000
I did the festival.
00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:49.759
Um, maybe that's why I got confused.
00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:52.639
It's a new school room, school in the Netherlands.
00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.519
Yes, yes.
00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:55.200
I thought it was like a group or something.
00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.440
Okay.
00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:56.799
It was me.
00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:58.000
It was me and my family.
00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.759
We went to the Netherlands.
00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:01.120
It's a beautiful country.
00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:03.840
One thing I didn't expect from the Netherlands, there's a lot of black people.
00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.320
Really?
00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.039
Yes.
00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:05.840
Really?
00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.480
Yes.
00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:10.240
Now when I leave, I'm gonna go to like uh Netherlands black people.
00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:11.600
Like I just have it on TikTok.
00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.799
It was so diverse.
00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:17.519
And the one thing I it made me cry when I went over there because like I felt safe.
00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.440
Oh I felt safe.
00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.159
Really?
00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.679
I was walking by myself.
00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:24.000
It I was coming from a club at three o'clock in the morning.
00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:28.159
And as a black person out of the country, for you to feel safe like that, that is a huge thing.
00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:30.080
Let me go ahead and add Netherlands on my bucket list.
00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:35.759
Rotterdam, amazing, clean air quality, and the groceries, dirt cheap.
00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.679
See, it's America.
00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.919
It's clearly America.
00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.120
I need to get out of here.
00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:47.200
But yeah, so like you describe your music as emotional escapism, which I love that.
00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:51.600
So if someone stepped into a David Givens universe, what would they see?
00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.279
What would they hear, and what would they feel?
00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.080
Freedom.
00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.480
Ooh.
00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:57.440
Freedom, safety, the ability to be yourself.
00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:04.960
Um, this whole universe, I kind of represent it as like an inner dimensional club where you can just finally let your hair down.
00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:08.480
You can take the mask off, you can just be you.
00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:11.359
Because I feel like we don't get that, especially not black men.
00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:11.759
Right.
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.880
We don't get that nowadays.
00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:18.960
We don't have the spaces to where we can just emote and be ourselves no matter who we are.
00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:23.759
We have to be this one person, and that's who we are for the rest of our lives.
00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:27.119
When we are just multi-dimensional beings.
00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.799
I was literally having this conversation.
00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.640
I was like, black people are not a monolith.
00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:37.519
But I feel like a lot of times we get that with black women, but I don't feel like black men get the opportunity to say, like, we're not a monolith.
00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:47.599
Like, I can like rap music and then I can like anime, and I could skateboard, and I could also like, I don't know, just sorry, be just be a well-versed person.
00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:57.839
So I feel like a lot of times, like black women, we have the opportunity to be like, it's more accepted for us to be, you know, uh have to be not be a monolith and have more layers.
00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:04.480
But I feel like with black men it's just kind of like, and I mean, of course, I'm guilty every chuckle every now and then, but it's like the dazzle shirts, sassy.
00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:12.400
You want the mantra, sassy, quarter zip, sassy, and it's just like I am the original quarter zip king from the 2000s.
00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:17.920
So yeah, so I just um I just love the aspect that you say that.
00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.519
And it literally reminded me, I went to a black people love health music event.
00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:23.200
And um with me, by the way.
00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.759
You said what?
00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.960
Thank you for sharing that with me, buddy.
00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.160
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.640
So, hey, you need to relax.
00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.599
It's okay.
00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.880
You're okay, Bubs.
00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:39.519
But um this um, so yeah, so when I went to Black People Love Health music, when you were just like, your music reminds of it's freedom.
00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:43.920
I was there and um a girl who I was there, but she was like, I just feel so free.
00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.839
Like, that's what we remind me of.
00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.119
So I love that.
00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:52.799
This episode of Princess Diaries is sponsored by the Bill Green Law Firm.
00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:56.400
If you've been in the accident, make sure you call the Bill Green Law Firm.
00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:58.000
No win, no cost.
00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.519
That's our promise.
00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:14.799
So I'm a big TV person and I always I feel like now, like with being in music and like production, I'm like, this song would look go good with that.
00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:24.799
So if Hollywood was to call you today asking for one of your songs to like do placement, what movie or TV would be your dream placement to have one of your songs in?
00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.400
I'm gonna go over the future site.
00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:28.640
Avengers secret wars.
00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:32.880
Ooh, I have the perfect song for you.
00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.640
I'm gonna just be that out there.
00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:38.240
When I fall, perfect song right there.
00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:44.960
It's perfect, it's a rock anthem, it's all about you know holding on to people when they're in their lowest.
00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:49.200
It is perfect for Avengers Secret Wars because a lot of things are gonna go down in that movie next year.
00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.559
I'm just saying.
00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:54.960
Okay, listen, and I love Avengers, and when you're saying that, you you're getting that coin.
00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.440
Okay.
00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:58.960
You're getting the coin because they're yeah, they break the bank.
00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.799
All right, so let's talk about your music.
00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.160
Let's talk about ghosts.
00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.000
What is the story behind it?
00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:06.640
Because you always have a story, and I just love hearing it.
00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:08.240
So take me, take me into the world.
00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:11.519
Okay, so ghost, I wrote ghosts about three months before graduation.
00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:15.440
And this actually was led to me actually making the decision to go to the doctor, go to the therapist.
00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:21.359
Um, someone kind of brought up like my past in like a negative way.
00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.079
And I was like, I don't live in that person anymore.
00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:31.440
But it always feels like that person, that old version of me, the older versions of me keep coming back to haunt me.
00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:33.680
Yeah, and I keep trying to run away from it.
00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:40.480
So ghost is really that story of I'm not going to run from you.
00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:42.960
I'm going to face you and I'm going to end you.
00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.519
Yes.
00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:47.279
Because I don't want I don't want people to keep seeing that old version of me.
00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:56.240
That person of me who was aimless, that person of me who was lazy, that person of me who just didn't care, didn't care about himself, didn't care about if he rather lived or died.
00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:56.880
Right.
00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:00.559
I want people to see me as I am now.
00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:03.920
Someone who's happy, someone who is free, someone who was himself.
00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:07.920
And go, and that's relatable to anybody who's trying to change for the better.
00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:15.440
Like I remember when uh Charlemagne, when he had the book signing for Get Honest or Die Lying, and someone asked a similar question.
00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.640
And he was like, you know what?
00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:20.720
I've been in this industry for such a long time that people seen different versions of me.
00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:24.559
And they were like, some people may be stuck with a certain version of me.
00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:27.200
And he was like, some people may not want to see me grow.
00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:30.319
And it's like at a certain point in time, he was like, I can't fight.
00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:32.000
Because I was like, I know who I am now.
00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:38.000
So if you want to see me as 2006 Charlemagne, that's that's that's your prerogative.
00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:41.920
But although it's 2026, that's that's where I'm at now.
00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:47.359
But you just have some people who are just comfortable with seeing you at a certain version where you are.
00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:49.519
And they don't see the you beyond you.
00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.319
Yeah.
00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:54.000
And then what I also realized there are some people like who you've grown up with.
00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:56.000
So it's just like, you know, telling me all amazing things.
00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:59.759
I'm traveling to Europe, you in the Netherlands, and you have your masters, and there are some people.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:04.480
Like who you may have grown up with or who know you, and it's just kind of like it's almost like that.
00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:07.200
How dare you think you can do all of that type thing?
00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:11.200
And then it becomes like super projection, and you don't know like where it's coming from.
00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:21.599
And it's like, well, I thought you know this would be like a cool thing, but that that's it's a lot of time, and I had to realize like it's it's not you, it's people projecting onto you.
00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:28.319
But shout out to my therapist for helping me realize that because I'm like, why are you bothering me?
00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.240
Leave me alone.
00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.279
Why?
00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.400
Yeah, yeah.
00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.319
I've been there, I've done that.
00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.279
Yes.
00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:38.079
So um, wait, where am I?
00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:38.799
Okay, boom.
00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:43.200
So is ghost a real person, a feeling, or a chapter in your life?
00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.319
A bridge.
00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:51.599
It is, I call it the bridge between the last album, which is Electric Kingdom Revolution, yes, and to where we're going now.
00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.119
Oh it's the prologue.
00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.160
I like that.
00:22:54.480 --> 00:23:02.720
It is where Electric Kingdom ended, where we were where that album was mostly talking about everything I went through in my teenage years and my 20s.
00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:06.880
This is like, okay, I know we're we're pulling the plug on this now.
00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.279
Right.
00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.960
Because I no longer want to feel this way.
00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:13.599
I no longer want to feel things about, you know, self-harm thoughts.
00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.680
I know I don't want to feel negative thoughts.
00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:18.160
I don't want to keep coming back to this.
00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:18.559
Right.
00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:20.240
I don't want to come back to this cycle anymore.
00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:22.079
So ghost is the is the bridge.
00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.480
Right.
00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:26.799
And where we're going next, something fun.
00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.319
Ah, I'm excited.
00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:31.119
Like, I just love your storytelling and just how you do everything.
00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.960
It's just just the way you set everything up.
00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.720
He's a professional, ladies and gentlemen.
00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:36.240
I am a professional.
00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:40.720
All right, so house music is having a major moment again.
00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:43.839
So why do you think people are reconnecting with music?
00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:45.279
Because people want to be free.
00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:48.559
Um, and I wanted to get back to the 2000s because you know we're both 2000s.
00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:48.960
Yes.
00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.640
I dress for the 2000s fixing.
00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:54.079
Listen, I still dress like I'm going to hot topic in Spencer.
00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.839
I remember that story.
00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.640
And game stuff?
00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.839
Spencer's still open?
00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.799
They're about to close.
00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.480
Get your stuff now while you can't.
00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.039
Oh my god.
00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.680
Get your stuff.
00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:04.480
Ain't nobody tell me nothing.
00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:06.799
Jeez.
00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:09.839
Just like nobody told me Rainbow instead of the mall was closing.
00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.920
I walked in and it was empty.
00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.119
No.
00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:15.200
Yes, they're returning to a hospital friend.
00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:15.759
Oh, Jesus.
00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.119
Ain't nobody tell me nothing.
00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.400
Ain't nobody tell you nothing either.
00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:18.960
Nope.
00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.519
Okay.
00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:22.799
But you know, in the 2000s, you know, we were going through recessions.
00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.400
We were dealing with 9-11.
00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.839
So people wanted to escape.
00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.400
Yeah.
00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.519
People wanted to escape.
00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.559
And let's go back even further.
00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:33.200
Let's go back to the 90s with like the like the rise of like the black house music.
00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:33.680
Yes.
00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:35.920
You know, Cece Penniston and Robin S.
00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.920
And I'm gonna give it to my girl in the UK.
00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.559
Sonic.
00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.119
Come on.
00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:44.400
Listen, I I want to make the music where people can just for a couple hours relax.
00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:44.880
Yes.
00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.920
Let your hair down.
00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:56.640
I tell people all the time, I was like, with things like how they are right now, like even when I choose from music that I listen to or things that I watch on TV, I hate to say it, but I was like, I like brain-numbing stuff.
00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:59.119
Like I just really want to like, because it's so much going on.
00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:06.720
Like when you got the TV on, the gas prices are here, this rent due, bill due, shark do, do the do, everything's always due.
00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.799
So like, like everything's due.
00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:11.359
So let me find a good series, and I'm just like, you know what?
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:11.759
Yeah.
00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:15.039
Like, what do you mostly watch when you so literally, okay?
00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:23.119
So I just finished um polygamy so never because everybody Oh friend, hold on to your head, you hold on to your head to that one.
00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:27.920
When I tell you Joseph, you stress me out, friend, but then she can my girl did her big one.
00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:31.440
But that um I just watched um Will I Find You?
00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:33.200
I Will Find You, or something like that.
00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.720
That is a limited series.
00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.839
That is good.
00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:38.000
Like the twists and turns on that, good.
00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.839
And then like Real Househouse of Atlanta.
00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:44.240
That's that's Real House Hearts of Atlanta and Love Island, which comes on a night tonight's movie night.
00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:47.680
Um, so that is like where I just my current happy place is right now.
00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:50.559
Right now, because I'm on I'm on a nostalgia ride right now.
00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:52.000
Yeah, I'm on Tubi.
00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.359
I love Tubi.
00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.319
People talk about Tubi.
00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.279
I got two movies on Tubi.
00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.400
I love Tubi.
00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.680
What's one movie on Tubi?
00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.400
I can watch it, girl.
00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.559
I forgot I gotta I can't remember the name of the book.
00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.519
Yeah, we'll talk about it.
00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.880
And I'm gonna put a shameless plugin right here.
00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:04.559
But Tubi, I'm watching Looney Tunes.
00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.440
Okay, you know what?
00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:07.279
It's funny, I leave Looney Tunes over like that.
00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:11.119
But then like I'm gonna watch it and I'm like, I remember this.
00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:13.359
Like, and you know what I started watching on Tubi too?
00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.559
The Powerpuff Girls.
00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:17.440
Yeah, because I love seeing them whip Mojo Jojo ass.
00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.559
Like, I don't know.
00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.000
Um, Blossom.
00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.599
But I do like buttercup too.
00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.160
Bubbles.
00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:25.519
Bubbles, you I youbbles is hardcore, man.
00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:28.000
I can see it.
00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:30.319
I like it with blossom and it's my girl.
00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:32.079
You know, it's not gonna be Beyonce.
00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.440
She's dangerous.
00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.559
She is.
00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:43.440
Okay, so I feel like Beyoncé's Renaissance uh sparked conversations about house music and black music and how well the black roots in house music.
00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:48.240
So do you feel like the industry is finally giving black creators their flowers in that aspect?
00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.599
Slowly but not enough.
00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.559
Yeah, that's how I feel.
00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.839
Slowly but not enough.
00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:57.920
Like, we need to go back and give everybody who's all the black artists who were sampled their credit.
00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:01.200
Everybody from Betty Wright, you know, the clean up.
00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.200
I was just talking about her today.
00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:05.759
Like I was just she did woman to woman, right?
00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.920
I was just like, I said, you know what?
00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.559
She's good.
00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:10.799
Cause if I did all this for a man, you could keep them.
00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.839
I'm buying his car.
00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.200
I'm even wrong about that.
00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.839
Like, you can keep them.
00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:16.880
Right, like literally, like, I'm you that house, I'm paying for them.
00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.400
I'm like, girl, okay.
00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.359
You doing too much.
00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:19.680
Right.
00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.799
You doing too much.
00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.480
Shout out to you, girl.
00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:30.079
But yeah, and I do feel like even um, I kind of feel like as far as I agree with what you're saying, and I feel like it's I definitely feel like it's slow.
00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:40.559
Cause I mean, even with the Palma Day Club in Charleston with the house music, and they have no black people, and I know black and brown people created house music, but what do I know?
00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:44.400
Listen, I hate going to spaces where I don't see us.
00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:44.720
Yeah.
00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:47.200
And it's just like it feels like it's only me.
00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.359
Yeah.
00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:50.160
Like, that's why I appreciate like there are spaces for us.
00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:52.240
But I like a little bit of diversity.
00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.640
Yeah.
00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.720
I mean, where where are the Asian folks?
00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.200
Right.
00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:59.519
Where are the, you know, where are the white people, the Asians, where are the Indians?
00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:01.440
Where are the Grecians?
00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.480
Where are the Koreans?
00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.119
Where is everybody?
00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:10.480
And the thing about it, when you're so well traveled, like how you are and you go places, you know that it's not odd to actually see a melting pot of all races.
00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:12.880
Especially not where my heritage is from, right?
00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:16.640
Because if everyone doesn't know that I am Trini.
00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.799
My mama's from Trinidad and Tobago.
00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.440
Oh, awesome.
00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:23.359
Yeah, so when you get a Trinidad and you know a Geechee man from like the low country together.
00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.400
Right.
00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.920
It's it's a crazy house, right?
00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.839
I was like, that's kind of a crazy house, right?
00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.039
But I love it.
00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:31.680
We in Trinidad there's a lot of diversity.
00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.960
You see everybody, right?
00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:40.799
You see, you know, Indians, you see white people, you see Asian people, you see, you see all kinds of people in Trinidad.
00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:43.200
And it's like, I'm used to diversity.
00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:43.839
Right.
00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:47.759
I don't like being the only person in the space where it's just one type of person.
00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:50.400
And then you realize it's like, oh, I'm the only one here.
00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.400
And it's like, uh, okay.
00:28:52.480 --> 00:29:01.039
I was talking about this um with Norway in my uh last interview, and I was like, it's like the um the token black person, but you didn't know you were the token until like you realized you're the only person there.
00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.799
I didn't realize that until 2008.
00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:03.039
Right.
00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:05.519
It's just like, oh, okay, got it.
00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:11.759
All right, so um honestly, what's one unpopular music opinion do you have?
00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:15.119
Oh, oh gosh.
00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:17.680
I've got a million.
00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:24.559
Um there are black pop boys out here, and we need to support them.
00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:27.599
We there are black pop artists out here.
00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:30.559
We do not have to be in the four black boxes.
00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:33.680
Like, literally, I'm like, I'm trying to think of black pop artists because I'm like this.
00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.880
Jason DeRulo.
00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.599
Oh, yeah.
00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.720
Jason DeRulo.
00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.160
Jason DeRulo.
00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:42.319
Um, there's a we got black Brazilians, we can call Brazilians Black.
00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:42.880
Yeah.
00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:47.200
So Kaui from Santos Bravos, who's currently performing right now.
00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:49.279
Go listen to that album Duel from Santos Bravos.
00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:49.759
Amazing.
00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.240
Really?
00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:50.880
Yes.
00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:56.960
Um we have so many black male pop artists, even though Seku, he's just had an album come out.
00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.240
He's a British black pop artist.
00:29:58.400 --> 00:30:01.279
JLS, so many black male pop stars.
00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.640
Chris Brown, we can count Chris Brown.
00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:04.480
I was like, okay, I feel like he's a pop sure.
00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:06.400
Because he's done EDM too.
00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:06.880
Yeah.
00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:12.240
There are black male pop artists, but we keep considering, oh, there's no pop or male pop artists.
00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:13.359
Did you go to the black ones?
00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:13.759
Right.
00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.799
You don't have to go to the cave.
00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:15.200
That's true.
00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.799
You don't have to go to the cave pop people.
00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.279
Right.
00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.799
We have black male ones too.
00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.559
And you know what's also so crazy to me?
00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:26.240
I feel like when it came down to like, okay, Beyonce crossing over the country was whatever, it was all his pushback.
00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:29.440
But Taylor Swift was country and she just flipped over to being pop.
00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.559
The red album.
00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:36.400
And like, I was like, oh, because I was like, for the look, you know, I'm not deep into Taylor Swift, sorry, Swifties.
00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.920
But like We love you though.
00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.480
Yeah.
00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:40.240
Like, but that's the thing.
00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:43.839
I was like, okay, she just transitioned over to pop so quickly.
00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.680
But yeah, but that's the thing.
00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:50.720
I feel like there are, like you say, it's not a lot of black pop male artists who get that spotlight.
00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:52.640
And it's not just, and I won't even just say male.
00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:57.200
And I and women too, but I was gonna say a lot of black women write for these pop artists.
00:30:57.440 --> 00:31:00.319
Victoria Monet, uh Seventh Streeter.
00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:03.039
Um, oh my gosh, because she was on the show on Netflix.
00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:07.680
It's so many, money long, like so many of them write for these white artists.
00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:09.599
There's a girl right now on on Instagram.
00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:11.359
I follow her, her name is Chica.
00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:14.720
She's a black artist who writes for K-pop artists.
00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.200
Really?
00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:17.440
Yeah, so she wrote butter for BTS.
00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.160
Are you serious?
00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:18.559
For real.
00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:24.319
She wrote for I mean it's just really RB music, but just a little just you know, just a little more tighter choreography.
00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:24.799
Yeah.
00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:32.160
If if Joe Jackson was an entire label, everybody would be getting it together.
00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:32.720
Exactly.
00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:35.920
All right, so you just don't make music, you build worlds.
00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:39.440
So where did your love for for creative direction come from?
00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:43.279
Um, I loved watching something like Making the Band.
00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:45.200
And I loved Loriette Gibson.
00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:45.920
I love it.
00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:48.000
Did you watch her interview with um I didn't yet?
00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:49.039
I only saw bits and pieces.
00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:50.319
Okay, it's really good.
00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.200
It's really good.
00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:58.319
I I love, you know, that like coming up with a concept, and I think also because I actually studied K-pop for like two years.
00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:58.640
Right.
00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.680
Before it became a thing.
00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.559
Before it came a thing.
00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:00.799
Yeah.
00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:04.400
Um I'm a I'm a second gen K-pop fan, so 21.
00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:12.079
Um, I love packaging concepts and actually developing these worlds and kind of crafting a story and a narrative around it.
00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.480
Yeah.
00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:14.079
So that's where that love came from.
00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.880
And anime.
00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.160
It's beautiful to see that.
00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:20.559
If someone could give you an unlimited budget for one music video, what would you create?
00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:23.279
I feel like you're gonna give us a thriller part two.
00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:25.519
No, no, no, no.
00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:29.599
If you gave me an unlimited budget, I'm giving you a whole movie.
00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:35.039
Not it's not gonna be like a three-minute music video, it's going to be at least about two hours.
00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.920
Oh my gosh.
00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:38.880
It's a two-hour video, and we're gonna do all the songs.
00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:39.680
I love that.
00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:43.519
I honestly I would love to just be in your world and just see how that would travel.
00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:47.039
I mean, Beyonce did it first when she dropped all those videos.
00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:49.119
So we're gonna do a full movie, but no.
00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.400
I think that'd be really cool.
00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.279
But yeah.
00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:54.000
All right, I got a couple of rapid fire questions for you.
00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:56.880
Favorite guilty pleasure TV show.
00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.960
Favorite guilty pleasure show.
00:32:59.039 --> 00:32:59.440
Ooh.
00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.559
Ooh.
00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:03.359
Call the Call the Midwife.
00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.240
I heard about that.
00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.200
Clearly, I need to watch it.
00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.240
I love British shows.
00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.359
Or, you know what?
00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.240
I'm gonna give you another one.
00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.599
Fab fab.
00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.640
Absolutely fabulous.
00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.519
I have not heard about that.
00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.559
Watch it on TV.
00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.440
Say less.
00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:15.680
Uh, what's one song that's always on repeat?
00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:18.319
Go the Distance by Hercules.
00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:21.359
Uh, what's the last concert you attended?
00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.799
Janet Jackson's together again tour.
00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.759
I know that was amazing.
00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.720
We'll talk about that later.
00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:28.559
Um, uh, Dream Vacation.
00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.559
Tokyo.
00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:32.640
What's one app you cannot live without?
00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:33.680
Instagram.
00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:38.000
If your life had a theme song today, what would it be?
00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:42.160
That changes every day.
00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.759
You know what?
00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:47.200
Right now, it's super by 17.
00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:52.240
Um, or it could be Scream by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.200
I do like that one.
00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:54.079
You got me there.
00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:57.279
All right, give me your top three pop artists.
00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:00.160
Prince, Janet Jackson, Don Richard.
00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:02.720
Give me your top three pop songs.
00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:07.599
Um poppy pop songs.
00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:10.800
That would be What About by Janet Jackson from the Velvet Rope album.
00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:13.599
Um, Diamonds and Pearls by Prince.
00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:14.000
Ooh.
00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:16.320
And Renegade by you know what?
00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.679
Reverse that.
00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:19.679
I just it just came in my brain.
00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:21.519
Sweet Melody by Little Mix.
00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.320
Mmm.
00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:24.239
You have a really good ear.
00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.679
You have an amazing ear.
00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:29.519
Is there any oh yeah, is there anything that I didn't ask you that you want to discuss?
00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.719
Hmm.
00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.960
You know what?
00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.280
Surprise me.
00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:43.360
But yes, so please tell the people how they can get connected with you, how they can stream you, look you up, all that good stuff.
00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.079
All right.
00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:47.280
You can find me at www.davidworld.us.
00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:51.039
You can also find me at official David Givens on all platforms.
00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:54.480
Real David Givens on X, but who really uses X?
00:34:54.800 --> 00:35:01.039
And go stream or buy Ghost right now on all platforms, including www.world.us.
00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:03.599
I'm just so proud of you and your growth and everything.
00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:07.599
So I will say my last question: what can we expect from you in like the next year?
00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:10.400
Where is David gonna be at in a year?
00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:12.480
I don't want to spoil anything.
00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.760
Okay, we don't have to spoil it.
00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:15.119
But I will give you a hint.
00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:15.840
Give me a hint.
00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.960
I love hints.
00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:21.119
If we're killing off the ghosts, then where do we go next?
00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.320
It's to paradise.
00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:24.400
Oh, I'm looking forward to it.
00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:26.159
Take me to paradise, friend.
00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:27.280
Take me to paradise.
00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:29.199
That actually is a lyric in the song, by the way.
00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:30.400
Oh, see, I'm a writer.
00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.280
Y'all don't even know it.
00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:31.840
Wow.
00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.400
Thanks.
00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:34.320
Uh, y'all can labels call me up.
00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:34.960
No, I'm kidding.
00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.079
It's Chris Kalen.
00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.840
Thank you for tuning to Princess Diaries.
00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:42.400
You can connect with me, Chris Kalen on Instagram, Facebook, the underscore Chris Kalen on TikTok.
00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:47.440
And make sure you're connecting with the Princess Diaries across all media platforms.
00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.960
Thank you so much for joining me.
00:35:49.119 --> 00:35:49.760
Thank you for having me.
00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:51.039
I'm so happy we got to do this.
00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:51.360
I know.
00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:51.920
This is amazing.
00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:53.039
This is a really good interview.
00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:54.880
I like people who like to talk wax to me.
00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.679
Yeah, thank you.
00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:57.360
All right, make sure you guys stay tuned in.
00:35:57.440 --> 00:36:01.360
And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure you rate it five stars and leave a comment.
00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.800
Thank you guys.