It has been noted before that along with its reputation for cars Detroit punches far above its weight as a center of music culture - dating back to Berry Gordy and the glory days of Motown, his storied 'motortown' label. Only Nashville rivals it in this sense. While many talented artists have arisen from or worked extensively in Detroit, it is perhaps a regionally ingrained tendency to collaboration and systemic thinking (a consequence of the town's highly networked industry) that made it a real force in music. Groups like B.O.S.S. Entertainment continue that tradition today. Its founders work with a variety of local musicians to craft some of the smartest rap jams the last decade has produced, and multi-genre live performances ground their sound in Detroit's subtle but distinct aesthetic principles. Independent reporter Lauren Thompson recently caught up with the fellows to talk about the various factors that gave rise to their current formulation as a group, and their plans for the coming year.
LAUREN: Let's just get this out in the open - what's the craziest thing that's happened to you in your music career?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: Great question! The craziest thing that happened to us in music was performing a song about rain at a music festival and... it actually rained! The awesome thing about that situation is that the crowd stayed outside under tents and walkways and continued to dance and party with us.
LAUREN: Your song ‘The Weekend’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: One word sums this up… humbled. We work extremely hard on our musical expression and to hear this on the radio receiving positive feedback humbled us. We are so incredibly thankful to God for this and other opportunities!
LAUREN: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: The inspiration behind our song 'The Weekend' was the concept of a release from everyday work stress. We at B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit work smart and hard, so after all of that work we definitely like to dance and party even harder and smarter... on the weekend!
LAUREN: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: Definitely! The main inspiration for our music is freedom, peace and positive living. Regardless of the genre, we like to present uplifting music that gives many different people hope and a smile.
LAUREN: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: We would describe ourselves as adventurous, risky, and innovative. We at B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit do not see limitiations of musical expression - rather we see infinite levels of expression. Additionally, we like to combine this innovation with a positive, free and peaceful message.
LAUREN: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit Our experience together has been one of committment, focus and cooperation. We definitely personify the word 'group'.
LAUREN: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: We all come from musical backgrounds. Some of us have been formally educated all the way up to and past college while others gathered experience from being trained by various family members. For example, one of our producers was trained by his cousin to be fantastic dance/hip-hop music producer.
LAUREN: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: Our biggest reward as artists is that our message has opened doors for others and encouraged them to freely express new thoughts and ideas. Our biggest challenge has definitely been mainstream music fans and corporations that seek to persuade or even force us to be something we're are not. Right along with that is the challenge of dealing with the many venues, clubs and other organizations that are not willing to build strong business ties with innovative artists.
LAUREN: Who are your role models in music?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: Our role models in music are many. The biggest one being God, of course because without God nothing is impossible. Outside of that, our influences include eighties pop artists such as Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Pet Shop Boys, and so many others. Jazz artists such as Miles Davis, Benny Green, and Count Basie. Of course modern musical artists such as The Black Eyed Peas, Skrillex, Kendrick Lemar, Junior Gong Marley, and Lupe Fiasco. Finally Detroit artists such as Eminem, Royce the 5/9, Kid Rock, Bob Segar, and Motown artists. This just a very small sampling of our role models and influences.
LAUREN: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: Our most memorable performance is a three-way tie. One is a local performance at an intimate jazz club where we had a huge sing-a-along to one of our original songs. Another is a performance where the electricity failed and we continued the show acapella and still had an impact in Dallas. Lastly, we had a magnificant experience at the Kalamazoo Island Festival where thousands of college students were fanatic about our original reggae song selections.
LAUREN: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: The main thing aspiring artists should know is that no matter what you must cultivate an original voice and keep developing it. Let nothing stop you! A good metric we use is this; when we receive a reaction to one of our tracks like 'hmmmmm... that's different', it tells us we have a bonified hit! Be sure to experience many different types of art and keep expanding your own.
LAUREN: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit: The next move for B.O.S.S. Entertainment Group-Detroit will be more releases that will be available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and many other online sites. We are currently working on some original dubstep-influenced songs. Lastly, we just informed one of our supporters RudeBoy Clothing about our Akademia Music Awards, so there will more than likely be a huge swing of support from both of these companies as we organize and continue our efforts.
LAUREN: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us about your history as musicians and ambitions for the future. The next year will be a great step forward for the band!
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