Ep. 12: Isaiah Weatherspoon: Inspiring Youth Through Art & Music

[00:00:00] One of me to do like a drum solo kind of at the end. I can't stop the feeling and at the end of the drum solo, I kid you not.

[00:00:08] I go back into the groove and in JT, he stops singing, turns around, he kind of gives me the nod. Like, like, points at me because you're not. I'm like, yo! Okay. Isaiah Weatherspoon, championstispodcast with Brianna Salvatore Dook and Chelsea Poppins, where we share

[00:00:35] the incredible stories of athletes and entertainers who are using their platforms to create positive change in the world and the communities they live in. We are so excited to welcome Isaiah Weatherspoon, who is a professional drummer and music producer.

[00:00:50] He's also a graduate of the prestigious Berkeley College of Music, which is the Princeton of Music Schools and the largest contemporary music school. In the world, he's an author of two children's music coloring books, music is cool and music is cool too.

[00:01:06] He's a content creator and most recently he was just nominated as a voting member of the recording Academy, which is a massive deal. Welcome to the podcast Isaiah Oh my gosh, I'm so happy and thankful to be here on this podcast.

[00:01:19] And I'm just looking forward to it. We're going to have a great conversation. This is going to be awesome. And if you're listening is out there, I hope you're ready. That's all I'm going to say. Let's go to be a good episode. Let's go. I love it.

[00:01:36] So we usually try to kick off and get a little bit more information on you, your story. And so we would love to hear how you first started getting into drums and how you kind of found that passion for music.

[00:01:50] All right, so that's a great question. For me, music kind of came early on both of my parents, their pastor.

[00:01:57] So and church music was like that was like one of the main parts of the service and I just remember always being gravitated to the music and especially the drum set. It was just something about the instrument.

[00:02:13] It was something about the rhythm that just kind of was so captivating and I just wanted to learn how to play that instrument. And one day, I think it was about two or three years old. This is a true story all.

[00:02:27] I was literally sitting in the car seat in the back seat of my car and I'm not my car, my parents car excuse me. They were playing a gospel record and I was literally just kind of tapping and like grooving to the music in the back seat.

[00:02:42] And both of my parents, they kind of had like a aha moment. Like why is our two year old son like keeping beat to this record? Like why is it sound like, why is it sound like, good? This is kind of a hit. Yeah, right, right.

[00:02:59] So that's what kind of you know started the whole drumming thing and by age four, my grandmother actually she purchased my first drum kit. It was a kidty drum kit, groove for cushions, drum set. It was all black.

[00:03:15] It had no high hat just one symbol and I beat the living crap out of that drum set and I will play the different records gospel of course at this time. And from then on, I just started to I didn't give up.

[00:03:29] I just wanted to keep you know cultivating my gift with the drums and it was something about it that I really love and till this day, I still do love it. So that just gives you all little back around of how I got started playing the drum.

[00:03:43] Dude, parents are so vital to like helping fuel your dreams and the things you want to do. Oh my gosh, yeah. Was there ever like I played snare drum in my career? My parents would always get so annoyed with me.

[00:03:58] Like I don't know, did your parents ever regret? Be like, oh, I don't know if we should have given them these drums. Some, yeah, yeah, yeah, sometimes after school, I will you know go right down to the basement to play drums instead of doing homework.

[00:04:12] So sometimes they will have to flick the light on and off or literally come downstairs and grab me off with a drum kit. So I could do mad and reading, you know. So that's really, definitely.

[00:04:25] I don't think they ever regret it at all because they saw like the passion and the drive I had for it. I really love doing it so they were very supportive for sure. That's awesome.

[00:04:39] Do you feel like so you grew up in the church both your parents were pastors and gospel music like heavily influenced. I'm sure your musical style but when you think about the musician that you are today, the producer that you are today.

[00:04:52] How has that background informed like how you show up as a musician in the world? Absolutely, I mean wow. That's a big question because I would say if we're talking about just drums alone for a second. There's something about gospel music where it's so versatile, you know.

[00:05:10] When you're playing gospel music, you don't realize that you're also playing so many fields, especially within modern gospel.

[00:05:18] I mean, you could play a gospel song that has like a driving rock groove or something that's more late back and slow like a ballot or you could play something as remotely similar to like a hip-hop groove. All those things kind of build your versatility within the instrument.

[00:05:38] So by the time I started getting you know introduced to other genres like rock blues, funk, country pop. I was already kind of familiar with those grooves because I was already playing those in church.

[00:05:52] That was my introduction. So it wasn't really much of a contrast between playing, you know, modern pop music and gospel music later down the road. And we're talking about music production. I mean, that kind of came to me later down the road like in my teen years.

[00:06:11] I really wanted a drum machine like I was just like really into those because I used to be like really into 80s hip hop and you know, to originate another drum machine and the role in TR 808.

[00:06:23] I just thought that was like so dope like how did they get those electronic, for cursive sounds with like you know rapping and and lyrics over top of it. And so that peak my interest to as well as drum.

[00:06:38] So I got my first little drum machine and I beat the crap out of that one as well, you know, but it was cool to like, you know, sequence my own drum grooves and patterns and kind of you know, create my own melodies over top of it.

[00:06:52] And that was my early introduction in the, you know, music production. I think that was something that wasn't gospel. This was, you know, early introduction in the hip hop and R&B. So it kind of all came full circle if I'm being honest. Yeah, definitely.

[00:07:09] You talk about kind of like mixing those different genres and kind of kind of like science experiment. You're like learning as you go. Did you take all of those skill sets as you went into Berkeley, like,

[00:07:22] I said, it's the Princeton of music schools. Like, did you take all of them to all into that experience? And what was that experience like when you got there? Was it what you expected? Oh, absolutely. What did, what was that like?

[00:07:33] Yeah, no, that's a great question. And Berkeley really is one of a kind like I enjoyed my four years being there. Class of 2019, woo, let's go. But anyway, anyway, anyway,

[00:07:46] I think it's just like being a student at Berkeley, elevated all of my prior experiences, knowledge and just putting the work in like one instrument and music production.

[00:07:58] Like, I didn't realize how many other career opportunities were available to me as a musician until I got in suburkly prior to getting into Berkeley.

[00:08:09] I thought that, wow, I just want to be like one of the best drummers that I could possibly be like in the world like and tour. Like that's all I really wanted to do.

[00:08:19] But when I got suburkly and I started getting introduced to, you know, things like ear training and harmony and arranging music production, like,

[00:08:31] and like how I can make a career out of those, you know, fields. It really kind of opened up my mind to, you know, other things other than just drumming. And that's when I knew I also wanted to take, you know, music production seriously.

[00:08:45] So I remember through prayer and also talking to my parents as well, they were kind of like an agreement with me, like, you know, son, you should go ahead and maybe pursue music production and engineering as a major.

[00:09:00] Other than performance because you've been doing that already and, you know, Berkeley being the great school that it is.

[00:09:07] Make the most out of it, you know, and I thought that that was the best route for me to take and I'll tell you today five years later, I do not regret it, you know, just kind of being able to converse, you know, the two worlds together.

[00:09:23] It's just been so beneficial to me today. I think that's that is such a testament to you because like a lot of people go to school and they don't apply themselves in this school.

[00:09:34] But it sounds like you went there and you took full advantage of the, like, just the opportunity to be there and learn as much as you could as possible.

[00:09:43] Like, that's that's crazy. That's like so good because majority of students don't do that. I know when I got to college, I was like, I don't fully know what I want to do in the sciences kicking my tail.

[00:09:56] You know, the crazy thing about being at Berkeley too is we, you know, we had to take, you know, science classes, physics classes, core classes like that too, which was a huge shock. You're like, I didn't sign up for that.

[00:10:08] Yeah, that's not up for that. That's just what it do music, but no, it wasn't like that, especially like the first two years. But just one thing to add to get it in the Berkeley that was like a dream come true for me.

[00:10:21] I wanted to get into that school since like, I was like in the fifth grade and the fifth grade. I wrote down like in a, like a notebook or something like that. Like I want to go to Berkeley and graduate. I said something like that. Yeah.

[00:10:39] And to see it, you know, coming to pass, I was like super thankful for that. And the relationships that I've made there also with other musicians, music professionals, engineers producers, creators.

[00:10:52] It's just been awesome. The kind of just meet them and also being that, you know, that world within as well. So yeah. Yeah, 100%.

[00:11:00] It was cool in our prep call as I remember you were chatting about like, I was asking you a little bit about, okay, what did you guys do for fun at Berkeley college? Yeah.

[00:11:09] I was like, I'm just bringing that on the weekend and you're like, we just go to each other's shows. And get to like, that's just such a different experience from what Chelsea and I had.

[00:11:20] And you know, I was joking that like in my head, Berkeley College of Music is like, step up vibes, you know, you got like the friends who's the DJ and other words, the drum hard. I think it's just so cool.

[00:11:33] Yeah, yeah, my younger brother, he's a great athlete and he graduated from E-line University class of 22. And he was an athlete there played the one soccer for four years. And it was funny just like hearing about his college experiences as opposed to mine.

[00:11:52] I call him and tell him, like, yeah, I'm going to show right now like I'm at my friend show. I'm about to do a studio session and I won't get out until four in the morning.

[00:12:01] And I feel like, yeah, like I'm I'm prepping for a game, you know, tomorrow. I'm going to bed. Yeah, I have to wake up right for yeah, I might walk through which is at seven a.m. That's right. Don't get sleep. That's right. That's right. Yeah.

[00:12:18] There's plenty hearing the differences for sure. Oh, yeah. So you kind of mentioned as a you said when you were 10, you had written down, you wanted to go to Berkeley College of Music. Is that also around the time when you knew you wanted to be a professional musician?

[00:12:33] Oh, absolutely. Yeah. But I think my lens of being a professional musician at that age, it was a more small mind it. I didn't realize, you know, the umbrella of being a professional music musician if that makes sense.

[00:12:51] Like, I didn't understand that you can do many different things under the umbrella. A professional musician, for example, like, yes, being a professional drummer but also music production, you know, composing music for other artists besides just yourself.

[00:13:11] You know, that could be one avenue or working as a session musician. That's something other. That's something completely different than like performing live, you know, these are like different categories. I just wanted to be like a touring drummer that was like,

[00:13:28] all I saw my favorite drummers doing on YouTube at the time and that's what I thought was the only thing available. But now, you know, at age 26, I see that there's so much more to do and even like sync licensing, which is making music for television.

[00:13:45] That's something I'm very interested in now and I actually get an introduced to now and my career. That's something completely different than sitting behind a drum kit.

[00:13:54] So these are kind of different examples that kind of tell the listeners like what I'm talking about when when I explain this. Yeah, it's not just one thing. Yeah, the dabble and like multiple different avenues and be creative in all these different ways. That's crazy.

[00:14:14] How did you how did you dip or tell into the production side of things? Was it what's you kind of just like, you know, like, what's this? And then you kind of just like went all in or how did that play out? That's a great question.

[00:14:25] I think for me one, it was playing music in a band. I'll go back. I'll backtrack for a second when I was like 13, I played and a blues rock group. It was called Riley Root.

[00:14:43] And we were my young rock man in the Philly suburban area and we did our thing. We made it, we made a record and it was cool air like on the local radio station. But during that time,

[00:14:57] I found that it was so fun composing, writing and creating music not only with myself but with other people. And that was like the aha moment for me as a teenager like,

[00:15:08] you know, yes, it was one thing to play the drums and to, you know, get as good as I possibly can. On my craft, you know, build my technical ability on there but it's another thing to make a song.

[00:15:22] It's another thing that to make something that people can remember, you know, when people hear that key or they hear that melody hit and it, you know, it takes them back to a time in their life where it's something good or bad or ugly or,

[00:15:37] you know, it, it, it peaks a type of a feeling or emotion out of a person. That was something that really kind of captivated my, you know, my mind and I would say it was that I'm moment for me

[00:15:51] and then also get in my first drum machine at age 13 too. I think it was those two experiences that let me and kind of peak my interest in the music production realm.

[00:16:06] And I have a stop since I think going aburcally that's just kind of elevated my interest and just kept going from there. Yeah, I do feel like there's a specific type of magic of getting multiple different perspectives when it comes to music. Like that's the collaboration of it.

[00:16:24] Like you were able to give two different, like multiple different perspectives in an order to create something that, like you said is super special and hits people's heartstrings it, it's really cool that you're into that because like I think of like, could I do that?

[00:16:39] I'm like no, like I don't have that skill set but that's so cool that you're just kind of combining every little piece of you into this production and learning how to compose it such a young age. Yeah, thank you. I mean, I think it just happened organically.

[00:16:55] So when you enjoy what you're doing, I feel like you not only experiment but you discover new possibilities and I think that's really a part of the creative process. Yeah, I think the creative process is messy honestly.

[00:17:13] It's messy but it can also breed new opportunities which is the rewarding part about it. You know, even though it's messy is not a straight line. It could be a slow most times that's low create something that's like a 180 degree line or you know,

[00:17:31] like a straight line of new opportunities, new doors and I think it like even you like reanna and Chelsea like with this amazing podcast like y'all both have an amazing story to tell as well.

[00:17:47] So it's led you to create this podcast as all created process is just like how we use our experiences to create something new and something valuable as well. So yeah, absolutely. It reminds me of even being on a team.

[00:18:03] I love one of my favorite things in the world that's saying a team like fire on all cylinders really. And it's similar to like the creative process of like doing a collaborative project when your team is all in sync.

[00:18:18] It's magic, you know, like everyone knows they're like making the reads or in the right spot. I like drive to the basket and Chelsea's in the corner for the kick out of three and she hits her shot. There you go. It's magic, you know what I mean?

[00:18:31] I know. I know. I just talked to the core. Come on now. I don't know like there's something so beautiful about the human experience and how we're made to be in community and like build and create together.

[00:18:43] And I know like sports are different than like music and the arts. I like I do think there's something that translates you know between, you know, these different mediums. Absolutely. And I will say there's also some similarities too.

[00:18:55] Like you've been on a team and you know kicking out the ball to Chelsea for that three like the same thing. For like me as a musician playing in a band. We all have to work together that's you know, give you that pocket. Give you that groove.

[00:19:12] Make the song as. I did find a name and a sense. Exactly. Is it different as this? You know. Like me being a drummer for example, I have to stare to groove.

[00:19:26] You know, if the groove is lagging or if the groove is speeding up and it's not right. And it's not right on the metronome for example, there's going to be some issues. You know, the bass players going to look at me like,

[00:19:38] Yo, why aren't you hitting the two and four the right way? You know? Yeah. Oh, no, that's never a problem for you. Oh, let me tell you listeners. Isaiah is fire. He is so incredible.

[00:19:51] We're going to link his YouTube channel and some of his clips to the show notes as well. But this man is absolutely phenomenal. I had the chance to see him perform in New York a couple weeks ago and I was so talented.

[00:20:04] And you're being crushed it, but like really seeing you kind of set the tone and kind of being the point guard out there in terms of like making sure everyone's on track and like directing the squad by keeping that rhythm is really cool.

[00:20:17] Yes, you got to be curting. You got to be Chris Paul. You know? Yes. Let's go. They got so good. For sure. I was just going to say thank you for coming to the show in New York. That was a dope time for sure.

[00:20:32] No, father. That was awesome. It was awesome. For sure. Well speaking of you being a professional musician, can you share what it means to be a professional musician? I don't think a lot of people know what the day-to-day life for you might look like.

[00:20:46] And I would just love to learn more about what the cadence of your typical year looks like. Whether it's like routine or chaotic or what is that look like for you?

[00:20:56] Oh my gosh. That is a great question because my experience so far is that being a professional musician, if we're talking time and schedule, I would say that my time and schedule really varies.

[00:21:10] You know? Sometimes, well okay. I'll give you an example. How about this? How about this? Like a year ago, I remember, you know, I was doing some session work at home and I was doing like a lot of home studio work. It was less like outside gigs locally.

[00:21:28] And you know, I had some time to also chill fall back see family and friends. But I randomly got a call one time and it was from sister slages people. And I'm like, what is this called?

[00:21:43] They call it, yeah. It's just casual like, hey, I say sister slages heading out to Singapore soon and a couple weeks. Do you think you can make it? Do you think you're available? So that just gives you a little example of what a professional musician could mean.

[00:22:02] One minute, you could be doing a lot of work from home. And then next thing you know, you can get a call from someone as iconic as sister slage.

[00:22:11] And they can call you and say, hey, I said, we need you to run tracks and play drums for us for this show. And by the way, that gig was amazing playing with sister slages out in Singapore.

[00:22:24] That was the first time that I played drums basically on the other side of the globe, you know, coming from a service. He's close. I wasn't nervous and I'll tell you why I was nervous at first.

[00:22:37] I was nervous, but I was ready. And I was nervous because sister slage. I don't know if you're ever heard we are family. I'm sure you have. But that's from the iconic sister slage.

[00:22:50] And you know, it was kind of another eye high moment when they're like, I say, can you play the group? Can you back us up on this iconic song that has been played? Literally around the world for years.

[00:23:05] It was kind of like that pressure like, wow, like this legendary group. They're placing the responsibility on me to hold that groove for them and then make sure that I'm playing it the right way. And then make sure that they're also comfortable on stage too.

[00:23:21] It was like, wow, this is a lot of pressure, but you know, I was ready for it though. I was ready for the task at hand. I remember we had, you know, a couple of rehearsals before the actual show hit.

[00:23:37] And those rehearsals were the time that Garrett and settle down, you know, with the music and with the material. And just a little tip for any musicians that are listening on the podcast right now.

[00:23:52] If you're ever, you know, getting ready for rehearsal, I would say definitely listen to the material practice shed to them music before that rehearsal because that'll just make you look 10 times better when you actually go to that rehearsal and you're like, oh, I noticed.

[00:24:09] Oh, I know that core change. Oh, I know that that bass lick. I know how to smack one, you know, the cores in the comeback to the verse, bring it down. You know the dynamics like the song is already like and embedded in you, you know.

[00:24:23] So I would say that that's one piece of information that kind of like, you know, help me. I listen to we are family and greatest dancer for example before that rehearsal. I'm like, how does that, how does that transition go. And that's what helped me so.

[00:24:39] That's great advice because like, I mean, that translates for more than just like the music for anything like if you get a big opportunity like that you better show up like 1,000 per cent. Right into go.

[00:24:51] Because you want more opportunities like that you're not just going to show up and be like, I got this like, I have some new John good in John Wood and baby he said preparing for failing to prepare is preparing to fail, but honestly, Oh, great. It's true.

[00:25:05] It's true. That's so true. And I was, you know, really thankful that they were able to call me back even after the Singapore date. They called me for a few more dates. We did some hits in New York as well. And now was a great time too.

[00:25:20] And then we also have another hit coming up very soon, actually, and Boca return Florida. So I'm looking forward to backing them up again and just having a good time. Yeah. Hopefully get some some content out there too while I'm out there. So yeah. We love that.

[00:25:38] That's awesome. It's just your sledge the fit your favorite artist you've worked with or are there any other artists that you've really loved getting to collab with and work with? Absolutely.

[00:25:46] I would say that's like the one of the biggest and most iconic artists that I've worked to just like their the pedigrees is just over the roof and, you know, them as musical artists like they speak for themselves. They're music, excuse for itself. The honestly does.

[00:26:03] Well, I will say one other cool experience that I've had was getting the opportunity to literally play the drums for just in Timberley for my Berkeley graduation. That was awesome. Wow. That was great. Easy. I'm like, is that JT? Let me tell you a story, listeners like.

[00:26:24] That's definitely before you got his to you, Iris. You're well, yeah. The investor. That is true. Yeah. We love JT. It's okay. JT is great. Absolutely phenomenal. But this was back in 2019. He was actually receiving an honorary doctorate from our

[00:26:44] college and we did a concert to honor him and Missy Elliott as well. Oh, my gosh. Yes. Yes. And also Alex Lackamore. He's a part of Hamilton. Yeah. And that was amazing. And I remember I was playing the drums. We were playing can't stop the feeling.

[00:27:04] We were going in and JT literally. He walks on stage. He grabs them and he starts singing while we're playing. And I'm like, what is this real right now?

[00:27:16] And then literally like at the end they like want to me to do like a drum solo kind of at the end. I can't stop the feeling. And at the end of the drum solo, I kids you not. I go back into the groove and then JT.

[00:27:30] He stops singing. He turns around. He kind of gives me the knot. Like points at me. Yeah. I'm like, yo, okay. I just say he's got it like that. No, I'm taking T. JT. JT not on a really. I'm like, all right. All right. Thank you, God.

[00:27:47] I'm not so big time. You know that you've arrived when JT is like giving you props, giving you flowers. No, that was crazy. That was an amazing experience. Just get into play. That's something. Missy. Yeah. You played for Missy also? Yeah. Missy, she was there.

[00:28:05] She was on stage as well. She wasn't. She wasn't like singing or rapping or anything like that. But dance a little bit. Yeah, she definitely danced a little bit. She got the most. Yeah. She had on this dope. It was like this fly versus you like jumpsuit.

[00:28:19] Like that thing was why. I love it. I love it. It was fun. Okay. Talking about your journey from that point switching gears just a little bit. Oh yeah, let's do it. So how long have you been a professional musician would you say?

[00:28:38] So I would say for about pushing five years now. Yeah. Okay. Since I graduated college, I've been a professional musician for sure. Mm-hmm. So I'd love to hear like some of the biggest hurdles.

[00:28:51] Some of the biggest challenges that you have faced getting to this point in time in your life with all the practice and all the all the work that I took to get here and how are you able to overcome those challenges.

[00:29:02] You tell me a little bit about that. Oh yes. I can. Because there definitely has been hurdles as well as some really great experiences too. But some hurdles that I faced, I think for me like life right after college.

[00:29:18] You know, I was used to being a college student just going day by day. Oh, I have class then after class. I have a rehearsal and then a show everything was kind of already planned out for me.

[00:29:29] And I think after graduation once I received that degree, it looked great. It looked great once I when I received it. And it was major accomplishment, but I think one thing was tough was like, okay, what do I do now with this music degree?

[00:29:45] How do I apply this to the real world and that was hard at first, you know, I didn't know. Basically how was going to kind of start my career and kind of transition from being a student to a real life professional musician.

[00:30:02] And you know, there were sometimes when I'm like, dang, this is a very, you know, an orthodox feel because it wasn't like I went to law school or you know school school to be a doctor or anything like that.

[00:30:15] You kind of got to make this thing happen on your own and what I did. I started going to, you know, jam sessions, I started going to open mics and I just started to play with different musicians.

[00:30:31] And I was kind of my introduction to starting this whole network and thing with being a professional musician. And it was hard at first because I didn't know how how gigs would come, I didn't know how was going to connect with new people.

[00:30:46] It was really tough but I just started putting myself out there and I think that was my best bet put in myself out there not being able to meet new people and also perform at new places.

[00:30:59] I started once I moved back home from Boston, I moved back to Philly as a young 21 years old young lion and I just threw myself out there and slowly but surely I started to network with other musicians, other singer songwriters, producers.

[00:31:21] And what happened was they needed drummers for new events, new gigs that were happening around the city of Philadelphia.

[00:31:31] And I would say yes to almost everything at that time, you know anything, yeah you got to anything was helpful anything was like that that stepping stone and any opportunity that I got. You know I tried my best to put my foot through that thing.

[00:31:51] Yeah and and really capitalized on that opportunity and over time you know the gigs they started to grow over time my name really started to get out into the city and I was and then I will fast track you know.

[00:32:07] A few years later with social media I would say social media is another big aspect with the gigs I started to take my camera with my tripod.

[00:32:18] I had a Canon T7 and also my iPhone and I would try to get drum drum solo footage or photos and me grooving on the drums and I would post it on IG and take time.

[00:32:31] And from then that's when you know my following started to grow more and then more people started to hear about me and my work and that's when my network really grew was when I started.

[00:32:45] I was in a weird situation to like step into like have to hype yourself. Yeah, like recording yourself and you're like. Yeah, it's got what you got to do to get your talent out there.

[00:32:56] Absolutely and I was never and still to this day it is always weird like talking about yourself or kind of doing like showing yourself out there almost it felt like bragging at first you know it's like look look at me look at me but it wasn't really about that it's like okay you have to showcase your work.

[00:33:14] You're a build-in your your your professional skills out into the world so that you could be more marketable and that's really what that was and that's still what is. If I'm being honest. I think breed breed we went at the NBA all-as-er weekend.

[00:33:30] I'm a breed and I were going around and breed is the best at like a 30 second elevator pitch for herself and for like me.

[00:33:38] Like we we we we we we're going around we would be going around people and to be like and this is Chelsea she's a former WMBA player went to Iowa state like had my whole like.

[00:33:47] Why you all buy a career in that like quick little introduction I was like band band band but it feels so weird like as pretty like breeze so good at it but she obviously took practice.

[00:33:58] But but for if you haven't done that before and you're introducing yourself and and like your accolades like up first like it's so difficult to kind of get past that like vanity. Yeah, hurtful exactly.

[00:34:10] Yeah, it's interesting I've worked with a lot of professional athletes doing their brand strategies and creating their you know there are holistic brand strategy which includes how you show up on social media.

[00:34:22] And it's it's very it is a little bit uncomfortable to be self-hype until like showcase your skills but honestly it's kind of.

[00:34:31] A massive part of how the music and the sports industry works today being able to showcase how amazingly talented you are and not only like of course you can use it for self-hype things but in the same respect like.

[00:34:45] I say like you champion so many different causes and we're going to get into that next but being able to when you have a big platform now you can use that platform to also create that positive impact in the community to share that love and light but.

[00:34:58] I think yeah there's a level of like this feels weird and so my being show body but yeah just a way you can do absolutely like putting yourself out there in general because sometimes be like.

[00:35:11] You know daunting or like oh my gosh, am I really doing this because.

[00:35:16] You know on the flip side you never know really how people will take your piece of content maybe it all yeah there's been some pieces of content where I feel like maybe you know the my audience didn't really like it as much as you know another piece of.

[00:35:31] I think that's a lot of content or whatever you put out there and just got to like roll with the pun punses and realize also that it's part of the business, you know. Yeah exactly I think I think sometimes the biggest circle is.

[00:35:46] I'm sort of being scared of what your inner circle is going to say when you start posting war about you because it's like it's people know. Yeah, what are you doing. and influence are now. Right, right, really that. I'm like, oh, I'm excited.

[00:36:04] But as they all in the real wanted to talk a little bit, you know, our podcast is called Champion This. We are highlighting champions of change across sports and entertainment industry and you really are that in every essence of the word. Well, thanks.

[00:36:18] So want to talk to you about how you do use your platform as a professional musician and producer to have that positive impact in the community. As a little bit of a spoiler, we know you're an author to two children's books, children's music coloring book. Yes.

[00:36:34] Music is cool and music is cool too. But yeah, tell us about how you use your platform to get back to the community. Absolutely. I think the coloring books that that I published are two great examples. Music is cool and music is cool too.

[00:36:47] And what really peak my interest and creating my own book is because I really wanted to find a way to give back to the youth and empower the youth as well through music in the arts. And I thought that especially in the filly area,

[00:37:06] I think that music in arts can be and you know, more immersed in the charter and public school system as well. Just in the whole education, no system for for for the youth. And I thought that creating a coloring book which is be an amazing way

[00:37:21] to kind of infiltrate that into the education system. And so I'll backtrack a bit and around like 2020, 2021. That was the time where I really wanted to create my first coloring book. And this was during the time of the pandemic. We all know how weird that time was.

[00:37:43] We didn't know what was going to happen during that time. And we were all at a standstill, honestly. And I would say one good part about the pandemic was we had time to think and also time to create.

[00:38:06] And that was the time where I just wanted to create the book. I think we all had time to do that and we were on the house. And that was open. And so that was a perfect time to publish it,

[00:38:21] get it out on Amazon and see what happens. And I wanted to create an IG video one time, Instagram video. And I made like a real with my camera and created like a little theme song

[00:38:35] and I had one of my good friends, Lexi, who also is a Berkeley alum. I had her sing on my theme song for the coloring book. And I was like, let me try this. This will be something that I just don't know. This is interesting.

[00:38:53] And I ended up putting it on Instagram, seeing how it goes. And my friends and family, they started sharing it. They were so just intrigued with the fact that I was a musician. But I put it out of the coloring book.

[00:39:10] My parents, they also shared it with the church and stuff like that. And from then on, I just started to sponsor it on Instagram, get it out there, get it out there, get it out there. And it did really well.

[00:39:23] And I was shocked because this was, you know, an experiment almost. It felt like a creative experiment which turned out something to be something so fulfilling. Because if I fast forward a year later, it was so cool having the opportunity to go to different schools,

[00:39:44] churches, recreation centers and showcase the book and talk to the youth and talk about music and life and talk about their interest and what their interest did in just empowered in. And with this coloring book, I thought it was also cool to kind of

[00:40:04] bring that educational aspect in there too. And music is cool and music is cool too. There's also some music theory lessons like basic music theory, like your eighth note, your quarter note, what it is, what it does and just using those small examples for the youth,

[00:40:23] like children to color in. I think like the hands on aspect was so dope. Like the hands on aspect of then being able to color in and also read like like re and color. It's something about using like the hands on tangible aspect

[00:40:41] while also learning at the same time. I thought that they would be able to grasp the information even quicker too. So it's been awesome journey thus far with the coloring book and who knows we might create a third one, who knows, who knows y'all.

[00:41:00] I do they do say like the more senses you can involve in that education, the more likely you are to absorb the things, whether that's like the look, the feel, how it makes you feel, what you're reading, what you're hearing, all of those different senses. Absolutely.

[00:41:17] We're going to stick with them. But you also mentioned kind of like you pursuing your passion is an unconventional unorthodox lifestyle and you also wanted to inspire young kids to take an unorthodox route. Can you speak on that a little bit more? For sure.

[00:41:35] So, what do I start with this? I feel like like a few years back and even now, still think about this. How I one of the try control every part of my life,

[00:41:51] life, whether that be what I'm going to eat today or even, you know, a career or what I'm going to do in the next five years. It's some things that we just cannot control. I'm going to say that again, it's some things that we just cannot control.

[00:42:09] But I will say, facts. Yes, thanks for sure. You just never know what life brings but end the same regard. If you're diligent at what you do and there's something that you love and you really

[00:42:23] have a passion for it, I say, especially if you're young like, do what you can and work as hard as you can to make that dream or reality. And the past five years, that's kind of been my goal and mission is to do that.

[00:42:42] And it's like when the doors finally do open, I just feel like it's so much fulfilling for you when you're operating in your purpose, you're doing something that you love to do and this is what the podcast is about champion this. Hey, let's go.

[00:42:58] But besides that, I'm just saying like when you find your purpose and you're able to walk in fulfillment and you know, do what you love and eventually make a living off of doing that, I feel like that's just like 10 times better than, you know, maybe taking

[00:43:17] the safe route of things and always having that kind of thought in the back of your head like what would have happened if I would have pursued my dreams, you know, it's like try it first.

[00:43:32] And you may fail to first sign but try it again, take yourself up and I would say also like I got to think, God too, just for even the opportunities that have opened thus far

[00:43:45] and just like him instilling the internal drive and foundation, and me to even go full throttle these past few years, you know, with in music and also having a great support system too. He's given me that with my family. They've been a huge support system.

[00:44:04] So I will say that too. And they put the sticks in your hands. Yeah, they put the sticks in there. They put the sticks in there. They truly did. They truly did and allowed me to play when they were extremely annoyed upstairs. That's the show. That's so real.

[00:44:20] So powerful. So I was there, like this thing about I think purpose and passion and similar to you, Chelsea and I both share a faith in God as well. And I think like, yeah, for Chelsea and I as well, and like I know that God made

[00:44:38] me with purpose and he's given me. Each of us have been created so uniquely with our own gifts and our own talents and our life experiences and all that informs our purpose and how we show up in the world.

[00:44:50] And it's it is courageous to chase after that purpose until lean into, okay? Who have I been made to be? How do I show up in the world? Because I think sometimes I can just get people can steal your dreams and people can kind

[00:45:03] of damn your lie and push that down. And so like the work that you're doing is so inspiring and in your manifesting through your coloring book and just how you show up in the world is massive.

[00:45:16] I think you living into your purpose and passion, unlock that another people too. Because it gives other people courage to say, okay, I don't have to, you know, I can do something that's unique and different because I know this work God made me do. Absolutely.

[00:45:28] I absolutely love it. Absolutely. Thank you so much. And I agree with you 100% Brianna and I do also want to say like, I do agree with you. As well that it does matter who's like in your corner, who speak into, who's like speaking

[00:45:42] into you because if you had, like we all have people that influence us and we all have people that we listen to or maybe go to for support or advice. We all have that and it does matter.

[00:45:56] And you know, it does matter to have good people and your circle. But I hope that whoever's listening to this podcast right now, like you really hear me when I say like, like definitely pursue your dreams or whatever you feel like God has put

[00:46:13] into you and still it into you to do like definitely pray about it first always but then like to just try it. Just try it. Just do it. Don't don't be paralyzed by fear, you know?

[00:46:27] And I'm telling myself that too because sometimes, you know, nerves kick in, sometimes there will be days where you know, you might feel a little fearful what might happen or things might be unpredictable for sure. I'm a musician. I'm telling you 100%.

[00:46:48] There's been many days where life has felt unpredictable, what is life? Okay, what's the end goal? The end goal is to, is the mission and the purpose and not to get too biblical either but you know, there's a passage and the Bible that really resonates with me.

[00:47:05] It hits hard and it talks about, you know, in Jeremiah, 29 and 11 I believe it talks about how God he has plans to prosper us. You know, so it's like at the end of the day like if we're going, you know, if we're

[00:47:22] pursuing our purpose in our passion, but what and what God has given us, like the end goal is prosperity at the end of the day anyway because it already says it in the word, cool. Now like he's just got to operate in the prosperity.

[00:47:39] Come on, so you can cross up somebody, you know, do that step that green? Hit the game winner, you know? Yes. I hope that makes sense. Speaking of prosperity, we're going to fast forward a little bit to you getting voted into the recording academy two weeks ago.

[00:47:59] Oh my God. That's tremendous. That's incredible. Like obviously you put a lot of work into getting to that point and having that platform and like just being able to use the platform that you have now. Like, what does that feel like?

[00:48:13] What does that mean to you and how do you plan to use that platform in the future? Well, as far as how I feel about being selected as a voting member for the recording academy, I feel extremely extremely thankful.

[00:48:28] When I was 14 years old, I had the privilege to go to Grammy Camp was actually funded by the Grammys in the recording academy and it was like a week long program for young high school students to learn about the music industry and also visit the recording academy business

[00:48:49] chapters. So we got to go to inside of the recording academy building and see what they do and how they vote and that whole aspect of things. And I remember talking about wanting to be a recording academy member one day when I was 14. So, not that I'm 26.

[00:49:10] It's just like a surreal moment. You know, it's all coming full circle. And I was just extremely thankful. I'm excited to see what new doors open as a result of being in this amazing academy. With other amazing creators and producers, engineers, music professionals.

[00:49:34] But I also want to use this amazing platform to find the way to basically uplift the local community, music community here in my area in the Philadelphia area. However, that looks I'm still thinking and praying on that. But I know that is possible for sure.

[00:49:56] And I'm just looking forward to see what new possibilities that come out of this amazing opportunity. Yeah, that's big. And just to clarify for our listeners, like, what does it mean? Well, I can try to explain and then maybe are going to explain it better.

[00:50:13] But essentially being a part of the recording academy has a voting member is literally Isaiah votes on who gets grimmies, which is a big time. So, you know, your favorite artist, Pion say whoever is up for a Grammy and Isaiah gets to determine whether or not they become.

[00:50:31] You hit it on the, yeah, you hit it right on the head. Is that right? That's right. As a voting member, I'll have the amazing opportunity to, okay, basically I'll put it to you like this. My vote counts on which artist get nominated or selected for a Grammy.

[00:50:51] So I'm looking forward to being a part of the process. That's so good. Well, just to kind of switch it up a little bit before we're getting ready to wrap up here.

[00:51:02] But wanted to hear when we think about your next 10 years as an artist or just your career in general, like, what are some of your dreams? What do you, what are you envision yourself doing in the future? Oh my gosh, that's a, that's a great question.

[00:51:15] I look forward to giving back more to the youth through music, whether that be more coloring books. We'll see. But that'll be one way. It will be cool to basically visit different schools, programs and talk to the youth as well as

[00:51:33] maybe do clinics and master classes for them, as well as colleges and other institutions. And then also to just grow my social media and just my overall platform as a musician. I'm looking forward to continuing on that journey as well.

[00:51:51] I'm looking forward to also getting into St. Licensing, which is basically making music for television as things like that. I'm looking forward to growing my career in that aspect as well as a music producer and also making

[00:52:08] more music of my own being on the lookout for that as well as other artists too. Yes, yes. Oh you know I'm already on the lookout. Let's go, let's go. And yes, yes, you know,

[00:52:21] I feel like we'll see what happens in 10 years but those are a few things that I'm just looking forward to putting my, my feet in. I love this. Thank you. On the lookout for the coloring books, we'll also link those in our show notes. Thank you.

[00:52:37] You guys can go purchase some and be on the lookout for any others in the future. Absolutely. Cool. Well we finish up every episode with the question for our listeners of do you have

[00:52:50] any words of advice for our listeners looking to use their talents and passions to make the world a better place? Absolutely absolutely. Um whoo, where do I start? I mean, I would say if you have the ability and the opportunity to

[00:53:07] pursue what drives you, what you feel like fulfills you, go and pursue that dream like just go fool throttle with it like and have fun while you're doing it. For me, I love what I do.

[00:53:24] Sometimes it feels like work but not all the time does it feel like work. It fills more like something that I enjoy and I feel like that's a piece of my life that's very fulfilling and

[00:53:37] I feel like if I can do it, you could definitely do it too. Whatever that is, that's inside of you. Definitely pursue it if you can. So that's one piece of advice that I can give to the listeners

[00:53:52] love that. That's a great word I say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So before we let you go, we are going to end the podcast with our lightning round.

[00:54:04] Hey, let's go. Yes, it's a little drum roll. So you have just a quick four questions and you have like 30 seconds maybe last answer each of those. Okay. So are you ready for this? Okay. I think

[00:54:17] so let's do it. Game face on. Game face on. I got my unique face up and everything. Let's do it. Let's go. All right first question, who is the best drummer of all time? Oh my gosh,

[00:54:29] I can't tell you who the best drummer of all time is but I could tell you some of my favorite, my all-time favorite drummers. There's like over a hundred but I'll give you like five

[00:54:43] of the most influential drummers. Like five, Vinnie Colle you to is one. He is one of my favorite drummers. He's played with sting, amazing drummer plays with dynamics. He plays with traditional grit make mainly where it's like you put the stick between your middle finger and your pointer

[00:55:04] finger and then the stick goes through your thumb. That was really detail. I don't know why it's just told you that. But I don't know why it did that but from my drummers out there that's listening

[00:55:18] you know what I'm talking about so that's not that bad. You said your dad was sitting here like tell see you play snare you might know. I was a one true triplet and then I gave it. Okay,

[00:55:33] I feel you okay. So maybe not but Vinnie Colle you to is one Chris Coleman is another one he's a beast he's still playing right now. He's also a minor symbols artist a him and I both minor

[00:55:45] symbols artists and he's one of my favorites that I've watched growing up. Another one is Jojo Mayor he's another great drummer of mine because of his technique with his feet in his hands.

[00:55:58] I love Tony voice there he played with Jaycee for a while. I just love his intensity on the drums his speed on the drums like he's just a beast and I'll give you one more let's see Chris Dave

[00:56:13] he's actually another one of my favorite drummers too because after like he was one of the most influential drummers in the past 10 years right now. I mean he was one of the first drummers I've seen

[00:56:26] use a snare as a floor Tom like what and the world is going on. So from my listeners out there definitely check out Chris Dave and fun fact I actually got a cool opportunity to meet a man

[00:56:42] in a vent out in New York a few years ago he actually watched me play and I was like nervous and excited at the same time but at the end he gave me the headnut and we shook hands and funny

[00:56:56] enough him and I actually had the same birthday so that was cool too. We had a dope conversation that we took a picture together so that was the love that I love that. Well you're in my top five

[00:57:07] for sure. Hey thank you so much Travis Parker's up there okay okay like 180 to come in okay nice all the small things right okay next question Chelsea take it off.

[00:57:21] Yeah what athlete are you most like when you drum oh that's a good question listen I think right now I'll say Tyre's Maxi he plays for the Philadelphia 76ers he's young and a judge ready to kill

[00:57:39] it every time he hits the court and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this upcoming NBA season with Paul George now being on the sixes now with Joel and D and Tyre's Maxi that's

[00:57:54] going to be a dope trio and I'm looking forward to going to those basketball games so I got a shout out Tyre's Maxi and let's say I think my playing styles is similar to his

[00:58:07] his dry well tag him yeah let's do it all right next question how did you get the nickname spoon oh my gosh that's a great question actually one of my friends from from Filly he was going

[00:58:25] to Berkeley along with me and he started it he started just one friend he called me spoon one time in the calf the calf was like where we all hung out in eight and even had concerts and it was like

[00:58:40] yo spoon you go into the pizza station I'm like ill and once he screamed the name spoon out then all my other friends and peers and colleagues even professors started calling me spoon

[00:58:56] and then it just became like my artist nickname people just started calling me spoon well as soon as you reply to it then yeah what's it like what happened it was like what's he like

[00:59:07] knowledge it everyone else they kind of raised their eyebrows it was almost like they're like he's like hey yo spoon did everybody else and they kept kind of like raised the eyebrow like okay like is this the moment this was the aha moment for everyone

[00:59:25] that's great yeah that was hilarious okay we so far last question we have what is the most epic show you've been a part of as an artist and you've mind to already talk about it but if

[00:59:36] there's another one that comes in mind to be gone it yeah I think thus far the single poor show has been my most epic show thus far that was so amazing being able to travel literally across the

[00:59:48] globe I think the flight itself was about 20 hours we stopped in LA and then had like a five-hour layover and then from LA to Singapore and there was also a 12 hour time difference from

[01:00:03] Singapore to the East Coast so the jet lag was real but just that whole experience was amazing while it was out and while I was out in Singapore the show that we played for was actually a

[01:00:17] cardeer event like the expensive jewelry line and we played on a stage at like this like really like rich venue and it was like models modeling the the jewelry and stuff like that and sister sleds

[01:00:34] was also on stage and that was just like an amazing experience for me so I would have to shout out Singapore for this and that was just amazing opportunity still to this day

[01:00:48] guys I think did you get some jewelry did you get some ice no I wanted some ice I wanted some shades to be honest good I saw a dream on green rock in these cardeer shades one time

[01:01:00] think was it on GQ I forgot what what it was on but I wanted some shades but no they did bless us with a cardeer pen no so that was cool yeah but that's cool maybe I can

[01:01:13] sign a future contract you're so optimistic like I gave us a sign that's fun to see get that ice with your pen yeah right right with my cardeer pen you're cool thank you for the

[01:01:24] blessing yeah well as they it has been an absolute pleasure having you on the show you have such a powerful story you are a powerhouse and every sense of the word yeah so for our listeners we're gonna link Isaiah social media profiles his website

[01:01:44] resources to the coloring books all the resources that we noted in the pod will be linked to the show notes and yeah you can follow along his journey by following him on

[01:01:55] his social handles and taking a look at his website and if you like this podcast like share follow yeah go ahead don't be scared don't be afraid and I got it I got a thing Chelsea and Brianna

[01:02:08] for just being so hospitable and just being so welcoming on this podcast has been an amazing time and an amazing conversation so yeah