00:00I started when I was 13 like really in the industry and pursuing being an artist and I just got hit
00:14with a lot of rejection on the way mostly because of being Mexican and black I think and just not
00:19being ready you know just needing to grow as a person and you know obviously as an artist but
00:25I wrote a song called Sure Thing that I didn't intend for anyone to hear and it made it to Mark
00:31Pitts ears over at Jive and that's really where it all began you know he's the person that signed me
00:38to buy Storm and Jive and so here I am my biggest champion in this industry 100% hands down has been
00:44Mark Pitts to be completely honest not to discredit any of the people that have just been with me along
00:50the way and have just been believers but it wasn't until Mark Pitts really got involved that
00:55you know other people just really started to pay attention and and he's just man he's been such
01:03a great mentor and big brother and just you know stand-up guy funny guy like you can't you know
01:08hands down just just a stand-up guy. All I Want Is You came about in Miami Salam Remy you know I got
01:18the chance to work with Salam Remy and like I'll never forget just being in this room and and knowing
01:23his music and knowing who he's worked with and just growing up on you know the Fugees and Nas and just
01:30being so inspired by these artists and knowing that he was behind the music it was a little daunting.
01:35Musical influences include David Bowie, obviously Michael Jackson, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown,
01:43Biggie, Pac, Tribe Called Quest, Lumb Village, J Dilla, Kraftwerk. The range of music that I was you know
01:54able to listen to is pretty pretty broad so we've got a really big tour which is super cool. Mary J Blige,
02:02Jasmine Sullivan and myself are going out this this October so me being the only guy on the bill
02:09I'm sure it's gonna be a lot of fun. Mary J Blige is just a legend you know I mean she's just one of
02:16one of the most inspiring honest artists you know in urban culture and and I just have so much respect
02:23and she's so just so cool um and Jasmine just her voice is ridiculous I got a chance to catch her
02:30on a show recently and I mean just the way she projects is just amazing so I have a lot to learn
02:35it's my first tour I'm excited man I'm really excited. What up what up Fly World this is Miguel
02:41and you are watching Essence TV stay tuned.
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