Twenty years ago, at 23 years old, I released an instrumental album called Beats For Lovers. This was mid-2000s South Carolina. Crunk ruled the airwaves. Club records dominated. The South was in a very specific sonic pocket, and soulful instrumental hip-hop wasn’t exactly the wave. But I wasn’t chasing what was hot — I was chasing what felt good.

When I made my first beat the summer of 1997 there was a fearlessness and strong feeling of necessity. It was like I was posessed and in my mind looping this record (Strawberry Letter 23 by Brothers Johnson) was the most important thing in the world. In fact, humanity was depending on me to loop this record over and over again on the first blank cassette tape I could find. As time presses on, adult responsibility and perceived expectation can be a real hurdle when it comes to

I really appreciate the memories that are attached to the music I make. Each track is like a timestamp—capturing what was happening in my life and what I was feeling while I created it. This project, in particular, brings to mind two friends: Grayson and Rhett. Funny enough, during the span of about a week, I happened to have conversations with both of them. And honestly, it’s never hard to get into a conversation about music with me.

Today is my birthday—my 42nd, my Jackie Robinson year. Normally, birthdays bring all the familiar feelings of celebration, reflection,...

Back in 2018 I was traveling down a rabbit hole on YouTube and Wikipedia. I started with Mike Tyson highlights and iconic moments which...

The Hilltop Glove Podcast interviews MIDIMarc