Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Groovyie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Groovyie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My latest album, ‘Brown Skin Baby’, has by far been the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. The title has been an idea I’ve tossed around with friends for years now, and even I didn’t really understand how much depth such a title had. I knew I wanted to make an album that explored so many complexities of my identities; Brown, Queer, Masculine but sensitive, fearless but hurt. And I also wanted to make a project that sonically was more easy to digest. This album allowed me to be honest with myself about my sex addiction. It allowed me a space to explore the dynamics of the relationships between my only brother and I, my mother and I, my father and I. It allowed me a place to tell my friends that I’m hurt that our relationship has changed since I became a musician and moved to LA. This album was really just a space for me to start to really figure myself out, and in return I also found my lane as an artist.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who haven’t encountered me before, my name is Groovyie (pronounced groo-vee). I’m a Hip-Hop recording artist/producer from the Inland Empire in Southern California. I got into music as a kid in band playing clarinet, never learned how to read music but always improvised a sound. As a child, I spent a lot of my free time just writing – sometimes in song form, sometimes not. I started recording music at 14 into the lil Apple mic on a MacBook and decided to become a professional musician in 2020. I think the biggest thing that separates me from others is my vulnerability in my music and emotional intelligence. I’ve always had a deep grasp on comprehending my feelings and expanding on them and it just always seemed like music was a safe space to release that.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Buy tickets, buy the merch, go to their show. Musicians don’t get paid enough from streams out here, and an in person audience feels way better than some numbers that don’t pay us anything really.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Look, I was a full time activist living in Oakland while taking my masters program when the pandemic happen. I was working really really hard and barely could afford rent. I liked what I was doing because it was noble, but I wasn’t happy. In a month, the pandemic ended my schooling, laid me off work, and sent me to live at my Dad’s house in Fontana for a whole year. Stacking those unemployment checks paid for my first album and deposit to move to LA. I’ve been a professional artist for over 3 years now. Best decision ever,

Contact Info:

• Website: Groovyie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groovyie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GROOVYIE22/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Groovyie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/groovyie

Image Credits
Shot by Bird Vincent