We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Channing Von Taylor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Channing below.

Channing, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

It was in 2020 when I was an Army CPT/hip-hop artist and was convicted of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and deprived of needed medical treatment, after he refused to comply with an UNLAWFUL order that also was never given to remove my music videos from social media. At this point I knew I knew my purpose was bigger than music and I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure my voice was heard for the culture, American citizens, and become a beacon of light for the oppressed people around the world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Channing Von Taylor also known on stage and professionally in music as Von-T and I’m an international musical artist but also an 18-year veteran Army Officer, in which I deployed to Iraq and fought for our nation. I was stationed and retired at Fort Gordon Georgia located in Augusta Georgia.

I am African American, and while I was attempting to get out clean to pursue my dream of music full time, the United States Army pressed charges against me solely because I made hip-hop music while being a service member in which also remains on my permanent record as a criminal until this day.

However, everyone knows I make all kinds of music (not just Hip-Hop), but my Hip-Hop category singled out and targeted individually. While I was in midst of a medical retirement board (MEB), I appealed the post commanders at that times decision to uphold the ruling in my criminal charge founded by his subordinate commander in which I worked for. Not only that but all the systems in place that were built to protect soldier’s rights we found were corrupt to the point the Legal Assistance department on Fort Gordon (LA) informed me they could no longer assist me because it was a “conflict of interest” without any information given as to why that happened.

Now as I go by TDO Von-T “The Hope” of the streets is doing all I can to seek justice. Since this is uncharted territory, most civilian lawyers did not have all the answers on how they can help and the news crews in the local areas refused to air my story or give reasons why, which including going as far as to interview me and my family members on the situation.

As a Georgian, an African American citizen, and as a Soldier I dedicated my purpose in life to seek justice and bring about real and relevant change in this corruption. No policy in America or in the Military is in place that makes this legal or okay. This is racist, discriminatory, and a prejudice action against my culture and me as an African American.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

If making Hip-Hop music or engaging in any parts of it could potentially stain or end your career as a service member. There is a problem obviously and as it pertains to the discrimination against rap and Hip-Hop music within the military. It is not just about my music at this point it is about first Amendment rights, racism, and discrimination.
If people feel it in their soul that this is wrong, then change can be brought about by signing the petition “Operation Musical Freedom” which is located in the “about section” on www.tdovont.com. This will ensure that the youth of other races other than Caucasian are protected against bigotry and racist leadership embedded in the armed services. This petition will be placed in front of congress to make sure no service member (regardless of color or cultural background) is bullied or otherwise adhere to illegal actions taken against them solely because their background and what they chose to represent if it breaks no real laws.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

People assume this isn’t a big issue if it doesn’t directly affect them on a daily basis. What they should know is this has 3rd and 4th order effects passed down to their loved ones who chose to serve in the form of militaristic systematic racism.

This is because if your family member is a minority this can happen to them just as well as it happened to me if you chose to do nothing. I found that some people have not bothered to get involved in this situation, because it isn’t something they understand or want to be concerned with. I say to those people, leave it up to me. I took all the brunt of this situation that happened, and I am willing to fight for you as long as you are willing to know you HAVE RIGHTS and they should ALWAYS be protected.

I would challenge people to don’t just “MARCH” when I’m dead and gone. Do it now! If not for TDO Von-T do it for your sister, brother, son or daughter. It’s deeper than this situation and I hope the people in this country will one day see what TDO really stands for and do something, while I am still able to fight alongside you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tdovont.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kovu1278/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vontofficial/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kovu1278
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/kovu1278
• Other: OPERATION MUSICAL FREEDOM –SIGN TODAY– https://www.change.org/p/help-von-t-fight-against-racial-music-discrimination-in-the-united-states-military?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_31916575_en-US%3A7&recruiter=1115461548&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

Image Credits
Symbiotic Music Family (SMF) Golden Crown Studios Zenius Films Devan on the Beat Studios A Geezus Piece Studios