We were lucky to catch up with Broadway Louie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Broadway, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I would say that “Growth” has been the most meaningful project for me thus far. The pain and emotion that I put into every song was purposely written as a visualization for listeners. Depressing, PTSD is something that Veterans and family members of Veterans have an extremely hard time dealing with, but I also come from an environment where I was introduced to violence and drugs at a young age which can also leave you with PTSD. “Growth” gave listeners a look into my life over a 4 year span of experiencing homelessness, suicidal battles and extreme hardship. But it also provides hope and motivation for others to grow out of their respective battles. Everyone is going thru something, but every one doesn’t say it out loud. That’s what “Growth” did for me and others., It provided a voice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into music at a very young age. Seeing artists like Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, MJ and countless others and how they delivered their wordplay and performances was magnetizing. I always freestyled here and there but never really considered being an artist until I got out of the military with no true direction. As I’ve grown into complete comfortability as an hip-hop artist, I think I learned how to separate myself by making sure I stay sincere in my music. My music always carries a message, no matter the instrumental or energy of the track. My new album “Magick” is for women to have music tailored for them by a black man. The idea that we can’t be lover boys and respectful men is a tough pill to swallow and I wanted to create a project that expressed my love for women and how much we really do appreciate them and who they are.

I’ve also found my niche in acting as well. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of taking a character from a script and building them up to be a moment every time I hit the screen. Chris Tucker and Martin Lawrence are direct influences on me learning how to be free with my personality once the lights hit. The goal is to always keep viewers in tune, never let them feel like you didn’t give your all in a project because it’s noticeable.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yeah “Do More”. My goal is to just do more across the board. Doing more as a father. Doing more as a human. Doing more as a public figure. Doing more as a son. Doing more as a black man in a cruel world. Doing more as a creative. I feel like my purpose is to use myself as a vessel to help people. Whether it be homeless prevention programs, whether it’s programs for youth empowerment or if it’s thru my art. My mission is to help people.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Non-creatives have a hard time understanding that talent doesn’t win anymore. You can be the best artist in the world but if you aren’t managing yourself correctly, signed to a label or just happened to be one of the ones who made a hit out of nowhere then you are in it for the long haul. It takes a lot of time, patience and sacrifice. It doesn’t happen over night for 99% of artists. Our version of success isn’t always to be the biggest artist in the world but it’s almost as if they believe if you aren’t that then you aren’t successful. There are many revolving doors when dealing with the entertainment world, so many people taking advantage of others who are just trying to find a way to get their art to the masses. The main thing I would say to non-creatives is that their support would go a lot further than they would imagine.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @broadwaylouie
• Twitter: @broadwaylou1e
• Youtube: Broadway Louie
• Other: Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Youtube Music and other streaming platforms under Broadway Louie. Also check out my Musicology series on Youtube as well as my movie Soulhood: Saga on Amazon Prime.

Image Credits
White Background (2 Photos): @ablindvisionstudios Black Polo, Brown Plaid Slacks: @aarondayephoto White couch with red lighting: @cas2films Maniac Clothing Orange Hoodie and Shorts performance: @oddrodphotography