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

Alright, HMBLD thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

It would have to be this new EP I’ve been working on. I feel more free and not constricted by overthinking on trying to make my songs “sound gospel”. I say that because with my first Christian EP, “Use Me” I didn’t want my songs to sound too secular etc, but now I’m fully embracing how I’m led to worship without worrying about what people may say. I know for a fact that those that hear, and it’s meant for them, the seed will be planted and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

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

So I go by the name HMBLD now but for those who’ve followed me for a while, they know that I did secular music for well over a decade under the name YCM (Youngcalimojo). I had the opportunity to put out some really dope songs, form lasting friendships, connections, partnerships, & open up for a few dope artists on that side. However, as I progressed, I felt the ever present nag that God was calling me to be authentic and intentional in my walk with him and not just serve him via lip service but in action. I wasn’t sure if that meant I was being called to preach or what but I did know that was something I DID NOT want to do. The funny thing is all throughout my secular projects, I was constantly saying I believe I’ve been called to preach but I wouldn’t do that unless God himself came, sat me down, and told me that’s what I had to do. Well we all know God has the best sense of humor because around early/late Feb 2023, we essentially had that talk. I was preparing to put out a new project that I felt was my best body of work (at that time) but I also had started getting more into my word and had made a conscience decision to get closer with the Lord. Long story short, the conversation went more so of God telling me that he gave me these gifts to glorify him and edify his kingdom but I chose to use them to glorify the world. He said that I couldn’t follow him and the world and that I had to choose a side. I really fought and struggled with that for a bit but once I gave in and trusted his will, the journey that I have been on has been a very fulfilling one. It’s become very clear to me that I was called to preach, but not in the traditional sense. God has definitely been speaking through me as I’m on this assignment to evangelize through song. His word says that our gifts will make room for us and it’s so exciting to see the work he’s doing through me as I walk in my purpose as a Christian artist.

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

My goal is to be obedient with the instructions I’ve been tasked with, which was to make the (bible based) gospel music that I’d want to hear. God in his infinite wisdom used my love and gifts in music, in addition to talking about his word, to spread his message to the masses. This task goes hand in hand with what we, as believers, were instructed to do in Matthew 28:19-20. Here, Jesus gives his disciples “The Great Commission” to take and spread the gospel to all nations. My pastor, Pastor Philip (2819 Church) is always saying “Until All Have Heard” and that’s a great way to summarize what my end goal is here; preaching the gospel through song until all have heard the good news.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As far back as I can remember, I wrote my own songs and began to be very good at it. This would continue and evolve even more as I started releasing music in late 2010/early 2011. From then until mid-2023 I always took pride in my pen game and all the benefits that came with that from all the lessons and song writing guidance/techniques I learned along the way. But it wasn’t until I started recording gospel music that I hit a wall and it became very frustrating for me for a time because I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t write a song as easily as I’ve always done. Then it occurred to me, that I’d learned to be very prideful in what I could do under my own might and power, but this journey would not be successful in that way. When recording music for the Lord, I had to fully surrender myself and become super sensitive to where the Spirit was leading me with a song. That may look like not being able to write to a dope beat that I got or going a week or two without recording something new because that’s not how the spirit was moving in that time. Then on the complete flip, I may end up doing like 2 new song a day. It’s really crazy to me how Big God be doing his big one through me. This whole song writing process is totally different from everything I’ve known my whole life, but in particular this past decade. As we know, the Bible may have been written by man but not on his own accord as it was INSPIRED by God. We get this from 2 Timothy 3:16-17. That being said, I’ve had to totally rely on God when it comes to creating, forming melodies, etc. I’m constantly asking him to give me the melodies (and/or vibes) that are pleasing and acceptable to him.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/hmbldmusic
• Instagram: @hmbld.mp3
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hmbldmusic

Image Credits
Maya Hockaday (@mayashotyou)