We were lucky to catch up with Josh Greene recently and have shared our conversation below.
Josh, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My parents, both, are very instrumental in who I am and still becoming. My mother has been a successful business owner for the majority of my life. She taught me how to be a boss. Inspired me to blaze my own trail by exercising my faith in God and follow the steps He places before me. My father was a military man. Order, excellence, hard work, discipline, and he taught me how to pray. He taught me to take everything to God in prayer. My dreams, my fears, even my jokes. What they both did, though separately, was only told me I could. I don’t have the story that others have of being told I couldn’t achieve something. Be it sports, music, or creativity; I was only told I could do anything but everything takes vision, a plan, and hard work. I still move with that same confidence. If I can see it, I can somehow figure it out. I thank my parents for that!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
What’s up world, iGoByJosh. I’m the founder of the GreeneLight Creative Agency. I also own the dopest clothing line on this side of heaven, that of Essii Clothing. I am the music director & drummer for international R&B sensation Xavier Omär, and the proud creative director of Family Life in San Antonio, TX. I had the #1 gospel afternoon radio show in San Antonio for 4 years, my team & I had (what I’d call) the hottest reoccurring young christian event in Texas for years called “Light It Up SA”. I’ve preformed on NPR’s Tiny Desk, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, we’re headed to Africa soon, and London after that. Light It Up hosted national recording artists such as Jabari Johnson, Pastor Brandon Clack and Lady Cristabel Clack. Many figures within the Gospel community have been seen wearing Essii such as Rich Tolbert, NotKarltonBanks, Kira Daffin, and Courtney Beard. I’ve designed posters & advertisements for Terrell Owens, John P. Kee, Naomi Raine, and Bishop Marvin Sapp to name a few. I’m proud of my short creative career. What I have to and always love to acknowledge is that everything I do from drums to any form of creative curating – I first did at my church. My Pastors & Family Life really gave me many unique opportunities to really hone in my craft(s). Now, every project was certainly not a success. However, they never discouraged me, pop would just say “Ok son, we’re getting somewhere”.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes. I have a very peculiar audience. It’s a mix of African-American “church kids” and culturally relevant millennials. On the church kid side, we were the ones who didn’t just attend church on Sundays and thats it. We went to church then would go home and play church. Many of us had parents in leadership so we were also there 7 days a week. We’re a little older now some of us are now in ministry. Then the culturally relevant millennial comes in where we like brunch. H.E.R concerts, we dress well, some of us are starting families, some are starting businesses, others are climbing the corporate ladder. It’s a wide lane but still very specific. Wildly enough, we’re not very represented in mainstream media and pop-culture. There are very few KevOnStage’s. There are very few PJ Morton’s. Growing in Hampton, VA I was a part of a youth ministry called the Messiah Movement (where we wore bright colors and army fatigues like every other youth group in the early 2000’s). They had a slogan that I still live by and has become my life’s mission. The statement was short and sweet, “Live for God, have some fun!”. Everything I do regardless of the stage and environment, is to show some and prove to others, through my creativity, you can live for God AND enjoy life while doing it.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, it’s the joy my art is able bring to those I work with. The way I see it, I problem solve for a living. Need clothes? Here’s Essii. Need an amazing live R&B experience, here’s Xavier. Need a creative direction or curation, here’s GreeneLight. Be it through an event, a hoodie, or a project designed for a client – it’s the “this was what I needed” moment from others that leaves me feeling fulfilled. I also really enjoy inspiring others to chase their dreams. I don’t think I’m an anomaly. What’s set me a part, if anything, is my belief that I can literally do anything. I’m not the greatest at doing any one thing, singularly. My awareness of that is what keeps me on my toes. So I grind and grind and grind. It’s my hope that others see themselves in me. The most gifted at a thing are not always the most successful. It’s those who are willing to put in the work to get to the goal that come out on top. It’s my hope that other normal people see me; not the greatest drummer nor the greatest designer and say “well, if that guy can do it – so can I”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://essii.square.site/
- Instagram: iGoByJoshh
- Facebook: Facebook
- Linkedin: Joshua Greene
- Twitter: iGoByJoshh
Image Credits
Brandon Lavender Dichelle Pratt Ronnie Moffitt