Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Larry Morris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Larry, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Being the market I reside (Saint Louis), you have to grind and network to break down specific barriers. I know this applies anywhere, but in a city like mine, where we don’t have the music infrastructure like Nashville, New York, or Los Angeles, knowing the right people and skills goes a long way. As I reflect on how I entered the creative scene, the biggest thing I know I did correctly was allowed myself to be mentored. I can’t stress enough to up-and-coming creatives that no one indeed does everything alone, and being teachable will open more doors than you could imagine. If you have the right attitude, get out and engage, and listen, knowledgeable people will open doors and show you things one can only imagine. That’s my story. I am the sum of many elders who took the time (and still do) to show me the ropes. I now do the same. I feel I was able to navigate obstacles, expedite my learning (not the process, though), and gain an array of essential skills by being in proximity to those who came before me.
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 am a Saint Louis-born artist. I have been an emcee/vocalist since 13. I am a trained Audio Engineer (Webster University ’08), and an advocate for the arts in Saint Louis, particularly music. I have been the frontman of a truly groundbreaking Hip Hop Fusion band, iLLPHONiCS (Instagram: @illphonics), for the last 18 years, and I am currently working at the Kranzberg Arts Foundation as the Artist Residency Director. I have traveled almost half of the United States with my band, worked behind the scenes of numerous committees locally to push cultural initiatives forward, mentored many young artists in navigating the music industry at home and abroad, and do much more. My band has become a brand and partnered with local businesses on products, and become a staple in our community and regionally. I have had the honor of helping to inform the process of the creation of festivals, activating areas, and building more robust artistic communities. I am told I am a visionary and can help build ideas well. I love what I do so much that I don’t keep track and always miss something, but it’s never about me but instead about lifting the Saint Louis creative community. It will always be that way for me.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My ultimate goal is to make Saint Louis a prime destination for music. We have the legacy, the players, and the capability, but the infrastructure and commitment from the local government could be stronger. It’s my passion, and it drives my work.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think creatives often get discouraged in this day in age when things don’t happen right away. Please understand that no matter what social media tries to make you believe, the process is still a real thing. Things that usually happen too quickly don’t stick too long. Don’t let images and videos of people flaunting and bragging knock you off course. Everything you encounter and experience is preparing you for your moment. It may not come when you feel it should, but it will when it’s right. I am still on my journey and feel the best is yet to come. When I feel moments of discouragement, I always remember my journey is mine and what is meant for me will come if I stay on the course that’s true to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.illphonics.net
- Instagram: @falloutmorris
Image Credits
Arica Foster Freddie D’Angelo Electropogram