Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to One GreatBastard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
One, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My mom is my biggest fan and has been for a long time. She started out driving me to the metro for a lot of my gigs so I could get to them. She didn’t always understand why I wanted to be a poet when I was first started out but she constantly supported me. I wouldn’t have the jobs, platform, or relevance without her supporting something she had no connection to.
When I became a rapper her fandom went to another level. She use to come to my shows and buy out the bar just to celebrate me and my friends. Well over $500 some nights have been dropped on drinks to commemorate how proud she was of me. And her love and influence are big parts of my songs and messages today without her I wouldn’t have nearly as much to say so she’s the engine behind a bastard for sure.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I want people to know it’s ok to do everything and love everything you do. I’ve done everything from working as a teaching artist, writing instructor, in school teacher, after school teacher, open mic host, and teachers aide. And none of those include my current position!
I got my start as a poet performing first for my high school team and then eventually with the DC Youth Slam Team. From there I jumped into sharing my love for spoken word poetry with young people. I’ve been working with students since the tender age of 19 ( a decade next year!) helping them find their voice and expressing themselves through it. I was blessed to put out a collection of poems called “And Then The Storm Hits” which is currently available online. I would like to turn this into a book series someday! During this time I was also asked to perform for some big venues and some big organizations. I’ve been blessed to share my poetry at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, and the local CBS studio just to name a few.
Around the same time that my poetry career was taking off my love for music only grew. I’ve been a lifelong fan of rap and used to have to sneak around my house to listen to the songs I wanted to hear. My friends use to encourage me to freestyle and through that found out I could really rap. I don’t think they understood at the time but their encouragement helped me find my voice on a beat. Recording originally with friends in a basement I cemented my sound of witty punches and creative cadences there. From there the rest of the worlds been begging to hear it and I’ve been blessed to share this gift at the Apple Carnegie Library, DC9 NightClub, and OnleVibez venue just to name a few. Throughout the journey I never tried to pigeonhole myself to one art form nor did I want to circumvent my message. Anyone listening to my music will hear my love not just for my family but love of my community. There’s usually some slang from the city in every rap I’ve ever written but the diction similarity to my poetry is always elevated.
Anyone hearing me for the first time will hear an uncompromising spirit obsessed with self development and the success of his family and friends. In an era where music leans closer towards violence than conscious people will get a bit of both in my bars. I don’t make myself out to be above the things surrounding me but I don’t succumb to that either. The spirit of resilience is dripping from any project I touch!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I want to change the world’s view on the word bastard. Currently this word is still censored even though its meaning isn’t harmful or negative to me. It’s ok to not have a relationship with your father and thrive. I think there’s a lot of hard feelings that exist when this word is brought up and for no reason. Not every father is exemplary. Mine certainly wasn’t but I see the word bastard as a badge of honor. It’s tough enough having two active parents in your life but only having one? And still persevering enough to accomplish the goals you set for yourself in this lifetime? I salute anybody who can do it. But the stigma around this word has to be changed and I won’t stop making music until it has.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support support and more support for indie/local artists. We’re at the forefront of most of the innovations in the music industry but it doesn’t just run on dreams. We need consistent capital and income to fund recording/live performances/merch and more. I know people that have already gotten tickets to the Nicki Minaj show but haven’t once seen their friend live this year. We love Nicki and all our major artists but let’s support the people that need it as much as we support major artists. And support doesn’t just have to include money! Dance to your homies recent release on Tik-Tok vibe out to it on your IG story drop the link to it on your Twitter (I refuse to call it X)! But please keep up with what your local artists are doing! Too many suffer from the silence. I can’t tell you how good it feels to see someone put my track on their IG Story (it really brings me joy) or telling their followers to go listen to it. We don’t have multi million dollar advertising so without that we miss out. So please society support your local/indie artists!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7mRb7L89mSnHtGYjMXNvJ6
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1greatbastard?utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@onegreatbastard5487?si=CHc6PuTIYhNcmMM7
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/onegreatbastard/1492578841
Image Credits
Photos 2-4 @Madilow_ Last Photo @Tvdw.photography