July 3, 2023 • 48 mins
A Musical Director translates the moments from the studio to the live performance. Blackstone facilitates the whole creative process whether it's for theater or a Superbowl live performance, he is the man behind the music directing the experience for some of the top artists of our time. Blackstone is also a Grammy nominated solo artist, a father and is putting in the work to ensure music stays in our schools.
Connect: @CariChampion @AdamBlackstone
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I saw Jimmy jam and Cherry Lewis have a booth
on television of recording booth, so I said, I'm gonna
make one of those. I took all the clothes out
of my two by four closet and like cut the
window of it. Was that it was my mom and
(00:20):
dad saying, Okay, cool, you know you really want to
do this recording thing. You change your bedroom. Now, let's
move the cars out of the garage and we're gonna
build you a studio in our home.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
So that's a message for every single parent out there.
Let your kid be creative, encourage their creativity. Adam Blackstone
is today's guests on Naked. It's the greatest sponson entertainment.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Connect it with Kerry Champion.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
And Carry Chappi is to be a champion of Champion
and Carrie Chappi and the cart and the car.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
With you, Oscars, Bet Awards, Soul Trained Awards, Super Bowl
Half Time shows. These are major award shows and you
want to know who's behind the music of every single
one of these shows. As of late, today's guest Adam Blackstone,
(01:21):
I have the privilege of knowing him in a very
comfortable and very casual way. But he is truly the professional,
the ultimate professional, and I'm grateful that he had decided
to bless me not only on my TV show, but
today he is on the podcast and he's dropping gym's
as he should. But the question was this, I'm really
(01:45):
curious because I have that in me, that hustle muscle
that he has. But I wonder if there's ever a
time where you say I've done it, I've done enough,
or you have been able to stop and appreciate all
you've done and not feel the need to want more.
I can't say that truly ambitious people ever feel the
need to stop. It's just their drive, It's that engine,
(02:07):
that motor that they have, and Adam is truly one
of these people. But today we talk about the genesis,
his origin story, how he started in the business, how
his upbringing contributed heavily into his creativeness. He has a
special word for creators, all creators, not just in the
music industry. And then at the end of the day,
he's looking towards what's next in terms of when it's
(02:30):
all said and done, everybody relax and enjoy. Musical director
Artist Adam black.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Star, Champion and Cry Chepian and care with chat.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
I want to begin with what a wonderful is it?
Could it be a ten year run that you're on
a five year run? You are everywhere doing all the things.
And it's really interesting because the first time we sat
down to talk, I said, what is a musical director?
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
And so first, by definition, before I explain to everyone
why you're such a big deal, tell me, by definition
what a musical director is.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
I think the best way for me to explain is
everything live music oriented, that transference from the studio to
the stage. You know what I'm saying. Like as far
as it being when you wrote, when the artist records
the song, we want to now present it live for
an audience to watch, for an audience to listen to
to have that experience. I have to translate those those
(03:32):
moments from the studio to now to making a live experience.
But now for what I do and how I do
it and where I do it, it's more sometimes about dance,
my music, lining up with the dancers. It's more about
the video screens. When I'm doing Super Bowl, It's more
about it's more about the television shots and how I'm transitioning.
So it moved from a strictly music place to a
(03:55):
full out creative process. So that's what a good that's
what a good MD just what a is or.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Hey, I don't know about the other ones, but the
good ones do that. Here's my question for you. You
have said, especially according to research, that you credit your
love of music to your family. Did you grow up
in a musical household?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Absolutely. My dad was and still is a church organist,
what we would call today like a wedding man singer
type joe. He did weddings, bar mitched, was jazz clubs, restaurants,
church bay quits, all playing the keys and singing. My
mom was in the choirs and uncles are in the choir.
(04:36):
My uncle got a record deal when I was like
eight years old as a gospel group. They was like
the gospel Joe to see to me? So I was
And now for real, the boys, the boy I thought
they were, I know no better. I was like, listen,
they got they got the church girls is following them
(04:57):
around from church to church to all that. Before I
met KC. It was my uncle for self for show
for show, okay, but not so growing up growing up
like that, and then you know, I think a big
A big part of my success, as well as my
dad being a musician, allowed me to have the grace
(05:19):
to pursue a non traditional job in my household. A
lot of times black you know, they passed down like
you gotta do this, you gotta do that, we gotta
make it. This is what it is. And I had
the untraditional path having a parent as an untraditional list
as well, so that allowed me to just kind of
pursue dreams and think think big, dream big, you know
(05:41):
what I mean, and trust God. And it was just like,
you know, I didn't have a structure set going out
into the world. So when I moved to Philly from
New Jersey, it was just like, yo, I can do anything,
you know what I'm saying. Like, I didn't know if
that was music for video games. I was a gamer.
I didn't know if that was music for theater. I
didn't know if that was, you know, me playing jazz.
On my life, I met the roots, met a mayor
(06:04):
and that kind of changed my life too. But then
the full circle moment is like when I'm doing these
movie scores and stuff, I know I'm kind of speaking
through it, but it all goes back to just the
love of music, and what I enjoy happens to not
be genre or specific. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I'm really curious about something you said that is really
it's special. You said that because your father was a musician,
it gave you the flexibility and freedom to pursue a
non traditional career, especially at a black household, because if
they're like, go to school, get a good job. And
what you're saying is that you were encouraged to be
(06:41):
a creative. And what other ways did your family encourage
you to be a creative And what did that look like?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
It looked very untraditional. My parents allowed me to pull
the clothes out of my closet because I saw Jimmy
jam and Terry Lewis have a booth on television, of
recording booth, so I said, I'm gonna make one of those.
I took all the clothes out of my two by
(07:10):
four closet and like cut the window. It was that.
It was my mom and dad saying, Okay, cool, you
know you really want to do this recording thing. You
change your bedroom. Now, let's move the cars out of
the garage and we're gonna build you a studio in
our home, you know what I mean. It was my
mom and dad driving me to band competitions, you know,
(07:34):
during high schoo because YO, don't get it twisted like
me being the bed geek. I was lebron on it,
you know what I'm saying. I was getting flown all
over the world, you know, going to college visits and like, yo,
you should play in our band, and the bands just
picking me up. I flew to the youth, I flew
to North Texas, I flew the Baylor, you know, Berkeley.
(07:55):
It was like you know what I mean, like it was.
It was really like a thing. And so you know,
my mom and dad finding the resources to do that,
you know, definitely gave me a jot in my back
to actually be great, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
How wonderful, how absolutely wonderful to grow up in a
household that encourages the difference. I feel like it's why
you say you do all genres of music. You have
such an e collective taste. How would you describe you
and more specifically you've worked with You said they had
(08:33):
an open mic, night, quested, quest love did and the
roots and that really helped encourage you, especially being from Philly,
Delaware area, doing that, living that lifestyle. But what was
it about all types of music that you felt like
you could really relate to?
Speaker 1 (08:49):
What do you hear? What do you feel? That's a
great question, Carrie. I don't know if I ever thought
about it like that, about what I hear? You know
what I did think though I wanted, you know, I
love being the man behind the artists, behind the music.
But I like pop music straight up, you know what
I'm saying. Like so in a weird, weird way. As
(09:10):
much as I model a lot of what I do
after quest, I'm not necessarily the encyclopedia that he is
that dives super deep. Because I listened to the radio.
I like Drake like, I like Garth Brooks, I like
you know, uh, Jennifer Hudson, Like I like pop music.
You know what I'm saying. I like neo, I like
(09:31):
justin Timberlay, you know what I mean. I like Nikkia.
But I so, you know, I was always like, let
me take the soul elements from what I've learned here
and incorporate them into pop music because at the time
Philly was booming as well. It was the neo soul era.
But at the same time, it was just the passion
behind the music that everybody was coming to Philly to
(09:52):
try and get, you know what I mean. And so
I got my first opportunity, bigger opportunity being with you
Scott and music soul child who worked from Philly. But
at the same time, all over the world people were
looking for that sound. You know what I mean. It's
so rich, it's so rich, it's ten, it's so rich,
it's soulful, is warm, it's colorful. You know, Jill always
(10:16):
talked about seeing colors when she sings and writes, you know.
And then at the same time, Meshing met this young
kid from Chicago with this pink polo shirt and he
was super soulful as a producer named Kanye West. And
then you know, his sound transcended pop and hip hop
as well. So it's like I was actually forward thinking,
(10:39):
didn't even know I was what I was doing, but like,
let me infuse myself in this soul music, knowing that
this new soulful producer, and then you you know, fast forward,
you get him making beats for people like Brandy and
making beats for da with Daft Punk, and you know
me meaning Pharrell and you know nyr D, but then
Pharrell making beats to it. You know, Nile Roger isn't
(11:02):
making beachs for Gwin step Fini. So it was like
everybody was searching for that soul and I just so
happened to be what that live element meant for a
lot of the artists. So I was cool doing pop music.
I wasn't afraid of it at all. I didn't let
the color of my skin and how I looked affect
what rooms I walked into and be excellent, because you know,
(11:23):
when you walk in with your head held high and
knowing what you're doing, they can't help but respect you.
You know what I'm saying at that time, you know, hmm,
I'm gonna say fifteen years ago I was I had
the coke signed already from like a Jay and from Yay.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
And because you have, you know, with everybody, presumably every
really not everybody in that sense, but just every big
name people that are and even smaller names. But you
have worked with You've worked with the luminaries of music
in every genre. How do how do you how do
you make your name? Is it the jay Z moment?
Because you were on tour with him, and you were
(12:02):
you get the base.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Right, that was like a big moment was yeah, a
mere quest was the musical director. You know what, I
have a weird Yeah. Thought process about me making my
name was really about being everywhere. Like I don't know
if it was just one thing, you know, Arguably, you
could say chappelle Black Party kind of like made me
(12:25):
a little bit more visible. You could say Jay Z's
fade the Black Movie concert made me a little more visible.
You could say I did very early early episodes of
The Tonight Show when the roots first first got the
gig or whatever. But it was really about being like, man,
that dude is everywhere more than it is, like more
(12:46):
than it was one specific thing, you know what I'm saying.
And again that's encouragement by my family. That's that's a
supportive you know, family, supportive wife that was just like yo,
go do everything. And so I doing clubs and jazz gigs,
but at the same time taking the train in New
York to Jay Z rehearsal, you know what I'm saying.
And then I was like out on tour with Jay
(13:08):
but then coming home and writing out charts for the
local theater just to try to do that, which put
me in like a movie space too that I that
my counterparts at the time couldn't do because they may
have not been as musically tech savvy as I was
learning how to read or write music from college.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, and you have a hustle muscle that is undeniable.
It's different, it's different, it's different, and you got that.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
You got that too. It though, because you know, I'm
liable to see you on thirteen different.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Different different networks absolutely and speaking very different things like
I can speak to the black experience, I can talk politics,
I can do sports, I can do it all, and
I don't think that would limit ourselves. But I really
am fascinated about how you came into my atmosphere and
then I felt like, once you were in my atmosphere,
I saw you everywhere, And I feel that's how people
(13:57):
feel like you see to meet you once and then
and now you're alert and you're aware, most.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Recently about aware that you know we got that dream car.
Then you just see it driving down the street every time,
you like, yeah, yeah, you do get Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I also think I also think this is funny. I'm
gonna go by by just a list of achievements, because
if you're listening, you've already ascertained that he's worked with
everybody big in the business in some capacity. But we
talked uh about the day after the super Bowl. You
did arguably to me, you were the musical director for
(14:35):
one of the two of the if not never mind
all of them, some some legendary super Bowl performances, Like
I can't even I'm like, you know, that's not even fair.
All of them you've done, You've done it for the
last five But I would love to talk about the
West Coast Hip Hop super Bowl performance, which was legendary.
Then you had everybody guessing about Rihanna, And not only
(14:56):
do we look back on that now, I know as
a woman, I look back on that now and say,
I can't even imagine what she was.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Doing or thinking, Yeah, going through right, going through as.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
A pregnant woman performing and people wanted her to spin
on her head, and I'm all like, do you know
how difficult it was for her just to even elevate,
to get up that high.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
And perform equilibrium? Yeah, her, she wanted to.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
At one point I was like, she don't throw up
because this is tough. And she's still giving her all
to everybody.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
You know what I mean? For sure, Yeah, for sure.
I those two moments specifically, definitely, I ain't gonna say
made me a household name. But it's like, you know, now,
I go to the All Star and they're like yo,
adam oh, and it feels good because like number one
is for the culture, you know, Number two my goal.
(15:43):
I think I told you this before, but my goal
for the West Coast Hip Hop super Bowl was to
not let it just be about black excellence. I think
I wanted people who were not fans of hip hop
to leave that show or leave watching the show being like,
I respect it. It is just as genius as what
Bruce Springsteen did, what Billy Joe, what what Mick Jagger
(16:04):
could do. And think we achieved that, like absolutely absolutely.
We had no hiccups, we had no violence, we had
no no no, no, no TIFFs. It was it was
just a great, great experience. I was able to leave
that experience and win an Emmy for Best Musical rab Relations.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I was about to say, you got it. You think
what you did, you accomplished the mission. It was accomplished
in the sense that West Coast hip hop is mainstream music.
When I saw these fifty and sixty year old white
women dancing in a living room on ig and TikTok,
they were going crazy and it's exactly what we would
(16:46):
have wanted but hadn't imagined that it was possible. It
felt very special just for us, but it was for everybody,
and you were able to.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
It was definitely for everybody. It was definitely for everybody.
We accomplished that, and I think even in the boom
just to see the response and and honestly, man that
that Jay Z he just is such a gus because
I'm sure he knew this then but I didn't. But
he has opened the door with that being as successful
(17:16):
as it was Doctor Dre as well. But I'm talking
as Jay as a producer and the Rock Nation as
a producer has opened the door for the NFL and
even other of the five majors to really embrace hip
hop and say, people will support this, people will buy this,
and so you know, we then we get to Utah
(17:37):
right for NBA All Star, Yeah, which is my favorite,
and then you do Afro Beats and then we did
Afro Beats in Utah, Carrie, I thought that was at
All Star. I thought that was one of the most
far fetched ideas when it was on paper. And this
has nothing against Tim's one of my favorite Bernard are
(18:00):
you lead to? But I was just like wait what?
And then it worked. We saw the global capability of
what our people, how we impact the world.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
You know what price because our culture is in everything
and it's usually co opted and changed into theirs. But
we need to know, we own that.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
We shouldn't be surprised. But we are still made to
feel like the minority at times. And I gotta be honest,
working for a corporation, matter what corporation I'm talking about,
we are still not the majority. So it's like when
when they embrace us at times, it's like are y'all
showing what? What? What you got? This lead?
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Like?
Speaker 2 (18:49):
You know, there's we're are we We are wired to
be anxious because that's why we under That's all we've understood.
What else is about?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Why do you think that is? Though? I'm gonna ask
you come from a corporate job, like why do you
think you know well?
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Because culturally they don't really understand us, They don't see
the humanity in black people, they don't know our hearts.
I'm not saying this. I'm not saying this as a slight.
I'm saying it is in the country, and it's not
across the We're just talking it's not across the board,
but we're just saying in general, it's not it's not.
The onness isn't on them to learn about African Americans.
The onness is on us to learn about them. And
(19:26):
if you've never ever felt like you've needed to learn
about another culture, their their music, their dance, their style,
who they are, why they move that way, doesn't affect
your day to day life, it really doesn't. You could
there We have to live consistently in the world where
we interact with them. They don't. They can live in
a world where they don't have to interact with us.
And that's not that's crazy, That's what it is. So
(19:47):
that's exactly so we're anxious when we are in these environments.
But I love that our music has always been the
connect the dots and you you're specifically what you're doing.
It's bringing what we already know is great in mainstream
to the forefront. And you've been able to do that
(20:08):
in so many different ways. So what's up with next
year's super Bowl. Tell me who's performing. You can give
me the exclusive right now. I won't share with anybody.
Just the folks.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Is drum roll. Super Bowl is in Las Vegas. That's
all I got. That's all I got that.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
I know that, I know that.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
You know I was trying to give you something. Nah,
you know, it's a process. I ain't gonna even front
it's a process. At times we think we know, at
times we don't. You know. For instance, you know, I
think this is a little bit known, but you know,
Taylor was supposed to be last year and then she
went through some things for her label and wanted to
(20:57):
get ready for her tour, which she's out here killing
it right now, and that probably was best for her.
But I also know that was best for re because
you know, if we were have pushed redback to twenty
four or twenty five or twenty six or whatever, you know,
who knows what her new situation as mommyhood whatever. So
things just happened in the spur of the moment at times,
especially when it comes to planning that big concert in
(21:19):
the middle of the big game, which which you know, but.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
By the way, it's now become it's now become the
concert with a little game like that the West Coast.
I'm going to tell you the truth. That West Coast
hip hop concert was like there's a little there's a
little game happening, but there's a concert. I'm here to see.
That's what.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Yeah, I need to understand that.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
You need to understand that likes like that. Was this
Michael Jackson or Prince.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Who your team though? Who's your team? Oh?
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Well, well, you know my team even with the Rams,
The Rams is my team. That was I was still
rooting for my team and your team is the Eagles.
I'm sorry, we both have had our teams in the
Super Bowl. But I'm saying from the outside, look in
the what do the ratings do when the concert comes on?
Speaker 1 (22:04):
No. Eighty million strong up in one minute? It's crazy.
It's really really crazy. It's like it went from this
number to this number. They can like see it, you
know what I'm saying. And that's because my auntie, Yeah,
I te you know what I'm saying, like that, you know,
Caucasian auntie, you know what I mean. Like they may
not be in it, may not be as interested in
(22:25):
the game. And then it's like that concert, the concert
started eighteen. Let's watch Why watch you.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Guys know what time it is. It's to pay the bills.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Time.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
You can fast forward through these commercials. I'd appreciate it
if you did, but don't go away, fast forward, fast forward,
but paying attention because we have more of Adam Blackstone
when we return.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Every Champion and Carry Champion is to be a champion,
a champion, and carry Champion and carry Chat be out
a champion and Kerry Champion and.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Kerry chap Great.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
It's the sports and entertainment connect it weird. Carry Champion
and Carry Champion is going to be a champion, a
champion and Carrie Chappi and they champion the Cary Chappion
and carried Shepy.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Naked Word, Welcome back to the podcast. I have a
musical director, creative, all around badass man, Adam Blackstone, still
here on Naked I will I will say this to
you because you've had some wonderful, like luminary moments. You
just did Juneteenth. You're coming off of that. By the
time of years will be about a week or so
(23:31):
after Juneteenth. That was a beautiful concert. And you have
touched everyone and everything. But most recently you've had your
own success with your own project, the Legacy Experience. Can
you is it experience a project? It's experience, right.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Well, Legacy is the album, and I'm calling the live
experience the Legacy experience for sure. Okay, good, yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
You no, but you have shared that you wanted to have.
You don't want to have just a lap laptop full
of ideas. You wanted to actually put something out there.
And perhaps was it the pandemic that motivated you?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
For sure, it was the losses we were accumulating during
the pandemic. You know what I'm saying. I don't want
to say necessarily, the pandemic motivated me, like being on
one of the great things about my job is that
people wanted to see sports and music, for sure, you
know what I'm saying. So I really never had a
super low moment. I found out how to make live
(24:31):
music experiences from the crib, so that was really really cool.
You know, shows were still happening even though they were
COVID style, but the music bumpers and all of that,
and the live performances that we saw in the tiny
desk at homes, like I was doing all of those things. Yeah,
but then I was losing people. I lost a cousin,
I lost a great musician, keyboard player, friend of mine, young,
(24:54):
all just young people. I had people lose parents, and
that's when I was just like, yo, tomorrow is not
pro I'm not sure at forty years old that I
thought I would ever see a pandemic, you know what
I'm saying, Like just in my lifetime. My son at
the time was five, I just had a newborn, and
I was just like, Yo, I want something. Playing doctor
(25:16):
Drake Kendrick's incredible. Playing with Ree is incredible. Well, once
that gig is over, it's still theirs, per se. I
love that I was a part of it and impacted
that moment. But what do I have when my name
wanted to pass on to my family and to my children.
So I buckled down and created my legacy album. And
here we are, you know, one Emmy later Grammy nominated,
(25:38):
later NAACP Image Award. We're trying to get it racked up.
You know, it's just a big deal. It feels so
good to be validated by not just my people, but
just the peers in general, you know what I'm saying.
And it allows me opportunities like this to talk to
you and puts me on stages to kind of combined
(25:59):
thought processes. You know what I'm saying. Like, music for
sure is the catalyst to get me to outwork, speak
and inspire somebody else. So I'm thankful for that these moments,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
I'm really beyond happy.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
I appreciate it. Girl, for sure, you've been a huge
supporter of music in general, and so we see we
see you at this and I'll see you at the
at the show, I mean out there support.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
But it warms my heart because right now I know
a lot of people listen to this podcast that have
dreams because I'm a big believer of dreaming really big
and watching those dreams come true. People call it manifestation,
but I literally see my features and I want you
to talk to the struggling artists. And it doesn't have
(26:40):
to be just the musical director. It's the it's the director. Yeah,
it's the creative who needs to know that it's okay
to take your clothes out of the closet and create
a box to do music like Jimmy jam and Terry Lewis.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
You know what I mean, Fact facts, Yeah, I mean
that's where it starts. It starts in your head. You
don't always have the resources. Now, I will say this,
the generation or two under us has says to so much.
So I will say I think that made us a
(27:15):
little more resilient and a little more creative. Where we
didn't have a YouTube where you couldn't seen the next
you know, pretty black girl podcast girls like you almost
had to guess who was behind the mic, Like you
know what I'm saying, you couldn't really see what a
musical director does and to be like I aspire to
(27:35):
be that. So one of the things I encourage young
creatives to do is to follow your own dreams. You
know what I'm saying. It's cool to be inspired by us,
but at the same time be better than us, you
know what I'm saying, Like, I feel like my platform
is here for the little young boy, little young girl
to know that there anything that's possible. You know what
(27:58):
I'm saying. I thought I was going to play it,
and music has taken me to every arena in the
country to watch my favorite sport. Like you know what
I'm saying. I see the same camera people, I see
the same scoring table people, I see the same ball
(28:19):
girls and ball boys, Like, there are so many other
opportunities than just dribbling and passing and catching the ball
and even playing the guitar. There's so many other opportunities
that allow you to be successful, specifically in the entertainment business.
So that's been my job, and you know, we're offline,
but like, I really want to get people like us
(28:40):
around that. Maybe people can't do what we do, but
they want to be in the business because there's somebody
doing your audio right now, and there's somebody creating an
audio session for me right now. That you don't see
those people behind the day, but those are great, great
jobs that last, you know, kind of pass some of
the shows, and.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
They teach you to the world that you want to
be a part. You were saying, I want to be
in the NBA, and you thought that was it, but
you're still a part, you know, whether it be adjacent
because of the world on which you live, you still
have the same access and the resources because you.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
I'm definitely in the NBA, I'm actually I'm actually in
the NFL. I'm actually in MLLB. Like it's so crazy
because it's like, you know, those are the moments where
you realize this gift that I have has gotten me
to these stages and you want to be more excellent,
you know what I mean? Give that access to my
(29:35):
children and it's like, you know, he see Jojo and
this regular for him because it's like that's where we're at.
But it's like I can't imagine being able to just
see ai, you know what.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
And so your messages for all those who are creatives
is to really follow your passion.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
Follow your passion. It will take you far beyond where
you could ever imagine. And then the other thing is
if you're not inspired, find some I think to be
or someone to be inspired inspired by. You know what
I'm saying. It's like it takes it.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
You know.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I hate to think specifically for our black boys, it's
like you've got to have some turmoil or some daddy
issues or whatever to be like great, you know what
I'm saying. So one of my other constant roles is
affirming my children to know that they can be anything
that they want to do. I have their back ten
thousand percent and I'm gonna support them and all that
(30:30):
because sometimes the success stories you see be like, you know,
struggle didn't know the dad. He went on to be great.
It's like, hey, that's up.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
It doesn't have to be that story. It could be
a story of my dad was an organist in the
church and he said, go ahead and be creative. And
then it could be we encourage everything that I wanted
to do. That's why I'm so good at what I
do and why I'm also in turn a great author. Yeah,
which is before Adam, I love that story. Can you
tell me? Can you really tell me? Because every time
I talk to you, you seem so easy and happy.
(31:01):
Have there ever has there ever been a time in
which in your career where you're like, this, th ain't it.
I ain't doing this, this ain't.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Yeah, you get discouraged often, I mean like and then
also right on front like social media, I haven't thinking
that you ain't doing nothing either, Like even though you
do all that, you do it all the days.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
Wait, what do you why the social media makes you
think that way? Why?
Speaker 1 (31:24):
Why? Why?
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Well?
Speaker 1 (31:24):
I mean, you know they're there. There could be there
could be someone you know, deemed more popular. It could
be something where you know you really want people to
see or buy a song or whatever, and the numbers
ain't moving like you think they should. Be, but then
you see some other crazy numbers moving on something that
is a little less that you may think is less important,
(31:46):
you know what I'm saying. So it's it's you know,
I take social breaks for sure, you know what I mean,
because I remember how focused I was before all of this,
and I still let them very focused, don't get me wrong,
But I mean like I remember when I could do
five or six or seven different jobs because it was
nothing taking my attention away or me not necessarily I
(32:07):
was chasing myself, you know what I mean. But you
know there are times where you struggle. You you look
for validation. That's where a great support system comes comes
in Andy as well, and then team as well, because
I surround myself with positive people and we are not
(32:27):
always positive, but a strong word ll help you get
through it. That you never know what somebody's going through,
whether that be at the crib, whether that be out
in the field, whether that be at work, whether you
know you've done I remember during the Oscar last year
and then it was just like I was working for
three months and then the song changed like a weekend
before you know what I'm saying. So I was like,
(32:48):
you know, that makes you almost want to give up,
but it's like no, no, no, this ain't the time
to give up. This is the time to step up,
you know what I'm saying. So and then you know,
everybody's financial and mental state at times can take it
a toll on you too. So mental health is a real, real,
real I'm a firm believer and being as optimistic as possible,
(33:13):
because if you speak it like you said, Carrie, it's
gonna happen, It's gonna manifest, it's some way or another.
And so I have met some people who are down,
not only on themselves but just out in the world.
We always hate that one board that's like yo, you
always negative about stuff like yeah, I know what I mean, right.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
Ed?
Speaker 1 (33:32):
Probably like nah, uncle, I need all positivity because at
the end of the day, we winners, and it's not
about the win and it's not about the w h E.
And it's just knowing that I am going to wi in.
I'm good with it sooner rather than later, and not now.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
If not now, but you are when you eat cast
you this for very ambitious people, and this is why
I'm very curious when I see ambitious, successful people such
as yourself. I wonder do you know when a win
is truly a win? If it all away tomorrow, as in,
I don't feel like tomorrow, would you be okay with
what you've accomplished so far? Or you would feel like
(34:07):
there's but you would feel slighted?
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Be honest, you know now we now we're in the
therapy session right now, because you know what I'm saying.
I don't know why. Culturally, I think we don't celebrate
ourselves enough when there is a win. You know what
(34:32):
I'm saying, we are. I'm gonna put you in the
same category. We a little bit of a workaholic, and
when we do great, great, great, great things, we're happy
about it, don't get me wrong. But at the same time,
we want to move on to the next thing. So
and not that it can top the last thing, but
that almost is what drives us. So is it?
Speaker 2 (34:52):
If this is it cultural? Is it? Is it a
black thing? Or is it the ambitious? I don't think
that I'll use this random Elon Musk is ever satisfied.
This man has SpaceX and a car that drives itself
and equal to whatever, and he's like, not enough. I
want to change. I want science to lead the world.
What I've accomplished is great, Yes, I know?
Speaker 4 (35:13):
Or is it?
Speaker 2 (35:14):
Or is it we just feel like we have it
might go away? Are we addicted to the to the seed?
That's what I think cultural is that it's like, yo,
we we don't know when they could be taken from us.
You know what I'm saying, Like that was a moment
where I told you I just accepted every gig. I
don't do that anymore because number one no is powerful.
(35:38):
And then and then at the same time, all money
ain't good money, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
But but but I'm in a position to say that
now because I did say yes to a lot, a
lot of things to put me on the map and
to gain my own self assuredness of what I could
and couldn't do. So I don't know, Carrie, I don't
like to answer that. I would ask you, I would
say to your original question, would I be satisfied? Absolutely?
(36:06):
You know, my children have seen me do some great things.
My wife has seen me do some great things. My
mom is so proud of me. Oh, but I have
my own personal goals that have nothing to do with
them as well. I know I want to move into
I know I want to. I want to get this eguy, Like,
there's so many different things that I personally want to
do that My daughter, my two year old daughter, she
(36:29):
could give a f about, Like, she don't care about
none of that, you know what I'm saying. And if
I were to later rest today, yeah, she wanna, she
want to. She want to play with Ariel the little hermon,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (36:43):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
But but if I were to leaders Earth today, I
could definitely think my family, my friends would say job
well done for sure, And I'm thankful. I'm thankful for that.
I'm thankful to be able to put people in a
position to win as well. And that's one of my
first not to get super deep, but that's one of
my first ministries is like I really want people to
win around me because the opportunity that I was given
(37:06):
doesn't come around a lot of times, you know what
I mean. So once you take it, you have to
be prepared for it and uh and make it happen.
So you know that's why I'm at with it.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
Get it once you once you get on, you have
to give it back. Once you get on, you have
to give it back. It's not just for you're for
ourselves just to share it and grow it and and
and build off of it.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Every champion and Kerry champion is to be a champion,
a champion and carry champion and carry chat be out
a champion and Kerry chappion and carry chappifraid is the
sports and entertainment can naked weird Kerry champion and carry
champion is to be a champion of champion and carry champion.
(37:48):
Nigger got a champion and carry champion and carry chappyfraid
is the sports and entertainment can get word.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
I wonder, Adam, what is next for you? I know
you said you want to egot and you want to
be in movies. Those things will be that is that
is to come, That is happening. That's that's what. That's
so I am, But what what what outside of on
the list, Like, what do you want for yourself personally?
In your family? What do you want to shure?
Speaker 1 (38:15):
Yeah, I want to raise happy and successful children, for sure.
I think that's always a goal for a proud father.
I want to leave a legacy is for them to
know that I did my best for them, and then
you know, leave a little bit of generational wealth. And
that's not even financial I'm talking about. I'm really I'm
(38:36):
literally talking about knowledge wisdom.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
You know.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
I see some of the other other folks do it.
They leaving their kids land and all this kind of stuff.
It's like, like, how dope is that? You know what
I'm saying, Like the investment instead of getting a school
on It's like, let me be in a position to
give that to my son, to learn how to make
it be something in the future, you know what I mean?
So uh, And then that that comes with me constantly learning,
(39:00):
you know, constantly learning the financial game. I'm all early
at leisure, like.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Say all day, say I'm going to tell you that's
one thing about this generation of us who have made it,
who didn't have the financial literacy. We're learning and real
and and real time. It's scary.
Speaker 1 (39:20):
It's scary. It's really scary. I see puff Now, I
don't want to talk about no music. I'm just like, yo,
what's what you're working on? Like, you know, what's the
next deal? How you how you figure out this dellly y'all?
How you figure out this sarack? Like I'm with Jay
often and when I get a chance to, you know,
I watch and observe the team around him bringing him
(39:44):
the deals. You know what I'm saying. Not to diminish
his genius at all, but it's about surrounding yourself with
forward thinking people as well, you know what I'm saying.
So it's like that's the kind of things that I'm
trying to do. I have people now my team bringing
me plays knowing that I want to he got So
it's like they're bring give me new scripts, They're bringing
me things to invest in to possibly do. I am
(40:05):
scoring the new Alicia Keys Broadway play we got to
open the night October twenty four called Hell's Kitchen. I'm
really excited about that. Me and Yeah come through from Shore.
I got you, Me and Alicia doing that. Another big
thing I'm excited about is I'm being honored November first,
and I would love to invite you to that in
(40:27):
La by recording Academy Save the Music, which is about
all giving back to the kids. They're trying to take
music out the schools man especially the black schools, and like,
I ain't have it. I ain't having it. I'm not
having it.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
It's hey, Adam, that though right there, like what you
just said, gave me chills. They're trying to check music
out of the schools and you, that is your that
will be a part of your legacy.
Speaker 1 (40:53):
You will not let that happen. I can't do it
because I know the outlet that I that I had
through music. I remember the football code I was, you know,
I was like six foot two eighty in college. I
mean in high school. He was like you just you
just you won't. You're gonna choose folks. You're gonna choose
(41:14):
play defensive end or you're gonna go to the Martian band.
And I was like, I think I'm gonna go to
the march Van And they like you just a waste
of big and I just like, I think it worked
out for me. I think it worked. I think it
worked out for me. Go like, you know what I'm saying, Like,
(41:35):
so I know the outlet, I know the I know
the gifts, and I know how incredible it was to
be in the band room during school days and to
have something to look forward to that wasn't always just scholastic,
you know what I'm saying. And so that creative outlet
allowed me to meet people that allowed me to be
(41:57):
a friend to different cultures and different, you know, racist,
and I'm going to do my best to really really
amplify the fact that, you know, music is not just
a sound, but it's it's it's a feeling, it's a culture,
it's it's it's healing for people. And so I'm doing
(42:18):
my best to do that through save the music. So
that's another big thing I'm proud of this year is
that graduating them. She congradulates so much. Nobody say the music.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
You know why because I always think how important There
are two things that are extremely important. Music. We talked
about what it's been for us culturally. Like I I
remember going to I was in Nashville and I went
to the museum there and and Jimmy jam and Terry
Lewis and as you mentioned them earlier. So they have
a section in that museum. I forget the name of it,
(42:49):
but it's the museum that acknowledges African American music, that
talks about what it's done for us, even since it's beginning.
The gospel, the rooms, ye boots of it all. And
I was thinking, it just narrates our life and it's
so very important because you can play a song, you
could you could remember to you. Now, I'll tell you
where I am based on what I'm listening to.
Speaker 1 (43:11):
And it's so important that you could cry on the
you could cry on the spot you hear the if
you hear the right rogue song, like whether that's a
loved one passing, whether that's your dude break it up
with you, whether that's the wedding's song, whatever it is.
It's like music has so many different capabilities, and so
(43:35):
you know, our young people will need that. I see
I see young people struggling with mental health more than
ever and it's not cool. It's not cool, and I
can't help but say because of what I do. A
big part of that is not having the outlet to
express you know.
Speaker 2 (43:50):
I love it, Adam. You're changing the world with your
music and and you already trying to see You are athlete,
You're in all the things. So now I know, whenever
I want to come to something, just real black, I
wrap it up like this, real black. Can I just
get a ticket because you're doing all the stuff?
Speaker 1 (44:04):
Got the ticket? I got no Beyonce tickets, but I
got you.
Speaker 2 (44:10):
A Beyonce hookup. I gotta Beyonce hookups, So.
Speaker 1 (44:12):
I wait on that they got.
Speaker 4 (44:16):
Listen, I'm gonna call you on that, like, hey, who
we called me? Let me what we call a nice
tight connect. I'll tell you about it offline. Let me
wrap up this podcast. Thank you so much for joining
me and encouraging me.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
I'm carrying me.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
Youpirati, you really truly are do you know that? Just
just receive it, Just receive it this same things.
Speaker 1 (44:40):
I appreciate that. Say thank you, I'll receive it. I'll
receive it. But I wanted to to you want to
say this as you go and you go, you are
doing the same for us, like you know you you.
I can't even put a gender on it. Like you.
What you do for the culture is bigger than woman,
That is bigger than black. It's like, you know, keep
doing what you're doing, given us these outlets and still
(45:01):
talking your shit because you know what you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (45:03):
So that's right.
Speaker 1 (45:04):
We appreciate I.
Speaker 2 (45:08):
I love you Adam so much.
Speaker 1 (45:09):
I really do. God, you a good loud loud loud.
Speaker 2 (45:12):
When you're creative and you have had certain levels of success,
I do believe it's difficult to appreciate all that you've done,
really to take in your career and That's why I
asked Adam, when is enough enough? Have you done enough?
And quite honestly, he said no, And I can relate.
I mean I can relate. I have accomplished some amazing
(45:34):
things over my career, but I'm always looking at what's next.
I do believe the world that we live in today
forces us to compare ourselves to others, and we see
it so obviously with social media. That person's doing that,
she's doing that, and he's doing that without taking the
time to say, but what am I doing or what
have I accomplished, or how have I inspired? Or how
(45:56):
have I contributed to the culture and to the field
in which I am working and thriving it Sometimes we
start we should just ask ourselves those questions. We should
not live in this world where it's always what's next.
I'm telling myself that as I tell you that, I
appreciate dam for being honest, and I don't have an answer.
(46:18):
I definitely don't have an answer, because I too do
exactly what he does. I'm looking at what's next. I'm
already outlining the next move, the next show, the next gig,
the next opportunity. But in the meantime, I think I
can try. And this is what I am encouraging you
all to do. Take stop. You don't have to look
(46:40):
around and see what everybody else is doing. Take stock
of what you've already accomplished and why it's so so
very valuable. I love that his parents encouraged him. I
love that they loved his creativity. And I love that,
despite what he'd looked like as a black boy, haul
and big, and they wanted him to do sports, he
wanted to fall his passion. We don't have to take
(47:03):
the traditional path of the path that we've been told
we should take. This is just another example of why
you should do what inspires you, what drives you, what
is your passion, and be bold about it and hopefully
you have people around you who encourage it. That's exactly
what happened to Adam, and it's just such a testament
(47:25):
to I am more than what you see. There is
so much more to experience. There's so much more to
be had with me, and I'm disgrateful that we had
the opportunity to hear his story. Adam Blackstone musical director
for the next ten Super Bowls.
Speaker 1 (47:43):
Probably you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (47:45):
The musical director for the Oscars, musical director for the
BET Awards, a musical director for you name it. Now
he's doing Broadway with Alicia Keys. Keep going, keep going,
and don't forget. You've allreadlready made it. I appreciate you
guys listening to the Naked podcast. We will be back
(48:05):
next week.
I saw Jimmy jam and Cherry Lewis have a booth
on television of recording booth, so I said, I'm gonna
make one of those. I took all the clothes out
of my two by four closet and like cut the
window of it. Was that it was my mom and
(00:20):
dad saying, Okay, cool, you know you really want to
do this recording thing. You change your bedroom. Now, let's
move the cars out of the garage and we're gonna
build you a studio in our home.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
So that's a message for every single parent out there.
Let your kid be creative, encourage their creativity. Adam Blackstone
is today's guests on Naked. It's the greatest sponson entertainment.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Connect it with Kerry Champion.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
And Carry Chappi is to be a champion of Champion
and Carrie Chappi and the cart and the car.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
With you, Oscars, Bet Awards, Soul Trained Awards, Super Bowl
Half Time shows. These are major award shows and you
want to know who's behind the music of every single
one of these shows. As of late, today's guest Adam Blackstone,
(01:21):
I have the privilege of knowing him in a very
comfortable and very casual way. But he is truly the professional,
the ultimate professional, and I'm grateful that he had decided
to bless me not only on my TV show, but
today he is on the podcast and he's dropping gym's
as he should. But the question was this, I'm really
(01:45):
curious because I have that in me, that hustle muscle
that he has. But I wonder if there's ever a
time where you say I've done it, I've done enough,
or you have been able to stop and appreciate all
you've done and not feel the need to want more.
I can't say that truly ambitious people ever feel the
need to stop. It's just their drive, It's that engine,
(02:07):
that motor that they have, and Adam is truly one
of these people. But today we talk about the genesis,
his origin story, how he started in the business, how
his upbringing contributed heavily into his creativeness. He has a
special word for creators, all creators, not just in the
music industry. And then at the end of the day,
he's looking towards what's next in terms of when it's
(02:30):
all said and done, everybody relax and enjoy. Musical director
Artist Adam black.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Star, Champion and Cry Chepian and care with chat.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
I want to begin with what a wonderful is it?
Could it be a ten year run that you're on
a five year run? You are everywhere doing all the things.
And it's really interesting because the first time we sat
down to talk, I said, what is a musical director?
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
And so first, by definition, before I explain to everyone
why you're such a big deal, tell me, by definition
what a musical director is.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
I think the best way for me to explain is
everything live music oriented, that transference from the studio to
the stage. You know what I'm saying. Like as far
as it being when you wrote, when the artist records
the song, we want to now present it live for
an audience to watch, for an audience to listen to
to have that experience. I have to translate those those
(03:32):
moments from the studio to now to making a live experience.
But now for what I do and how I do
it and where I do it, it's more sometimes about dance,
my music, lining up with the dancers. It's more about
the video screens. When I'm doing Super Bowl, It's more
about it's more about the television shots and how I'm transitioning.
So it moved from a strictly music place to a
(03:55):
full out creative process. So that's what a good that's
what a good MD just what a is or.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Hey, I don't know about the other ones, but the
good ones do that. Here's my question for you. You
have said, especially according to research, that you credit your
love of music to your family. Did you grow up
in a musical household?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Absolutely. My dad was and still is a church organist,
what we would call today like a wedding man singer
type joe. He did weddings, bar mitched, was jazz clubs, restaurants,
church bay quits, all playing the keys and singing. My
mom was in the choirs and uncles are in the choir.
(04:36):
My uncle got a record deal when I was like
eight years old as a gospel group. They was like
the gospel Joe to see to me? So I was
And now for real, the boys, the boy I thought
they were, I know no better. I was like, listen,
they got they got the church girls is following them
(04:57):
around from church to church to all that. Before I
met KC. It was my uncle for self for show
for show, okay, but not so growing up growing up
like that, and then you know, I think a big
A big part of my success, as well as my
dad being a musician, allowed me to have the grace
(05:19):
to pursue a non traditional job in my household. A
lot of times black you know, they passed down like
you gotta do this, you gotta do that, we gotta
make it. This is what it is. And I had
the untraditional path having a parent as an untraditional list
as well, so that allowed me to just kind of
pursue dreams and think think big, dream big, you know
(05:41):
what I mean, and trust God. And it was just like,
you know, I didn't have a structure set going out
into the world. So when I moved to Philly from
New Jersey, it was just like, yo, I can do anything,
you know what I'm saying. Like, I didn't know if
that was music for video games. I was a gamer.
I didn't know if that was music for theater. I
didn't know if that was, you know, me playing jazz.
On my life, I met the roots, met a mayor
(06:04):
and that kind of changed my life too. But then
the full circle moment is like when I'm doing these
movie scores and stuff, I know I'm kind of speaking
through it, but it all goes back to just the
love of music, and what I enjoy happens to not
be genre or specific. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I'm really curious about something you said that is really
it's special. You said that because your father was a musician,
it gave you the flexibility and freedom to pursue a
non traditional career, especially at a black household, because if
they're like, go to school, get a good job. And
what you're saying is that you were encouraged to be
(06:41):
a creative. And what other ways did your family encourage
you to be a creative And what did that look like?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
It looked very untraditional. My parents allowed me to pull
the clothes out of my closet because I saw Jimmy
jam and Terry Lewis have a booth on television, of
recording booth, so I said, I'm gonna make one of those.
I took all the clothes out of my two by
(07:10):
four closet and like cut the window. It was that.
It was my mom and dad saying, Okay, cool, you
know you really want to do this recording thing. You
change your bedroom. Now, let's move the cars out of
the garage and we're gonna build you a studio in
our home, you know what I mean. It was my
mom and dad driving me to band competitions, you know,
(07:34):
during high schoo because YO, don't get it twisted like
me being the bed geek. I was lebron on it,
you know what I'm saying. I was getting flown all
over the world, you know, going to college visits and like, yo,
you should play in our band, and the bands just
picking me up. I flew to the youth, I flew
to North Texas, I flew the Baylor, you know, Berkeley.
(07:55):
It was like you know what I mean, like it was.
It was really like a thing. And so you know,
my mom and dad finding the resources to do that,
you know, definitely gave me a jot in my back
to actually be great, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
How wonderful, how absolutely wonderful to grow up in a
household that encourages the difference. I feel like it's why
you say you do all genres of music. You have
such an e collective taste. How would you describe you
and more specifically you've worked with You said they had
(08:33):
an open mic, night, quested, quest love did and the
roots and that really helped encourage you, especially being from Philly,
Delaware area, doing that, living that lifestyle. But what was
it about all types of music that you felt like
you could really relate to?
Speaker 1 (08:49):
What do you hear? What do you feel? That's a
great question, Carrie. I don't know if I ever thought
about it like that, about what I hear? You know
what I did think though I wanted, you know, I
love being the man behind the artists, behind the music.
But I like pop music straight up, you know what
I'm saying. Like so in a weird, weird way. As
(09:10):
much as I model a lot of what I do
after quest, I'm not necessarily the encyclopedia that he is
that dives super deep. Because I listened to the radio.
I like Drake like, I like Garth Brooks, I like
you know, uh, Jennifer Hudson, Like I like pop music.
You know what I'm saying. I like neo, I like
(09:31):
justin Timberlay, you know what I mean. I like Nikkia.
But I so, you know, I was always like, let
me take the soul elements from what I've learned here
and incorporate them into pop music because at the time
Philly was booming as well. It was the neo soul era.
But at the same time, it was just the passion
behind the music that everybody was coming to Philly to
(09:52):
try and get, you know what I mean. And so
I got my first opportunity, bigger opportunity being with you
Scott and music soul child who worked from Philly. But
at the same time, all over the world people were
looking for that sound. You know what I mean. It's
so rich, it's so rich, it's ten, it's so rich,
it's soulful, is warm, it's colorful. You know, Jill always
(10:16):
talked about seeing colors when she sings and writes, you know.
And then at the same time, Meshing met this young
kid from Chicago with this pink polo shirt and he
was super soulful as a producer named Kanye West. And
then you know, his sound transcended pop and hip hop
as well. So it's like I was actually forward thinking,
(10:39):
didn't even know I was what I was doing, but like,
let me infuse myself in this soul music, knowing that
this new soulful producer, and then you you know, fast forward,
you get him making beats for people like Brandy and
making beats for da with Daft Punk, and you know
me meaning Pharrell and you know nyr D, but then
Pharrell making beats to it. You know, Nile Roger isn't
(11:02):
making beachs for Gwin step Fini. So it was like
everybody was searching for that soul and I just so
happened to be what that live element meant for a
lot of the artists. So I was cool doing pop music.
I wasn't afraid of it at all. I didn't let
the color of my skin and how I looked affect
what rooms I walked into and be excellent, because you know,
(11:23):
when you walk in with your head held high and
knowing what you're doing, they can't help but respect you.
You know what I'm saying at that time, you know, hmm,
I'm gonna say fifteen years ago I was I had
the coke signed already from like a Jay and from Yay.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
And because you have, you know, with everybody, presumably every
really not everybody in that sense, but just every big
name people that are and even smaller names. But you
have worked with You've worked with the luminaries of music
in every genre. How do how do you how do
you make your name? Is it the jay Z moment?
Because you were on tour with him, and you were
(12:02):
you get the base.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Right, that was like a big moment was yeah, a
mere quest was the musical director. You know what, I
have a weird Yeah. Thought process about me making my
name was really about being everywhere. Like I don't know
if it was just one thing, you know, Arguably, you
could say chappelle Black Party kind of like made me
(12:25):
a little bit more visible. You could say Jay Z's
fade the Black Movie concert made me a little more visible.
You could say I did very early early episodes of
The Tonight Show when the roots first first got the
gig or whatever. But it was really about being like, man,
that dude is everywhere more than it is, like more
(12:46):
than it was one specific thing, you know what I'm saying.
And again that's encouragement by my family. That's that's a
supportive you know, family, supportive wife that was just like yo,
go do everything. And so I doing clubs and jazz gigs,
but at the same time taking the train in New
York to Jay Z rehearsal, you know what I'm saying.
And then I was like out on tour with Jay
(13:08):
but then coming home and writing out charts for the
local theater just to try to do that, which put
me in like a movie space too that I that
my counterparts at the time couldn't do because they may
have not been as musically tech savvy as I was
learning how to read or write music from college.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, and you have a hustle muscle that is undeniable.
It's different, it's different, it's different, and you got that.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
You got that too. It though, because you know, I'm
liable to see you on thirteen different.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Different different networks absolutely and speaking very different things like
I can speak to the black experience, I can talk politics,
I can do sports, I can do it all, and
I don't think that would limit ourselves. But I really
am fascinated about how you came into my atmosphere and
then I felt like, once you were in my atmosphere,
I saw you everywhere, And I feel that's how people
(13:57):
feel like you see to meet you once and then
and now you're alert and you're aware, most.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Recently about aware that you know we got that dream car.
Then you just see it driving down the street every time,
you like, yeah, yeah, you do get Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I also think I also think this is funny. I'm
gonna go by by just a list of achievements, because
if you're listening, you've already ascertained that he's worked with
everybody big in the business in some capacity. But we
talked uh about the day after the super Bowl. You
did arguably to me, you were the musical director for
(14:35):
one of the two of the if not never mind
all of them, some some legendary super Bowl performances, Like
I can't even I'm like, you know, that's not even fair.
All of them you've done, You've done it for the
last five But I would love to talk about the
West Coast Hip Hop super Bowl performance, which was legendary.
Then you had everybody guessing about Rihanna, And not only
(14:56):
do we look back on that now, I know as
a woman, I look back on that now and say,
I can't even imagine what she was.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Doing or thinking, Yeah, going through right, going through as.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
A pregnant woman performing and people wanted her to spin
on her head, and I'm all like, do you know
how difficult it was for her just to even elevate,
to get up that high.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
And perform equilibrium? Yeah, her, she wanted to.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
At one point I was like, she don't throw up
because this is tough. And she's still giving her all
to everybody.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
You know what I mean? For sure, Yeah, for sure.
I those two moments specifically, definitely, I ain't gonna say
made me a household name. But it's like, you know, now,
I go to the All Star and they're like yo,
adam oh, and it feels good because like number one
is for the culture, you know, Number two my goal.
(15:43):
I think I told you this before, but my goal
for the West Coast Hip Hop super Bowl was to
not let it just be about black excellence. I think
I wanted people who were not fans of hip hop
to leave that show or leave watching the show being like,
I respect it. It is just as genius as what
Bruce Springsteen did, what Billy Joe, what what Mick Jagger
(16:04):
could do. And think we achieved that, like absolutely absolutely.
We had no hiccups, we had no violence, we had
no no no, no, no TIFFs. It was it was
just a great, great experience. I was able to leave
that experience and win an Emmy for Best Musical rab Relations.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I was about to say, you got it. You think
what you did, you accomplished the mission. It was accomplished
in the sense that West Coast hip hop is mainstream music.
When I saw these fifty and sixty year old white
women dancing in a living room on ig and TikTok,
they were going crazy and it's exactly what we would
(16:46):
have wanted but hadn't imagined that it was possible. It
felt very special just for us, but it was for everybody,
and you were able to.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
It was definitely for everybody. It was definitely for everybody.
We accomplished that, and I think even in the boom
just to see the response and and honestly, man that
that Jay Z he just is such a gus because
I'm sure he knew this then but I didn't. But
he has opened the door with that being as successful
(17:16):
as it was Doctor Dre as well. But I'm talking
as Jay as a producer and the Rock Nation as
a producer has opened the door for the NFL and
even other of the five majors to really embrace hip
hop and say, people will support this, people will buy this,
and so you know, we then we get to Utah
(17:37):
right for NBA All Star, Yeah, which is my favorite,
and then you do Afro Beats and then we did
Afro Beats in Utah, Carrie, I thought that was at
All Star. I thought that was one of the most
far fetched ideas when it was on paper. And this
has nothing against Tim's one of my favorite Bernard are
(18:00):
you lead to? But I was just like wait what?
And then it worked. We saw the global capability of
what our people, how we impact the world.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
You know what price because our culture is in everything
and it's usually co opted and changed into theirs. But
we need to know, we own that.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
We shouldn't be surprised. But we are still made to
feel like the minority at times. And I gotta be honest,
working for a corporation, matter what corporation I'm talking about,
we are still not the majority. So it's like when
when they embrace us at times, it's like are y'all
showing what? What? What you got? This lead?
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Like?
Speaker 2 (18:49):
You know, there's we're are we We are wired to
be anxious because that's why we under That's all we've understood.
What else is about?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Why do you think that is? Though? I'm gonna ask
you come from a corporate job, like why do you
think you know well?
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Because culturally they don't really understand us, They don't see
the humanity in black people, they don't know our hearts.
I'm not saying this. I'm not saying this as a slight.
I'm saying it is in the country, and it's not
across the We're just talking it's not across the board,
but we're just saying in general, it's not it's not.
The onness isn't on them to learn about African Americans.
The onness is on us to learn about them. And
(19:26):
if you've never ever felt like you've needed to learn
about another culture, their their music, their dance, their style,
who they are, why they move that way, doesn't affect
your day to day life, it really doesn't. You could
there We have to live consistently in the world where
we interact with them. They don't. They can live in
a world where they don't have to interact with us.
And that's not that's crazy, That's what it is. So
(19:47):
that's exactly so we're anxious when we are in these environments.
But I love that our music has always been the
connect the dots and you you're specifically what you're doing.
It's bringing what we already know is great in mainstream
to the forefront. And you've been able to do that
(20:08):
in so many different ways. So what's up with next
year's super Bowl. Tell me who's performing. You can give
me the exclusive right now. I won't share with anybody.
Just the folks.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Is drum roll. Super Bowl is in Las Vegas. That's
all I got. That's all I got that.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
I know that, I know that.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
You know I was trying to give you something. Nah,
you know, it's a process. I ain't gonna even front
it's a process. At times we think we know, at
times we don't. You know. For instance, you know, I
think this is a little bit known, but you know,
Taylor was supposed to be last year and then she
went through some things for her label and wanted to
(20:57):
get ready for her tour, which she's out here killing
it right now, and that probably was best for her.
But I also know that was best for re because
you know, if we were have pushed redback to twenty
four or twenty five or twenty six or whatever, you know,
who knows what her new situation as mommyhood whatever. So
things just happened in the spur of the moment at times,
especially when it comes to planning that big concert in
(21:19):
the middle of the big game, which which you know, but.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
By the way, it's now become it's now become the
concert with a little game like that the West Coast.
I'm going to tell you the truth. That West Coast
hip hop concert was like there's a little there's a
little game happening, but there's a concert. I'm here to see.
That's what.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Yeah, I need to understand that.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
You need to understand that likes like that. Was this
Michael Jackson or Prince.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Who your team though? Who's your team? Oh?
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Well, well, you know my team even with the Rams,
The Rams is my team. That was I was still
rooting for my team and your team is the Eagles.
I'm sorry, we both have had our teams in the
Super Bowl. But I'm saying from the outside, look in
the what do the ratings do when the concert comes on?
Speaker 1 (22:04):
No. Eighty million strong up in one minute? It's crazy.
It's really really crazy. It's like it went from this
number to this number. They can like see it, you
know what I'm saying. And that's because my auntie, Yeah,
I te you know what I'm saying, like that, you know,
Caucasian auntie, you know what I mean. Like they may
not be in it, may not be as interested in
(22:25):
the game. And then it's like that concert, the concert
started eighteen. Let's watch Why watch you.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Guys know what time it is. It's to pay the bills.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Time.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
You can fast forward through these commercials. I'd appreciate it
if you did, but don't go away, fast forward, fast forward,
but paying attention because we have more of Adam Blackstone
when we return.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Every Champion and Carry Champion is to be a champion,
a champion, and carry Champion and carry Chat be out
a champion and Kerry Champion and.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Kerry chap Great.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
It's the sports and entertainment connect it weird. Carry Champion
and Carry Champion is going to be a champion, a
champion and Carrie Chappi and they champion the Cary Chappion
and carried Shepy.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Naked Word, Welcome back to the podcast. I have a
musical director, creative, all around badass man, Adam Blackstone, still
here on Naked I will I will say this to
you because you've had some wonderful, like luminary moments. You
just did Juneteenth. You're coming off of that. By the
time of years will be about a week or so
(23:31):
after Juneteenth. That was a beautiful concert. And you have
touched everyone and everything. But most recently you've had your
own success with your own project, the Legacy Experience. Can
you is it experience a project? It's experience, right.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Well, Legacy is the album, and I'm calling the live
experience the Legacy experience for sure. Okay, good, yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
You no, but you have shared that you wanted to have.
You don't want to have just a lap laptop full
of ideas. You wanted to actually put something out there.
And perhaps was it the pandemic that motivated you?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
For sure, it was the losses we were accumulating during
the pandemic. You know what I'm saying. I don't want
to say necessarily, the pandemic motivated me, like being on
one of the great things about my job is that
people wanted to see sports and music, for sure, you
know what I'm saying. So I really never had a
super low moment. I found out how to make live
(24:31):
music experiences from the crib, so that was really really cool.
You know, shows were still happening even though they were
COVID style, but the music bumpers and all of that,
and the live performances that we saw in the tiny
desk at homes, like I was doing all of those things. Yeah,
but then I was losing people. I lost a cousin,
I lost a great musician, keyboard player, friend of mine, young,
(24:54):
all just young people. I had people lose parents, and
that's when I was just like, yo, tomorrow is not
pro I'm not sure at forty years old that I
thought I would ever see a pandemic, you know what
I'm saying, Like just in my lifetime. My son at
the time was five, I just had a newborn, and
I was just like, Yo, I want something. Playing doctor
(25:16):
Drake Kendrick's incredible. Playing with Ree is incredible. Well, once
that gig is over, it's still theirs, per se. I
love that I was a part of it and impacted
that moment. But what do I have when my name
wanted to pass on to my family and to my children.
So I buckled down and created my legacy album. And
here we are, you know, one Emmy later Grammy nominated,
(25:38):
later NAACP Image Award. We're trying to get it racked up.
You know, it's just a big deal. It feels so
good to be validated by not just my people, but
just the peers in general, you know what I'm saying.
And it allows me opportunities like this to talk to
you and puts me on stages to kind of combined
(25:59):
thought processes. You know what I'm saying. Like, music for
sure is the catalyst to get me to outwork, speak
and inspire somebody else. So I'm thankful for that these moments,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
I'm really beyond happy.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
I appreciate it. Girl, for sure, you've been a huge
supporter of music in general, and so we see we
see you at this and I'll see you at the
at the show, I mean out there support.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
But it warms my heart because right now I know
a lot of people listen to this podcast that have
dreams because I'm a big believer of dreaming really big
and watching those dreams come true. People call it manifestation,
but I literally see my features and I want you
to talk to the struggling artists. And it doesn't have
(26:40):
to be just the musical director. It's the it's the director. Yeah,
it's the creative who needs to know that it's okay
to take your clothes out of the closet and create
a box to do music like Jimmy jam and Terry Lewis.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
You know what I mean, Fact facts, Yeah, I mean
that's where it starts. It starts in your head. You
don't always have the resources. Now, I will say this,
the generation or two under us has says to so much.
So I will say I think that made us a
(27:15):
little more resilient and a little more creative. Where we
didn't have a YouTube where you couldn't seen the next
you know, pretty black girl podcast girls like you almost
had to guess who was behind the mic, Like you
know what I'm saying, you couldn't really see what a
musical director does and to be like I aspire to
(27:35):
be that. So one of the things I encourage young
creatives to do is to follow your own dreams. You
know what I'm saying. It's cool to be inspired by us,
but at the same time be better than us, you
know what I'm saying, Like, I feel like my platform
is here for the little young boy, little young girl
to know that there anything that's possible. You know what
(27:58):
I'm saying. I thought I was going to play it,
and music has taken me to every arena in the
country to watch my favorite sport. Like you know what
I'm saying. I see the same camera people, I see
the same scoring table people, I see the same ball
(28:19):
girls and ball boys, Like, there are so many other
opportunities than just dribbling and passing and catching the ball
and even playing the guitar. There's so many other opportunities
that allow you to be successful, specifically in the entertainment business.
So that's been my job, and you know, we're offline,
but like, I really want to get people like us
(28:40):
around that. Maybe people can't do what we do, but
they want to be in the business because there's somebody
doing your audio right now, and there's somebody creating an
audio session for me right now. That you don't see
those people behind the day, but those are great, great
jobs that last, you know, kind of pass some of
the shows, and.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
They teach you to the world that you want to
be a part. You were saying, I want to be
in the NBA, and you thought that was it, but
you're still a part, you know, whether it be adjacent
because of the world on which you live, you still
have the same access and the resources because you.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
I'm definitely in the NBA, I'm actually I'm actually in
the NFL. I'm actually in MLLB. Like it's so crazy
because it's like, you know, those are the moments where
you realize this gift that I have has gotten me
to these stages and you want to be more excellent,
you know what I mean? Give that access to my
(29:35):
children and it's like, you know, he see Jojo and
this regular for him because it's like that's where we're at.
But it's like I can't imagine being able to just
see ai, you know what.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
And so your messages for all those who are creatives
is to really follow your passion.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
Follow your passion. It will take you far beyond where
you could ever imagine. And then the other thing is
if you're not inspired, find some I think to be
or someone to be inspired inspired by. You know what
I'm saying. It's like it takes it.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
You know.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I hate to think specifically for our black boys, it's
like you've got to have some turmoil or some daddy
issues or whatever to be like great, you know what
I'm saying. So one of my other constant roles is
affirming my children to know that they can be anything
that they want to do. I have their back ten
thousand percent and I'm gonna support them and all that
(30:30):
because sometimes the success stories you see be like, you know,
struggle didn't know the dad. He went on to be great.
It's like, hey, that's up.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
It doesn't have to be that story. It could be
a story of my dad was an organist in the
church and he said, go ahead and be creative. And
then it could be we encourage everything that I wanted
to do. That's why I'm so good at what I
do and why I'm also in turn a great author. Yeah,
which is before Adam, I love that story. Can you
tell me? Can you really tell me? Because every time
I talk to you, you seem so easy and happy.
(31:01):
Have there ever has there ever been a time in
which in your career where you're like, this, th ain't it.
I ain't doing this, this ain't.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Yeah, you get discouraged often, I mean like and then
also right on front like social media, I haven't thinking
that you ain't doing nothing either, Like even though you
do all that, you do it all the days.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
Wait, what do you why the social media makes you
think that way? Why?
Speaker 1 (31:24):
Why? Why?
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Well?
Speaker 1 (31:24):
I mean, you know they're there. There could be there
could be someone you know, deemed more popular. It could
be something where you know you really want people to
see or buy a song or whatever, and the numbers
ain't moving like you think they should. Be, but then
you see some other crazy numbers moving on something that
is a little less that you may think is less important,
(31:46):
you know what I'm saying. So it's it's you know,
I take social breaks for sure, you know what I mean,
because I remember how focused I was before all of this,
and I still let them very focused, don't get me wrong,
But I mean like I remember when I could do
five or six or seven different jobs because it was
nothing taking my attention away or me not necessarily I
(32:07):
was chasing myself, you know what I mean. But you
know there are times where you struggle. You you look
for validation. That's where a great support system comes comes
in Andy as well, and then team as well, because
I surround myself with positive people and we are not
(32:27):
always positive, but a strong word ll help you get
through it. That you never know what somebody's going through,
whether that be at the crib, whether that be out
in the field, whether that be at work, whether you
know you've done I remember during the Oscar last year
and then it was just like I was working for
three months and then the song changed like a weekend
before you know what I'm saying. So I was like,
(32:48):
you know, that makes you almost want to give up,
but it's like no, no, no, this ain't the time
to give up. This is the time to step up,
you know what I'm saying. So and then you know,
everybody's financial and mental state at times can take it
a toll on you too. So mental health is a real, real,
real I'm a firm believer and being as optimistic as possible,
(33:13):
because if you speak it like you said, Carrie, it's
gonna happen, It's gonna manifest, it's some way or another.
And so I have met some people who are down,
not only on themselves but just out in the world.
We always hate that one board that's like yo, you
always negative about stuff like yeah, I know what I mean, right.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
Ed?
Speaker 1 (33:32):
Probably like nah, uncle, I need all positivity because at
the end of the day, we winners, and it's not
about the win and it's not about the w h E.
And it's just knowing that I am going to wi in.
I'm good with it sooner rather than later, and not now.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
If not now, but you are when you eat cast
you this for very ambitious people, and this is why
I'm very curious when I see ambitious, successful people such
as yourself. I wonder do you know when a win
is truly a win? If it all away tomorrow, as in,
I don't feel like tomorrow, would you be okay with
what you've accomplished so far? Or you would feel like
(34:07):
there's but you would feel slighted?
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Be honest, you know now we now we're in the
therapy session right now, because you know what I'm saying.
I don't know why. Culturally, I think we don't celebrate
ourselves enough when there is a win. You know what
(34:32):
I'm saying, we are. I'm gonna put you in the
same category. We a little bit of a workaholic, and
when we do great, great, great, great things, we're happy
about it, don't get me wrong. But at the same time,
we want to move on to the next thing. So
and not that it can top the last thing, but
that almost is what drives us. So is it?
Speaker 2 (34:52):
If this is it cultural? Is it? Is it a
black thing? Or is it the ambitious? I don't think
that I'll use this random Elon Musk is ever satisfied.
This man has SpaceX and a car that drives itself
and equal to whatever, and he's like, not enough. I
want to change. I want science to lead the world.
What I've accomplished is great, Yes, I know?
Speaker 4 (35:13):
Or is it?
Speaker 2 (35:14):
Or is it we just feel like we have it
might go away? Are we addicted to the to the seed?
That's what I think cultural is that it's like, yo,
we we don't know when they could be taken from us.
You know what I'm saying, Like that was a moment
where I told you I just accepted every gig. I
don't do that anymore because number one no is powerful.
(35:38):
And then and then at the same time, all money
ain't good money, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
But but but I'm in a position to say that
now because I did say yes to a lot, a
lot of things to put me on the map and
to gain my own self assuredness of what I could
and couldn't do. So I don't know, Carrie, I don't
like to answer that. I would ask you, I would
say to your original question, would I be satisfied? Absolutely?
(36:06):
You know, my children have seen me do some great things.
My wife has seen me do some great things. My
mom is so proud of me. Oh, but I have
my own personal goals that have nothing to do with
them as well. I know I want to move into
I know I want to. I want to get this eguy, Like,
there's so many different things that I personally want to
do that My daughter, my two year old daughter, she
(36:29):
could give a f about, Like, she don't care about
none of that, you know what I'm saying. And if
I were to later rest today, yeah, she wanna, she
want to. She want to play with Ariel the little hermon,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (36:43):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
But but if I were to leaders Earth today, I
could definitely think my family, my friends would say job
well done for sure, And I'm thankful. I'm thankful for that.
I'm thankful to be able to put people in a
position to win as well. And that's one of my
first not to get super deep, but that's one of
my first ministries is like I really want people to
win around me because the opportunity that I was given
(37:06):
doesn't come around a lot of times, you know what
I mean. So once you take it, you have to
be prepared for it and uh and make it happen.
So you know that's why I'm at with it.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
Get it once you once you get on, you have
to give it back. Once you get on, you have
to give it back. It's not just for you're for
ourselves just to share it and grow it and and
and build off of it.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Every champion and Kerry champion is to be a champion,
a champion and carry champion and carry chat be out
a champion and Kerry chappion and carry chappifraid is the
sports and entertainment can naked weird Kerry champion and carry
champion is to be a champion of champion and carry champion.
(37:48):
Nigger got a champion and carry champion and carry chappyfraid
is the sports and entertainment can get word.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
I wonder, Adam, what is next for you? I know
you said you want to egot and you want to
be in movies. Those things will be that is that
is to come, That is happening. That's that's what. That's
so I am, But what what what outside of on
the list, Like, what do you want for yourself personally?
In your family? What do you want to shure?
Speaker 1 (38:15):
Yeah, I want to raise happy and successful children, for sure.
I think that's always a goal for a proud father.
I want to leave a legacy is for them to
know that I did my best for them, and then
you know, leave a little bit of generational wealth. And
that's not even financial I'm talking about. I'm really I'm
(38:36):
literally talking about knowledge wisdom.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
You know.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
I see some of the other other folks do it.
They leaving their kids land and all this kind of stuff.
It's like, like, how dope is that? You know what
I'm saying, Like the investment instead of getting a school
on It's like, let me be in a position to
give that to my son, to learn how to make
it be something in the future, you know what I mean?
So uh, And then that that comes with me constantly learning,
(39:00):
you know, constantly learning the financial game. I'm all early
at leisure, like.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Say all day, say I'm going to tell you that's
one thing about this generation of us who have made it,
who didn't have the financial literacy. We're learning and real
and and real time. It's scary.
Speaker 1 (39:20):
It's scary. It's really scary. I see puff Now, I
don't want to talk about no music. I'm just like, yo,
what's what you're working on? Like, you know, what's the
next deal? How you how you figure out this dellly y'all?
How you figure out this sarack? Like I'm with Jay
often and when I get a chance to, you know,
I watch and observe the team around him bringing him
(39:44):
the deals. You know what I'm saying. Not to diminish
his genius at all, but it's about surrounding yourself with
forward thinking people as well, you know what I'm saying.
So it's like that's the kind of things that I'm
trying to do. I have people now my team bringing
me plays knowing that I want to he got So
it's like they're bring give me new scripts, They're bringing
me things to invest in to possibly do. I am
(40:05):
scoring the new Alicia Keys Broadway play we got to
open the night October twenty four called Hell's Kitchen. I'm
really excited about that. Me and Yeah come through from Shore.
I got you, Me and Alicia doing that. Another big
thing I'm excited about is I'm being honored November first,
and I would love to invite you to that in
(40:27):
La by recording Academy Save the Music, which is about
all giving back to the kids. They're trying to take
music out the schools man especially the black schools, and like,
I ain't have it. I ain't having it. I'm not
having it.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
It's hey, Adam, that though right there, like what you
just said, gave me chills. They're trying to check music
out of the schools and you, that is your that
will be a part of your legacy.
Speaker 1 (40:53):
You will not let that happen. I can't do it
because I know the outlet that I that I had
through music. I remember the football code I was, you know,
I was like six foot two eighty in college. I
mean in high school. He was like you just you
just you won't. You're gonna choose folks. You're gonna choose
(41:14):
play defensive end or you're gonna go to the Martian band.
And I was like, I think I'm gonna go to
the march Van And they like you just a waste
of big and I just like, I think it worked
out for me. I think it worked. I think it
worked out for me. Go like, you know what I'm saying, Like,
(41:35):
so I know the outlet, I know the I know
the gifts, and I know how incredible it was to
be in the band room during school days and to
have something to look forward to that wasn't always just scholastic,
you know what I'm saying. And so that creative outlet
allowed me to meet people that allowed me to be
(41:57):
a friend to different cultures and different, you know, racist,
and I'm going to do my best to really really
amplify the fact that, you know, music is not just
a sound, but it's it's it's a feeling, it's a culture,
it's it's it's healing for people. And so I'm doing
(42:18):
my best to do that through save the music. So
that's another big thing I'm proud of this year is
that graduating them. She congradulates so much. Nobody say the music.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
You know why because I always think how important There
are two things that are extremely important. Music. We talked
about what it's been for us culturally. Like I I
remember going to I was in Nashville and I went
to the museum there and and Jimmy jam and Terry
Lewis and as you mentioned them earlier. So they have
a section in that museum. I forget the name of it,
(42:49):
but it's the museum that acknowledges African American music, that
talks about what it's done for us, even since it's beginning.
The gospel, the rooms, ye boots of it all. And
I was thinking, it just narrates our life and it's
so very important because you can play a song, you
could you could remember to you. Now, I'll tell you
where I am based on what I'm listening to.
Speaker 1 (43:11):
And it's so important that you could cry on the
you could cry on the spot you hear the if
you hear the right rogue song, like whether that's a
loved one passing, whether that's your dude break it up
with you, whether that's the wedding's song, whatever it is.
It's like music has so many different capabilities, and so
(43:35):
you know, our young people will need that. I see
I see young people struggling with mental health more than
ever and it's not cool. It's not cool, and I
can't help but say because of what I do. A
big part of that is not having the outlet to
express you know.
Speaker 2 (43:50):
I love it, Adam. You're changing the world with your
music and and you already trying to see You are athlete,
You're in all the things. So now I know, whenever
I want to come to something, just real black, I
wrap it up like this, real black. Can I just
get a ticket because you're doing all the stuff?
Speaker 1 (44:04):
Got the ticket? I got no Beyonce tickets, but I
got you.
Speaker 2 (44:10):
A Beyonce hookup. I gotta Beyonce hookups, So.
Speaker 1 (44:12):
I wait on that they got.
Speaker 4 (44:16):
Listen, I'm gonna call you on that, like, hey, who
we called me? Let me what we call a nice
tight connect. I'll tell you about it offline. Let me
wrap up this podcast. Thank you so much for joining
me and encouraging me.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
I'm carrying me.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
Youpirati, you really truly are do you know that? Just
just receive it, Just receive it this same things.
Speaker 1 (44:40):
I appreciate that. Say thank you, I'll receive it. I'll
receive it. But I wanted to to you want to
say this as you go and you go, you are
doing the same for us, like you know you you.
I can't even put a gender on it. Like you.
What you do for the culture is bigger than woman,
That is bigger than black. It's like, you know, keep
doing what you're doing, given us these outlets and still
(45:01):
talking your shit because you know what you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (45:03):
So that's right.
Speaker 1 (45:04):
We appreciate I.
Speaker 2 (45:08):
I love you Adam so much.
Speaker 1 (45:09):
I really do. God, you a good loud loud loud.
Speaker 2 (45:12):
When you're creative and you have had certain levels of success,
I do believe it's difficult to appreciate all that you've done,
really to take in your career and That's why I
asked Adam, when is enough enough? Have you done enough?
And quite honestly, he said no, And I can relate.
I mean I can relate. I have accomplished some amazing
(45:34):
things over my career, but I'm always looking at what's next.
I do believe the world that we live in today
forces us to compare ourselves to others, and we see
it so obviously with social media. That person's doing that,
she's doing that, and he's doing that without taking the
time to say, but what am I doing or what
have I accomplished, or how have I inspired? Or how
(45:56):
have I contributed to the culture and to the field
in which I am working and thriving it Sometimes we
start we should just ask ourselves those questions. We should
not live in this world where it's always what's next.
I'm telling myself that as I tell you that, I
appreciate dam for being honest, and I don't have an answer.
(46:18):
I definitely don't have an answer, because I too do
exactly what he does. I'm looking at what's next. I'm
already outlining the next move, the next show, the next gig,
the next opportunity. But in the meantime, I think I
can try. And this is what I am encouraging you
all to do. Take stop. You don't have to look
(46:40):
around and see what everybody else is doing. Take stock
of what you've already accomplished and why it's so so
very valuable. I love that his parents encouraged him. I
love that they loved his creativity. And I love that,
despite what he'd looked like as a black boy, haul
and big, and they wanted him to do sports, he
wanted to fall his passion. We don't have to take
(47:03):
the traditional path of the path that we've been told
we should take. This is just another example of why
you should do what inspires you, what drives you, what
is your passion, and be bold about it and hopefully
you have people around you who encourage it. That's exactly
what happened to Adam, and it's just such a testament
(47:25):
to I am more than what you see. There is
so much more to experience. There's so much more to
be had with me, and I'm disgrateful that we had
the opportunity to hear his story. Adam Blackstone musical director
for the next ten Super Bowls.
Speaker 1 (47:43):
Probably you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (47:45):
The musical director for the Oscars, musical director for the
BET Awards, a musical director for you name it. Now
he's doing Broadway with Alicia Keys. Keep going, keep going,
and don't forget. You've allreadlready made it. I appreciate you
guys listening to the Naked podcast. We will be back
(48:05):
next week.
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