On Da Come Up with Raphael Boyd

Posted on Monday, June 8, 2009
Tags: raphael boyd

Most people, especially most artists, talk about being different, about stepping outside the box and developing a unique sound. However, most times it’s is just that – talk. Enter independent R&B singer/songwriter Rapheal Boyd.

As he readies himself for the release of his yet titled CD on Gang Tackle Music, Rapheal is promoting a sound he dubbed “renaissance soul.” What is renaissance soul you ask? Well to paraphrase the man, it’s a “rebirth” of a state of mind where sustentative real life experiences expressed though lyrics and complemented by a song’s beat. But Rapheal explains it best.

The Illinois native is devoting his career to elevating the complexities in his music. He has worked alongside producers like Grammy winner Maurice Joshua, Earl of R. Kelly’s Public Announcement and Oliver Gibson. Hip Hop Ruckus cosigns Rapheal’s musical movement and believes he is an artist on the come up.

Rapheal spoke to us about how he got into the music industry, renaissance soul, his impending projects and even his meeting with the legendary soul songstress Chaka Khan. Read up.

HHR: Rapheal what’s going on, how are you?
Rapheal Boyd: I am busy and extremely blessed to be busy doing what I was put on this earth to do which is to give myself and others a soundtrack to their life. There are so many things I value in life that have made me a happy man in 2009. I am one of the small percentage of black men in this world to graduate from college; I have the opportunity to be a role model for my nephew and recently signed a production deal with Gang Tackle Music.

HHR: Sounds good, congrats. Tell our readers who you are and where you’re from.
RB: I am a gentleman, curious about how many things I can conquer and ready to challenge music industry standards. Being humble is important to me also and when we meet you will understand. I am from Harvey, Illinois – south of Chicago. Not the best of areas but I was able to use my passion for poetry and music to give me an outlet out of what was going on around me including poverty, excessive crime and teen pregnancy.

HHR: Very understandable. How did you get your start as an R&B singer? What or who was your inspiration?
RB: My passion started with poetry. As I mentioned before, there was so much negativity around me, I was able to use poetry to escape that. My 3rd grade English teacher noticed my creative ability with writing and had me stay after school to work on short stories and poems – later entering me in competitions to share my creativity with a wider audience I began to sing my poems. By 16, my mom noticed my gift, introduced me to Felony from R. Kelly’s Public Announcement and I eventually recorded my first demo. My motivation was the desire to never be average and a few early influences were my English teacher and family who were musically inclined such as producers Maurice Joshua (Destiny’s Child) and Hula Mahone (Will Smith).

HHR: You’ve coined the term “renaissance soul” as a pseudo-R&B genre. Paint a picture of what renaissance soul sounds like and how you fit into that picture.
RB: Renaissance soul is state of music and not a genre. Renaissance is a rebirth and this is what I feel the game needs. I was influenced by artists such as Marvin Gaye, David Ruffin, Sarah Vaughan, etcetera and these artists sang what they lived. In Marvin Gaye’s lyrics he asked “What’s Going On” instead of “where is the champagne?” I like to have fun as an artist but I am a grown man and sing about grown issues. Renaissance Soul will strip R&B down to build it up, using less auto-tune and more substance, a rebirth of soul like the artists I grew up listening to. I want to support this movement and support other artists that do.

HHR: I hear that. To use a cliché, that would be a breath of fresh air. Among some of the producers you have work with include Grammy winning producer Maurice Joshua. Who else have you worked with and how have they influenced your music?
RB: I have worked with B Simms who placed with Will from Day 26, Mush Millions who placed with Ne-Yo and Maino – Earl who produced for Keith Sweat and R Kelly when he broke ground in R&B. The list goes on and on. Working with industry producers, there are industry expectations so I am always pushed to step out of my comfort zone. There are some notes that I never would’ve imagined hitting until working with these guys. Some of the most influential producers have been my in-house producers at Gang Tackle such as Anthony Capers and Oliver Gibson. They have such an attachment to my music; they are always brutally honest and never tell me what I want to hear. Being a part of Gang Tackle, I notice their shared passion in supporting me in being a ground breaking artist instead of one simply riding the wave, also known as a one-hit wonder.

HHR: Can you tell us about your encounter with the legendary soul singer Chaka Khan and her reaction to your music?
RB: Attending the ASCAP’s “I Create Music” is a great opportunity for those looking for a national outlet to share their gift. I didn’t know I would be sharing mine with Chaka Khan. When I introduced myself to her, I opened up with a personalized version of “I’m Every Woman” called “You’re Every Woman.” She was blown away and this decision definitely allowed me to stand out at the conference. From that moment on every person knew me as the kid that blew Chaka Khan away and made her blush. She has been all over the world and her complement is a great one. She wanted to hear more and so did everyone else at the Chaka Khan interview. I will entertain her any day.

HHR: That’s quite a story. You are in the process now of wrapping up your EP. Have you come up with a title?
RB: My project is far from an EP. I am so close to 50 songs, I can make several EPs. The object is not volume though; I will put out my top songs but have not come up with an exact number. There is no title but I want it to reflect my international taste, class, timelessness and lifetime dedication to not being average. Seeing that I have so many ideas, this will probably be one of my most difficult decisions.

HHR: What should fans expect to hear on the CD? Where can we find it?
RB: Imagine a collage of pictures expressing different emotions throughout my life. These emotions may include pain from failed relationships, the morning after a love making marathon, following your dreams, infidelity. Expect influences from the West coast, East coast and the Midwest. I have a feature or two that is going to make a Hip-Hop head knock and live accompaniment that will blow you away. Get ready for a collage of my life.

HHR: How can fans reach out to you? Are you a Twitterer?
RB: I have to be Twitterer since everyone is so hooked on it. Whichever way to reach my fans and twittering is one of the many methods. Check my EPK out until my Myspace and website is fully functional at Sonicbids.com/raphealboyd“Cadillac Music”.

HHR: Any last words?
RB: Get ready for the rebirth.

New Music
Raphael Boyd in “Cadillac”

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