Hi Kevin, thank you for joining the DMC world. Well, some people have to wait until music lessons at school or dancing in their kitchen to Motown with their father’s, but you had an early musical start… six months old in the arms of your Gospel singing mother and Aunt who claimed you cried in the key of perfection! Do you still have a love for Gospel?
“Because I basically grew up in church, I have been able to stay connected to my Gospel roots. I was always taught that Gospel meant “the truth” and now that I am an adult, I can’t help but sing and write with a heavy Gospel influence, so yes I do still have a love for Gospel.”
So your mother must have known from an early age you had some ability and soon pressed you into musical theatre and band classes… was this a chore for you back then or did you enjoy it? Most kids would rather be running around with a ball or climbing a tree growing up?
“At first my mother did not want me to have to deal with the pressures of the music industry, so she did everything she could to keep me doing what most kids were doing at an early age. No it was not a chore, I actually enjoyed it, in fact I would sneak to enter into local talent shows while my mother thought I was out playing or at a friends house. When I would come home with money that I had won, or when we would be in the shopping mall and people would recognize me, my mother then realized that maybe this was something I wanted to do. So then she supported me 100%. She even helped me by making my outfits… lol.”
So you were born in New Jersey but was raised in Virginia – and then moved to Atlanta where the real party started for you, but what’s the story with all the moving about?
“Yes I was born In New Jersey, and my parents got divorced when I was around 10yrs old. My mother felt she could better raise my brother and I in a different environment. A friend had told her that the school system was great in Portsmouth, Virginia, so that is where she went to prepare a place for me and my brother, and when she was ready, she came to get my brother and me to live there. I loved Virginia, it was there that I expanded my talent, and met other talented peers such as Missy Elliott. But I started to feel like if I wanted to make it in the business, I needed to move to a larger city. Right after high school I decided to go to Atlanta, but the only way my mother would let me move away from home is if I promised to stay in school, so I did and it was in Atlanta where my college roommates tricked me into getting into a talent show, that really kicked off an ongoing drive to pursue what was really in my heart. I started meeting people who would go on to work with LA and Babyface. I had become a regular among the local Atlanta club scene, where I met Keshia Jackson(Millie Jackson’s daughter) I was touring with her as well others.”
So your early musical background saw, before you knew it, opening up on stage for the likes of Macy Gray, Jennifer Holiday, Martha Wash, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, or as a background vocalist for Pebbles, Usher, TLC, Blu Cantrel, Millie Jackson and chart topping dance diva Kim English. What were your best shows and who did you really enjoying performing with?
“All the shows and experiences were great. I enjoyed working with everyone for different reasons. I will say that I got the bulk of my musical experiences being with Millie Jackson, because I was able to see the business first hand from the ups and the downs, behind the scenes and in front.”
So some quick questions:
Best single ever made?
‘Never Stop’ The Brand New Heavies, because it always encourages me to keep on following my dreams.
Best album ever made?
‘Control’ Janet Jackson, because I felt she finally realized who sho was, and that album showed her growth and independence.
Best thing about living in America?
“Our new President showing us we can truly “Be Who We Wanna Be”. I think he is a true example of what being American should be.”
Worst thing about living in America?
“Health Care.”
Best restaurant in your home city?
“A place called Eats…Pasta and veggies.”
Best DJ in the world?
“Wow there are a few… Bob Sinclar, Dave Morales… oh and Louie Vega… lol.”
Ever had your heart broken?
“Many times!”
What artist out there would you most like to work with that you haven’t so far?
“Elton John, Lady Ga Ga!!!”
Best club you have ever performed at?
“Red Zone in Italy, oh my.”
Paris Hilton… thoughts?
“I think she is wonderful at marketing and promoting herself.”
You get home from performing, what are your Back To Mine grooves flowing out of your speakers?
“Lala Hathaway, Chaka Kahn, Rahsaan Patterson, Kelly Rowland, Brandy and Kerri Hilson.”
So doing vocals on the remake of the Rufus and Chaka Khan’s ‘Any Love’ working with producers Paul Scott and Shank Thompson of B.O.P. behind people like Jomanda and Barbara Tucker… a pretty cool tune and great guys to work with…
“I am a big Rufus and Chaka Khan fan and because B.O.P. believed in me, working with them and doing that song helped to bring out who I am as an artist. I LOVED working with them.”
How do you feel about being quoted as a ‘Brand new Evolution of Artistry – and what does that exactly mean?
“I am glad that others can see that I have evolved into my own. I think what all that mean is because the art of music is forever changing, and few artist get the chance to carry the torch of evolution and change in this tough business, and I think I might have been passed down that torch to carry in this new era of music and art.”
DMC will also today be talking to Gladys Pizarro, a big mentor in your life, the person at Strictly Rhythm who brought you on board and helped you bring out some classics. Quite a lady?
“Yes Gladys is a great supporter of what I believe in as far as my music. She saw something in me that others could not quite figure out what to do. I first met Gladys back when she signed me with the “Any Love” record, and as music and Strictly Rhythm has gone through many changes she has managed to keep her belief in me as an artist and decided to have me combine with her on this new journey with her Label Launch Entertainment. So yes Gladys is quite a Lady as you say…. lol I am glad to be in the company of all the other artist, and DJ’s she started in the business.”
Tell us about the new tune…
“This new record is all about me stepping out of the box of what others have wanted or wished for me to be over the years… I feel now that I can truly write and sing about who I wanna be, and that I finally realized who I am as an artist. I want to represent that in myself and allow others to see and come across what I have for myself, Growth, Security, and confidence in who I am. “
What’s next for Kevin Bryant?
“Well, getting out there letting the world know who I am and Loving it. I know there will be a few more singles and then an Album coming!!!! So get ready…”
Kevin Bryant ‘Who You Wanna Be’ featuring Ananda Project, Bob Sinclar and DJ Dove mixes are coming out on Launch Entertainment
