Thank you for spending time with us. Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us where you’re from?
My name is Mr. Church and I reside in Jacksonville, FL by way of Montgomery, AL.

Tell us the origin behind your name.
My name stems from my connection to ministry. I feel as though the church is catching a bad rap in the times we live in, and in some cases rightfully so. But not whole-fully so because there are some people like myself that truly have a heart for God and people and we want to get something to people and not out of people. With that being said I decide to re-brand this year and I changed my name from Rod Tha god to Mr. Church because I was inspired to represent the church in the right light. C.h.u.r.c.h stands for Change, humility, unity, righteousness, character, hope.

What made you decide music was your passion?
Music is a universal language but it is also the soundtrack to our lives. I acknowledge the impact that a song can have on our lives so as a minister I use music as a tool to reach people. The more I see my music help people in life the more passionate I become about it!!!

How would you describe your style of music?
My music is the Good News of Jesus Christ!!! It is Hope infused!!! I am a praiser with like a crunk, down south, Atlanta sound so my music if hype and it gets the people out their seats and their feet moving!!!

Tell us about the single you are currently pushing and where it’s available.
The single is titled “This My Year”. Its a declaration that 2020 is the year that my life turns around for the better. No matter how much adversity I face I am going to do the work to see a change in my life and this should be the declaration for everybody that’s tired of living a lass than life!!! Available on ALL digital platforms!

What else can we catch you doing besides Music?
I have my own ministry called ” Circle Of Life International Community”. It is a open dialogue ministry that is designed to heighten that people level of understand through open dialogue conversations about the bible. My prayer is that as people’s level of understanding rises then their application of the principals in the bible will become consistent, as a result, people will start to live a more victorious life!!!

What’s next for you?
Production of movies

Where can we keep up with you online?
Facebook: Mr Church or IAmTheChurch2020 | Instagram: mr_church2020

GREETINGS BISHOP, GREAT TO LINK UP WITH YOU AND PROVIDE US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO POSE A FEW QUESTIONS.
YOUR TRACK, ‘RUNNIN BACK’, IS QUITE A REMARKABLE ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY MUSICAL ASPECT. SO TELL US, WHAT INSPIRED THE TRACK?

Peace to you and yours. I appreciate your interest in the single. I’m humbled by the reviews and this subsequent interview. It is psychologically impactful when you’re exposed to albums like “Black America Again” [Common] and “To Pimp A Butterfly” [Kendrick Lamar]. In these times, there are things going on in the world that are greater than oneʼs self. As an artist, you have a duty to report current events as accurately and honestly as lyrically possible. When you see a dead child from Syria wash up upon the shores of Turkey; when nearly 200 girls remain missing after being kidnapped by Boko Haram; and when African American males are being executed in the streets of United States by the police without due process; you have no other choice but to address the facts. Events such as these and moreover inspired “Runnin Back”.

I LIKE THE TRACK. GREAT ONE. HOW IS ITS PERFORMANCE IN TERMS OF PUBLIC RECEPTION?

Actually, I have not performed “Runnin Back” live publicly. The label is still in the music servicing phase of the single. The reception from the DJ’s, Record Pools, and Radio Stations has been very welcoming. The average rating is approximately 3.5/4 out of 5. The next phase of the project will consist of shooting a music video.

“Runnin Back” is food for the soul…

DO YOU THINK THE TRACK WOULD HAVE FARED BETTER IN TERMS OF WIDER ACCEPTANCE?

In my view, some people view the arts as an escape from reality. Some people don’t want the ills of society force fed through music. Some people say that “Runnin Back” is food for the soul. The one thing that everyone can universally agree upon is that “Runnin Back” is not like any of the other music out currently, and that it provides a refreshing prospective.

PERSONALLY I AM CAPTIVATED BY YOUR CHOICE OF LYRICS. YOU ACTUALLY PLAY WITH WORDS. HENCE MY QUESTION: DO YOU HAVE ANY HISTORY WITH CONVENTIONAL POETRY?

I appreciate that you get the crux that I intended. Yes, the origins of my poetry began in elementary school. Before composing song compositions, I wrote poems. I actively began composing songs in 1996 at the age of 15. Now, 10 commercial releases later, the rest is history.

“It’s extremely important that music has substance…”

WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE GREAT HIP-HOP MUSIC YOU DO? DID YOU INITIALLY SET OUT TO BECOME A RAPPER?

I have rigorously studied the craft, past and present content. I have written more songs than I have actually published. I have more than 1,000 songs in my repertoire. Just under 100 songs have been commercially published. Being a “Rapper” was never an objective and never will be. For me, music and the arts has always been therapeutic. Listening to my compositions and the music of others has gotten me through some challenging situations. So it’s extremely important that music has substance. Fame was never an objective. Honestly, I would be content if I could “ghost write” for other acts and continue to record my song compositions for synchronization licensing placement into television, films, commercials and video games.

MY CURIOSITY IS GETTING THE BETTER OF ME. WHAT INFORMED YOUR CHOICE OF THE STAGE NAME ‘BISHOP THE OVERSEER’?

Once upon a time, my stage name was “Ses Dogg”. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, people would call me “Ses” because they couldn’t pronounce my birth name. As a teenager, I was advised by a potential manager that I should change my stage name to something that could sustain long term. In my quest for names, I wanted to choose something meaningful. Something that in 20 years, where I stand today, I could stand behind. Long story short, I chose “Bishop” based on its religious background. I have always been a God fearing believer, and although imperfect, my belief is unwavering. Bishop’s acronym is “Best Individual Style Only Happens through Potential” which is self explanatory. “The Overseer” in the church is a nickname for a Bishop. The Overseer oversees the operations in which the Bishop is responsible for in the church. As the “Overseer” in the Hip-Hop/Rap industry, I have a duty as one of the gatekeepers of the culture to ensure that the content I publish is sustainable music with substance.

“Streaming, sync placement and brand campaigns … is the future, going forward…”

THE HIP-HOP MUSIC INDUSTRY IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD IS SADDLED WITH ITS OWN PECULIAR LIMITATIONS. HOWEVER, THE INDUSTRY IN THE U.S SEEMS TO ENJOY THE REGARD AS THE POSTER CHILD FOR ARTISTIC AND COMMERCIAL EXCELLENCE. DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY IS AT ITS PEAK IN THE U.S?

From a commercialization prospective, yes. It’s much more lucrative in the marketplace today than it once was. Knowing the market and how to exploit it is key. Streaming, sync placement and brand campaigns (artist representing products and services) is the future, going forward, until further notice. It’s no longer about album/single sales or downloads. It’s about visibility and buzz. Touring and live performances are irreplaceable for those that can develop and sustain a loyal fan base.

AFRICAN HIP-HOP ARTISTS HAVE LONG CONSIDERED COLLABORATIONS WITH THEIR AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS AS A MOVE FOR SUCCESS IN THEIR CAREERS. MOST OFTEN THAN NOT, IT DOESN’T WORK OUT AS ENVISIONED, SOMETIMES WITH SCANDALOUS CONSEQUENCES BACK HOME. COULD THERE BE SOMETHING THE AFRICAN RAP ARTISTS COULD DO BETTER IN THEIR APPROACH?

I am not educated enough on this topic to speak on it. I would need to know the facts and background on what or what wasn’t happening. Generally speaking, if the act is decent and song concept works, I personally don’t have a problem collaborating with anyone regardless of the country of origin.

LET US GET BACK TO YOUR WORK. IS THERE A GENERAL PHILOSOPHY TO YOUR MUSIC?

Yes, it has to have substance. Meaning, it has to have a message. Every topic doesn’t have to be serious or about political or social issues. The topics should be diverse, categorically and well articulated.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE GOING AT THE MOMENT? ANY PROJECTS IN THE WORKS?

Our label re-released “Money Spot (Pt. 1)” on August 29, 2017. It is a remastered double album “Eastside” and “Westside” consisting of 22 tracks with 4 additional “ghost tracks”. The single “Runnin Back” is from the album “44 Steps Forward/45 Steps Back” which is in the creative development process. The focus, as I stated previously, is shooting the music video for “Runnin Back” and continue its global exploitation and notoriety.

“Without the people there’s no me…”

‘RUNNIN BACK’ HAS BEEN ENJOYING PLAY TIME ON UBUNTUFM HIP-HOP RADIO, AND GARNERING SOME CONSIDERABLE INTEREST FROM OUR LISTENING AUDIENCE. PERHAPS YOU HAVE A WORD FOR THEM BEFORE WE WRAP UP.

Bishop Enterprises Publishing and I appreciate you, UbuntuFM, and your listeners for supporting “Runnin Back”. This is for the people and the worldwide movement for social justice, equality and self-awareness. Without the people there’s no me, no Bishop Enterprises or any other label or act seeking to publish art or music. The movement starts with the people and the people supporting content with substance. When given the opportunity, I would love to perform live in Johannesburg. Never let discouragement destroy your reason for being (manifest destiny).

OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOU ON THE PLATFORM. WE WISH THE BEST FOR YOUR ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS EVEN AS WE EXPECT TO ENTERTAIN OUR AUDIENCE WITH MORE FROM YOU.

Thank you for having me. Peace to you and yours. Likewise. Wishing you the best. Bishop out.

BISHOP ENTERPRISES PUBLISHING, LLC.
BEPC MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

WEST COAST OFFICE
2550 E. ROSE GARDEN LANE, SUITE 71914
POST OFFICE BOX 71914
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85050

EAST COAST OFFICE
2 FEDERAL SQUARE, SUITE 28284
POST OFFICE BOX 28284
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07101

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@Retrostarkey

RC & Kaydence , for those new to the names, let everyone know who you are and what you do.

RC – I’m an Urban Pop Artist, Song Writer, Director & Intern A&R

Kaydence– I am an artist and songwriter – Queens Native currently residing in LA.

RC, give us a little background on you as an artist. When did you start? Who Influenced you? When did you know you wanted this to be your full career?

RC – I grew up moving around Westchester County living in shelters with my mother and brother until I was able move and settle with my father in Peekskill, NY around 2003. I was in the 7th grade when I first started recording songs in my friends garage at the age of 11 and haven’t stopped recording since then, it was therapeutic for me. I remember having shoe boxes full of songs and ideas and just walking or riding my bike across town to my friends house who lived in a much nicer neighborhood just to see if he was home so I could record. I couldn’t afford a cell phone at the time so everyday was like a game of chance. But being in a better environment and having the chance to record a new record was worth it to me. I was greatly influenced by projects like Jay z’s “Reasonable Doubt”, Nas’s “illmatic”, Big L’s “The Big Picture” These taught me about word Play. but I was also inspired by movements as well such as Jermaine Dupri’s “So So Def” movement or Akon’s legacy with “Konvict Muzik”. Those really thought me at a early age that it wasn’t just about rapping it was also about making a great record that can be commercially promoted. I enjoyed that aspect the most, I wasn’t really into battle rapping or having the greatest punchlines out of everyone it was mainly about writing a dope record and just being able to express myself. This became a career for me early on, after my first talent show in 9th grade that’s when I knew for sure that this is what I wanted. The adrenaline rush, the fact that I can make money and be creative. I never saw myself staying at a desk job, maybe just to finance what I’ve always wanted but never as a career.

Kaydence, you recently put out a dope project that got some great press and notoriety called The Pen Piper, what made you want to do another project so soon? How does it differ?

KK– This project happened pretty organically. I was working on this project with RC even while finishing up Pen Piper. I don’t think we meant to drop it so soon, but we had it finished for a while. In this short attention span of a generation, ain’t nothing better than constant content, am I right? Whenever I finished up one of my writing sessions, RC would roll up. We’d start talking about what’s been on our minds lately and as soon as we got on a specific experience, we threw on some beats and just started writing

So the new project is called ‘Retrograde’ what’s the concept? What do you want listeners to experience?

R.C – Retrograde is us going back into our past situations and bringing them forth to the future. We wanted to reflect, Vent and tell our past stories with a twist of what’s going on with us in this present time. I would like to listener to experience something melodic and relatable. To me this has never been done in such a way.

KK– To me Retrograde to me means moving against the current. Moving forward when people hold you back, you when people hang on the coat tails of your hard work so they don’t have to move against the current. It’s about sacrifice and accepting change. I think a lot of people can relate to that

First single was ‘Bittersweet’ and that came with a dope video as well. What has the response been thus far from fans?

RC– The response has been amazing! I remember trying to scramble within two weeks from the shoot to come up with a concept for that video. One of my good friends suggested the cooking show idea and I thought it was brilliant for two reasons. 1. The lyrics coincided with the concept of the video “saucing on her that new girl know she got the recipe” 2. Me and kaydence would do a fake cooking show for fun on Instagram story before we’d hit the studio every day. From there all it took was finding chef coats and a venue in LA in which we were able to accomplish in a short time.

KK– I think we really started to gage a response when the visual dropped. Shout out to Dx films, he really knows how to make something interesting out of nothing. And people really see the vision of the song when they put a face to the people behind it, and the creative process beyond writing. So far it’s been amazing, and it’s amazing because of the people. Rhonda it that really brought it to light. Shoutout to Austin Powerz the producer and Joe Caserta for the amazing mix. -KK

What is each of your favorite song on the project and why?

RC – hand down it would have to be “Options Open” I love the melodic bounce and the concept. It was so organic, we were both seem to dwelling over our x’s around that time. The creative process was simple she went in her corner to write and I went in mines and we came out with a really dope record. I’m actually writing the concept for that video as well. It’s a must!

KK– “Reminiscent” for sure. I think I let out all my emotions on that one. Sometimes you have to look back and reflect on the journey. True story it is the last track we recorded. We would listen through and say “idk man something is missing… I need to vent more.” So Reezy Tunez cooked up a track specifically what we envisioned and actually used some of my vocal cops in the background. Felt like it fit perfectly, and I said everything I needed to say.

What’s next for RC & Kaydence collectively and individually?

RC – Collectively we will be shooing a few more visuals for the project. We have a private listenings in both LA and NY. And I will be defiantly trying to get this project to where it needs to be on a marketing aspect. I will also working on my solo project as well as song writing and checking for the response of this project. I would also like to do a part two if the opportunity presents itself. I love working with Kay and I think together we can accomplish something that’s never been done.

KK– I think we’ll always find records to collaborate on in the future, but we’re definitely going to take time to mold our own sounds individually. I definitely wanted people to become familiar with RC not because he is my friend, but because he has the passion a lot of people “claim” to have. And that’s obviously rare. And I will always support and stand behind people that take music seriously. It’s all we have.

Where can we find each of you online?

RC – Instagram|Twitter @storyofrc

KK– @kaydencevisus on IG, @Kaydenceis on twitter and Snapchat

Any shout outs?

RC– Huge shoutout to Kaydence for believing in my vision and giving me this opportunity. DX for his passion of videography and helping me bring my visions to life. Alan Burton for his creative abilities when it came to helping write the treatment of the “Bittersweet” music video. All the producers who are involved in this project! Diney, Austin, and more! Special shout out to Atlantic Records Studio for giving some insight on the music business and the opportunity to intern as an A&R. J Hatch for his leadership skills and helping us reach this platform. Tish Hyman for featuring on the album. Creative Digital Pub and Pro for the distribution of the album. Rance and 1500 or Nothing for always popping in on us and making sure we good! And anyone else that I’ve forgotten Thank You!

KK– Shout out to my team- istandard, my manager J Hatch, create digital music for being a huge support. Shoutout to Anothr breed for standing behind me from the beginning. My friends and family back home. And to all the people listening that don’t have a voice- I promise to use my music to do that for you.