Up-and-coming, super-talented indie Urban R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Barry Antoine reppin’ Harlem USA chops it up with PURE SOUL Magazine for a brief Q.and.A. session.
PSM: Define the BARRY ANTOINE brand of musicality in your words.
BA: I like to refer to my music as ‘Grown Man Music’ because that’s exactly what it is. It’s very relatable, honest and at times vulnerable. When I write, I’m usually talking from a ‘first person’ experience about love, lust, and my everyday struggles.
PSM: Do you remember that defining moment that convinced you to pursue music as a career?
BA: Well I’ve been entertaining since I was a kid. I used to write songs and danced before I actually started singing, and I can remember that it always came natural to me. I used to perform at shows, contests, events, BBQs and parties. (Laughs)…I remember my late grandma Lucy used to have me at her parties as the only kid amongst a bunch of grown-ups. I transitioned into singing as time went on and I can say my defining moment was when I sang at a Black History event when I was a Senior in High School. I sang ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke in its entirety in acapella, and the reaction I got from my classmates was unexplainable – like they really gave me a standing ovation when I was done. I was shocked because nobody really paid attention to me that much back then except my close friends, and that to me was the moment I thought to myself that maybe I should do this for real and I’ve been chasing my dream ever since.
PSM: That’s wassup! Well your incredible independently-released debut album THE ART OF THE HEARTBREAK (Shabar Music Entertainment) has received an abundance of positive feedback from music lovers worldwide. How gratifying and motivating is that for you thus far?
BA: It’s an amazing feeling to know that people really enjoy and appreciate the hard work you put in to create something, am I am very humbled and grateful for that. Me and my producer Royal worked really hard on this project through a lot of long days and nights in the studio. So the fact that I’ve received nothing but positive responses is GOD’s way of showing me that I’m doing the right thing and that I am meant to do the music thing. And also the fact that there are people in France, London UK, Japan and of course here in the U.S. listening to my music really means a lot to me.
PSM: When music fans come to see you perform live for the first time, what can they anticipate from your show?
BA: The first thing they can expect is to hear ‘Real’ singing! They can also expect to be entertained throughout my entire show. I have a strong work ethic and I take pride in perfecting my stage show by always trying to add different things to keep the people engaged. I like to do a mixture of my music, along with some of my favorite songs by other artists and add a little twist to it. I also like to go out in the crowd and touch the people I’m singing to. I enjoy their response to my music and stage presence.
PSM: Which notable R&B/Soul artists do you see yourself collaborating with on a project?
BA: Well, to name a few, I would definitely like to work with the likes of Lalah Hathaway, Anthony Hamilton, Marsha Ambrosius, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Trey Songz, Usher, Beyonce’, Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Luke James, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Maxwell, Eric Roberson, Raheem DeVaughn, D’Angelo, and so on and so on! (Laughs)
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*B.A.’s Top 10 ‘Pure Soul’ music artists: Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae
By Ross Guity aka R.G. Major