B. Bless
In the late 1980’s a 3 year old toddler in Queens, NY, heard his first hip hop song and has been infatuated ever since. That same boy became the man known as B. Bless today. Born to an American Mother and a Ghanaian Father, Bless was already born with eccentricities. B. Bless first came on to the scene as an original member of the group Paperchase Clique. Hailing from Queens, NY, a borough where many prestigious rappers come from, Bless understands that he has to represent.
“I’m just trying to bring good and respectable music back to New York” Bless states. As a founding member of Paperchase Clique, Bless has traveled down this road before, but this time it’s solo. “I’m confident in my abilities” he jokes, “but occasionally I do feel awkward… but there is no time for fear”. Bless’ solo debut EP ‘The Found King’ represented him finding his own path and being a leader in his own right. Born as a son of an African King, Bless still never had it easy, but managed to develop on his own. “The lost prince becomes the found king”, Bless states. Going through many struggles in his life, Bless feels that it’s his time to be victorious. A young veteran is how his peers address him. Inspired by many genres of music, Bless finds a way to be outside the box. One day he is street rap the next he is spitting a rhyme over a dub step beat. Versatile and brash, Bless’ consistency should be appreciated among the masses.
Ironically being a prince born in Queens, NY, Bless named his follow up project ‘The Lost Prince’, and it is his mission to become hip-hop royalty, since royalty is in his blood.
‘The Lost Prince’ album is available online on all digital retailers.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
B. Bless: I grew up in Queens, NY, Mainly the southern areas. There’s inspiration everywhere, especially when some of the most legendary rappers and entertainers come from where you come from. Run DMC, 50 cent, LL Cool J. Russell Simmons, Nicki Minaj. We can even claim Bette Midler as being from the same borough as me if you want to get outlandish. I became an artist because I felt there were too many people not doing music justice. I was adamant about bringing quality music since it was lacking. But I truly love music, and I wanted to contribute my point of view.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
B. Bless: Originally I was originally “Buddha”. It was a nickname given to me as a youngster. (I was a chubby baby) and that name just stuck! Then later on in the years it was Buddha-bless or people would shout Buddah-bless when they saw me. Later I altered it to B-Bless due to other rappers with the same name of the original. It’s more so a name given to me by my “hood” so to speak. So in a sense I represent where I come from by keeping the name everyone knows me by in some shape or form.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
B. Bless: I accept music sharing what it is. Even as a consumer of music myself, I bought some albums that only had one good song on it and felt cheated. So at times, I get it.
Occasionally, I try to give songs away for free, but it’s difficult to give stuff away for free when you’re in the red. The fact of the matter, is that musicians have to find ways to fill in the gaps on the lost income and be as innovative as possible.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
B. Bless: Hone your craft and keep an open mind! There is always room for improvement. Never allow yourself to get stuck. Try to surround yourself around like minded and honest people. Also know your worth. Be professional in all aspects, and prepare for your opportunities while you are looking for them.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
B. Bless: I’m one of those people that rehearse and review lyrics everywhere, I’ve never made a mistake yet luckily. If did make a mistake, just correct yourself afterwards and hopefully no one will notice! Miles Davis said “If you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that you play that determines if it’s good or bad”. That concept applies to all aspect of life.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
B. Bless: I do not tour. I do occasional performances when I have time. I’m just trying to build my brand and artistry just a bit more before any attempts on a tour.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
B. Bless: New York City is a story in itself. you can find inspiring and deflating stories everywhere. It’s a whole different kind of beautiful monster. You can ride the E train from the World Train Center to Jamaica Queens and that’s a full album there. My process on song writing is unique at times. My brain just comes up with analogies and punchlines just be seeing things or experiencing things. Sometimes I write them down and save them for later but I might not use them until the perfect time. I don’t write full songs unless I have a beat to write to. I like to write to that specific sound and feel to capture a perfect blend.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
B. Bless: www.bblessmusic.com. You can reach me @bblessmusic. Or www.facebook.com/bblessmusic.
I use soundcloud mostly. www.soundcloud.com/blesspce
Or now with apple music I can share through them as well and it’ll post on my facebook and twitter.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
B. Bless: Definitely not telling you guys that one!!! Haaa!!! But I would say Lady Gaga. I actually learned to create sayings to match the subtle instruments in a beat from her.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
B. Bless: I would take 150k for expenses, 100k for investments. Then take 250k creating my own television shows. I probably would squeeze in another album in there.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
B. Bless: I find it best to rent other studios. It’s saves me a gang of time. In the meantime I’m trying to find an Audio Engineer/Producer I have great chemistry with.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
B. Bless: College radio, internet radio. I have a rapport with some stations that are willing to listen.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
B. Bless: Madison Square Garden with Big Daddy Kane, Big Pun, Nas, Will Smith and Kool G rap with a stage Designed by Kanye West’s creative team. I chose Pun, Nas, G rap for word play. Will Smith for entertainment. And Big Daddy Kane for Wordplay and Entertainment.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
B. Bless: have maybe 2 albums generally done. Just have to make time to record them.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
B. Bless: My current job! I’m one of the few that do something that I like as a profession! I only want to take my career a step further and create T.V. shows instead of behind the scenes coordinating.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
B. Bless: I’m not sure what was the first album I bought. A lot my albums were given to me or I borrowed them and never gave them back. But Big Pun’s Endangered Species was the one I recall buying and remembering holy crap, I want to rap like him!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
B. Bless: I wish I had an answer! When you want something done you find a way! It’s either writing lyrics while on the go, on the train, or creating concepts in my head during everyday tasks. I’m also one of those people that plan for months sometimes years ahead. I have over 100 songs (beats included) that need to be recorded and I feel it’s just not time to complete them. I do write at while I’m at work occasionally.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
B. Bless: I’ve been experimenting with new styles of music. I’m trying to create a new feel and sound. Hopefully I’ll be releasing a new project in the fall, but for Now you can check out my latest project ‘The Lost Prince’.