Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Conversation with Septimius the Great






Who is Septimius the Great? Why that name? Below is my conversation with the artist, covering his 3 time invitation to be a participant in America's Got Talent, and using that platform to transition into being a recording and performing artist touring the country.

Where do we start? I think lets just get right into it. What year were you on America’s Got Talent?

September 2015

Why did you opt for AGT and not American Idol?

AGT actually called me from my youtube music videos (which had hundreds of thousands of views) and invited me to come as a VIP auditioner and I accepted for the last 3 yrs.

Hold up. You’ve participated in AGT for 3 years? 2013, 2014, 2015?

2013 – Got called to VIP audition in NYC, went straight to the celebrity judge round for TV, got x'd but didn't make the edits for the TV airing.
2014 – Got called to VIP audition in Baltimore, MD, had to do 3 mini auditions before the celebrity judge round but didn't make it.
2015 -  Got called to VIP audition in NYC, went straight to the celebrity judge round for TV, got x'd and it aired in September 2015 (video on my website)



How was it like getting to be on it?

It was a great experience, fun and eye-opening to learn about reality TV. Plus I always enjoy meeting and chatting with Nick Cannon.

It must have been nice meeting him. What was most interesting about meeting him?

2013 – Funny and loved my costume
2014 – Remembered me and we laughed and I gave him my number for future business meeting hopefully (video clip is on my website)
2015 – Loved my costume again


I hear some of these reality shows have insane contracts they have you sign. How was AGT’s?

AGT is just like the rest – they are very strict but provide you with one of biggest avenues and national platforms to showcase your talent. But they do and will own you if you place in top 10 from 1- 5 years.

Who did you meet in the whole process?

I met Nick Cannon, Howard Stern, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel for the 2nd time, but met Mel B for the first time.

Out of all the celebrity judges, who were you the most excited to meet, and why?

Heidi Klum because she and I have that Fashion connection

What did you learn from the process?

Just how reality TV is mainly for ratings, though they also try to discover unique talent.

Getting the ax is never easy because it basically is someone rejecting you. How did you feel about it, and how did you bounce back to continue the grind?

It was not a disappointment to me because my mindset was to get on TV but not really to win. It was simply a vehicle to expose my talent to a national audience, and make some business connections.

Let’s go back to the beginning. What was your dream as a child, and how did you embark on music?

I never dreamed of doing music as a child, I was intrigued by business and loved animals. But after entering the arts as a model, then being a fashion cooridinator and later an event producer, I embarked on being an entertainer, which landed me into becoming a music artist and entertainer in 2010.

Ah! So you’ve been an artist in music since 2010. How would you look back on your 6 years in the game?

Its been both a disappointing yet rewarding experience. Disappointing in the sense of meeting people who have good and bad intentions and really cant help my type of brand. Rewarding because I have accomplished so much in a short period of time so far.

You have a CD out. How would you describe your music?

My 1st project is geared around being a Roman Emperor of Music (Septimius The Great) with an urban dance/edm sound which infuses edm/dance, hip hop, house and mixing collaborations of R&B, Opera and Rock.
(Available on iTunes)
Hey, how did you come up with your name, and where are you from?

The name was derived from my research in discovering a Black King or Ruler, and I discovered Septimius Severus - 1st Black Roman Emperor from Africa. So I then created Septimius The Great

What was the creative process behind your CD?

I create from the idea of the story I want to tell, then finding a beat for it that I like, and then create the story lyrically with high energy beats.

You know what my favorite song is. LOL!! What is yours?

"I am Fashion" is my baby.... because it crosses all genres of music, crosses all industry from music to fashion, crosses purpose from music to self-esteem and feeling good.

I saw the clip of you signing to a record label. Congratulations. What label are you signed to and what do you like about your label?

It's a small independent label – M.A.M records out of Baltimore, MD – I don't like being with a label unless they are able to help me financially to achieve my goals of getting to the next level.

In your opinion, what’s the plus in being with a label, as opposed to being an independent artist maintaining complete creative autonomy and answering to no one?

My label allows me to be me which is rare but not being with a label makes the road harder and long to achieve the goal. But it's a more peaceful journey to do it on your own.

I see you on twitter with your active itinerary. Where’s your next performance and project?

7/17 – Richmond, VA
8/8 – Baltimore, MD
8/20 – NYC
9/17 - NYC
10/6 – Baja, Mexico

Who’s your dream artist to work with and why?

I would love to work with Will.I.Am, Pitbull, Cee-Low, Lady Gaga or even P.Diddy.

What should we be looking out for from you in the near future?

I have 3 new single releases to come out is September, January, March and then album June 2018.

So are you taking a break in 2017?

Hell no !!! I now have a better formula for my success with a new album coming out and several single releases. All in motion right now

As you probably know, I’m a born again Christian. What belief system do you subscribe to?

Christian as well, very spiritual but not much into religion – if that makes sense

I think it does. It means you’re not into the whole institution of church and attending church. You’re more into a relationship with God. Did you have a bad church experience to make you come to this conclusion?

No bad experience just realized that church is more a business these days, and my lack of time. I have just as good of a direct connection with God through Jesus on my own, as I have being in a church

Alright, if you say so. So what would you say to young artists trying to chase their dreams and try out for TV shows like AGT and The Voice?

Don't focus on winning but focus on doing your best and get better each round you get thru. Listen to your coach but stay true to yourself.

Some people focus more on the fame than the artistry or craft. What is your opinion on that?

It's important to do this not for fame (not to compensate for esteem issues, respect, neglect, etc) but to be creative, create and get people to like what you do and have an appreciation for it as well

Any last words from you brother?

The Septimius Group, LLC is my brand and watch out for the next couple of years to be Quadruple Threat in Music, Fashion, TV/Film and Education.


Wow! Quadruple threat. That’s what’s up! And the take home lesson here is, never ever give up on your dreams, and pursue every opportunity you get. Life is not going to roll a red carpet out for you to achieve your dreams. You have to go out and press to achieve it.
Thank you Septimius for the conversation. You can connect with him on these social media networks:
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