Meet Mr.

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mr. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mr., so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

The first song I ever wrote was for a girl that I loved but who didn’t love me back. I still remember the melody. As a boy who grew up on the music of Boyz II Men, Babyface, Brian McKnight, and so many others from that special 90s R&B era, I loved writing love songs.

After some years I forgot who that boy was. I found a lot of recognition as a worship leader and dedicated my life to full-time ministry. While I did love it, and felt grateful to be able to encourage and inspire the people I led, I lost a big part of myself.

In 2020 I decided to start writing love songs. Inspired by all my 90s R&B influences, but now also by new artists, I grew to really love, like Frank Ocean, Khalid, Brent Faiyaz, Giveon, and so many others. It felt like putting on an old pair of basketball shoes; or a dusting off an old pair of cleats, so to speak. It felt really good. It made that little boy inside me smile.

Since 2020, I’ve been writing relentlessly and following what feels good. Having fun. I have found a lot of liberation in writing outside the Christian music genre. While I still am writing in that space, I found a lot of joy reconnecting with that old part of me.

All that to say, I’ve been releasing music all this year and will be continuing to do so in 2025! They’re all songs about love, relationships, And the feelings that come along with all of it. I’m not trying to be famous, just trying to share what’s been giving me life. I hope you like it!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Since 2020, I’ve been writing relentlessly and following what feels good. Having fun. I have found a lot of liberation in writing outside the Christian music genre. While I still am writing in that space, I found a lot of joy reconnecting with that old part of me.

I released music all through 2024, including my latest EP called LOVE YOU, which is a four song project centered around love and relationships.

I am currently writing for sync music company, Epidemic Sound, and will releasing more music in 2025!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Creativity, Perseverance, and Musicality.

As a husband, man with a full time job, and father of four beautiful daughters, I had to get creative with how I was going to meet my goals as an artist and songwriter. I wake up every morning at 4:30am to work before everyone gets up. Some of you may need to get creative and find ways to meet your goals; even if it’s uncomfortable. Once you have a plan, be discipline, and persevere. You can do it! Lean in to what you love! Be patient with yourself and don’t compare yourself to other people. My mantra and phrase that keeps me going is, “Run your own race.”

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

This book changed my life. As someone who spent most of his life with a fixed mindset, I learned from this book that it’s not pure luck or destiny alone that makes successful people successful. It takes hard work and positioning yourself in the right space. He talks about what he calls “The Ten Thousand Hour Rule”, which is the amount of time a person needs to spend doing something to become an expert at it. It was shortly after reading this book that I set goals for myself and committed time to what I wanted to do as a songwriter.

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Image Credits

Jenna Beekhuis

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