The moment you turn on his songs, you just start feeling good inside… it is no wonder they are calling him “Mr. Feel Good”!
Under the influences of icons like Prince, Bruno Mars and Phil Collins, Semaj The Poet has created a refreshing feel-good sound with each new song he puts out that moves and grooves audiences of all sizes.
With his latest track entitled Lemonade rising on multiple charts and streaming on playlists everywhere, we caught up with Mr. Feel Good to learn more.
1. Where do you draw your inspiration from when creating new music?
I pull inspiration from everywhere, really. Nature, people watching, traveling, sitting at home doing nothing, really anywhere! Music is in my bones! I grew up listening to the greats like the O’Jays, Prince, The Temptations, old school pop legends like Phil Collins, and newer artists like SIA and Capital Cities and Lords of Huron. I don’t have a specific genre of music that inspires me; I find beauty and inspiration in all of it.
2. What do you hope people feel after listening to your tracks?
After listening to my music, I hope they feel like dancing. I hope they feel like they can conquer the world, equipped with a positive attitude and whatever their superpower may be. When people finish listening to my work, I hope they feel recharged and rejuvenated. I hope it moves their souls. With a positive mindset and good music, you can pretty much accomplish anything. I make music for those who believe the same thing.
3. Where do you see the state of music right now overall?
That is a tough question to answer. Music is so multifaceted now. There really isn’t just a cut-and-dry category or genre for what artists are putting out now, and it is a really exciting time. The state of music right now is really bringing the whole artist to the forefront, not just the craft. I hear a lot of people say that there is a lot of the same sound flooding the airwaves, but if you look right under that surface, there are some really incredible artists, like myself, with outstanding music and really dope vibes.
4. What things in the music industry would you like to see changed?
I would like to see more artists treating the music business like a business. Artists are entrepreneurs just like anyone else starting their clothing line or make-up line. A lot of artists get caught up in making music and relying on the hope that a big exec will come and sign them. It doesn’t work like that anymore. Artists can really make moves if they take the power of their destiny back into their own hands, invest in themselves, and make shit happen on their own. It isn’t going to be easy, but with great sacrifice comes great blessings.
5. If you could collaborate with one hip-hop artist dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My dream hip-hop collab would be me, Childish Gambino, and Andre 3000. That would be an out-of-this-world experience! Andre is the GOAT of all GOATS and I really admire his authenticity and commitment to being unapologetically himself, especially during an era when the hip-hop image was the complete opposite of who he became. The man wore feathered pants, football shoulder pads, and pink wigs! He bets on himself no matter what people may think and it never ceased to pay off. Childish Gambino does the same thing. He created his own lane and does exactly what he wants to do the way he wants to do it. They are both much more than musicians, they are true artists, and that is the vibe I am on. I do what I want to do, the way I want to do it. I don’t fit into any cookie-cutter image of what a “black artist” or “hip-hop artist” should be. I do what feels good to my soul.
6. What is something about you that people may not know?
The world and I still have a lot of “getting to know you” left to do, but I think people often see the way I dress, the shades, and the jewelry and they have a lot of preconceived notions about me but once people get to know me they are shocked to find out that I am a huge geek. I am talking about anime, Disney movies, not just the hits but obscure Disney joints and their soundtracks, musicals, classical music. I love all of that stuff. That is my fuel.
7. What’s on the horizon for you in the coming months?
I am getting ready to drop a 4 EP project in 2022. Four different EP’s all in a different musical genre. I am in a place in my musical career where I can control the ship and I am able to show everyone everything I can do. I plan to do just that. I keep hearing that releasing that playing with different genres at one time is crazy or unheard of but I figure, why not? With music being so easy to consume and create, it is easier now more than ever for artists to really show all the facets of themselves as actual creators. I can wake up one day and be like “I want to shoot a crazy video right now” or “I want to cut this song I have been thinking about” and I can grab my phone and get it done. I am an independent artist, with a small team of people whom I trust; my time and my craft is completely my own, I can pretty much do whatever I want.