Apart
from dead silence, music is the only thing that enables us to express powerful thoughts
and emotions that would otherwise remain inexpressible. New York City-based Seattle native Billy D
puts forth an impressive musical offering that is sure to mute the harshest of music
critics with his five-track Upward Motion
EP.
There’s
only one way up from down, and when one considers the amount of time and effort
that Billy invests in his craft, his audio stock can only reach stratospheric
heights. “Basically, my goal with this EP is to make good music that people will
enjoy and vibe to,” says the 29-year-old singer, songwriter and producer born
as William Cox. “I want to leave a
positive impression on the listener where they always expect quality music from
me.”
The EP’s
third single, “Take You Home,” is a summer scorcher that features the son of a
preacher man crooning over jubilant horns, scintillating synths, and bona fide
booty-popping bass with thoughtful lines like “You won’t get no disrespect from
me, I will respect you, love and protect you.” Who said that the age of
chivalry has passed? Billy D lyrically drapes capes over puddles and gives the
young’uns one to grow on.
The
second single “Got My Eye On You,” featuring rhyme slinger Havi Blaze finds Billy
serenading the lovely lady with the apple bottom of his eye. On this laid back cut
Billy artfully conveys a searing passion for his love interest that encompasses,
yet spiritually transcends, the hunt for the treasures of the flesh. “That song was inspired by a situation where
I was feeling this girl—and the feeling was mutual—but it was like a Cold War because
our interest in one another never generated any heat,” says Cox with a choir
boy smile. “She was an incredible girl, though. I had my eye on her.”
The tantalizing
first single “So Sexy,” has Billy rocking the bells without Uncle L, while
“Take Your Pain Away” marks yet another definitive cut in which Billy D
elevates true love over lust with a rare combination of cool conviction coupled
with masculine sensitivity. Within the heart
of every cynic lies a hurt and disappointed idealist. This soulful affirmation
of romantic devotion will leave the most jaded of women feeling optimistic and
ready for love again.
The
closer “You and Me,” is the golden capstone on top of a glowing musical edifice
constructed as a monument to true love. The bluesy guitar strings are as cold
as a frosty 40-ounce bottle of Colt 45. It makes you want to drop into a
recliner, kick back, and chill, until the Ice Man cometh with his LP thrill.
Billy D recently took time out of his busy schedule to chop it up with Mind Glow Media about his exciting new
project.
Listening to your
EP it sounds like love is really vital to your existence. What does love mean
to you?
Well,
to me love is the strongest energy. It unifies and uplifts the heart and mind.
It can create strong bonds between people who are genuine with their feelings
for one another. To me it means so much in regards to how I strive to live my
life. I put out as much love and respect as I can and it’s usually reciprocated
back.
Is it possible for someone to love their mate without being “in” love with
them?
Most definitely. I believe there’s two types of love: that passionate love
that you have for a partner you are attracted to, and then there’s that
respectful love where you respect the attributes and qualities of someone or
you like how they treat you but are not physically attracted to them. I think
as a male having a respectful love, especially with the opposite sex, is a good thing because
it allows you to get to know the woman better. This could
potentially create a strong bond that could carry into a relationship if both mutually agree to
take it there.
Photo by Damion Reid
What is it about a woman that makes her “So Sexy” to Billy D?
Strength, intelligence, a strong sense of self, and confidence. I
love the sensuality that women exude. There’s a certain way that a woman walks
or talks to me that really turns me on as well.
I hear you. There is no denying the fact that a woman’s physical beauty
inspires a man and stirs his soul. However a woman’s most enduring beauty is in
her mind. If she has a powerful mind that really captures your imagination, her
small breasts will appear full and succulent. Her flat bottom will suddenly
bulge with the agony of your desire. Her acne-riddled face will become a
blemish free coating of silky smooth perfection. This is because the image of
her physical body has adapted to the mental body that she has erected of
herself in your mind.
Yeah, you’re right, bro. Once you have that mental
connection it opens up so many possibilities.
You moved from
Seattle to New York at the age of 22 to pursue your music career. What was the
most difficult adjustment that you’ve had to make?
The cost of living was an eye opener, man. I’ve had to budget a lot over the
years. I also miss mama’s home cooked meals. New York’s fast pace was a little
overwhelming at first, but I’ve adjusted to it pretty well. Once you are able
to plant your feet firmly in New York it becomes a little easier to survive.
How has your
spirituality influenced your approach to music?
Well,
it’s given me a more level-headed approach, since spirituality calms you and
teaches you to go into yourself. As an artist, that approach is great for
creating, so it is a big influence on my craft.
Between singing and songwriting does one come easier to you than the other?
Well songwriting really requires a certain amount of mental energy, whereas
with singing, that’s almost second nature to me. So I would say that singing
for me comes a little easier. I love writing though. Just the images and
feelings that are invoked in people through the words of a writer is a powerful
thing.
Photo by Damion Reid
Are Billy D and William Cox one and the same? If not, how do they differ? If so, how are they the same?
They’re pretty much one and the same. There’s always two sides to a coin,
though. I can be smooth, aggressive, sensual, and uninhibited. But at the same
time,
there’s a laid back reserved side to me. Billy is who I’m known as back home
in Seattle, and my middle initial is D. So it’s a name that is familiar to my
people. When I tell folks my name they give
me this look like “look at this smooth brotha here” (laughs).
As a student of music, what is the biggest difference between today’s R&B
and the R&B recorded during the classic soul period of the 1960s and 70s?
There’s
a lack of soul, a lack of love, a lack of conviction. Don’t get me wrong,
there’s some talented cats out here really doing their thing, but there’s
really not a lot of feeling in it anymore. A lot of folks don’t know who they
are so they embark on this mission to be “different” and it comes off weird and
contrived. To
me, being different just means being yourself and realizing your own
divinity. I hear a lot of folks complain about how they want to hear the real, so I strive to take that
into account when I make my music. I grew up listening to the greats. My dude
is Marvin Gaye.
Word! I can hear
that in your harmonizing near the end of the “So Sexy” cut.
He was a genius! I also love George Clinton who my dad
played a lot. In fact my Dad, grandmother, and godmother are so astute when it
comes to music—especially soul and gospel—so I had a great upbringing that imbued me with
the necessary insight needed to do what I do. I see things coming around though
where the real organic music is coming back, so I remain hopeful.
What is the musical legacy that you intend to leave behind?
Well with this EP, I put it out as an introduction to me, a prelude to the
album which will be amazing and is coming along great. I’m on guitar, there’s
horns and various instrumentation. So in that respect, I want to leave a
legacy of quality where when people think of me they know that I gave it my all
and put the best quality music that I possibly could out there for them to
enjoy and vibe to.
To be a part of
Billy D’s revolutionary Love Movement, you can log on to his official website www.mrbillyd.com . You can also show your tangible
support by purchasing his music at www.mrbillyd.bandcamp.com, or digitally drop in to say
hello on his Facebook (www.facebook.com/billysspot) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mr_billyd) pages.
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