CLAY

What activities/art-form did you pick up as a kid that shaped you into the artist you are today? In what way do YOU think it shaped you?

“Writing. When I first decided to pursue music I went really hard on writing songs. I used to write 5 songs a day, 6 days a week and I'd record the best 5 at the studio on Sundays. At the time, I was just excited to have a release and express my emotions. Looking back, I realize that I was practicing the art of songwriting. That's why I'm so good. I was obsessed with it. I would often write in class instead of paying attention. One time the teacher called me out about it. Mr. Tran, I'll never forget it. My classmates tried to make fun of the situation but Mr. Tran said if I could rap about math, he'd leave me alone. I bussed a mean freestyle and the class went crazy. I kept writing after that lol.”

Were you picked on as a child? If so how? How do you think that affected your life today as an artist?

“I was picked on a lot. My parents didn't have a lot of disposable income when I was younger. They made sure we had food and the bills were paid but paying $150 for the latest pair of Jordan’s was out of the question. Instead we'd get shoes from Payless and from a guy who sold shoes on the corner of Waters and 37th. Those shoes were fake and I'd get teased for it. I also got teased because I was the second fattest kid in my elementary school. I was about 5'7, 250 pounds in the 5th grade. One day I was riding the bus home from school and this girl offered me an apple. I politely declined and she went on to say, "I know yo fat ass want this apple." Then she rubbed the apple in the crack of her ass and shoved it in my face as she yelled, "eat the ass apple. Eat the ass apple. I know yo fat ass hungry!" The worst part about it is that the other kids on the bus just watched, pointed, and laughed. Humiliation at its finest. Ironically enough I'm now a vegan and I make a living eating apples and other delicious vegan foods.”

What daily activity makes you feel most connected to your hands within your Art-form?

“When I have that mic in my hand. I take pride in my performances. That’s an art form in itself. My goal is to be the best hip hop performer ever!!”

What do you appreciate most about how YOUR art makes you feel?

“I appreciate the outlet it gives me. I know alot of people. Even more people know me but I'm honestly a loner. More specifically, I'm an empathic introverted extrovert. Music allows me to express the complex energies, thoughts, and feelings I experience. It also gives me the opportunity to tell my story. I find that by doing this I help others who are going through the same thing. I have a friend who told me that I could write a song that will change the world. The belief and vision he had for me deeply inspired me to make that a goal. That same friend, Joseph Harper passed shortly after we had that conversation. I went to visit his grave with his mom Lisa in Atlanta. She gifted me a black bandanas. It was Joe's. He wasn't gang affiliated but he wore bandanas for fashion. Ironically enough I had a show that night and I wore this bandana to honor him. That was the first time I ever wore the iconic Clay Hodges bandana and that night the Spiritual Gangsta was born. My art helps me connect with others. People like Joe who saw me and pushed me to use it to make a major impact on the planet.”

What pushes you to be a better artist today?

“The memory of Joe and his vision for me pushes me. The love and passion I have for the art form pushes me. The ridicule and humiliation I experienced pushes me. I want to prove those people wrong. I was to inspire others to pursue their dreams. Being an example of IT being possible is what pushes me.” 

BONUS QUESTIONS.

What is your favorite part of your body ? What is your least?

“My face. Fun fact, I cannot and I mean I CANNOT take a bad picture. This isn't just me being confident either (and I'm pretty confident lol). Idk what it is but the camera loves me lol. I don't have a least favorite part. I love me some me. I do wish I had hair though lol. I'd NEVER cut it! BUT I LOVE my bald head and the honey dips love it too!”

Have you ever experienced a miracle ? Could you describe it?

“Yes! I once went on a mini tour. I went from Savannah, to Jacksonville, to Orlando, then to Atlanta all to perform and promote my music. I did all of this traveling in the span of like 3 or 4 days. I was heading back home to Savannah from Atlanta and I was TIRED. So tired that I fell asleep behind the wheel going 80 miles an hour on highway 75. I woke up just before I was about to hit an 18 wheeler. I swerved away from it and my car spun out in the middle of the highway. I anticipated the car to flip over. It didn't. Then I thought someone was going to hit me. But they didn't.  I'm literally spinning in circles in the middle of the highway. I accepted my death but it never came. I snapped out of it and took back control of the wheel and guided the car into a ditch on the side of the road. A man pulled up behind me and said, "If you saw what I just saw, you'd know that you blessed." I could've died. I probably should've died but God had other plans. The guy helped me push my car out the ditch and I drove the rest of the way home.There was no damage to my car or nothing. I know I'm here for a reason and I don't take that for granted. That's why I go so hard aggressively reaching my goals. I'm in tune with my purpose and I live by it. I spoke about this situation in a song called “God’s Horn Section.” Check it out. It’s available everywhere!”

Who your favorite superhero and why?

“Nightcrawler from X-Men is hands down my favorite superhero. I love what he stands for and I like the fact that he teleports. If I had one superpower it would be THAT! I would never be late to anything and I could go ANYWHERE! I wish I could teleport soooo bad. I feel like we as a society should be able to do that. At least give us the technology for it. I know they got it.”

If you were to speak to your younger artist, what would it be?

“I'd tell any young artist to have fun with the process. You can't predict when or how it's gone happen. Matter of fact, don't even think about that! Just enjoy the journey getting there. There is so much beauty in the process. We take it for granted while we're in it but you get it when your dreams come true. Every set back, loss, and disappointment works in your favor believe it or not. You learn and grow from them and a lot of times they are blessings in disguise.” 

If you have any advice to the world, what would you say?

“Find your passion and live in it. If you don't know your passion, pray about it and be open to it because it will find you if you seek it. Most times your passion is linked to your gift. Your gift is the thing you're naturally good at. The thing you love to do. You'd do it for free even. The goal is to find a way to get paid from it. Take it from me, there's nothing like doing what you love for a living. It hits soooo much different.”