First Day Feature: Adam Reverie speaks on his passion for music, social equality, and Soul Ties EP

As head of 1stDayFresh.com and a writer at several other notable sites it is certainly safe to say I listen to my fair share of music. Throughout all of the music I sift through, there is plenty that I like, but every now and then there is something I absolutely love. The latest artist to earn my adoration is Adam Reverie and his powerful mix of soulful singing and strong lyricism. Track after track I found myself impressed by his music, which always seemed to carry an undertone of insight into his true thoughts.

I am not the only one who has been wowed by the talent of the Detroit-born artist. Adam Reverie has managed to earn the attention of media outlets ranging from DJ Booth, Smoking Section, The Source and countless other highly touted publications. Furthermore the skill possessed has made it’s mark on industry figures like Sway and Royce Da 5’9, for whom he just performed for in a recent showcase for “Sway In The Morning”. Great accomplishments for someone who is great at what he does.

Adam is currently in the process of putting the last few finishing touches on what is sure to be an emotionally charged project, Soul Ties. While he preps the roll-out of the 6-track EP, 1stDayFresh was granted the humbling opportunity to speak with him about his career as of late, his thoughts towards some of the more pressing issues in America, and of course the music. Without further delay continue on for the full Q&A session.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0_6hBDCMFI

For those who don’t know you classify yourself as a Father, Rapper, Poet, Songwriter and Singer. In each facet of your life in particular, how do you feel you are able to succeed?

Honestly I’m only able to succeed by God’s grace. Being a father and entertainer is only balanced and executed successfully by the grace of God. I know without him I am nothing.

You originally started as a singer and transitioned into the rap side. What made you want to start as a lyricist?

I transitioned over to rap because one day while I was recording a hook I wrote for a couple guys that rapped in college I decided I’d reference the verses myself until they came and laid down their 16’s. Well my girlfriend at the time heard me and said hey you should do both, you sound better than them so do both. I looked at her like she was crazy but I cherished her opinion so I gave it a shot. 8 yrs later here I am, Adam Reverie rapper/singer/songwriter.

Coming from Detroit there are some large footsteps to follow with of course Eminem in many rap-heads top 5, as well as artists like Big Sean, Danny Brown, Royce and more making a constant impact now. How does it feel to represent that city as a hometown in 2016?

Detroit is unique because each of those artists artistically represent the city (Detroit) differently from one another. Which speaks volumes to the city’s creativity. For me it’s an honor because I see their success and know I have opportunity to add to the narrative of successful Hip-Hop acts coming out of Detroit. I don’t see large footsteps to fill, but instead a chance to add my testimony to Detroit’s rap Bible.

What do you think you bring to music that differs you from everyone else?

My heart..

What is the overall tone of the upcoming project Soul Ties?

Soul Ties is a very smooth thought provoking project just 20 minutes long, but packs a lot of spiritual and self reflective content dealing with lust and faith.

What do you think will be the reaction when it is heard?

I think it’s going to shock a lot of people to hear male Hip-Hop artist speak on soul ties and how it’s affected him personally. I also think many people in the Christian Hip-Hop community are going to enjoy it.

How does Soul Ties differ from the music we’ve heard from you previously?

Soul Ties is the first project where I have no profanity or cursing in it. I created that way because the message is dear to me so I wanted everyone to be able to listen to it and not slight me because of a few trash words.

Your track “The Emancipation” is basically you breaking yourself from things you’ve done and the way you’ve treated people in the past. At least that’s what I gathered from it. What was your thought process going into the creation of it?

‘The Emancipation’ is a record about me breaking free of any bondage or debt to an unhealthy past. In the beginning I speak about my fathers incarceration during my freshman year of college and continue to talk about failed romantic relationships and wrong doing by people I called friends. Many of those situations put me in a dark place..I no longer wanted to have this gray cloud over my life so I wrote ‘The Emancipation’ to do away with those situations once and for all.

And on “Remain” you keep it personal as well speaking on friendships, women and even God. Is it safe to say you use your music as a form of therapy?

Yes ‘Remain’ was the first song I wrote for “Soul Ties”. It talks about God, friendships and women because that’s what the whole project is about, spirituality and vices. Yes it’d be foolish to not include music as a therapy for me, it’s protected me in a way I can’t describe.

https://soundcloud.com/adamreverie/the-emancipation

When did you realize the outlet of music was something that could help you when you’re down?

I realized that music could help me emotionally my freshman year of college when I got that phone call my Dad was on the news.. I refused to go crazy so I wrote, so I write and will continue to do so until I’m completely healed.

What’s the biggest thing you would say music has helped you get through in your life?

Loving myself..music has helped me love Rev. Knowing that it’s fine to be an expressive male, knowing it’s ok to cry and say I’m hurt. Through song I’m able to say these things in ways that may have made people mistake my expressiveness as weakness in everyday conversation.

You mentioned the exploit of black culture on “Untitled”. How do you plan on avoiding that same exploration as you grow in your career?

There’s somethings you just don’t have to avoid and for me it’s the exploitation of Blacks. I love my Blackness far too much to exploit or defile the African American culture in anyway.

Keeping with the topic of black culture. We all know Police Brutality is an issue that’s been heavily publicized when it comes to Black America and the nation as a whole. How do you feel about how things have been transpiring with law enforcement lately?

It hurts to see anyone killed senselessly especially by those who are meant to protect you, but it has unveiled the eyes of many Americans who may have believed racism no longer existed. We as Blacks don’t want America’s hand out, we’re wise enough to know that won’t manifest by this country’s disregard of our reparations. We as Blacks in America only ask that we matter.

Do you think artists have a certain responsibility to speak on these serious subjects being that they have a higher influence on the youth usually?

I believe every person has an obligation to do what God has placed on their hearts to do. Everyone isn’t meant to be on the front line you know?

On another note, you were able to be featured on Sway In The Morning recently. I know that had to be an amazing experience, could you walk us through what that day was like?

All I have to say is that God is real and he’s been answering my prayers at an amazing pace this year. Being on Sway In The Morning was another one of those answered prayers. I’d love to tell you more, but words will never be able to describe the feeling you feel when things like this manifest in your favor.

What was one thing you can say you learned from the experience?

One thing I learned from this experience is that no one can BLOCK for me what God GOT for me.

With half of the year finished at this point what do you have planned for the remainder of 2016?

I have new videos, Soul Ties dropping AUGUST 31st, Interviews, performances and whatever else God has planned that should help me finish out the year strong.

Is there anything you would like to share before we conclude?

Yeah.. #SignRevtoDreamville