NOW TRENDING “BC” (Bernard Chestleigh)
is an artist grown from the suburbs and south side of Chicago. Known for his poetic style and devotion to the knowledge of self BC strives to stay true to who he is. Being a member of the organization Donda’s house, a college grad, and tutor BC work’s to provide the state of who he is in all of his work. After releasing his project Before Conception BC is focused on expanding his audience and perspective. He is inspired by all the things and rhythms in life that go unrecognized, the simple complexity of life that has the magic to hold your focus and make you believe that even through rough or hard times a bright light can be found glistening. His convictions manifest in his work and his devotion to being a creative.
“The role of an artist is to express the connection of all things.”
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Better known as Bernard Chestleigh has been a great friend of mine for roughly 8 years now. Since high school, we have been discussing creativity and cracking jokes. More recently in our friendship, Bernard has decided to take more creative artists approach to his lifestyle by becoming a hip hop artists and well-rounded musician. Now, when I first met Bernard years ago my sophomore year at Luther South, he was simply just a singer in the school choir with a funny ass sense of humor and the brain of an AP level student. My how time flies.
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I got the chance to get together with my good friend Bernard, or as I and many others used to call him in high school ” B’ NAAWD”, insert “LOL” here, and we got the chance to catch up on some good times and talk about his passion for music since a young age. As interesting as the questions may be, I believe his music is even more interesting, but we’ll get to that, for now, here’s what we talked about BELOW.
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-When did you first realize music was a passion of yours?
B “I have always been passionate about music. I started singing in the choir when I was very young, around 4 or 5 I joined the Sunshine Choir. My parents would always make me sing with my sisters and we would sing at church, or a singing competition or talent shows at school or around town. I would perform Michael Jackson songs or sing a song in church or choir and always get a very positive response. I knew I was really gifted with singing from a very young age but the real question for me as an artist was where would I place my energy because music and art came very naturally to me.”
-Can you explain your style?
B “My style is a definitely hip hop. My music and style is a strive, to be honest, and authentic to my experience. I come from the south side of Chicago so rappers like Lupe Fiasco, Common, and Kanye West are inspirations that have molded my understanding and my approach to making music. I have been influenced by gospel and soul music so that vibe is definitely apparent. Another defining character in my style of music is the poetic flows which are a manifestation of my love for the beauty and healing power of the Word. I am a student of the rap game and a student of life so I am always learning new skills and how to apply them and make them work for me.
-Who are your top 5-10 favorite GOATS?
B “My top 10 GOATS in no particular order has to be Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Tupac, Saul Williams, The Notorious B.I.G. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Lil Wayne, Andre 3000, and Ms. Lauryn Hill”.
Listen To ” CHICAGO” By BC
-How hard or easy has it been breaking into the industry for you?
B “It has been very difficult for me to break into the industry. The main reason why I think it been so difficult for simply is my unfamiliarity with how this industry actually works. There are a lot of ins and outs to the music industry that is still pretty foreign to me. I consider myself to be an artist chiefly, and not really the businessman the system demands”.
-Does where you’re from affect your success with breaking into the industry?
B “Definitely! Chicago is an art Mecca but the city is so segregated that much of the opportunity is found either in the loop or up north. Not saying that there is no opportunities south or west but they are few and far between”.
-How does where you’re from influence your music?
B “My music talks about the hardship of being pushed around by life while maintaining hope in spite of it all. Before Conception is a manifestation of my found resiliency. I grew up in a situation that forced me to move around a lot so I had to learn to adapt to my situation as best as I can. That means I learned how to move in different schools, churches, and friend groups. When I went to college I had 4 and a half years of security and space where I can explore who I really am. This is reflected in my music. The struggle to unify these very different experiences inspired me to be the unifying force I had always been looking for”.
Listen To “Civil Unrest” By BC
-What are you looking to accomplish with music?
B “Simply I want my music to connect with the rebel, and the outcast and those lost in a world seem to have forgotten about them. As long as I can connect and inspire those around me, then I think my job is done. The end goal is to reach a universal style that springs from my soul and manifest in those willing to fan my flames”.
-Who is your music mainly geared to? (audience wise)
B ” My music is geared to more of an awoke audience. I talk about what’s real to me so really, the music is for anyone who can relate. I consider myself a lyricist, so if you’re coming only for the beats and melodies then this music might not be for you”.
-Who’s your favorite musician?
B ” My favorite musician has to be Lauryn Hill. Her integrity and Artistry are unparalleled. The Miseducation of Lauryn was such a beautiful and empowering album. Her later, more modern work has also been a huge inspiration to me as a person and an artist”.
-Where do you draw your inspiration from?
B ” I draw my inspiration from everything around me. I love going for a walk and observing the state of things around me to inspire me to create. Seeing, for example, the hooker on the corner or the boarded up buildings gets me to thinking about creating a poem, a story, a song that can help me to make sense of these sights. To help me express these feeling and provide clarity I watch a lot of YouTube videos from great thinkers like Alan Watts, Cornell West, David Wolf, Noam Chomsky, Terrance McKenna, and James Baldwin to name a few. I also get inspiration from music from all genres but more specifically Hip Hop, Rap, Gospel, Soul, R&B, and Inspirational music of all types.
– What are some of your other hobbies?
B “I love playing video games and reading when I can get the time. I love getting away and traveling when I can. A huge hobby that played a major part in my life was College Forensics, which for those unfamiliar with this activity is a speech and debate team. I was a member of the NIU for 4 years but now, on occasion, I still judge at those competitions and still consider myself a part of that community”.
-So what’s the back story behind YOU?
B ” The story is about a dreamer. Growing up my family who went through many financial hardships but no matter what was taken away from us we knew that we had each. I was a kid whose future hung on an uncertain solution but I learned to push forward. My resilience allowed for me to have success as a performer in college, to graduate from NIU, and for me to join groups like Donda’s House and Louder Than a Bomb which has helped me sharpen my skills as an artist”.
– Some of your childhood favorites? (anything; tv shows, movies, food, games etc.)
B “I use to love cartoons and anime! Shows like Dragon Ball Z, Bugs Bunny, Yu Yu Hakusho, Pokemon, the Boondocks, and the Rugrats were always in the mix. As a Big boy, I was always satisfied with any meal that came with that golden jewel we refer to as French fries. I love Tai food too. Some of my favorite movies are the Matrix, Clockwork Orange, and any documentary I can get my hands on. The games that I mastered are Tetris, Madden, and League of Legends”.
*B’ NAWWWD with my favorite chicken ever “Harolds”*
-Some life challenging obstacles you’ve had to overcome.
B “I have come through many different obstacles. One of the more recent stories I’m willing to share is the last semester I was at NIU. At that time, I did not have my own place. So during that time, I slept on my coaches couch the majority of the semester until I could get back on my feet. For this, I am eternally grateful. I am thankful for the helping hands and willing hearts that helped produce what you now see in me BC”.
-Your biggest fans and supporters?
B “My biggest fans are my close friends and family. The groups that have learned to love me as an artist include places I’ve been a part of like from City Year, LTAB, and Donda’s House”.
https://soundcloud.com/bernard-tre-chestleigh/blessprod-by-chaz-alexander
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Now Trending: “BC” NOW TRENDING "BC" (Bernard Chestleigh) BC ... is an artist grown from the suburbs and south side of Chicago.
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