Interview with Abyss
10 December 2009
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If These Blocks Could Talk, What would they tell you?!. Abyss had the entire audience at the Soul Sanctuary in Atlanta, GA…vibin' this socially distraught situation some of us have to face! Then he sings this ballad/Spoken Word piece of sorts… ‘I’d Rather Be With You!‘ When the women went berserk and the men nodded knowing exactly what Abyss spoke on. The 2001 HBO performance of ‘God Gave Me Grey Skies!’ and later on hitting us with ’She’!! Like so many other Abyss fans, I’ve never met a tune, song, poem, word from his mouth I didn’t like…I’m grateful.

That was over 3 years ago, yet, that live performance, that spiritual depth, that truth purging from a soul that has spoken of our youth better yet, our society today has been with me ever since. From that day on, I’ve been an avid fan, a valiant supporter who I feel is one of the hardest working talents of this day and age.

He is an HBO Def Poet favorite, B.E.T. Lyric Café fixture, on a track with Prince Song, a Veteran, a father, an artists originally from Detroit, Michigan; who is constantly on the move sharing his messages of what he has coined ‘Acid Gospel‘, and is actually a genuine man with sincerity so uncanny he is nothing but beautiful in my eyes. He is a not-for-profit, prophet and he speaks on anything from the economy, to love or lack of love, to social issues and domestic problems that seem to evolve with time. Atlanta is lucky he’s made that his locale!

Abyss is in the front of the line of the Spoken Word Game, but what’s even more empowering than that is the fact that I’ve seen him sing with his guitar, put that down, pick up his trumpet, singing the whole time, and top it off with making drum beats, with a regular stool chair. I’ve been around entertainers, my entire life. When I see a phenom I take notice and I never forget because it is definitely a rarity in the so called ‘entertainment field’ today.

I’ve kept in touch with Abyss, and could not wait to have the opportunity to speak to him one on one, some may call it an interview, I’ll just say it was an experience…because of his humor and humble ways. I KNOW, that he has so many blessings ahead and I’m honored that he gave me a few moments of his time to sit and discuss the questions that has been burning my scalp…(he makes me think beyond brain level in other words.)

Even though I missed his performance in Columbia, SC….I did get the chance to re-connect with him in Charlotte at Club Alive. Not even the rain could stop me from getting to this interview. After the showcase of other up-and-coming artists, he and I sat down to have a chat so I could pick his brain in wonderment.

SL: I’m not going to take much of your time..but when you were a child, did you have any idea you would become “Abyss”, an performing artist?

Abyss: Well actually, I was in the military for some time, but I was pretty sure that I would become a doctor of sorts….well actually a Gynecologist.

(Of course we laughed. I was not expecting that…but he went on….)

Abyss: I think that if I couldn’t perform now that I would be a good agent. That would be a good fit for me. My sons have their own band, ‘The Branches’, I’m proud of them and they are in the process of growing. They will be on Good Day Atlanta (www.myfoxatlanta.com ) on December 9, 2009.

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