Meet Chris Ross | Recording artist & Climate Crisis Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Ross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had been thinking about becoming an LLC a few years ago, but really committed to it after it was suggested by one of my financial mentors. I felt like customers and business partners would take the vision more seriously if I was incorporated. Of course I was also excited about tax benefits that I would be able to take advantage of. CTFR Consulting LLC enables me to consult with clients on a number of things that I am passionate about: climate and environmental justice efforts, sustainability, financial literacy, music development and coaching. The timing was inspired by the pandemic and learning that life isn’t promised; so I didn’t want to hold off any longer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

First of all, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to share my platform. As an independent artist and activist, I have to take advantage of every opportunity to expose people to the movement and the music. As an artist, I think one of the things that sets me apart is that I am not afraid to fail at anything that I create in music or business, and I have written song lyrics in at least (5) languages (multi-lingual). That is why I am very excited about the radio response that I am getting from the “Been Through It” single which features lyrics in English and Spanish. It will be released worldwide digitally on Memorial Day 2022 but you can choose to get it early directly through the website. I feel really good about the radio audience response and a lot of retailers nationwide are playing the single as well.  I was very intentional in considering the reach out to radio audiences even though I have had far more success connecting with followers via social media and digital resources. I believe that you have to meet people where they are in order to influence change, and I felt like this was an area where I could earn some listeners and perhaps even some allies for climate change.

I have been fortunate enough to have taken a more marathon approach to the music industry and business by maintaining financial independence and professionalism. It hasn’t been easy; I often deal with business contacts and industry connects that do not treat me with the same level of professionalism that I show them. Over the years I have survived through intense prayer and learning to find technology solutions to overcome rejections and challenges. That is why I am eager to see how the industry responds to the influence of web 3.0 and what I am going to bring to the Metaverse by way of the Kansai Music Conference in Osaka, Japan this September.

What I hope the world gets about Legrand, is that I am an artist that loves hip-hop culture, that is passionate about the climate and social justice, but my platform prioritizes the movement over the music.

LEGRAND

I have been fortunate enough to have taken a more marathon approach to the music industry and business by maintaining financial independence and professionalism. It hasn’t been easy; I often deal with business contacts and industry connects that do not treat me with the same level of professionalism that I show them. Over the years I have survived through intense prayer and learning to find technology solutions to overcome rejections and challenges. That is why I am eager to see how the industry responds to the influence of web 3.0 and what I am going to bring to the Metaverse.

What I hope the world gets about Legrand, is that I am an artist that loves hip-hop culture, that is passionate about the climate and financial literacy, but my platform prioritizes the movement over the music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I relocated here just under two years ago in the middle of the pandemic, so I haven’t had a chance to explore much of the city over that timeframe. I realize that rapper Omeretta The Great would likely say that I am not Atlanta, but I typically spend time in the CoLab@410 in Edgewood when I am building in my creative space. I am originally from Philly, so I have to take them to Big Dave’s to get the Philly chicken cheesesteak, yahmeen? One of the days I would have to take them to a Climate rally at Findlay Plaza at Little 5 Points, followed by beers at Atlantucky Brewing. The next day, we might go the Atlantic station or The Battery and then catch a show at City Winery later that night. Before the weekend, we would have to go the Breakfast at Barney’s, hit the Aquarium and then Aria Spirits for wine tasting before checking out a Hawks game. Of course since my best friend knows what I do musically, I have to hit up Gravity House Studio and @eqtheengineer to get my sound right.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Kelly and the entire Ross family, Scott Evans (lol), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC, 2-5 made me and I appreciate everyone that has poured into me over the years. #keepthatsamegreenenergy

Website: https://legrandescape.com

Instagram: @legrandescape

Twitter: @EscapeLegrand

Facebook: @TheOfficialLegrandPage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCPMs5W3Q69G2-HW9wODzZg/videos

Image Credits
Scott Evans-CTFR Consulting LLC