Meet Richard Singleton II | Singer/Songwriter, Producer, Film, Screenwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Singleton II and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Initially, my focus was on creating music. However, as opportunities in animation emerged, my vision expanded. Recognizing the lack of representation in anime, I decided to take matters into my own hands, aiming to open doors not only for myself but for others as well. Now, my business has evolved into a company dedicated to promoting diversity by producing authentic black stories across various animation genres.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey from musician to anime creator has been quite the adventure, and what sets me apart is my drive to integrate both mediums, creating a immersive experience. I’m incredibly proud of my passion and determination to turn challenges into opportunities. When others see an impossible task, I see a puzzle waiting to be solved.

To fund my music endeavors, I spent almost seven years working in Afghanistan and Iraq, a challenging experience that required resilience. Networking and exploring other avenues led me to the world of animation, even if it meant staying in a warzone longer than expected. Overcoming these challenges wasn’t easy, and seeking therapy was keyl, especially while dealing with PTSD and dealing with the complexities of not receiving support within my own community.

Even with all that being said, I’ve learned the value of patience and, remembering my why. I want the world to know that I am a Black Creator first and foremost, advocating for responsible artistic expression free from regulation. My brand is all about storytelling in its purest form, aiming to normalize imagination over oppression.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For a week-long adventure with my best friend, I’d keep things low-key but enjoyable, Over the years I have become an introverted soul. We’d kick off the first day with a visit to a billiards hall, where we can shoot some pool and grab a few drinks. Depending if my extroverted timer is still ticking we would head to a Brazilian steakhouse, food and conversation. And after that Im making an excuse why I have to go back home alone. That sounds terrible..lol But after watching a few basketball games or highlights. (Anthony Edwards is that guy) I would go back to writing music or a screenplay. The rest of the week would unfortunately consist of more writing and planning. Grinding

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s a whole crew of amazing people who’ve been a huge part of this journey and definitely deserve a shoutout. First up, there’s Nicolay from the Foreign Exchang, seriously, this guy believed in my music and gave me an opportunity I could never repay. Then there’s Kevin Murphy, the mastermind behind Blerdstation, this awesome up and coming streaming service that’s all about highlighting Black-centered content and giving the community a real say in it. And big props to I am Black Sci-Fi, they’re doing incredible work in our community and always showing love to Black creators. And let’s not forget about Magnetic Studios; these guys aren’t just collaborators, they’re practically family, and they’re the ones who bring our animations to life. Oh, and there’s a bunch more folks too: Blerds Eye View, Non Phixion, Rogers Review, Obsidian Comics, Tricky Sun Comics, Hellspawn, Midnight Comics, Amerime Media, and Project Azukár. Seriously, they’re all doing such cool stuff that the world needs to know about!

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