Meet Solus Senpai | Singer/Songwriter

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

Hi Solus, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I started singing in the typical fashion most black children did. I started in church, my first solo was in “shake the devil off” on the children’s choir. After that, I graduated to singing the songs that I heard off the movie “The Temptations” (with an emphasis on David Ruffin’s parts). One day, I was in my room, maybe around the age of 6, and my mom heard me hit a falsetto note, and she ran up to the room and was visibly taken aback when I just kept singing. I was so proud to have my mother recognize my voice, for surely no one sang better than my mom to me. And so, a star was born.

I sang anything I could learn the words too, but I took a SPECIAL interest in Fred Hammond, and the artist formally known as Tonéx. And for years I sang them. However, hip hop was gaining so much notoriety, that my parents couldn’t hide it from me anymore, so around 10 they brought me a Christian rap album “Holy Culture” and I studied their craft greedily. They were like a Christian WuTang. Wordplay begin to make it home in my heart, and so I wrote my first song.

However, the two most important influences in my artistry were still on the horizon. But around the age of 12/13 years old, I heard “Yo” by Chris Brown, and “Daydreamin” by Lupe. This was it. I was dancing and singing everywhere. I was stretching my metaphors into vivid yet abstract images. I found a peace in it (I’ll omit the struggles that went on around then).

Now I’m here. I’ve written poetry. I’ve written ballads. I’ve written songs in multiple different genres. I’ve performed and seen mouths drop. I’ve become the “Senpai” or the “senior” to my inner child that chased so hard for mastery.

Now I’ve still very far to go. I’ve no love for social media, so promo is “kicking my candy” as my father would say, but I know I want to keep writing for the child in me that wanted to be the undisputed Champion Of The People and The Pen.

So that’s why I do it. Not for money. My features are free. I don’t charge to perform. Game is to be told, not sold. I do it so when the nights are dark, and the child in me asks “why did we have to endure?” I can point and look at all the things we’ve created, and show him it was worth it just like he hoped.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
“My pen magic unfold havoc on times fabric” —Solus Senpai

I want to be know as a regular guy that God gave an extraordinary gift. I’m no better than any man in the world, except for when God gives me a pen.

I feel impervious when I touch a pen to paper for hip hop. Yet I feel vulnerable when it is time to sing. I believe this duality exists in everything and everyone, and I want people to see me and feel “oh, I’m NOt crazy”.

But also, I want my talent to be undeniable. Yes, I bleed red blood like the rest of us, but there will never be another that has my pen.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh we’re throwing axes. I used to be a coach for years, and I love the sport. We can go to the woods, or a facility.

We’re definitely smoking. *shrug*

And then I’d swipe through IG and find a local show. I truly believe in supporting the artists on a local level.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my father and my mother. Many kids around me didn’t have the blessing of a two parent home, and if they did, even fewer had parents with the wisdom mine had. So definitely shoutout to them.

And as ALWAYS, to God be the glory. For the light and the dark.

Website: Linktree.com/solussenpai

Instagram: @itsdamost

Image Credits
Right Price Media