Interview with Blackwell

 Some artists move quietly but steadily, building a career through consistency, collaboration, and a genuine love for the craft.

Blackwell is one of those artists. From sync placements in major spaces like Coca-Cola campaigns and Ted Lasso, to sharing stages with hip-hop legends, his journey reflects both range and intention. Blending hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeat influences, Blackwell creates music that balances feel-good energy with personal storytelling.

We spoke with him about creativity, genre, collaboration, and what it means to keep growing in an ever-changing music landscape.

1. Your music has crossed into big commercial spaces  from a Coca-Cola ad to Ted Lasso. How does it feel when your songs reach audiences in unexpected contexts, and how does that shape your view of your work?

Reaching milestones like that is a blessing I don’t take for granted. I stay humble, but it also pushes me to work even harder and be more creative. It motivates me to elevate my next project and aim for an even higher level.

2. You’ve worked with a wide range of artists and opened for legends from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to LL Cool J. What’s one lesson you’ve taken from sharing stages with such diverse talent?

Rehearsal is a major key. Always show respect to the artists who came before you, and if they offer advice even if it’s criticism, take it and learn from it. You have to realize they’re giving you an opportunity to expand your skills on their stage.

3. Your recent music blends hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeat influences, especially on tracks like Voluptuous. How do you approach genre when creating do you think in boundaries or in feel?

When I’m creating new music, I usually spend at least an hour listening to what’s new across different genres. Then I take a break before starting, so ideas have time to marinate. That helps me develop something original. I love combining different styles, and if I can bob my head to my own creation while writing, it makes it easier to build a concept.

4. Your sound balances energetic, feel-good tracks with more personal storytelling. How do you approach that balance between surface-level enjoyment and deeper emotional themes?

You have to separate the two while still understanding the style and mood of the music you’re making. I love creating hip-hop that gets the party going and makes people feel good, but even when tackling deeper emotional issues, you can still use a mellow, danceable feel. It’s all about how you approach the song with your rhymes.

5. Looking at where you are now sync placements, collaborations, live shows, what’s the next goal you’re working toward as an artist?

My next goal is to bring on and collaborate with new artists, while also teaching them what I know about the music industry and live performance. I host a podcast on iHeartRadio where I play indie artists, and I let them know: I can play your music, but the production and creativity have to be strong. I’ll continue collaborating, exploring more sync placements, and building opportunities for others as well.

Blackwell’s story is a reminder that longevity in music isn’t just about moments, it’s about mindset. Staying humble, staying prepared, and staying open to growth.

As he continues to collaborate, explore new sounds, and create space for emerging artists through his podcast and projects, his focus remains clear: keep evolving, and bring others along for the journey.

This is an artist building forward with intention