When we look back on 2022, we’ll remember a year that challenged our resourcefulness, emotions, unity, and finances. In the face of these obstacles, we learned the infinite value of togetherness. In THIS INTERVIEW we revisit the last 12 months from the perspective of critically acclaimed Hip Hop artist and filmmaker Sixman.
Continuing a hot streak of high-mark releases, The Atlanta, GA resident’s current LP The LUX (Luxurious Urban Xperience) has gotten love from high-regarded radio station WYCE in his native Grand Rapids, MI.
The cinematic video for The LUX single “Capitalistic” was an official selection of the Grand Rapids Film Festival, and it’s hit follow-up “Common Linage” (featuring YoAphro) was nominated for Song of the Year while the set and Sixman received Album of the Year and Artist of the Year nominations respectively at WYCE Jammie Awards XXIII.
On August 11, 2023, Sixman will return to Grand Rapids for HIP HOP 50Th Anniversary Music Fest live at top-rated venue The Pyramid Scheme, sponsored by WYCE, NOXX and COOKIES GR, Wasted Brand Clothing, Debo Scotty (Power Moves Only), Vitale’s On Leonard, THIS ENT, and Feeding America (West Michigan).
Sixman took time out of his busy schedule to share some of his thoughts with us, answering THIS questionnaire about his life in 2022 and what to expect from him in 2023. THIS is for YOU!
How would you summarize 2022?
I would summarize 2022 as a special year for me. The whole goal was to break back into the market of Michigan Hip Hop, a place I started. I feel like I really did that.
I started with “Return of the Boom Bap”; that was my homecoming, playing in Grand Rapids as a headliner. That cultural 3-day event was me trying to implement a different style of events in the market along with giving other artists a voice and stage who normally got overlooked a bit. That was special for me.
Then coming back to Grand Rapids to perform with El Da Sensei from Artifacts. We did “The Reset Tour” in Atlanta, GA which allowed me to show the reputation I hold within ATL’s Hip Hop scene. That was super important to me.
We were mentioned in the Grand Rapids Film Festival. We expanded on current friendships and made new friends as well – Stock da bar vodka, Wasted Brand Clothing, Green Mitten, and more. Playing with Elzhi and Bizzare was a great moment as well.
Doing “The Culture of Hip Hop Workshop” at Wedgwood Christian Services was great too, but the best thing of 2022 was to be honored by Wedgwood and to be interviewed by a Michigan veteran news anchor and iconic media personality, Maranda, was the highlight of it all for me. For me to tell my story for all was special in many ways.
What was the best song, album, television show, movie, and podcast of the year?
The best song of the year, “Johnny P’s Cadillac” by Benny the Butcher. And “Science Class” by Westside Gunn. Oh, and “Forsaken” by Sixman.
Best TV shows were Abbot Elementary, Raising Kanan, and BMF. Best movie was The Women King.
Best podcast of the year was “Drink Champs”.
Did you read anything inspiring or influential that you would recommend to others?
Things I read that influenced me would be messages of inspiration I post on IG. One that sits with me is a guy who said “You ever asked a man if he was okay, and he says I’m okay, that man is not okay. He could be dealing with demons” and so on. It spoke to me tremendously. I took a lot of inspiration this year from RIP Kevin Samuels and Minister Farrakhan.
What’s something you did to help someone in need, whether you knew them or not?
Something I did [last] year to help others in need was me booking artists on shows and tours throughout the year.
Me and DJ Monk Matthaeus helped give kids some cool gear for attending our “Art of 16 Barz” cultural Hip Hop workshop. I also played a big part in helping raise an extra $50K at Wedgewood’s 62nd Anniversary, making their total to $250K raised that night, if I’m not mistaken.
But, really, I feel like I was able to help book lesser known local and regional artists with top Hip Hop artists – El da Sensei, Bizarre, Shabaam, Aphro, John Robinson. The ATL Hip Hop community was also a major highlight for me.
Recall for us the most surprising thing you heard all year.
The most surprising thing I heard all year is that people you thought were your friends and partners turned out to be hating the whole time. When I discovered and heard of that, it blew me away.
How did you celebrate your birthday?
I think I smoked good and thanked God for another year.
Why is it important to live every moment of your life to the fullest?
It is important because, as we’ve seen, life can be lost in the blink of an eye. Because to live is to be rich and blessed.
Live life to the fullest because you want to make sure you leave a lasting mark. All you have is the date you were born, the dash in between, and the ending. So, what did we do to live life to the fullest? What does that dash signify for your life? That is why.
Were you able to achieve the goals you set?
I was able to complete damn-near all goals [last] year and it’s one I’m still working on. We got all the cars fixed. We put out a new project, The LUX Ep, and shot a lot of videos for it.
I made my mark in Grand Rapids again after all my years. That was a long goal I had been working on and finally broke through with making new relationships with The Pyramid Scheme, WYCE Radio, Stock Da Bar Vodka, the GRCCT center, Listening Room, radio station 97.3 The Beat, and all the great artists of GR and the surrounding areas.
And most importantly touring with a Hip Hop legend as an equal. That meant the world to me.
Which of your blessings would you say was the biggest?
My biggest blessing was my life I’m given every day and the will to make it happen. Worldly possessions are just that, so my biggest blessing I can think of is having my life.
Tell us how you evolved over the last 12 months.
By being aware of how I treat others, I evolved in my thinking and attitude towards certain things. I learned to shut up on social media and be more positive. I learned I do have real value even if you don’t see it. I learned to love more – friends and relationships. I evolved by knowing, hey, I’m not perfect! I can work on some areas. But also, I am a great person because I care for others and I want to help, even when I can’t.
Did you experience a defining moment?
My defining moment was sitting with Maranda from Fox News. I told her, “I used to watch you as a kid! I remember you!” Now I’m at the table with her and family and she is interviewing me! In front of 300-plus people!
At that moment, after the interview, after I poured my heart out through a rap I wrote, I stepped away from the ceremony. I went into the bathroom and shed tears. The moment was of joy and not feeling sorry for myself and my past. But I said damn I must be somebody to somebody because look how you ended the journey of the year.
We started with “Return of the Boom Bap” week where I was accepted by my peers I grew up with and some who just knew of me. It changed my toxic thinking about how people from my city saw me. Then we hit the world a bit – ATL, New Mexico – released an Ep, came back home and did a workshop for kids at the boys home I stayed in, to then again headlining with Elzhi and Bizzare.
Also, I found love that came and went like a bus in the night on its last route, to finally playing the Listening Room in Grand Rapids, a place where we only thought they booked bands they personally liked. So, to finally play home venues meant we made our way. Then on to more love and relationships that were lost.
Then finally … the grand event of them all; Gerald R Ford Hanger on October 6, 2022. My name on Table 1 with a meal selection I chose. 300 plus donators and supporters of a place that helps lost and hurt kids. My image is also on 3 TVs across the event. Maranda was locked in on me. My body language became a bit tightened. My stomach was massively nervous. We began.
My mind then opens up back to 1996. Literally. That was a defining moment at that moment. It’s over 20 years later. I’m a new man. Now I must take these people on a journey of the old me. It’s very hard for me to deal with, but I had to. I had to for those people who’ve never been through anything like this in life. I had to make them feel me. They felt me. Moment defined.
What can we expect from you in 2023?
Expect my new album Six Million Dollar Man. It will sound big, look big. This is a top priority, and few tours we are planning with Dezz from Da Mad House in California. And I’m looking to book in Europe again. Six Million Dollar Man album will be a TV show, songs will be like episodes. | THIS ENT
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
