Grammy Award-winning artist, musician, and songwriter Kameron Covert is a gifted and an exceptionally generous performer. Fluent in French, he teaches the language to his followers via his “Five Seconds of French” segments. We can assume he spent a little longer co-writing “Fallin” for Toni Braxton or composing “Don’t Make Me Wait”, the #1 smash hit duet by music legends Sting and Shaggy that inspired their Grammy-winning collaborative album 44/876.
What Covert keeps to himself results in masterful works of art like his current EP Kathy’s Basement, a set of rich grooves like single “Give It A Try” and flawlessly soulful vocal performances like “N-U”.
Kameron Corvet took time out his busy schedule to answer our “2020 Twenty Questions” questionnaire! We hope THIS INTERVIEW entertains and inspires you.
On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you to be alive?
10!
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I wanted to be a ventriloquist.
I was obsessed with trying to learn how to throw my voice and always making puppets out of socks, etc. My mom is a really artistic and crafty person. She used art to help us find ourselves and our voices.
I overcame a lot of personal obstacles including stuttering as a child. Practicing ventriloquism helped me slow down and get my ideas out better.
What was your favorite cartoon?
I have a variety of favorites for sure. If I had to choose one, I’d say The Simpsons.
Tell us your favorite song as a kid, as a teenager, and now as an adult.
I can’t remember, honestly.
What’s an album that means more to you now than it did when you first heard it?
The Dream’s first album Lovehate had certain songs that I thought were great, but I appreciated the album a lot more once I understood the dynamic that was going on creatively at the time. For The Dream and Tricky Stewart to knock that album out in such a short period and for it to sonically shift things the way that it did is really understated.
What are your 3 favorite movies?
Purple Rain, City of God, and Love Jones.
What’s the last film that made you cry or almost cry, and what scene did it?
Boyz n the Hood. When Ricky got shot and then he ended up getting the score he needed on the SAT.
What’s your all-time favorite TV show?
The Cosby Show.
Which character on that show do you identify with most?
I identified with all of them. I wanted to be a part of it! Felt like I would make a great little brother to Theo.
What makes you laugh out loud or smile uncontrollably every time you see it or hear it?
A Dave Chappelle stand-up routine is probably the only thing that would.
Who in your family served you the most delicious, unforgettable dish you’ve ever eaten?
My mother worked nights in the hospital for half of my upbringing, so her cooking was always a welcome change from my Dad’s feeble attempts.
That said, when she made her gumbo over the course of 2 days and finally served it, it was Christmas no matter what month it was!
Tell us the most nutritious thing you’ve fed your mind.
The Count of Monte Cristo.
When did you start to understand your value?
That’s an ongoing process, but probably over the last 5 years.
Who is the G.O.A.T. of your profession?
Prince. Best all-around artist of all time.
I think it’s hard for people to really understand what it takes to master any one thing and then to do that with multiple instruments, writing, production, dancing, performance, stylistically all while redefining what it means to control your career as an artist. Truly amazing.
Stevie Wonder is a close second.
Do you aspire to be like them or more like someone you have a stronger personal connection to?
I aspire to be like me, mainly. I have studied the greatest in many respects and hope to do my version of greatness as well.
Recall for us the first time you failed. What lesson did you learn from that?
It’s hard to recount the first time, especially in an industry where failure is par for the course. Maybe the first time I didn’t win a talent show. But then again is that failure? Is not winning failure? It depends on which way you look at it.
That’s what missing the mark taught me. In order to miss, you have to attempt. It also taught me to appreciate and celebrate every victory.
In what way have you evolved over the last 12 months?
I’ve learned to be more patient about execution.
Sometimes what we want to take a day actually takes a week. That doesn’t mean I go into situations expecting a long wait, but when I plan things I account for a contingency plan and am more patient in general.
When was a time that someone you didn’t know did something nice for you? What did they do?
I lost one of my cards and after searching for a while I went back to a Kinko’s in the neighborhood. I was sure it wasn’t there, but someone found it in the copy machine and turned it in.
How would you explain to someone the importance of valuing their time?
I’d at least try to break down the correlation between time and money. I’d ask them to put a simple value of a $1 on every minute of their time.
I’d ask how much “free time” they have and how much of it they give to other people versus to themselves.
It starts to make sense when you associate a monetary value with time. At least for me!
What’s been the biggest blessing of your life?
My family. I wouldn’t be who I am without them. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker and Alex aka Grand Kai]
