Ebony Archer
Interview conducted on November 26, 2020
By Dan Locke
Ebony Archer is an Award-Winning Recording Artist, Certified Motivational Speaker and Entertainment Mogul
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago, in a town called Harvey, IL. My parents have been married 29 years and I have four siblings, which I am the oldest.
How did you discover music?
I discovered music at a very young age, at the age of four. I believed I felt first fell in love with music when I first heard the original Lion King Soundtrack.
How were your vocal skills discovered?
At the age of five, my parents decided to place in the children’s choir at my church. My pastor discovered my talent and from there, I started singing everywhere. When I was eight years old, I was selected to be in the renowned group, Walt Whitman and The Soul Children of Chicago. Through my years there, I had the chance to share stages with celebrities such as Yolanda Adams, Nick Carter, R. Kelly, and the list goes on and this why I am the artist that I am today.
How did you start to write music?
I was always a writer. So just like singing, writing just became natural. Through my many musical and life experiences, it made me want to write those experiences out and convey them through music.
Describe your music
My music is about life experiences that anyone can relate to. My goal is to bring feeling back to music and make music fun again
What was your first performance at like?
I was definitely nervous. I was only five years when I first sang in front of an audience. But once I started singing, I knew that the stage is where I belong.
What makes a good songwriter?
What makes a good songwriter is someone that knows how to make a catchy hook, dynamic lyrics, and memorable melodies.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association?
Yes. I belong to BMI
How did R. Kelly find you to be in the video “The World’s Greatest”?
This was the time that I was in Walt Whitman & the Soul Children and we were invited to be a part of the video and that is how I became a part.
How was it to finally be about to sing the National Anthem for the Chicago Sky WNBA?
It was definitely a career highlight for me and it was also aired on ESPN. I was so excited and the experience is something I will never forget.
How is the planning for Ebonize Me Tour in 2021 coming alone?
I am so excited! I can’t wait until to reveal upcoming details soon!
And you are going to launched Ebonized TV which will launch on Roku, Amazon Fire, android and apple TV early 2021 How are you making the deals with all the performs?
God has just blessed with the opportunity and I am glad to also help others to distribute their content for millions to see as well.
You just released the single “Goodbye”. What is the backstory of the song about?
The song was about a bad, past relationship that I was in and I had finally gotten the courage to say Goodbye and I never looked back.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I feel like it is a blessing and a curse. It is great exposure for people to discover music but unfortunately artist don’t get paid as much as they should from it.
Tell me about your record label and how you are helping other artist?
The name of the record label is called Music Evolved Records. I named it this because I want to evolve the way things are in the music industry. This label is run by artists with the artists’ interest at heart. Not only will we help elevate and evolve their careers but we will also educate them in how to use their money and invest it wisely so they can have longevity,
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both. Digital is the new go to but it good to have Vinyl as a keepsake
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
I hate to see how badly divided our country is. We are called the United States for a reason. I believe now is the perfect time for everyone to sit back and reflect. We are equal underneath the eyes of God and this is not how we are supposed to move as a country.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
This is just another way to introduce the digital era. I believe that a lot of things in the industry will go totally digital changing the wave in the industry.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Writing and recording music and building my empire.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I rediscovered my love for baking! I love sweets!
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
Right now, my favorite streaming channel is Netflix
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreams shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I have seen that Facebook is cracking down on a lot of things, this is why I tell artists the importance of having your own website so you can control your own narrative.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?
By keep creating video content, staying engage with their fans on social media, do behind scenes clips of them in the studio, etc
Is pay to play still a thing?
Yes, unfortunately it is
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That would be something different and honestly, that may come sooner than later.
If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I would still be an entrepreneur. I love creating businesses from the ground up
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Yes, you can follow me on all social media platforms @imtheebonizer. Be sure to stream my single, Goodbye on all streaming platforms and remember your determination will lead you to your destination
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