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— By C.J. Carter
TMZ dubbed him the number one nightlife emcee and many people were introduced to him during his brief stint as a cast member on the hit show “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.” But, prior to dominating L.A. nightlife and causing a stir on reality television, Sincere Show was already charting his incursion into the spotlight by the time he was 13 years old. Having sang with legendary musician Stevie Wonder on national television, Sincere was unmistakably setting the stage for the greatest show on earth.
Crowned by Diddy, himself, as an official Ciroc Boy; Sincere wears the wreath of royalty proudly. With co-signs from some of the biggest names in music, he aims to solidify a career that will be nothing short of legendary. As he takes his talents from the nightclub to the studio on his latest EP The Greatest Show On Earth, the Chicago native is in unapologetic bliss as he steps into the limelight. The six-track EP is an amazing body of work that boasts production assist from super producers London On The Track, Maad Scientist, Hitmaka, Ayo N Keyz, and Tasha Catour. We caught up with Sincere to talk about his EP and much more. Check out the conversation here!
How did you come up with the name Sincere Show?
My name has always been Sincere since Chicago. I used to go by Sincere Music as my social media handle. But, a few years into living in L.A., I started doing parties[and] acting. I [also] had a fashion line and I was just doing a lot of other things that I felt was bigger than just music. So, I changed my name from Sincere Music to Sincere Show. I mean, I am a walking show.
You’re originally from Chicago. When did you decide to call L.A. home and what prompted the move?
I moved to L.A. with a friend of mine who also does music. I always knew that this was where I needed to be to really do big things. So, when the opportunity presented itself, I came and basically never went home. I slept in cars, stayed with girls and stayed with family until I was able to afford my own place. I did what I had to do.
You’re inarguably the king of L.A. nightlife. How did that happen?
I was broke. But, I had a lot of relationships from being around so many people in music. I knew I could use those relationships as a bargaining tool to make money doing parties. So, I would invite them to events I was doing and they would come. A lot of these guys I really grew up with. From Chris Brown to Rihanna, Sean Kingston, et cetera. We were all very young when I met them, like 18 or 19 years old, and all lived in L.A. So, we’d go out a lot and that’s how I got my name. By being able to access the inaccessible people, while still branding myself as the greatest MC of all time.
How did you become so sought-after?
I really started out getting paid crumbs and doing more then I was paid to do. I would overdeliver a lot. I still do. People would hire me to do one thing and I would give much more, always exceeding the expectation. Along the way, I perfected my craft as an MC. I learned crowd control and I know everyone in the room at any given time. Communication is key. Knowing the players, respecting everyone, and most importantly never feeling too big for any job.
With L.A.’s nightlife scene being so competitive, what has been the key to your success?
Giving people a show… Giving them that energy, making them feel like… they’re at the greatest show on earth.
You recently dropped an EP appropriately titled The Greatest Show on Earth . Did you just wake up one day and decide to create this body of work?
Honestly, yes. I completed this project in five days total and it just felt like the timing was right. I’d been doing music all these years and I’d start, then stop, and start, then stop again. But this time… I’m going full steam ahead. I’m in artist mode.
How would you describe the feel of the project?
A lot of energy and a lot of passion. It’s club music mostly. Every strip club, nightclub, polo club. I want the listener to feel like they [are] in the moment with me in most of the songs with an exception for the ‘Goals’ record. That record is a lil deeper…
Who are some of the producers who you worked with on this project?
London On The Track, Hitmaka, Ayo N Keyz, Maad Scientist and Tasha Catour.
When did you discover your passion for making music ?
Kindergarten. I sang for my kindergarten graduation. It was lit.
Being that you sing and rap rather well, how would you describe your sound?
Uninhabited with no boundaries. I approach every record with several styles. If I was just a rapper, I think of every song as a rapper, but then you’re boxed in. But, I can do anything and it’s really amazing right now. You know the time that we’re in with music [artists are] able to have [a lot] of freedom. Thank you Lauryn Hill. Thank you, Drake. Thank you, Missy Elliott.
It’s no secret that you’re friends with everyone from Drake to Jason Derulo , Meek Mill , and countless others. What’s been their reaction to discovering your talents for making great music?
Drake has always known and has actually complimented me at times. I think a lot of them [want] it to work, so they can be a part of it… It’s a weird line especially because of how I’m viewed socially and financially.
Are there any artists who you’d like to work with in the future?
Kanye, Post Malone, Cardi. I like all the music coming out right now. Honestly, anyone who wants to work with me.
We were recently privy to watch your vlog ‘The Greatest Answers On Earth,’ which is absolutely hilarious by the way. Can you elaborate on the concept and what prompted you to kickstart the idea?
To be honest, with the current music landscape, you have to show the fans the full extent of your personality and I thought that was a good way to show them that I’m really a comedian at heart.
You also did your thing on ‘Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.’ Do you have any plans on returning to reality television?
Maybe not ‘Love & Hip Hop.’ I [enjoyed] working with the cast and Mona, who I adore. But, I’m positive I can carry a TV show on my own. That’s the new plan, ‘The Sincere Show.’
When you’re not making music, what are you doing in your spare time?
Doing the greatest parties on earth. Traveling with the greatest women on earth and living the greatest life on earth.
Because you’ve been in L.A. for a minute, I gotta ask you, Kitchen 24 or Roscoes?
Roscoes hands down. But, my boy from Chicago about to open a Harolds on Hollywood Blvd.
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