Stories

Mr. Saturday Live Interview:

 

 

Lamont E. Collins, better known as Mr. Saturday Live, was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. Ohio has been a state that has in the past produced such iconic musicians such as; The Ohio Players, Bootsy Collins, The O’Jays, Kenny ‘babyface’ Edmonds and more recently Grammy award winning R&B Jazz and pop icon John Legend.

 

Mr. Saturday Live attended the same high school as John Legend. Mr. Saturday Live is now adding to the ranks of Ohio musicians that have and are continuing to achieve musical and artistic stardom.

 

Collins grew up in a household in a household where music was a family staple. Brought up church which he attended every Sunday with his grandmother where he fell in love with the sounds of the choir and house band thus creating a strong foundation for his talent.

 

Lamont welcome and thanks for taking the time to talk with The Sentinel.

 

T.S: Lamont how did attending church with your grandmother affect you spiritually, mentally and artistically?

 

M.S: Attending church with my grandmother taught me there is no man or woman greater than God. It taught me the power and belief of prayer, the principles of right and wrong. It also gave me the introduction to musicianship. All the various instruments intrigued me and the voices from the choir created this flood of positive energy inside.

 

 

T.S: I also read in your bio that you began you performing by entering various school talent showcases that were happening at that time with your best friend and you usually came out on top, winning almost every event.  Tell me a bit more about that.

 

M.S: Yes. My best friend and I had become infatuated with music, all types hip hop, r&b, gospel, ect. We were also good dancers and we would put together some dope dance routines to music, I would also write lyrics and we would perform the entire routines. We did this all through middle and high school. And every time we entered a talent competition, we came out on top.  Once we saw how the girls reacted to our talent it was over; lol we just knew we were destined for stardom.

 

 

T.S: After you gained notoriety and began to perfect your craft you went on to compete against other serious artists in your genre of music.  Was there an artist or a group of artists that inspired you and motivated you along the way?

 

M.S: Once I began performing in Urban League contests and rap battles in the street, I knew I was on to something real. My biggest influences in hip hop was LL Cool J. My mom would bribe me with LL Cool J albums just to get shots at my doctor’s office.  I would sit in my bedroom playing his albums on my record player studying his lyrics as well as his entire style, it was great. I was also influenced by EPMD, Heavy D, Chubb Rock, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B and Rakim.  My favorite group was New Edition, I loved the group, their songs, the way they dressed and the way they danced. As far as I am concerned, they were the entire package.

 

T.S:  Also, during your musical journey you have worked as well as shared the stage with many mainstream artists’ such as Outkast, Craig Mack, Blackstreet, and Naughty by Nature. How did those affiliations help you evolve as an artist?

 

MS: Sharing the stage with those successful artists gave me knowledge and insight into backstage production, lightning, sound, costuming how high-end concerts worked. I observed each performer very closely, studying all their stage movements such as how they held the microphone and how they interacted with the audience and how the audience responded.  I was learning how to not just be a performer but how to be a professional. It was like I was attending the university of hip hop and I wanted a A+ in the course.

 

T.S: What advice do you have for younger aspiring artists’ that are looking for the elusive formula for success in the ultra- competitive world of hip-hop?

 

MS: I would tell the younger artists’ today to study the hip hop legends that came  before them. Take notes on how they wrote rhymes and flowed over a beat.  I would explain to them that they should take their time and create the best possible product. Finally I would tell them to work on and perfect their live performance so they are not just standing on stage reciting lyrics to a background track. Learn to interact with your fans. Be exciting.

 

T.S: What message would you like to leave with your countless fans throughout the world of hip-hop?

 

MS: I would like to tell my fans that I will always give them a show. I will always put out quality music and do my best to satisfy their thirst for dope music. I want to thank them for their support and let them know that I love them.