Get To Know Who I Am
I was born Clemmie Williams III named for my grandfather and his father before him.
I hail from San Bernardino, CA, though partially raised in Tacoma WA. I was born into a household on the verge of destruction. The loss of a father by age 2 , Me and my family homeless and disowned by relatives by age 3, A mourning and distraught mother turned extremely physically abusive by age 5. We were greyhound bus patrons, homeless shelter occupants, victims of circumstance and hopeful doubters seeking deliverance from the ball and chain of oppression an affliction. The pain of everyday life didn't seem so bad after a while, because I never experienced what a good life was. We were grateful, grateful for all the small things, all we had, each other. after several years of cultivation and endurance, the remains of my family slowly fading away, at age 12 my and my closest brother had enough, for The night prior we were beaten the worst we had ever been ever and for no cause at all. The next morning, on a Sunday made our escape and never looked back not knowing the even more difficult road ahead. A week after running away I has hiding out in my oldest brothers attic where my other brother had ran away prior to us. He told me " Out here! You can be only two things.. A rapper or a gangsta. Choose up" i wish i could tell you that i only chose to be a rapper but to be honest it wasn't that easy. I was a young black runaway in the heart of Hilltop "Crip City"Tacoma in 1996. After being in the hood back in East Oakland or Fresno where my family's from, it didn't seem bad until it kicked in. I was fightIng almost everyday! The hood was real active. For some reason I fell deeper into music i felt like my lifestyle went hand and hand with it. It was a way for me to vent my pain and hopefully somehow, one day it could deliver me from darkness. I started to play Harmonica at age 7, I spent nights humming tunes from movie sound tracks and twisting them around soulfully it was the only way I would feel safe enough to go to sleep. As time progressed and I kept moving around from home to home unstable as ever, trying to avoid falling into the hands of the state. At age 14, I began writing my first album and completed it at age 15. "Maniactric The Questionaire" I sold copies out of my backpack to raise money to pay for school clothes and food. I sold close to 2k copies just making my rounds through the hood. Growing tired of running around and crashing on couches, By age 16 i started renting apartments and rooms by working two jobs while still attending school. I had already began writing 2 other albums "Portrait Of A Psycho " and the "Unwicked Candle" both of which I completed by age 18. By the end of high school i had been volunteering for a youth group called "campus life youth for Christ" speaking to at-risk kids, students from 6th to 8th grade . At 18 I returned to California for the first time in 6 years for DCLA, which is a national youth for christ conference. that year it was held in Sacramento, Ca at the convention center. I was volunteered to perform from my group at an event in the morning called DCLA idol. It was my first performance and there just so happened to be thousand's attending. I got to share my pain and connected with people through music and it felt like where belonged. Standing ovation from the crowed and tears in the eyes of the host and I didn't expect but later on that day in front of even more people he called me up and asked me to perform again. I knew from that day I why I went through as a kid and what I was currently going through at that time. I knew that thats what I was supposed to do with my life and I knew I had a lot more to go through to get there. By age 21 I hop on a greyhound and move back to California with nothing in my pockets, homeless tried to start over.
I went back to Washington at age 22 and at 23 moved back permanently, I was homeless on the streets of Los Angeles and Orange County for a while struggling to get a job and start recording all the music I had been writing over the last few years. At 24yrs. old I began working in Tustin,Ca as an in store salesman, still homeless, taking bird baths to stay presentable and saving up for studio time. Few months later I saved up enough to begin recording what I like to call my first professionally recorded album " The Dedications :Memories Of A Runaway" I soon met a special lady who I worked with, she knew i was homeless and let me rent out a room from her. Soon i was accompanied by my closet brother who ran-away with me as kids and just came down from washington. He had been living a life heavy into drugs, treating his depression with anything that got him high. At age 25 I went into record A song i wrote and composed that to this say is near and dear to my heart " Outside My Window" My brother came into the booth with me and talked to me , giving shout outs to all the homies and family in intro we were having the time of our lives and It felt like we were those two little kids with our back packs on running free from all of our pain and struggle for those 7mins down until the guitar strings faded we felt like we made it. That moment we we're finally happy. It's the most rememberable session off my involvement in music. 2 weeks later I found my brothers body in a motel room. He had overdosed on multiple drugs. The next day I performed in front of my very few fans who came out to support. They tell me it's to bad I didn't have a bigger crowed because it was my most powerful and heart felt performance. Soon after I lost my job after becoming depressed and again became homeless, but not hopeless I finished the Dedications Album strong and in the O.C and L.A. Area It began get street recognition. For a few year remained homeless. Writing and performing at every open mic and showcase a could I even left the state and hitching rides from state to state city to city spreading a message of hope and willpower,sharing my story, my pain and tears. So many people I met along the way that laughed and cried with danced and walked with. By the time my journey ended and I had walked over 700+ miles down the coast without transportation, I realized that no matter what, I had to keep moving forward, that I can get back up and finish what I started, what God started in me no matter what. last year I began writing two albums which will be my best and most powerful yet,but most importantly out of the two, first and foremost the "Affect Change" album. This is just beginning of a new music revolution. Greatness takes time. At 29 I'm ready.
What Music Means To Me
Contrary to what the mainstream media views music as, music to me is alive like water and air... It's speaks life and lives inside of me like the spirit of GOD. It's the quiet whisper in a loud room. It was a gift to me and I cherish it, grow in it, never neglect it. More than a talent it's a power, so much so that it can reach multitudes, change and save a life, unite the world by its sound and give peace in suffering. I am like an addict in an AA meeting when it comes to music, Ready to stand and announce my self and share my story with the world. It's my way of expressing my self.
Why I Want To Make This Album
I believe this album has been long anticipated over the years, the words "Affect Change" have grown stronger in meaning as the days have grown darker and trying in this era. The content of this album is the raw and revealing truth. Some would call it powerful and soulful, conscious and relatable. I speak on relevant issues, everyday life, heartache and happiness, Downfall and triumph, love and hate, addiction and recovery..etc I speak for the people from all walks of life, any age group and people all over the world. I believe this album will help people through hard times by uplifting them. Ultimately, I'm making this album because i believe it's the right thing to do, make a difference by sharing a good word. Affect Change.
What I'm Looking To Raise
The goal I'm looking to reach for this album is $15,000. The funds will help me record a 10 to 12 song album, enlisting the help of very talented music producers, vocalists, and musicians. I want this album to be entirely comprised of independent musicians like myself. He are willing to pour every last ounce of their commitment and dedication in creating great music. The funds will not only help in the production of the album, but will also be used to press digital and physical copies of the album, production of the perks listed, and the creation of any press and marketing materials.
A Few Of The Perks Included
Risks and Challenges
A Challenge for me is as an independent artist, it has been a struggle to produce this album. I work full time, and a majority of my income is spent on keeping a roof over my head, and food on my table. After paying my bills, any income I have left is used directly towards making this album. It's been a very slow process in producing a song, and I personally feel that with the help of crowd-funding. I can release this album in a much faster manner.
Handling $15,000 to produce this album is going to be a very difficult task, but thankfully I have the help of wonderful people to help me manage and administer the funds so that the album is made on time, and that contributors will receive the perks they deserve.
Other Ways You Can Help
Thank You for spending the time to take a look at my project. If you are unable to contribute even the smallest amount that is not a problem at all. Those are other ways you can help.
If you can share this project to a friend, family member, co-worker, or just someone you met out on the street I will be eternally grateful.
Just by spreading the word, you've already helped me out in a tremendous way.
Just look for the indiegogo share tools and you're all set to share.
THANK YOU!!!