Gimmick Club: The Largest Personality

I believe everyone has principles, everyone has methods and everyone has a gimmick. I want to explore the unique individuals of the world and share their stories. Today I had a chance to sit down with Vincent Parker. Parker, also known as Mature The Servant, is an artist, producer, and video director. The multi-talented Parker had plenty to discuss, including helping produce his wife's upcoming project, the creative process for his own project, and upcoming fatherhood. Below is our interview.

A- Okay, so with your new project, 'Broke N' Beings' what was the original concept of the tape and your original vision for the project?

VP- The original concept was to express a collection of songs that reflect all different forms of broken people, types of brokenness, and it eventually all began to take shape more into the broken concepts of love. My original vision for the project was and still is to create a series of Broke N Beings mixtapes that will reflect and discuss the ways we as people are daily battling with things that break us and then shape our views on love, family, friendship and our childhood.

A- And how many tapes do you plan on creating throughout the series of Broke N' Beings?

VP- I haven't really decided that yet. I feel there are so many different topics to cover when we talk about brokenness, that I can do so many of these projects. But right now I feel like I have at least five strong cases for the series.

A- So who are the key producers of this album?

VP- The beats come from a variety of producers from Beat Boss, Five Star Beats, The Firmmm and my engineering is always done by the talented Throne Muzik.

A- How long have you worked on this project?

VP- So at the beginning of this year I was exclusively working on my wife's EP, Shades of H.E.R. And throughout that process, my mind got to working and songs I didn't have came to me. By late summer/early fall and so I'd say around 5 months.

A- And when can we expect your wife's project?

VP- Her project is actually out now. It's available on all platforms. She goes by Parris Simone and she has a really dope r&b, soul vibe to her music. It was really awesome to help write and produce for her, alongside Throne Muzik who was her main producer and engineer.

A- So with this project being about broken people and her tape seemingly taking a R&B vibe, did you find yourself mirroring her topics within your own songs, since some of the writing process took place during the production of her project?

VP- In helping her write some of her songs I don't think I mirrored, as much I know I was inspired by. A lot of her project is very transparent and real. So when it came time to do my project, I was heavily influenced to be transparent in my music; on how I experienced love, like, brokenness, and even writing from raw views if not my own.

A- So with listeners expecting a similar level of transparency from you, what do you believe is the ultimate message you hope listeners take away from this project?

VP- That love isn't easy. It's confusing, it's frustrating at times, it's easily mistaken and commonly misused, it's complex and unique and can't be manufactured. But if we really work on ourselves and take time to grow with someone and simply move beyond the hook up or the Netflix and chill, we can find something real and beautiful like real unchanging love. Until then we're just Broke N Beings.

A- Seems like this tape uncovered a bit of personal growth as well

VP- Definitely. I feel as an artist, your music is reflection your mind, your growth, and your values, your views. And being married now for four years, I've learned a lot on what love is and what it looks like when it's great and when it's rough. So there is a lot of growth in my music and I like that because I feel like as a fan or a listener you're living with me hearing me mature (no pun intended) and also at times struggle. You get that front row seat in my music.

A- Can we expect any live shows from you with the release of this project?

VP- I don't have any lined up right now, as I'm expecting a baby girl sometime soon. So the early part of 2019 will be more so small projects drops and videos as I tackle fatherhood.

A- Fatherhood, we're expecting a little one!?

VP- We have our baby girl Kobi Brianna due to arrive in January. So she may be a Jr. rapper or singer you never know.

A- That's awesome. So through fatherhood, love, self discovery, this album is a culmination of all of these things?

VP- It's the beginning of it. I have January project I'm working on called "Dear Kobi," I'm working for my daughter but it will be universally relate-able to everyone.

A- Awesome, I can't wait. Before we finish this up, anything you want to put out there for the viewers to know?

VP- Support your local artist. They're no different than your favorite top artist, they work just as hard. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube as i have huge plans for 2019 in music, video, literature and some film. Huge year for the independent artist out there. Go support.

For more information, you can find Parker on Soundcloud at soundcloud.com/vincent-mickell-parker.