Tag: Eugene King

Nowadays, soul music is nothing like what it is in the past but it surely has its influence and impact on artists today, if you pay attention. Soul isn’t something you buy off the shelf in a store and it isn’t something that you can turn on and off or just dispose of. It’s a feeling, a sound, a movement, an image, a color, it’s something you either have or you don’t and unless you have it yourself, you won’t be able to identify it so easily in others. Whether they’re artists or not. This particular artist though, is a true definition of soulful. It’s painted in a picture only designed by he himself. Definitely some classic soul artists like Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, or even a Sam Cooke, you can see these men have such a huge influence on this man’s flavor. Born on August 31st, an attractive yet sensual Basquiat-ish type of vibe he also gives, Donald Eugene Gbayi Jackson aka Eugene King and Papa is an artist the people definitely need to focus their attention on if you consider yourself a soul music fan. With his southern roots, deep voice, free spirited energy, colorful clothing, and all around laid back style, the Houston, Texas native so calmly represents just that. “H-Town, it’s going down, Southside, chopped & screwed mane! Hold up!” The perfect way to introduce yourself when you enter the room. Spirit and all. Growing up, Eugene recognizes both the fun and not so fun times in his life as he reflects back. He says, “It was fun and at times a lil depressing you know, when you’re an adolescence going through those growing pain stages, the anxiety, sometimes suicidal.” Definitely something relatable and hits close to home for a lot of Black folk. Childhood is one big blur and adventure but when things get dark, you just go through it and aren’t fully able to process and understand until you’re older but of course, for an artist like Eugene, music can be a healer. He then gets into who inspires him. “I used to be able to answer this one but to be honest, as I get older, not to be bias but everybody does, from Marvin Gaye to YNBNBA, to Aretha Franklin, and Taylor Swift… nice gowns.” Haha! Nice Aretha shady reference there! People who pay attention will understand that reference. Eugene knows how to make you laugh too. Funny guy he is. Going back to the beginning though, Eugene’s musical bloodline goes back to his father. He acknowledges his father’s history a bit. “My father used to do music in his youth when he had kids and married; he stop but he always kept his music. I used to sneak and study his personal recordings and lyrics, also his huge musical collection. Also my sister, s/o to Tasha and Pops.” The smallest definitely leave such a huge impact on our lives. Forever. Now the music, the best part. Good music takes time and Eugene highlights that when talking about both his current and future projects. “You can check the music video for Ganja, out now on YouTube soon. It’ll be up to stream and currently putting together a project, its many years in the making, but its coming together; it’s gonna be an experience.” An experience it will be indeed. Something about artists taking so much time to create new art is always so exciting. It’s even more exciting when you’ve been supportive of an artist for so long. Even if they only had a few stuff, you go back to what they do have and enjoy it every single time like it’s brand new. That’s timeless shit right there. Timeless artists live longer but even the greatness of an artist can leave one feeling doubtful and regretful. He tells me, “In my younger years I was a lil stubborn. I felt I needed to do everything and one myself, I was also doubtful of myself and exactly what and where I was going and doing. I would be more open to chances and the opportunities available.” Well, you live and you learn. It’s the lessons we gain that makes us all greater. In the end, outside of the music and greatness, he tells us where he sees himself years from now. “Hmmmm, the dream is having my own In Africa with 9 children.” That’s a beautiful thing. If you want more of this soulful greatness, you can find Eugene King on Instagram @3ugeneking.

Written by Jalen Hemphill