Meet Obafemi Kinsiedilele

Today we’d like to introduce you to Obafemi Kinsiedilele.

Hi Obafemi , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
MCE started as a vision and a drive to create music that uplifts, inspires and informs the listeners. I, Obafemi (formerly known as Magnum Magillicutty back in 2005) and Cedric Adamz met on musical terms. Back then I was a producer and emcee, and Cedric was referred to me by another artist, to get in contact with me about purchasing beats. Cedric purchased a few beats from me that ended up on his first solo project, “The Greatest Lie Ever Told”, which is an underground classic. The lyrical content on this project further inspired me as an artist to incorporate more social, political and racial issues in my music. Further discussions led to us agreeing to collaborate on a project as a new group, M&C (Magnum and Ced), which gave birth to our first offering “Knowledge Of Self Vol.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The creative process has grown over time. As I have grown in consciousness as a person, my music has as well. Learning more creative ways to present information in an entertaining way and still keep my integrity and values intact has been very calculating. Since the subject matter and themes of our music isn’t what industry standards are looking for, we have had to be very diligent on attracting the right kinds of platforms to showcase our music. This journey hasn’t been easy, but fulfilling because of all the great people and places I have had the privilege of meeting and traveling. One of the biggest issues we face is people placing you in a box of “conscious hip hop”, and being community minded, people want you to do your craft and work for free. Although we are not totally money driven, we are professional artists that require people to see the value we add to events, festivals and shows and that comes with a price tag.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an multi-disciplined artist, I am a hip hop soul recording artist with MCE, who also does graphic design and public speaking. I also am the founder of GSC Community Gardens and GSC Gardens Inc., an urban farm model working to help educate community members and inspire them to grow food and medicine for themselves and family. I am also a homeschooling father, of the Black & Proud Homeschooling Village, co-founder of the Arkansas Black Homeschoolers Network, founder and operator of the Pine Bluff Black Entrepreneurs Network, educational services provider for the Sankofa Institute, and published children’s book author of “Everyday Is A Sunday”, an ode to culturally centered homeschooling families. My fiancée, Kwaeisi Golliday and I also run Black Majick Metaphysical Apothecary & Artisan Shoppe located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and have an online shop as well.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe that everything happens for a reason.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9obafemi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/obafemi.kinsiedilele/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrennan-moss-48017b242
• Twitter: https://x.com/9OBAFEMI/status/1759476814055870968
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxOoiSlzyKPAPMQISMUWPOQ
• soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/magnelectric