Jessie Reyez talks Childhood, Following Dreams, Latinas in Hip Hop & R&B, Busking to BET Awards

Hard Knock Tv’s Nick Huff Barili sits down with Jessie Reyez for in-depth interview at the park. Part 1 starts with Jessie describing what her childhood was like growing up in Toronto and wanting to be a singer at a young age. Jessie explains that she was fortunate because her parents encouraged her to follow her dreams. Her Mom would tell her “Con Todo Pulmon”, meaning sing with all her lungs. She would say, if you are going to do something, you have to give it your all! When Nick asks her about the lack of Latinos in Hip Hop and R&B, Jessie states that although there aren’t that many on mainstream outlets like radio and television, there are still Latin artists doing Hip Hop and R&B and connecting with fans. People like Princess Nokia, and Kali Uchis who connect with there fans through the internet and usually have fan-bases that are more loyal than artists that just get played on the radio. Jessie shares how she used to busk at the beach while she worked at a restaurant and would always be hustling for people to hear her music, including handing out her mixtapes outside of a Kendrick Lamar show and how surreal it feels to now be performing at the BET Awards. Much more to come! Nick and Jessie talked for almost an hour. Make sure to subscribe to www.youtube.com/hardknocktv to be the first to be notified for the next part of Jessie and Nick’s conversation.