With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
For R&B singer Kem, music is a map to himself
Listen
34:46
For R&B singer Kem, music is a balm for pain and addiction, for a family life that wasn’t always pretty. In his new memoir, music is a map he uses to find himself.
“[Musical] Seeds from Africa spreading to Alabama, up through Tennessee, and straight into Detroit City,” he writes. “Beboppers, doo-woppers, scat-singing chicks, smooth-singing cats, crooners who calmed the restless soul of a trouble people … it was all part of me. It was my inheritance.”
Those musical seeds sprouted more than two decades ago with the release of his debut album, Kemistry, in 2003.
Since then, Kem has released six more albums and received three grammy nominations. And now he’s written a memoir. It’s called, “Share My Life: A Journey of Love, Faith, and Redemption.”
Sponsor
We speak to the singer abouthis life, his musical career, and singing about love.
Copyright 2023 WAMU 88.5. To see more, visit WAMU 88.5. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
