JONATHAN EMILE / Renaissance Man
by Angelica LeMinh

] Jonathan Emile is an exceptional young man. Some performers have a Superman/Clark Kent approach to their art, but he has already gone through his transformation as a cancer survivor and this informs his focus on adapting his talents on and off the stage.

He is how he appears to be, a thoughtful and open listener. He communicates his mind/peace/love clearly as he transitions through multiple styles and roles, and he also has good looks and charm on his side. He identifies more with Huey than Riley Freeman and has a moment to chat after holding court during his usual Tuesday night appearance.

What, are you not busy enough, you decided to take on a clothing line too?
(Laughs) Yes, time management is a challenge, because I am still at school, recording and producing (for Malika, Sonia Soul, Preach and Young Star Records, Debatista and for his own label, Mind Peace Love amongst others), and volunteering for benefit shows. I always had a vision for a fair-trade clothing line, and I have an existing relationship with Blank, so when I saw what NDG (Never Deny Growth) was doing, it just made sense to consolidate resources and energy.

What is most important to you?
I roll with genuine people. Family cannot be taken for granted. Things can change very quickly, for example, I was watching footage and getting to know these artists when I was in treatment and now, I am blessed to be working with them.

So, how does this inform your forthcoming album?
The Lover/Fighter document is going to be a solid twenty songs of original material.

How many interludes? Remixes?
Zero. And it’s not because I have anything against interludes, it’s just that if people want to see funny clips of me or hear me talking, they can see me on the news or come to the shows. I want to give the listener as much music as humanly possible on the album. There’s a mix-tape in the works that consolidates the remixes.

Why do you have so many handlers?
Because things are about to get big, really quick, and I want to be ready for that. I don’t run my FaceSpace, but I don’t hesitate to be involved either, if I need to talk to people directly.

Who manages your groupies?
(Laughs) I don’t have any. Honestly. I think that women get that sense that I’m not interested in all of that, that I’m kind of thrown off by women who just throw themselves at me. I don’t get caught up, but I can refer ladies to my partner, J Remy (the other half of his other music project Ile City), he’s a really cute white boy, he’s got that whole Justin Timberlake thing goin’ on. [

June 26th at Petit Campus with Preach Ankobia
Info: 514.844.1010 / www.mindpeacelove.com

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