Progressive Thinking with Jack Knight

The foundation of songwriter, Jack Knight's vision is layered with an emphasis on collaboration and creative unity. Knight has just recently finished a studio session in L.A which he says exemplifies his philosophy. As he brainstormed ideas and concepts he was surrounded by Sean "Diddy" Combs, movie star Chris Tucker of Rush Hour fame and super producer, Rodney Jerkins who has worked with Brandy, Beyonce, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez , Mary J Blige and many more. The four gentleman were collectively contributing to Diddy's new album, "Last Train To Paris."

"Collaboration and togetherness is everything to me. I really believe it can bring the best out of us. You may have a concept or lyrics and I may have a melody that could really bring out your ideas and someone else may have a great track that can accompany our melody and lyrics and it could come together beautifully just by us being able to collaborate and share our creativity with one another."

Knight believes that infusing ideas can help fuel creativity and electrify bulbs of thoughts that may be repressed through writer's block creating an outlet of power that allows us to hear each other's elements of perception. Unity can open up a bottle of creativity that may have been closed shut.

"When I'm in the room with Diddy, Chris Tucker and Rodney Jerkins that in itself gives me motivation to want to create on another level because I'm around gifted people with great energy that are adding to my thoughts and my creativity. It allows me to visualize different images. The key to creativity is imagination. The first letters of imagination are from image. The greatest writers and poets are able to make you see exactly what they are writing about to the point in which their work stays in your mind. That is the key of being a good writer and a good songwriter. The idea that you can create something that is memorable to the point where someone can take your writing and deposit it inside their minds forever is the validation of greatness in your artistry and that is what Biggie did for me."

Abesi: Although we're going to go into Biggie's impact later can you share with us how Big made an impression on you?

Jack: Biggie taught me that life imitates art. The Life After Death album was a powerful title which in a way manifested itself. Biggie taught me that urban experiences are stories that people worldwide want to hear. Stories about dreams, our hopes, our struggles are all marketable.

Abesi: What is the greatest lesson that you've learned from Diddy?

Diddy made me see in one meeting with the writing and production team a few years back in Miami that your words are powerful. What you say in your raps, and songs can actually manifest itself. He taught me that drugs, and multiple sexual partners can be the culprit to ones downfall especially when you have a gift those things gravitate towards you easily. So we are all human but razor sharp focus can minimize these things.

Abesi: What do you think is the foundation of your existence and entire state of just being and living- in life?

My spiritual side is the foundation of my gift and existence. I always go inside by prayer and meditation when things are financially tough,or there is a season of tragedy and a cold climate. Like Rev Run's bishop taught seek the kingdom of heaven first and all other things shall be added. Seek what makes you happy, what you love doing, meditation, prayer, giving, singing, writing, and your dreams will follow.