Sharief in Burgundy

Currently touring with John Legend, Sharief's stage and studio credits include everyone from Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Macy Gray, Common, Devo Springsteen and just about every major in the industry---he is what one would refer to as a musician's musician. He's been dubbed as "a 21^st Century Soulman Par Excellence," bringing art to his craft as a Singer, Songwriter and Musician.

A few days ago, Sharief took some time out of his busy schedule to speak with us about his passions and unique brand of SOUL.

Saba, Ink: I was reading about you and realized that you are a multi-instrumentalist. With that information, I thought it would be fun to talk about the different instruments you play and relate them to people that have been key in your life. Cool?

Sharief: Ok. Well, I play guitar, bass, piano, drums and some keyboards.

Piano was the first instrument I learned. I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' growing up. They had a piano in their house and around the age of 4 or 5, I began playing. My grandfather played and my grandma played a little. You know, my family's generally musically inclined. My cousins play and my uncle played piano as well. None of them pursued it to the level I have, but growing up in the church and everything, music was a big part of life. I think if you can play piano, you can just about play anything depending on how musically inclined you are as a musician. The piano has all the basic range...from bass to treble chords...it creates an understanding of this relationship from low-end to high-end. So, the piano, I definitely associate with my grandparents.

Sharief: Then I moved to drums. I played all through middle and high school. I played in all the school bands from the marching band to concert bands. It's something that I enjoy and not necessarily related to a family member, it is more of a me thing. I always made it to band practice on time (laughing).

Sharief: I play bass and really if you play guitar you can play bass. They have similar applications. I played with my band in college throughout New Brunswick NJ. We had a single but the record never came out. That was too bad but hat was a long time ago.

Sharief: The guitar has always been a favorite. People associate me with Jimi (Hendrix) and I take that as a compliment. If I can be associated with him in any way shape or form, I take that as a compliment in my book. That (the guitar) has been paying the bills for the last couple of years.

Saba, Ink: So is there a Bubby? Whose Bubby and how did Bubby's Luv come about?

Sharief: Bubby is me. Bubby is my family nickname. If you're around my family, you'll hear everyone calling me Bubby---Bubby's Luv is me, my love for music and things I relate to.

Saba, Ink: Tell me about your name. I've seen several variations like Sharief Ali, Sharief Hobley and of course Sharief In Burgundy. Who are you exactly?

Sharief: (laughs)....Well, Sharief Hobley is my legal name; Sharief Ali is my father's name. Like on the Musiq Soulchild album and a lot of times, they have to print your last name but my full name is Matthew Sharief Hobley. Sharief stuck back in '85. Sharief In Burgundy is the name of the project, it is my favorite color, and it is a concept. Being black and blood being red, when you mix those two colors, you get burgundy.

Saba, Ink: Interesting...I get it. So, tell me about BK and where you hail from.

Sharief: I cannot tell you a lie. I was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I've been living in Brooklyn for about 12 years now and that is where I was when I really started working professionally as a musician. I moved around a lot growing up and this is where I've been the longest so people associate me with Brooklyn. I love Brooklyn it feels like home.

Saba, Ink: What part of Brooklyn?

Sharief: I'm in Bed-Stuy. There is a lot of culture here, great energy, creativity; you know Brooklyn's the home of hip-hop.

Saba, Ink: Ok, so I've got another hard question. You're getting ready for a romantic dinner. You have that beautiful woman with you and 5 other seats available at the table. Who else would you invite?

Sharief: Oh that's not hard. It would be friends and family.

Saba, Ink: No celebrities? Just friends and family?

Sharief: Yeah, well you know, maybe I'd invite John (Legend)...laughing.

Saba, Ink: So what's next for you?

Sharief: Well, I'm currently working on my next CD, which is going to be entitled Sagidellica.

Saba, Ink: What was that?

Sharief: Sagidellica.....I'm a Sagittarius. I'm recording it now and working with Mr. Legend. We are also recording his next CD, and have a little more touring to do before the year is out. God willing, I'll be doing a Sharief In Burgundy Tour. That's what's on the burner right now. What has been solidified.

Saba, Ink: Well, I know you're a busy man but I always like to hear words of wisdom from people who follow their passion and their vision. So throw me out some words to live by...some life lessons.

Sharief: The most important is to keep GOD first. You have to have a foundation in your life. Be true to yourself, be honest in what you do and it will go a long way. There is negativity surrounding us every day-no need to feed it.

Saba,Ink: Thank you for your time, and peace and blessings to you.

Sharief: Thank you for considering me for this interview.

Sharief In Burgundy can be seen live in Concert and on Tour with Mr. John Legend. A phenomenally diverse musician, you can check him out his CD Bubby's Luv.

So, until next time, Stay true to your dreams!

A Special Shout-out goes to Content Producer Alyce Rocco for hookin' up this interview. Keep on grindin....Alyce