When planning towards the future in music, especially when starting out, it is easy for many to focus solely on achievement, solely on status, solely on the end goals. The steady flames that sustain a good career become inconsistent and short lived. For Sterls and BRWNSUGR the foundation, has always been something that resonates with the same depth that art has for them. A steady heat that caramelizes just right. That’s not to say the dedication hasn’t been sweet. Sterls passion has made him a CLIO award winner, lead to involvement with the SAVEMONEY collective with artists like Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper, and fruitful musical relationships with The Era and many more. Aligning with fellow BRWNSUGR founders, Saint Nyk out of DC and Lone Wolfe out of PG County, Maryland has only served to broaden those connections, reaffirm a commitment to artistic exploration and lasting creativity.

In this interview with Sterls we discuss how powerful music and its connections are, spontaneity and commitment alike, and really just getting it done.

To start off, how did you first get started with making music?

I was really beatboxing for all the cyphers we had as kids, but sounds in general were such a powerful force for me. At the time I didn’t have the tools to articulate that they are a force and transducer of healing and knowledge. All of my friends made music, and because of my trauma, I wanted to be included - I would’ve felt extreme loneliness otherwise. So I thought if I didn’t make music as well, then I’d be not included in the group or lose points of relativity with my crew. Eventually I became obsessed with creating art and being a consumer of art. It’s not only apart of my identity and one of my greatest talents, but something that actually allowed me to manage my loneliness regardless of my quantity or quality of friendships.

How did Brwnsugr as a group and community initially come together?

I would say fate - I’ve always wanted to be in a band and we all just found each other through trial and error, hope, faith, alignment and misalignment. The other two members are a newer friend of mine and his cousin whom I didn’t know really at all at the time. But the chemistry and conversation and connection speaks for itself. It honestly destigmatized all of this “day one, blood is thicker than water” crap. It’s about alignment. And the community aspect is jus fighting against uninclusivity in this industry. It don’t matter if you a rookie artists or a vet if your work for free cheap or a fortune we are stronger and more creative together period. If we work with a brand new recording artist we make them better and not dismiss especially if the message aligns with me and us. If major artists can’t work with a beginner and make them better instead of ignoring them, then you can’t be a leader in the artist community in my opinion. Art is for everyone and everyone deserves a chance for it to be on a major platform, you never know the lives that can be impacted by any song or art - music is subjective in that regard. It’s like we are done knocking on ppl door waiting for an answer we love who loves us we work with who wants to work with us. That’s all there is to it. Instead of waiting 2 months for a feature we will work with someone who is hungry and will have it back the next day. Doesn’t matter if they aren’t as relevant or skilled because we make each other better

As an artist(s) that have spent many years in the music industry how does Brwnsgr as a community and collective differ from other collaborations, and spaces in the industry?

That’s easy, we do it for the love of the craft. Everyone would do this for free until the casket drops. Shiddd even if we did profit we’d use it to make higher quality art and events honestly.

As an artist you’ve worked on a variety of different projects from albums to sync licensing, and everything in between, how do you navigate choosing your next project?

These projects choose me. I gather inspiration from the world around me like how Goku gathers energy for a spirit bomb in Dragon Ball Z. I basically just journal and then once those pages are full. I pour it out. Even the beats/producers we choose. They speak to me. They are equally proportionate to the lyrics or the final product same with the engineers they are equally proportionately vital to the process. When we have collected enough data it’s time to make an album and everything jus synthesizes. My ability to gather inspiration from the world around me, and the air and from nature, and speak from my heart and soul while being secure is much greater than my technical rapping ability or my ability to just be a normal person - whatever that even means.

What have been some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on to throughout your career?

To be real, I’ve reinvented myself so many times that it’s hard to even separate projects from chapters of survival. A lot of my earlier work came from crawling out of darkness — music was the only outlet I had when I didn’t know how to process things any other way.

Because of that, I don’t really romanticize the past. The work I’m doing in this era is probably my favorite, not because it’s louder or bigger, but because the environment is finally safe and authentic. I’m creating from a place of connection now, and as always necessity.

As far as the new BRWNSUGR album, “Creme Brulee,” goes was there a set goal in mind as far as making the project or something spontaneous that came out of the collective?

Yes we grabbed an AirBnB in The middle of the forest in Washington DC and made all of those songs in 3 days and it was also my first time meeting 2 out of the 4 ppl who created this project. Shout out to LOW he’s our in house engineer, he raps, sings, does video and a little bit of philanthropy. He’s the 4th member but he’s the wizard of OZ.

How has your perspective on music changed over the 10 plus years you’ve spent in the business?

My perspective of music has not changed, but my perspective of people has. My perspective of myself and human nature has. Music is and will always be perfect.

What do you envision from yourself and BRWNSUGR going forward?

Winning some GRAMMYS, getting some plaques. Making a positive global impact on the community. I’ll take local, also. But making a positive impact in this world is what matters most

Sterls: The Power in Reinvention