The way I’ve been explaining what brought about the idea for the @insidevoicesseries to those who ask, is that every question I asked each person featured, was first asked by myself to myself. I’ve had to have some hard conversations with myself over the years. I’ve had to reckon with some things over the years. And if I’m being honest—I still am. But, I knew if that was the reality for me, then it had to be at least somewhat be the same for others. And the only I way was going to find out was to ask.

I was first introduced to Bobby nearly a decade ago through my own brother, Olu (@primarizero). They share an uncle/nephew relationship but are truly more like siblings themselves. I don’t think there’s ever been a conversation that I’ve had with O where Bobby wasn’t brought up at least once. That’s how much Bobby means to him.

As an artist, Bobby’s natural disposition is reserved and interrogative. So much of why can be heard in music. Songs like ‘Famous Nobody 2’ detail why.

Bobby’s entire life has been about survival. Surviving his environment growing up in a 90s/2000s Bronx environment that spared no one. Surviving the guilt that comes with being one of the only ones in your crew still present, whether in the physical or in spirit. Surviving the pressures that have made him who he is. And surviving the weight of losing the most important person in his life—his own mother.

I’m grateful to Bobby for being willing to share so openly. His courage and openness inspired me on the day of, but as I’ve gotten to sit with this project in its completed state, I’m stricken by how much I’m noticing as a viewer of the work.

I also implore you to check out some of Bobby’s music, which has been a soundtrack to many of my own introspective moments. His latest single, ‘Gravity,’ is on streaming platforms now.