"Have faith in truth."
That's a lyric in an upcoming song, a tribute to children. Wednesday's Child is the inspiration.
The main artist is Nexus an aspiring hip hop rapper who was once on Wednesday's Child. He started writing while in foster care as a way to cope with anger he couldn't voice. He wrote his first lyrics at eight years old.
"My name is Jamal. They call me Mally-Mal. I like to ball. From football to basketball... and baseball."
At 20, Nexus now stands 6'3". It's hard to believe this is the same little boy who appeared on Wednesday's Child a decade ago.
The goal of Wednesday's Child(WC) is to find Forever Families for children in LA County Foster Care. He was adopted two years later. Jamal never stopped writing and when we met for a reunion his mom handed me a CD of his songs.
An idea hit! We had donor partners who made music. Take-Flite Entertainment in Long Beach. Nexus came in for a test and producer "Kap'n" Kirk Martin saw a talent above and beyond.
In less than two months "Nexus w/Team WC" had five songs. The first is released along with this story. It's a catchy dance tune, "Foxy Lil Lady."
Rewind to Wednesday's Child a decade ago. I'd asked Jamal to describe himself. The little boy grinned, "the ladies think I'm cute." This is a song for the ladies his age today. When Nexus heard the final cut he bounced out of his chair, head bopping to the beat, arms up in the air.
The excitement was raw and real. He was just one big kid!
Speaking of raw and real and rap, Nexus wrestles with his inner wounds and they continue to play out in his personal projects. His style is "conscious hip hop"and some works do have a Parental Advisory label.
While he prepares to tour this summer on his own works "Nexus w/Team WC" is still in studio. One upcoming song is titled "Imminent" with the hook "Nex Got Skills."
"There's a method to my madness... never drawin' a blank. When my pen ball move... I attack like a tank."
There's no question Jamal has a story to tell, and a voice for anyone who's walked a rough road. That's the story behind his song.
The Wednesday's Child tribute song, "Faith in Truth" is set for May-Foster Care Awareness Month.
The Freddie Mac Foundation sponsors Wednesday's Child. For more information CLICK HERE
RELATED LINKS:
Nexus Facebook Page
Wednesday's Child on the DCFS Website
More of Nexus on Soundcloud
Thanks to:
Photographer Angel Alvarado sixovertwo@gmail.com for studio photos. Singer/bassist Sean McNabb for vocals on "Foxy Lil Lady" & LA County Social Worker/Wednesday's Child coordinator Will Wong.
