Nathan Bankhead: I started working on music at the age of 12 by taking piano and vocal lessons. By the age of 15, I had a part-time job and I would save and buy recording gear like a Tascam Porta one cassette recorder and a Yamaha DX7 synthesize and a Roland Boss DR drum machine as well as several mics and headphones. By the time I was 16, I was recording demos for 10's of 20's of artists in the local Detroit area. This helped me truly understand song composition as well as production.

Nathan: The opportunity to truly learn the art of music production as well as learning and understanding the discipline required to produce, mix and compose music.

Nathan: Absolutely. I was raised in a home where so much various music was played that it became a part of my music culture. As for my music inspirations and influences, let's start with the person who inspired me at the age of 11 years old with the Motown 25 performance: Mr. Michael Jackson. Because I didn't start out as a Christian recording artist, many of my influences were secular recording artists and performers. Such as Kenny Loggins, Earth Wind & Fire, Journey, New Edition, Fred Hammond, Miles Davis, Lee Ritenour, Christopher Cross, Luther Vandross, Kirk Franklin, NWA, Eminem, Bon Jovi, Commissioned, The Winans, Norman Brown, The Jacksons and so many more. But I would say these are the artists who've directly influenced my sound and passion for music.

Nathan: That's an awesome question. So, for me, I wanted the album's artwork to be inspiring as well as thought-provoking. So the album's artwork is a symbol and illustration of Leadership, Royalty and underestimated power and strength. The Throne represents the royalty that we as Christians are apart of in the kingdom. The Lion represents who God says we should be and the mentality we should have as believers. KINGS! The Black Panther (Wakanda Forever LOL) represents the underestimated power, intelligence, and strength of those who represent an ethnic and diverse calling in the kingdom.

Nathan: The title emphasis is that our worship should be likened to how we listen to music at times. When we listen to music particularly with headphones or ear buds, it typically is a moment of intimacy with the music and the artist. This in my spiritual opinion is how our worship with the savior Christ should be reflected--intimate and a moment of isolation with just you and God.

Nathan: The overall theme has been very positive as well as an interest in the song titles and how I came up with some of them.

Nathan: To be totally honest, I believe God's teaching me to grow up and stop "expecting" people to believe in or support me or my vision. I believe he's teaching me and preparing me to have an increased and more fierce and focused work ethic. That my work ethic is my reputation, my prayer life and how I fast and tithe are my spiritual reputation. Finally, I believe God allowed me to see the movie The Godfather two days in a row for a reason: Michael Corleone. Michael Corleone always made it about business, never personal, just business. So many artists don't know how to separate their personal feelings from the music and the business, which then puts them in a vulnerable position to become easily defeated spiritually as well as emotionally. God is teaching me to work as hard as I can with everything in me and then give it to him.