HI, I'M LENNON!
I was named after John Lennon. I am passionate about music, travel, fitness, technology, business, self-actualization, and service!
I'm on a mission to become a successful recording artist and entrepreneur in Africa! I have written 100s of hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeats songs and just recently started recording demos. My vision is to collaborate with African talent and make a name for myself as "the white guy who raps in Africa."
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I recently launched a new web series called POV: Rap Star!, documenting my journey to African rap fame. This unique series combines music, vlogging, and inspirational content.
In support of my vision, I am seeking a high-income leadership, sales, and marketing opportunity in music marketing or the broader music industry.
My Vision: Music + Tech + Africa
My vision is to continually manifest my highest potential and be of the greatest possible service to others as an artist and leader at the intersection of Music + Tech + Africa
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Why Music?
Music is my greatest passion! I have written 100s of inspiring hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeats songs. I love to sing and rap, as well as discover, listen to, and share music with others. Spotify says I listen to more music than 99% of their users! I love associating with artists, and am actively developing myself as an artist too.​
As an inquisitive explorer, I have undertaken numerous endeavors out of passion and for profit. That's a fancy way of saying "I've done many things." My personal journey with music only began a few years ago, yet it is the only enterprise I believe I can stay enthusiastically engaged in for decades to come. I was named after John Lennon and I believe it is my destiny, like John, to inspire and uplift humanity with music!
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Why Tech?
AI is revolutionizing technology, blending machine learning, automation, and creative tools to empower artists and content creators. From AI-generated beats to smart social media marketing, it’s transforming music and storytelling, offering new ways to create, share, and connect globally.
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As an aspiring hip-hop and Afrobeats artist, I’m leveraging AI to streamline music and content production and amplify my voice across platforms. My goal is to inspire and uplift through music while helping other creators harness AI to break free from industry gatekeepers and shine!
Why Africa?
My experience in Africa (more than 2 years spanning 5 countries) has taught me that I can be wildly successful and impactful in the mother land!
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Africa is Booming!
The continent is developing rapidly, emerging from poverty and entering the global economy at a record pace. They have the highest concentration of young people, millions of whom are smart, ambitious, educated, and speak fluent English. Labor is cheap. They also have massive amounts of underutilized natural and cultural resources.
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African Music is Fire!
African music often relies heavily on rhythm and percussion making it fun, easy to dance to, and highly TikTok-able. World-renowned African artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems and Western superstars like Drake and Ed Sheeran who often collaborate with African talent are turning African music into a global sensation! We've seen Latin music rise in popularity over the past decade and is now consistently featured among today's top hits. I believe this will happen for African music next!
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Africa Love Me!
It's easy for me to become famous in Africa, I stand out! For example, pictures of me with a famous South Sudanese runway model surfaced online. As rumors spread about the nature of our relationship, more than a million people viewed our images which resulted in the most viral moment in either of our lives ... yet!​
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Africa Needs Me!
I believe I will make my greatest contribution to humanity in Africa. My knowledge and skill - sales, marketing, leadership, lyricism, etc. - are in high demand yet relatively low supply. Applying my skills in Africa is a win-win. I leverage a largely untaped talent pool and create opportunities for others that otherwise would not exist. By giving Africans new opportunities, I also greatly enhance my virality!​
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MY SERVICE IS YOUR SUCCESS!
We find our greatest success in serving others. In this spirit, I seek opportunities to empower African artists through my skills in leadership, marketing, and technology. By harnessing AI tools for music production and social media marketing, I aspire to help artists amplify their voices and connect globally.
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With Africa's booming talent pool and my tech-savvy approach, I’m excited to bridge AI innovation with local creativity. This win-win creates jobs, fosters self-actualization, and propels artists to stardom while fueling my own extraordinary journey.
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My ideal role is leading a team at an African music label, accelerator, or startup, blending my courage, creativity, communication, and compassion (C4 for explosive results) to uplift talent and drive viral success. Let’s collaborate to transform African music! Schedule a call.
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My Extraordinary Life!
May 8th, 1984: Born to an angelic mother and a felonous father in Bend, Oregon, USA. I inherited her benevolence and his bravado!
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1984 - 1993: Grew up on a funny farm in Crooked River Ranch, Oregon​
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1993: Stood up to my father and became "the man of the house."​​​​​
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1997: Designated Talented and Gifted (TAG). Placed into advanced math.​
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2000: Diagnosed with dysgraphia: A neurological disorder and learning disability that affects a person's ability to write.
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2002: Graduated from Redmond High, barely.​
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2002 - 2003: Attended Cascade Culinary Institute.​​
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2003 - 2006 Tried different businesses and jobs. Partied a lot and sold weed.​
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2006: Got extremely depressed. Prayed for change. Got robbed and evicted the next day. Read The Translucent Revolution. Moved to Portland, Oregon. Forgave my father a week before he passed, then his spirit visited me in a "dream!"
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2006 - 2010: Studied at Portland Community College: Computer Aid Design certificate, then an Associate of Business. Did an internship at Nike. Worked in sales, then banking.
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2010: Spent the summer backpacking Japan.
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2010 - 2014: Studied finance, then logistics, and eventually got a BA in Marketing at Portland State University. Ran a seasonal business installing Christmas lights. Volunteered as a Generation Waking Up organizer and instructor.
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2011: Studied Chinese Business, Language & Culture in Shanghai, China.
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2012: Got ordained. Did my first wedding and a few nondenominational sermons.
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2013: Summered in Taiwan. Did yoga and taught English.
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2014: Graduated from Turbo Leadership System's Leadership Development Lab. Landed my first gig as a freelance copywriter (FU dysgraphia!)
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2014 - 2023: Worked as an assistant instructor, leadership consultant and public speaking coach for Turbo Leadership Systems (mostly winters).
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2014 - 2017: Served as Vertical City's marketing coordinator. Launched a successful Kickstarter. Hosted a top 1% podcast. Did freelance gigs on the side. Lived in a dozen different countries while working remotely.
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2017 - 2018: Got depressed. Moved home. Smoked weed. Cooked. Farmed.
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2018 - 2019: Moved back to Portland. Did marketing and taught leadership again. Took singing lessons.
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2019 - 2020: Served as my mother's dementia and hospice care provider. Rebuilt a travel trailer then took mom (and her dog) on a great adventure! Made some money in Crypto.
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2021 - 2023: Spent crypto profits exploring Africa. Taught leadership classes in the winter. Studied Web3, did some volunteer work, did some YouTube and wrote a lot of hip-hop.
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2023: Experienced mania followed by depression (I have cyclothymia but am learning to manage it.) Got into debt. Moved home. Smoked weed. Did menial jobs. Got sober.
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2024: Landed a corporate sales job. Got good at it!
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​2025: Music industry immersion. Launched POV: Rap Star!
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Now: Secure an Africa-based or remote marketing leadership position in music or music marketing that allows me to continue to develop my network and skills.
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Next: Move back to Africa, collaborate with locals, drop 50 singles in 50 weeks!
