The key to success is consistency & discipline, says Big Film/TV Star & R&B Singer, Keith Robinson!

 Interview by: Gina Sedman

Bounce TV's Saints & Sinners Actor Keith Robinson was an excellent interviewee for me. I enjoyed our discussion immensely. I found Keith to be a laid-back and easygoing person to talk to. It is hard to imagine that someone with this humble nature could have been packed with so many accomplishments and talents from the humble spirit he possesses.

The more layers I peeled off, the more layers revealed themselves. His talent blew me away! Having talked about his acting ability, let's talk about Keith's vocals. His singing is fantastic! I didn't realize he could sing like this. As I grew up listening to my mother's albums, this was the voice I heard. His voice is insanely good! Besides his impeccable vocal control, his single, "Black Boy Joy," hits the bullseye!

"Black Boy Joy" combines rap and singing. Since so much rap music deals with negativity, I usually avoid it, but this song was uplifting and inspiring. I think it's a super hit. In addition to singing and acting, he also writes and produces movies! I'm speechless! Here are some things I learned about him from the interview. I don't want to give it all away, so I'll let you read it and peel it out as I did.

Hi Keith, how are you doing today? I'm good, yourself?

I'm wonderful, thank you. First, I think you're a phenomenal actor.  Thank you.

It's my pleasure! I think you're incredibly talented; I enjoy your movies and love your voice. I appreciate it. Thank you so much.

You're welcome. How's the weather in LA right now, Keith? The weather is pleasant and sunny. 

Pleasant as in mild? Yes, it's lovely. 

Oh my gosh, I'm jealous. (laughs) Palm Springs, California, is sizzling.  Oh, wow. 

I'm curious, what do you do on a typical day? Can you tell me about your morning to evening routine? On days when I'm in town and not working, I start my day by working out. I usually run errands and accomplish other tasks if my son is not with me. At night, I'm usually in the studio or reading scripts. On the days I have my son, I pick him up and bring him over with me.

Growing up, I loved going places with my dad when he picked us up. Despite being strict, he was a lot of fun to be around. When you have your son with you, what type of things do you do together? Because my son is young, we sometimes go to the park, then take him home and let him nap. Basically, I do the dad thing. 

Awe, how sweet. I'm sure you're a phenomenal father! Thank you. I'm with him whenever I'm not in the studio recording or working on a personal project.

That’s awesome! I notice that you're in excellent shape. Thank you.

You're welcome. On that note, what do you put in your grocery cart as a physically fit man? My grocery cart includes oatmeal, egg whites, fruit and vegetables, salmon, shrimp, lamb chops, Kids' drinks, and waffles. A variety of nuts like almonds are also something that I like to eat.

Awesome! Yeah

So, you're a healthy eater. Yeah, for sure.

That's awesome! The waffles are for your son, I assume. Yes, but Sunday is my day to splurge.

So you like waffles. I have a waffle recipe for you that's super healthy. Really?

Yes, they're called oatmeal waffles, and they taste amazing! Oatmeal waffles.

Yes, oatmeal waffles. Mix 100% whole oats, half a banana, a pinch of sea salt, one egg, baking powder, almond milk, and a little vanilla. You can combine all those ingredients in a blender, and within minutes, you will have the most delicious healthy oatmeal pancakes or waffles you have ever tasted. Adding fruit and unsweetened yogurt to them will give them an extra boost. You can, of course, add a bit of maple syrup as well. You won't be disappointed; they taste fantastic. Keith, you've got to give it a try; they're super easy to make. That does sound good.

They are so good! So, Keith, you have an excellent sense of style regarding your wardrobe. You always look dapper and stylish. Would you mind telling me where is your favorite place to shop for clothing?  Zara is one of my favorite clothing lines. In downtown Los Angeles, a place called "Ron Thomson." Their clothing is also great. Additionally, I enjoy shopping at sporting stores like Footlocker, Champs, etc.

So, I'm assuming you like sports. Yes, very much so. 

Snacks are an essential part of watching sports. What would you say if I handed you an empty box containing half-a-dozen donuts? What confectionery would you find in that box? Although I haven't had any Donuts for a long time, if I were to have a donut, most likely it would be a glaze, apple fritters, or chocolate glaze. 

That sounds so good! I'm with you on that! When I ate Donuts, I liked the glaze the best! Those were the days! Playing with my childhood friends and eating junk food were two of my favorite childhood activities. A whole lot of fun to be had. In my childhood, I had a best friend named Leslie. When you were a child, who was your best friend, and what was the most mischievous thing you did together? Brian was my childhood best friend. My memory does not recall us getting into much mischief. If my memory serves me correctly, I think we just knocked on someone's door and ran away.  

OK, you guys play Ding Dong ditch. (laughs) Yeah. 

Wow, that's awesome! My generation respected our parents. Until now, we did not tell our parents what we liked or disliked, but now that we are adults, we can express our likes and dislikes respectfully. Keith, it's time for you to come clean. Have your parents ever cooked you anything you didn't like but had to eat anyway? I hated liver and wasn't a big fan of squash. Among the two, I dislike its liver the most.  

Yeah, liver is a radical piece of meat. What do you miss about your childhood the most? Not having to pay bills. 

Haha, that's awesome! That pretty much sums it up right? Yes.

How would you describe yourself as a kid? What was your personality like? Were you shy or outgoing? I was more outgoing.  

How does the world today differ from the world you grew up in? Among many things, I think social media has forced young people to grow up too fast. Unfortunately, they have to deal with many issues far beyond their ability to comprehend and contain. Young people are exposed to many things they don't need to know through the platform.

Growing up, our world was much more straightforward. There was more restraint, and we weren't allowed to see and experience some of the things our young people do today.  There is now complete freedom of choice for children at any age. It can be detrimental to a child's health if they are not healthy-minded.

Well said! So, tell me, Keith, do you come from a family of creativity? My family is more business-like. In my opinion, I'm the most creative in my family.  

So, you're more of a first-generation creative. I think so.

Can you tell me when you developed a passion for the arts? It was around the time I was in 9th grade in high school.

Would you mind telling me what kind of spark piqued your interest? As far as I remember, I have always enjoyed movies, and that was one of the things that drew me to the arts. Getting into creative writing also sparked my interest. My first memory of my creative writing experience dates to 5th grade, when I wrote my first essay.

In the past, what movies have you enjoyed watching the most? In the past, I have enjoyed movies such as ET, Back to the Future, The Wiz, The Five Heartbeats, Rocky, Purple Rain, and others.

That’s awesome. Was your talent recognized and supported by your parents? Even though I played sports, I was always whistling or doing something musical, so they always supported me.

Did you participate in any plays at school? When I was eight, I participated in my first play. Support has always been there. 

 Would you mind telling me what it was called? It was called "Noah and His Rainbow Rhythms."

What role did you play? I played a rhino singing.

That's so cute! Is there video footage of that performance? Unfortunately, we don't have any footage. 

I'm sure you nailed the singing Rhino role! When did you realize that you had something special and began taking your musical and acting careers seriously? In my Senior High School year.

Did you take acting classes when you realized that you had something special? To be honest, it wasn't until I landed the first acting role that I took acting classes. 

Aside from acting well, you are also an excellent singer. Was that also something you pursued? Recording and making music in the studio was a consistent feature of my life.  

When did you begin pursuing your passion for music? From early in college to the present.

Could you tell me what the creative journey process was like for you? For me, success is an ongoing process. With it, there is always a new adventure that can be explored and experienced. There are times when it can be both gratifying and ungratifying. For me, the good outweighs the bad.

Can you tell me when you first became connected to Hollywood? In my early career, I was in a group that ended up landing a record deal with Motown Records. The opportunity presented to us was given to us through an open audition in Atlanta, GA. Sadly, the deal eventually fell through, and soon after, the label shifted a lot of executives, so we got caught in the crossfire as a result of the change. So, we relocated to Los Angeles, California. 

While in LA, I walked into an audition to see what all the buzz was about, but I ended up landing the role. As a result, I started acting, and after my band ended, I became a solo artist. 

From being unknown to being unknown, what mental transition did you experience? How do you feel now? Is it different from how you felt before? The feeling is good. As a result of my career, I can make a living for myself. Although I haven't changed personally, I have gained more experience. I know who I am and what to expect. I haven't felt a massive shift of superstardom, which can sometimes be jarring. My transition has been gradual, which has been a good thing for me.

Did you put your music career on pause while working in film and television, or have you continued working on music? I still record music. I have a single coming out.

That's awesome! What is the name of the single? The single that’s out now is called “Black Boy Joy.”

Can you share with me the inspiration behind “Black Boy Joy?” "Black Boy Joy" is more of a cautionary tale. Throughout our society, black and brown men are subjected to cruel and unfair treatment that can affect their self-esteem and self-worth. The purpose of this song is to lift them. As a result, I became inspired to sing a song about this to encourage my peers who are younger than me to stand strong.

Keith, the lyrical content of Black Boy Joy impressed me. In our society, it's rare to find inspiring rap music that lifts our young black men. I hope other rap artists will be inspired and follow suit as role models for young African American men. The narrative needs to change and turn around in a positive direction. Through rap music, many young African American men are often exposed to the negative aspects of life. This song lifts them. Great job! Thank you.

When was the song released? The song was released in February, Black History Month. 

In addition to this, you also have other music out there. Yes

Tell me about those songs. I have a few additional singles out, one is called, “Kama Sutra,” and the other is called “Love Language.”  

What is the inspiration behind the other two singles? What are they about? “Kama Sutra” is a sensual song about the intimacy that couples share during quarantine and “Love Language” is about the importance of communicating with your significant other musically. Those are the two songs' basic concepts.  

That's wonderful! It just keeps getting better with you! You have a full album out as well!  Yes, The New album is called, Love Episodic.

Do you produce your own music? While I co-produce, my primary role is that of a singer and songwriter.

Do you have Pro Tools downloaded on your home computer? Yes, for sure. 

You've landed roles in major films and television drama series. Congratulations! Thank you!

It's my pleasure! When I looked at your film credits on IMDb, they were massive! Although there are probably too many to list, can you tell me some of the film and television projects you've been involved in? There are many but just to name a few, Dream Girls, Saints and Sinners, Castle, Half and Half, The Apostle, Power Rangers, Save The Last Dance, ER, This Christmas, Monk, NYPD Blue, Fat Albert, Lie to Me, NCIS, and many others. Some of my most recent is, The Christmas Love Story, Bump, Redemption in Cherry Springs, a few episodes of Sister Swap, The Grid, Fallen Angels (Murder Club), All Eyez on Me, A Million Little Things, Remember Me the Mahalia Jackson story and Outside the Lines.

Keith, you're being so humble there are so many more movies other than the ones that you mentioned but I'm going to go ahead and put your IMDb link down here and people can go view them for themself. Keith D. Robinson - IMDb You are so talented! personally, I am so proud of all the compliments that you have made! Thank you. 

As a result of the pandemic, so many things have changed in our societies. How has your experience on a movie set changed since the pandemic compared to when you first started? One of the most significant differences is the amount of COVID tests we have to take. I've probably taken hundreds. To be considered for employment, you must have a negative COVID status. If you are infected with COVID, you will not be able to work. Therefore, you must monitor your environment to avoid becoming infected and being unable to work.

Another change that has been implemented is that you now have to put together your audition tapes, which you are responsible for recording. Now that everything is self-taped, it is up to you to arrange for an audition to be taped. Therefore, it is an additional expense.  Apart from that, things are slowly returning to normal. It is just a matter of getting used to it.  

Would you say that one character you have played throughout your career might have a closer resemblance to your personality than any other character you have played? In terms of roles closest to my character, I think CC White from the movie " Dream Girls " and Miles Calloway from " Saints and Sinners " are the most similar.  The fact that both characters are musically inclined makes me feel as though they are the most relatable to me.  

In the same vein, which role characterized the opposite of your own? In the TV series "Bust Down," I recently had the opportunity to portray a character named "Boon Jackson." In addition to being a funny guy, he is also a financial advisor and an ex-pimp.

Sounds like a fun movie. Yes, it was lots of fun.

By embodying the lives of others, actors gain a profound understanding of the world. additionally, I have a great deal of respect for actors and the preparation they undergo before taking on a role. What is your methodology for preparing for your roles and remembering lines? I find repetition to be the most effective method for me. Reading my lines read over and over helps. The brain muscles become more robust and sharper after reading a lot of scripts. As a result, you'll be able to learn the material quickly. As a result, repetition is an essential part of learning lines.  The process isn't as complicated as many people think.

Is Broadway something you'd like to pursue in the future? Yes, I haven't done Broadway yet, but it is on my bucket list. 

Awesome! What would you be doing right now if acting and singing were nonexistent? I would be a sportscaster. I love sports!

After accomplishing so many things that so many people only dream of achieving, what has been your most significant moment to date? One of my proudest moments was performing the song “Patience” from the movie “Dreamgirls” at the Academy Awards!

Wow! I’m so proud of you! Congratulations, Keith! Thank you. That moment was both intoxicating and memorable.

Which lesson in your life has been most valuable to you? Discipline is the key to achieving anything. With discipline and consistency woven into the fiber of your character, you can achieve any goal.

We spoke earlier; what film projects are you currently working on? I'm currently working on a film I wrote, produced, and directed called “The Greener Grass Experiment.” The film will coincide with the album " Love Episodic 2.” That will be out in the fall. 

What is your dream, Keith? Right now, I feel like I am living out my dream. While I'd like to excel at a higher level or on a larger scale, for the most part, I do feel like I'm living my dream.

What words of wisdom would you like to deposit into the life of someone who's coming up in this business? I would say the key to anything that you want to achieve is self-belief. If you're confident and you believe in yourself, you can accomplish any goal that you set out to accomplish.

Thank you for this amazing interview! Keith, you are a delightful and perfect gentleman! What an honor it was to interview you! My prayer for you is that God will continue to bless your life and your career. I pray that God will open doors for you, be it done according to His will. I pray that God will keep you and your family safe in these uncertain times. Moreover, I look forward to hearing about all the great things God will accomplish in your life as you pursue your future goals. Thank you, Gina

It is my absolute pleasure! God bless you, Keith.

All Photos are courtesy of Keith Robinson

Keith Robinson IMDB LINK

Keith Robinson Music 

END OF INTERVIEW