Thank you for your time. Thanks for speaking with us! How’s everything going? Charlie: No complaints. Look who I’m sitting next to. Arienne: I could say the exact same thing easily! It’s why our name is the way it is!
What sets your music apart? Charlie: The fact that it’s based on our own love story makes songs easier to write. We have a whirlwind of a romance spanning over 11 years. It’s exactly as it appears and though we have ups and downs like any other couple, our ups far supersede the downs. We built our sound off that feeling. Hopefully, it shines through when people listen. Arienne: I would agree. We don’t try to change the other person and he has always made our relationship a priority and I try to do the same with our levels of passion. He has always made it easy for me to sing from my heart.
What is unique, or at least uncommon? Arienne: I think it’s unique for anyone to feel this degree of emotional safety and create music at the same time. Doing it with a person who is out to optimize you and looks after your best interest is hard to find. I’ve heard the music industry is a tough one and we know first hand how shallow and almost moody the media industry can be. Having each other makes it real music not just something built on things we are supposed to say. Our originals so far reflect our interest and passions with the other but also the struggles and arguments we have over things that may not matter as much in the scheme of things but can be equally important. Doing all this with the most beautiful man I have ever known is the cherry on top. Charlie: Yes indeed. Arienne is one confident soul so I don’t ever feel like I’m working to help someone through their insecurities or past pain all the time. We have helped each other with those things but it’s not the only thing in the room when we are together. We stand together and create together and aren’t worried about what people think of us along the way. Life is too short to worry about all of that and when you do it can weigh heavy on the love you have for someone and I’m sure it affects your ability to create as well. She has been independent forever and that spoke volumes to me when she chose me. We are both PTSD survivors and she reminds me of that every time I see her. That we are strong together and there is no denying it. It comes out when she sings in such a dynamic way that is hard to hide.
Please tell us more about your single “Bare” How did this song first come together and what is the inspiration behind it? Arienne: Haha! It’s a song about a weekend. A crazy good one that became pretty much every weekend thereafter with him. I like him naked (laughingly) Charlie: Yes it was! it was the last weekend at a really small apartment we rented for a short period of time in a town named Monroe Louisiana. Arienne was a mental health supervisor at a clinic we ended up owning and she was consistently late for work… because we liked each other ALOT i guess. I like her naked too (laughs)
You both have an amazing voice. Are you vocally trained? Charlie: I sang some growing up in church choir at New Galilee Baptist Church in Monroe. We had some of the best vocalists I have ever heard out of the place. My sisters were both incredible and my parents had their own album released as the Voice of Salvation. I learned from them.My cousins Cynthia Kay, John Bowman, and Patrick Winnfield set the standard. Patrick passed away prematurely passed away but he left his mark on me with his mastering of falsetto. I also had a nontraditional singer as an influence named Lisa Spann. She was this cool ass white girl from Monroe that sang metal with this band Kamikazee and ended up being a jazz singer for hire. Arienne and I saw her one of our first weekends away together while dating and I’ve been a jazz fan ever since. Later on she had this guitarist Dan Sumner that was sort unreal playing for her. It put jazz in perspective for sure. Arienne: That one is easy for me. My uncle James was a big time local singer in the 80’s in our area. He showed me the ropes and was pretty hard on me in my early teens when it came to tone and staying in tune. He was into 80’s music and I learned a bunch from me because he really took the time to show me. Some of my fondest memories were of those times. He kept me singing through some difficult times. I learned a bunch then. Charlie: Yes indeed. The funny thing is he was friends with a good friend of mine named Terry Brewster and he was a big influence on me as well inadvertently. I didn’t know James but I guess I felt him because guys like Craig and Sean were around in my life. David Hogue too. The race thing was a big deal for some back then but those guys like James and Terry sort of transcended that. David Hogue had me playing with a friend Scott Webster at River Oaks High back then. Georgia Satellites and Rush I think, Rush I think, it was life-changing to do that at a predominately white school. Arienne: (laughs) That was us back in the day. It’s hard to deny our North Louisiana routes. My mom and my aunt Carol were great singers too. My sister Aliya and I sort of just carried on the tradition. Charlie: Those two can SING!
Which one of your songs has the most memorable story for you? Whether it’s the writing process, recording sessions or release of the song.
Arienne: I think being in love with him creates so many different layers. The fact that we created all of these originals so quickly felt like the right thing to do. Our first few cover songs didn’t do much for either of us but they showed us how to create something new. We aren’t some big time band but we do like creating together no matter what it is. We also like being intimate together and that only grows every year so all of this is natural. Charlie: She IS music to me. It is that simple so I agree. Creating anything with her leaves our mark for our grandkid and we have two right now. It also makes most of our ten kids dance too. Most of them (laughs)
How do you deal with writer’s block?
Charlie: Check with us when we actually write more than 4 originals. (laughs)
Arienne: I’m with daddy on that one. (laughs)
What according to you holds the most importance, fame, respect, or money? Arienne: we have our clinical work and travel agencies for money and as long as I’m famous to him that’s all I care about. Charlie: TeaxasCarecenter.com and weekofTravel.com. Just making a shameless plug (laughs). Oh and SexBecause.com She is right. Who cares. We just want to keep making music that leaves a mark even if it’s just on us. I want to be dancing with her to our own stuff at 80. That’s all I care about. We’ve met some amazing famous people on our journey together from Rachel Starr to Kendrick to and Vanity Perkins to Jess Oreilly. One thing resonates is that they were all just real, caring, and loving people. That’s what we aim to be together. Arienne: yes they were and I couldn’t have said that better. We are famous and rich with ten kids and two amazing grandkids and a daughter Sharyn who is awesome too. I’m not sure there are may people as wealthy as us.
For our final question, is there anything else you would like to add? Arienne: thank you to everyone who has been so encouraging as we did this. Stewart Cararas and Shawn George and also our band. Charlie: yes this was so much fun for our relationship and Stewart and Shawn as well as Will, Joylin, Ben, and Albert made it cool as hell. The last few years held surprise we never expected, It made us an even better couple. Thank you for the interview too.
Iowa-based Rwandese artist Michael M Jeni returns to his R&B roots with “Played,” a moody, atmospheric, and deeply personal release that leans into vulnerability without losing its smooth composure. The song, the fastest he has ever written, recorded, and released, traces the mental and physical exhaustion of giving chance after chance to someone you love, only to end up caught in the same pattern again.
Heartbreak sits at the center of “Played,” but the song is ultimately about reclaiming self-worth. It captures the moment when someone finally recognizes their own value and chooses growth over the comfort of what is familiar. That shift comes through clearly in the words, “I’m done with giving chances, let me find my way…you’re just somebody that I used to know.”
The production is built around minimalist, slow-burn R&B, with soft, crisp, and unobtrusive beats that leave space for the emotion to breathe. The intro feels floaty and atmospheric, carried by Michael’s rich, lush vocals as they set a silky foundation. The drums offer a gentle head-nod pulse rather than a heavy knock, giving the song room to ache instead of pushing it toward a forced climax.
“Played” moves at a slow-to-mid-tempo pace, shaped by a smooth, swaying groove that makes it feel like a private late-night confession. Its hook is catchy and memorable, creating a lingering, circular pull that stays with you after the final notes fade.
Velvety keys, warm low end, airy synths, and delicate percussion give Michael’s conversational tone the right setting. The lyrics feel personal and relatable because he delivers them with a natural ease, letting the song’s soulful and introspective mood land without overstatement.
Michael sings with controlled vulnerability. His runs and ad-libs are carefully placed, which keeps the emotion raw without turning it theatrical. His vocal identity here is rooted in emotional connection rather than vocal dominance, using melody, harmony, and rhythmic finesse to make the record feel heartfelt, memorable, and widely relatable.
“Too many times you broke the rules, too many times I played the fool, I gotta graduate from this, you’re just somebody I used to know…”
Those lyrics form the emotional core of the record, capturing the painful but necessary decision to step away from a relationship that has become a repeated cycle of hurt. Instead of sinking into bitterness, “Played” turns heartbreak into self-respect, making the act of leaving feel like a declaration of personal freedom.
“Played” also serves as a compelling precursor to Michael M Jeni’s forthcoming project, “KING,” offering listeners a glimpse into the vulnerability, growth, and self-discovery shaping this new chapter of his artistry. Named after the meaning of his surname in Kinyarwanda, “KING” is expected to explore resilience, identity, healing, and personal empowerment.
Stream “Played” here and find a home for it in your playlist.
KING TYGUSS approaches music as a calling, with artistry that carries the force of Gospel truth. He is the kind of Gospel hip-hop artist who treats every track as ministry, using rhythm, testimony, scripture, and raw emotion to reach hearts inside the church and beyond it. His work feels rooted in something lived rather than performed. That honesty, along with his spiritual conviction, gives his music a weight listeners can sense right away.
A devoted educator, army veteran, and proud servant of Christ, KING TYGUSS returns with one of his most commanding and spiritually charged releases so far, “Made For This Moment.” The single brings together hard-hitting modern drill production and an uplifting Gospel-centered message, shaping the track into a declaration of faith and a rallying call for believers walking in divine purpose.
At its heart, “Made For This Moment” celebrates spiritual awakening, identity, and victory through Christ. The song speaks to those who know they were created for a higher calling, soldiers for the Most High moving boldly through faith and purpose. With passionate lyricism and a firm, commanding delivery, KING TYGUSS reminds listeners that Christ gave His life for humanity, and through Him, believers can begin to understand why they were made and what they were destined to become.
Musically, the record carries as much range as its message. It is built on a dark, bass-heavy drill foundation that grabs attention immediately, driven by booming low-end percussion, sleek electronic drums, and eerie melodic textures. Even with that intensity, the instrumental leaves enough space for KING TYGUSS to move across the beat with sharp flows and magnetic conviction. From the opening moments, the hook locks into an anthemic energy that stays with you after the track ends.
As the song develops, “Made For This Moment” takes a surprising but natural sonic turn, shifting into a glossy, haunting early 2010s pop atmosphere that recalls the cinematic edge of Iggy Azalea’s “Black Widow.” Tense synth stabs, shadowy melodies, and polished electronic details blend smoothly with the aggressive drill framework, creating a dynamic listen that reflects the depth and urgency of the song’s spiritual message.
What makes “Made For This Moment” so impactful is KING TYGUSS’ ability to connect modern mainstream production with unwavering Gospel truth. He brings faith into contemporary sound without softening its message, creating music that feels spiritually grounded while still speaking clearly to today’s listeners.
The result is a soaring Gospel anthem for every soldier of Christ who has accepted the call to action. It is for those living boldly for Him, carrying His message each day, and knowing deep in their hearts that they were truly made for this moment.
With “Made For This Moment,” KING TYGUSS continues to show that Gospel hip-hop can be sonically inventive and spiritually transformative, offering music that inspires strength, conviction, and steady faith in a generation still searching for purpose.
Check this heartfelt tune below, add it to your favorite repertoire, and share it with other soldiers of Christ.
With a biography that reads like a mystery, I’d best describe The Traveling High Priest as a prophetic spiritual phenomenon wrapped in the form of an artist, minister, and messenger. His artistry does not operate within the ordinary boundaries of music alone; it feels like a fusion of prophecy, spoken-word ministry, gospel rap, spiritual storytelling, and supernatural theater. He presents himself less as a conventional entertainer and more as a vessel carrying divine revelation through sound, speech, prayer, and presence. Welcome aboard!
Now that we are here, it wouldn’t hurt to talk about that ethereal performance he recently delivered with the single “Right One” featuring female vocalist Jhonni Blaze. This is a spiritually charged and emotionally immersive collaboration and marks The Traveling High Priest’s first-ever gospel release and serves as the official lead single from his highly anticipated upcoming album. Already generating major momentum online — including nearly one thousand TikTok creations — “Right One” is quickly proving itself to be more than just a song; it is becoming a movement of healing, reflection, faith, and emotional honesty.
From the very first seconds, “Right One” creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and transcendent. The intro arrives like a warm tropical breeze, carried by silky island-infused rhythms that sway with grace rather than force. The cadence is smooth, fluid, and deeply inviting. Gentle Afro-Caribbean percussion rolls beneath the production with hypnotic precision, allowing the beat to breathe naturally while soft melodic textures drift across the instrumental like sunlight reflecting on ocean waves. Every element feels intentional, warm, and emotionally alive.
The song immediately finds its emotional center through Jhonni Blaze’s unforgettable hook:
“You said you’d change. I believe every word. Gave you my heart even when it hurt. Stayed through the nights when love felt cold. Held on to you when I should have let go.”
Her delivery is soulful, vulnerable, and magnetic — setting the emotional tone for the entire record while bringing a powerful sense of human fragility and longing to the forefront. Then comes the arrival of The Traveling High Priest, whose entrance completely transforms the energy of the track. Delivering in his divinely inspired and unclassified spiritual language, he brings an otherworldly presence that feels less like conventional performance and more like prophetic expression poured directly into sound.
As he enters, the production effortlessly morphs into a floating, atmospheric Afro-Amapiano groove layered with minimalist yet deeply textured percussion. The beat does not rush. It lingers. It breathes. Dusty underground drums, airy melodic spacing, and smoky rhythmic textures create a hypnotic sonic environment where every word, cadence, and vocal inflection carries spiritual weight. Even without understanding the exact language, listeners can feel the emotional and spiritual gravity behind his delivery.
The chemistry between The Traveling High Priest and Jhonni Blaze becomes one of the song’s defining strengths. Her melodic vulnerability and his spiritually charged presence complement each other perfectly, creating a listening experience that feels healing, uplifting, and emotionally transporting. As the groovy Amapiano stabs settle into the mix and the fading harmonies dissolve into the instrumental atmosphere, “Right One” leaves listeners suspended in reflection, faith, and feeling.
The accompanying music video further elevates the experience. Visually stunning and cinematic in presentation, the video places both artists in a scenic studio-inspired environment filled with striking photography, immersive lighting, and captivating aesthetics. Rather than relying on excessive distractions, the visual allows the music, emotion, and chemistry between the artists to remain the focal point — making it the perfect companion piece to a record already resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
For The Traveling High Priest Thee, “Right One” is not simply another release — it is testimony transformed into music. Speaking openly about his battles with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, he reveals that the song was born directly from GOD’s guidance and his own personal journey toward healing and purpose.
That sincerity pulses throughout every second of “Right One.” Beneath its lush production and hypnotic groove lies a deeper message about spiritual discernment, emotional boundaries, redemption, and divine direction. The Traveling High Priest Thee uses the song not only as art, but as ministry — encouraging listeners to stop walking into doors GOD never granted and to trust the path GOD has designed specifically for them.
“Right One” is available now on YouTube and continues to gain momentum across streaming and social platforms as listeners around the world connect with its message of healing, faith, surrender, and transformation.
Check it out, subscribe to his channel, stream, save and share this divine masterpiece.