Meet Immanuel Houston | Music Artist & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Immanuel Houston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Immanuel, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by human history and stories. I get super hype to know where things started or came from, because those events are usually why something else exists in the first place. The last thing that inspired me heavily was the story of Peter Pan and how the author actually came to the idea of Peter Pan. Those two stories alone inspired an entire project for me called Young Black Peter Pan, that I’m currently working on. In it, I get to tell stories of blackness that relate to growing up, being brave, learning to fly and falling in love. I think we can pull from any thing in order to find inspiration, but especially history and stories.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
During the pandemic, I got involved on a songwriting and social app called Voisey, and after posting some dope videos, I ended up going viral overnight and got really popular over there! Now, to keep a long story short, through me networking on the app, and getting the attention of major label executives, artists, and producers, I was placed in a really good position to move into the songwriting world. This was only weird because at the time I was in New York doing musical theatre before the shutdown. But when the shutdown happened, I had to pivot and figure out how to utilize my passion more. Now, Voisey hosted a competition in 2021, that gave songwriters the chance to work under one of the biggest names in the industry at their new L.A. program: Stargate. This is the producer duo that made many of Rihanna’s and NeYo’s hit songs, they also wrote and produced Firework by Katy Perry and more recently, “Too Good At Goodbye’s” and “Dancing With A Stranger” by Sam Smith. Luckily, I was blessed to be one of the folks chosen to come out here to work with them, and what a ride it’s been! Los Angeles is not easy (especially if you don’t have a car), it’s expensive, very spread out and you have to know what you’re doing when you get out here. On the flip side, I’ve hung out and worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, gotten advice from those same people, and even made some great friendships with them since being here. My journey is still being pieced together daily, but when I look at my history, I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be. I’m a rap artist, songwriter, actor, creative out of Greenville, South Carolina originally, but my father and family are from Los Angeles (there’s like 400 of us out here). I had always wanted to move to L.A. to pursue music, become the next Donald Glover or Kanye West, but being from the south I always felt that I wouldn’t belong. So me being out in L.A., and working with some of the top names in the industry is truly a moment for me. Especially coming out of the height of the pandemic.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok, so the area I’m generally hanging out in is Inglewood and Santa Monica/Venice. Since I don’t have a car out here, I take the bus everywhere, which has actually led to me finding some dope spots, BUT ALSO, I have some really dope friends who have taken me to really cool places since I’ve been here, so here is probably where I would go:

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery is def a spot to check out! It’s over on Lincoln Ave. Grabbing some sandwiches over there, a couple of bottled sodas, and then hitting the Santa Monica beach is a vibe! All of their sandwiches are filled to the brim with whatever you’re looking for, I usually can only eat one half, you gotta get The Godmother!

Country Style Jamaican Restaurant on La Brea….oh man, I almost don’t want to tell to many people about this, because I don’t want the wait to be to long! This is some of the best Jamaican food I’ve had in a long time, and it’s take-out only, so perfect to grab right before a movie night with a friend, or if you’re going to sit at a park with some homies. PRO TIP – get everything large, and get the Pineapple Ginger drink (large), it’s made fresh and it’s delicious. It’s so big I generally sip on it well after I’ve finished eating.

Finally, I have to make sure take them to NIGHT + MARKET Sahm on Lincoln Ave (more in Venice) because this is just BEAUTIFUL Thai food in every sense of the idea. If you’re going to go there, make a reservation if you can. If you go on the fly, then just head across the street to “The Lincoln” bar, which has great cocktails and wine selections….The Lincoln Bar is also where I will hang out a weekend night, because it’s always popping.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother, father and L.A. family. Shoutout to my found family in Charleston, SC, and New York, they are all, always rooting for me and consistently encouraging me to push forward and keep trying and looking out for me. I’m super excited to know each and every one of them, and I wouldn’t be where I am without their support.

Website: https://www.mannyhouston.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themannyhouston/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/immanuel-houston-011b3a1b3/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCblWpateGyAUGMphYxxN6Dg

Image Credits
Carrington Spires Hunter Bennet