Today we’d like to introduce you to Lonnie Barker.
Hi Lonnie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Born and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma I got my start in music at an early age while performing in local talent shows and in the school cafeteria. As a high school athlete, I earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Oklahoma where I studied Communication. During college, I began to serve in ministry and also honed my craft in music and production. Also known as L. Boogie, I entered the gospel hip-hop music scene in early 2000. I produced my first album and later went on to earn a Grammy nomination in 2008 for Best Gospel Hip-Hop/Rock album for my solo project entitled “Naked & Unashamed.” I received my second Grammy nomination in 2010 for the album “Hope HopMusic.” As a national recording artist and executive producer, I’ve had the opportunity to gain international exposure and recognition.
In addition to being a recording artist, I am a content creator and entrepreneur. I’m owner of Lion’s Den Recording Studio and Takman Publishing and Hope Hop International, a non-profit organization that serves the community and underprivileged inner-city youth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Raised by a single mother and the youngest son of five children, it was a struggle to see my mother work tirelessly to make ends meet. Growing up in a city where the median household income was less than average in the U.S., I experienced hardship and became familiar with poverty and lack. But even in the midst of hardship and turmoil, my inspiration came from watching my mother make sacrifices for my siblings and I to have a good upbringing and unconditional love. After graduating high school and entering college I vowed that I would be a difference-maker by getting a good education, work hard and give back to my community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an executive producer and recording engineer, I am afforded the opportunity to work with some of the music industry’s hottest talent. I have over 20 years of experience in audio engineering and studio management. I am a content creator and consultant. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communications and am a certified marriage mentor alongside my wife of 25 years. Although music is my gift and talent, my passion is serving the community. Every year through our non-profit organization Hope Hop International, we award a scholarship to local high school students in my hometown. Last year we presented our very first international scholarship award to a student in Uganda. As a national recording artist, I’ve been able to use my platform to reach lives all over the globe. I’ve been afforded the opportunity to travel to Africa and serve in ministry at orphanages and poverty-stricken areas and help build schools and provide food, clothing, and tuition for children in need.
What matters most to you?
I value education, hard work, and service to others. These are the foundational principles that I stand on. Education is so important and can open so many doors. In high school, I wasn’t a straight-A student. In fact, I struggled immensely and later realized a had a learning disability and an attention deficit disorder. I was able to overcompensate for my educational woes by working hard as an athlete and earned a scholarship in wrestling. It wasn’t until I was finally able to realize my learning deficiency in my adult years that I was able to get the necessary tools to be successful and thrive as a student. When I graduated college, I graduated with honors and consider it a testament to others that it’s possible to defy the odds if you work and stay focused.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@iamhopehop.com
- Website: www.iamhopehop.com
- Instagram: lonnie_barker
- Facebook: facebook.com/HopeHopMusic
- Youtube: youtube.com/lboogie1906
Image Credits
Gena Maxwell
Jaren Collins
Allen Thompson
