“How Can I Use My Blessing To Be A Blessing To Others.” – Michael J. Payton

The most interesting thing about Irv Gotti phoning you was that he phoned you on the day of your mother’s burial. That’s amazing.
Yes, crazy. But much so God stepped in right there. I was so stunned by everything. I’m a momma’s boy so to lose her was the biggest hurt. I’m an only child as well. So dealing with that it was like I was already in the twilight zone. You know, this surreal state of being. So when Irv called me that day it felt so divine. The same day I lay my mom to rest is the same day I started an entirely new life. I was sitting there thinking about where ending this chapter with my mom would lead me and God came and presented himself. This project with Irv was also there to help me get through my grief. A lot of days I sit back in awe.

You love great storytellers like Fat Joe and Irv Gotti and more to name. But what’s your personal take on telling a great story?
To me a great story teller is someone who makes you feel like you’re there. The ability to keep someone engaged. The stories are so vivid that they paint the picture in front of you. You can almost smell the smoke in the room when Irv is telling the story about it. Great storytellers also teach you in the story that they are telling. Those educational pieces to me are what makes a great story.

What’s a wild story from your childhood or past?
So to speak, my childhood was really boring. I was a boring kid. I was homeschool for the most part so I stayed in the house working on my music. But I’d say the craziest story as a kid was my mom taking me to record labels and I’m playing my music for these well known A&R guys. Knowing my music absoultely sucked. But I remember the thrill of it like oh it’s really happening, I’m doing my thing. That’s not really wild but moments like that stood out to me.

What’s your morning routine before you get into the busy part of your day?
I’m up every morning around four am. Usually by four thirty I’m out the door for the gym for an hour. On a good day I’ll double that. Then from there I’ll have a light breakfast. And after that I’m just hitting the ground working. Emails, projects etc. All of that is on my list. I’m big on creating lists so I can execute. If there is no list, I’m all over the place.

You’re working with Gloria Carter concerning the Shawn Carter Foundation. How is that experience? You’re not only touching base with a worldwide mogul but you’re also connected to the mom of a world wide mogul.
I’ll say Dr Carter is incredible. The Shawn Carter Foundation is incredible. Jay himself is incredible for obviously having a program like that. The care that they have for their students I applaud them for that. Even when I was a student years ago they were really big about checking in on you and presenting you with opportunities. It’s not just a financial thing, they’re trying to make sure they see you all the way through. So just to get that support is amazing. And it feels like home. Being able to help amplify the mission for other students is an honor. I’m a product of that and I hope to see my people achieving their goals within that foundation.

Being a part of moving the culture forward now, what’s your ultimate goal?
Even though I’ve always been a part of media and film making and always looked at them as a way to give a platform to do other things. As an entrepreneur that’s what’s in my spirit. I don’t want to just do film. What I’m really big on is using my platform to amplify change makers. As you know there’s so much work to be done in our community as black people. We get fed so much negativity and unimportant information. And we don’t realize that we have so much power. In the things we say and the things that we do, the whole world follows. If we used that same power to get people to vote and to get people in position to make a change. Forget going to get people to sit at the table. We need people who’s like I have a table. So my mission won’t be complete until that realization. Building a strong economy and making sure our voices are heard.

Just for fun answer this question!

Let’s say you’re interviewing Barack Obama and your only requirement is to bring him a gift. But you can only spend twenty dollars at the maximum. What are you bringing him?
He’s a reader, so I would try to find him a nice book. I’d go to a thrift store and try to find a classic book. I’m not sure what book but I’d try to find the book I think he would be interested in. A nice vintage book.