Dwight: For those who might not be familiar with you and your music, how would you describe yourself?
Kenny Bobien: Uhm…I do a lot of gospel house music. I first started as an R&B artist on a major record label, had music videos and such but now I basically do gospel music.

Dwight: Kenny you have been a real busy man. What have you been up to lately?
Kenny Bobien: I've been working and concentrating on my new project. It is a distinctive album that will be dropping in June/July and is a definitive collection of my work since 1993.

Dwight: You were recently in Miami for the Winter Music Conference and did an excellent performance. How was that experience?
Kenny Bobien: The experience was good as the reception for me was amazing. I have been there before and it gets better each time.

Dwight: What is your perspective on gospel music and its influence to house music?
Kenny Bobien: (Chuckles) I always get asked this question. To me there is always been a connection between the two. There is nothing you can really do to separate the two. The influences have always been there. When I hear people say, “Kenny Bobien is the king of gospel,” I laugh because I am not. There is no real synopsis of what gospel music and what is house because the two blend together.

Dwight: I read in a biography that despite your schedule, you still always make it back for your Sunday service at hometown. Is that true?
Kenny Bobien: Yes I am at Church every Sunday. I can count on my one hand how many times I have missed a service as there’s been a few times when I couldn’t make it because of flight delays or something else but most of the time I am always there serving God because it if it wasn’t for God I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Dwight: I have found that house music; especially soulful house music is slowly emerging again after a hiatus period. Did you find that that house music at one point had a dry spell?
Kenny Bobien: Yes and it’s because of the industry. I’ve been doing music since 1993 and there was a time when we went through a dry spell and the music declined in its regime, all because of the industry’s direction. Being in the industry for now for many years I’ve seen these changes. The business is very fickle. You know the way top executives think and see, changes the music. Support was also a problem as no one was buying the music and going to the clubs again but now things are different. Soulful house music is coming back now because it has a way of touching the way that you are. With the crazy world today with the wars, earthquakes, cyclones even the Bush government, people want to hear uplifting music, be encouraged and be healed.

Dwight: Besides house music what other kinds of music do you like, sing or enjoying making?
Kenny Bobien: R&B, Gospel.

Dwight: I’ve read that not only are you a true devoted person to the Church but also a strong family man. How important is family to you and your inspiration of making music?
Kenny Bobien: My family is very important. They come first as well as my relationship with God. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. Without them I would not have seen the success that God has had for me. They inspire me to sing, they are the reason why I sing. They are the driving force. They are my inspiration to everything I do.

Dwight: Who are your musical influences?
Kenny Bobien: Oh there are so many. I love Patti Labelle, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, and a lot of gospel artists such James Cleveland. I would love to do a song with Patti Labelle, Jennifer Holiday, Martha Walsh and Melba Moore just to name a few. I felt so bad when Luther Vandross passed away, I would have loved to do a song with him. His mother passed away not too long ago.

Dwight: Really? I didn’t know that.
Kenny Bobien: Yes she died not too long ago and her death reminded me of him. Because of these artists I see myself continuing this legacy of music.

Dwight: Will you be returning to the WMC conference next year?
Kenny Bobien: Pretty much I will be there.

Dwight: What was your most memorable moment about the WMC event?
Kenny Bobien: One of the most memorable moments that gets me emotional is when I am walking down south beach and someone stops me saying, “are you Kenny Bobien? Can I get your autograph? Can I take your picture?” The first time I had that done to me I got so emotional. To me it’s amazing because I am not at some hip hop or R&B conference where I have to be but I am at a place where people are there to listen to music - for those who love to hear me. To think that I am here around thousands of people who listen to my music and to walk in the club and to be recognized. (Laughs) - who said Kanye and Jay-Z have to have it all? It is also amazing when people sing your song. When I was at Body Soul in New York singing my song “Father” the whole crowd was singing the song word for word. That really touched me and it was simply amazing.

Dwight: Other than the U.S where else have you traveled or toured?
Kenny Bobien: Besides the U.S, I’ve been to Canada and Japan. I am currently on tour to places like Hong Kong, Australia, and Africa.

Dwight: I’ve asked this question in a number of my interviews with soulful artists: What is your perspective on R&B and soul Music today? It seems like before a lot of artists were singing from their heart but today R&B seems to be flooded with commercial fictitious and dejecting contexts such as “you cheated on me” “I hate you for what you did” “It’s all about money and cars, and etc?”
Kenny Bobien: It’s Lollypop music now. It’s crazy. I can’t get with it. I have seen an increase in negativity and it’s really sad.

Dwight: Are there any final words you would like to say to our Just Soul readers?
Kenny Bobien: Final words: I love you all very much. Thank you for supporting house music and supporting Kenny Bobien. Keep supporting. We remember we can’t do this without you. Thank you for everything.

On behalf of the Just Soul readers and staff I would like to extend my warm thanks for you doing this interview with me and all the best in your future endeavors.