Billboard chart topping artist, Jethro “aLonestar” Sheeran has collaborated with musicians such as Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Wu-Tang, Shatta Wale, Akon, DaBaby, Young Thug, Future, Trippie Redd, and Pusha T. Jethro’s Album, “Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica.”

The album features Reggae legend, Bob Marley’s sons, Damian and Stephen Marley and hit number #1 on the Billboard Charts.  Jethro has also produced and written several hit songs with his cousin Ed Sheeran.

We did an in-depth interview with Jethro Sheeran and he shared with us some uplifting and healing words for those who are dealing with depression and mental health struggles.

Q. What is your mission in life?

A. My mission in life is to help people.  I hope my music will heal and uplift people, be listened to and appreciated.  I hope to have a voice which one day makes a change in the world for the better.  Music is about the spirit.  It speaks just like Van Gogh’s paintings, making you feel a certain way.

Back in the days, I had a woman who was in my top ten friends list.  She had lost 2 of her military sons in the Iraq war and she was completely devastated and suicidal.  I had a song on my myspace called “Catalyst” a global themed song full of hope for the world.  This was one of my first releases online and on CD.

This lady was in so much despair she wrote to me that she made a rope to commit suicide and she wanted to end her life.  Without her sons, she felt helpless.  Whilst she was setting up this awful scenario to commit suicide, she had my song “Catalyst” playing over and over again.

She messaged me saying that she was crying uncontrollably, but after finding a little bit of peace in my music, she told me she pulled the rope down and cried and did not commit suicide.  She is alive still today.

Q. What did that experience teach you?

A. To me that showed me the power of a song, of music and art.  I swore to myself, I will never stop making music ever and I will try to help as many people as possible who are suffering.  I will try to and be a voice for those people, speaking out and also sharing my own fears, anxiety, despair and insecurity.

Q. How does it make you feel to bear your soul via music?

A. I feel so naked when people hear my songs, they hear my inner most, deepest, darkest secrets.

I need to write as it’s my air, my therapy.  Once the words are written and they are out of me I feel a sense of peace and a hope someone else can relate.

Going through this everlasting struggle it seemed it would never get better.  I felt truly alone, my mental health was getting worse, social anxiety and feelings of suicide.  I felt at times, when I went to bed, I wish I’d never wake up.

Q. How did you get through it?

A. The anxiety was crippling but now I’m older and more mature.  I use tools to help me through these times.  I feel that if my music is enough for me and it helps me feel better and get so much fulfillment out if it, then I’m very lucky.  I’m full of gratitude.

I only wish Van Gogh could have gotten over his pain and not pulled the trigger and got through what he was going through.  The essence of life is change.  These bad, dark feelings don’t last forever.

I’ve always managed to overcome them, but I understand when it’s too much, bad thoughts transpire and it can result in so much pain and despair that you want to end it all.

Q. How are things now?

A. I’m glad to be happy today and my work now is to help other people who feel depressed, have anxiety and are suicidal.  I try to send a message through my music to say it’s going to be okay.  Nothing is so bad it can’t be changed and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.  We need to push this message out and reach people that think there is no way out.  God Loves us.  God cares.  Let’s share this message.

Jethro aLonestar Sheeran

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

X (formerly Twitter):  https://twitter.com/ALONESTAR1

Photos courtesy of Jethro Sheeran

Tupac Shakur’s brother, Mopreme Shakur, has joined the Vincent Van Gogh biopic, as Executive Producer.  Shakur will also produce songs for the movie soundtrack and perform on the album.

Mopreme Shakur, is a billboard chart topping, multi-platinum, recording artist with a vast array of musical accomplishments under his belt.  He was a member of Tupac’s infamous rap group “Thug Life.”  Mopreme’s highly anticipated autobiography will be released later this year.

“I’m above the stars to be so privileged to be a part of this groundbreaking project!  So excited to see the story of Van Gogh come to life!” says Mopreme Shakur.

Mopreme Shakur and Tupac Shakur

The “Van Gogh” filmmakers will collaborate with the Tupac Shakur Foundation, in their mission to uplift and inspire youth from marginalized communities and to spread mental health awareness and healing through art.  About – www.tupacshakurfoundation.org

The “Van Gogh” film partnership with Tupac’s family is quite fitting because Tupac loved Vincent Van Gogh and was inspired by him from an early age.

Tupac’s favorite song was Don McClean’s “Vincent” (Starry, Starry, Night).  Shakur’s mother Afeni played the song “Vincent” on repeat, while Tupac was on his death bed, to give him musical comfort after he was shot in 1996.  As a child, Tupac choreographed a dance performance in school to the song “Vincent.”  As an adult, Tupac wrote a poem dedicated to Vincent, which expresses the connection he felt with Van Gogh.

After Tupac’s passing, his mother Afeni honored him by having a painting made of Tupac in the style of Van Gogh’s self portrait.  This painting was used on the album of his posthumous release, “R U Still Down?  Remember Me.”

Tupac’s mother Afeni, founded the Tupac Shakur Foundation in honor of her son, to spread healing through art for youth from disadvantaged communities.

The biopic is being produced by Van Gogh historian, writer and film producer, Kira Madallo Sesay.

Kira Madallo Sesay and Steven Spielberg

Kira Madallo Sesay on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1690608/

“Tupac loved Vincent Van Gogh. Therefore, we are deeply honored to have his beloved and talented brother, Mopreme Shakur, Executive Producing “Van Gogh” with us.  Vincent and Tupac went on to inspire billions of people. They are both legends.  Their stars will shine forever,” says Kira Madallo Sesay.

Bobby Deleon is Executive Producing “Van Gogh.”  Deleon is an executive at Johnny Depp‘s company Infinitum Nihil and former manager of Depp’s legendary Hollywood club, The Viper Room.

The “Van Gogh” biopic filmmakers have partnered with the makers of Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience to bring Vincent’s story to the big screen.  Gilles Colinet and the late Mario Iacampo, creator of Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience are Executive Producers on the film.
“Van Gogh” Film Partners With Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

The Van Gogh live exhibitions have been a worldwide hit, making over $250 million in just one year, because of Vincent’s sudden resurgence in popularity.  As of now, the Van Gogh immersive ​exhibitions have made over $1 billion in profits.  The movie and the exhibition will work in partnership to cross promote the film “Van Gogh” and the immersive experience worldwide.

Simonna

“Tupac is definitely one of the most influential rappers of all time. He inspired millions of artists all over the world, including me. He was not just a performer. He was a creator, motivator, and a true leader that I look up to as an artist. Tupac is a source of inspiration and empowerment for me, and many young people who are fighting against inequality. Tupac is the leader of all the dreamers, believers, and artists worldwide,” says Simonna, who is a singer on the “Van Gogh” movie soundtrack.

The “Van Gogh” biopic is the result of over 7 years of on the ground research about Vincent.  In an effort to truly walk in Van Gogh’s footsteps, screenwriter producer, Kira Madallo Sesay, traveled to every location where he lived, worked or visited.  Kira has also studied thousands of archival documents related to Van Gogh.  As a result of this extensive research, new information about Vincent will be revealed in the film for the first time.  Kira is also writing a book about Van Gogh.

Kira Madallo Sesay has a luxury jewelry company in honor of Vincent Van Gogh’s art and humanitarian legacy.  10% of the profits of the jewelry sold, goes to suicide prevention charities and African educational charities in gold and diamond mining regions.

For more information please visit: https://vinscentvangogh.com/

For more information about Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, please visit: https://vangoghexpo.com

Photos courtesy of: Pixels (main), 2PAC.com, Kira Madallo Sesay, Jethro Sheeran and Simonna.