The Breakfast Club: INTERVIEW – Kem Talks Career, R&B Then vs. Now, Struggles, Sobriety Journey, ‘Give My Love’ Line Dance + More

Date: August 22, 2025
Host(s): DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Kem

Episode Overview

In this powerful and candid Breakfast Club interview, acclaimed R&B artist Kem joins DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God to discuss his enduring career, the evolution of R&B, his candid struggles with addiction and homelessness, the journey to long-term sobriety, the meaning behind his music, and the story behind his new single “Give My Love” (and its viral line dance). Kem opens up about the real-life experiences that shaped his art, his faith, fatherhood, and what he hopes to inspire in his audience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kem’s Legendary Career and Authentic Connection with Fans

Timestamps: 02:29–03:49

• Kem expresses gratitude for a career lasting over two decades, noting that continuing to make music feels like a true blessing.
  • “To be doing what I do for a living for over two decades, and I don't feel like I'm done yet. That's really, really a blessing.” – Kem (02:49)
• He attributes his enduring connection to listeners to his vulnerability and authenticity, forging music in the tradition of R&B greats like Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, and the Isley Brothers.
  • “I'm trying to keep the light on for what I feel is good R&B, and I think people appreciate that.” – Kem (03:09)

2. Independence, Business, and Building a Legacy

Timestamps: 03:33–04:24

• Kem discusses the shift to operating independently after years at Motown, emphasizing greater autonomy, equity, and the importance of legacy as a husband and father.

  • “I'm thinking about my legacy and how I want to move forward. More equity, more autonomy… I feel real good.” – Kem (04:07)

• Touring and publishing have been his main revenue streams, particularly since he writes most of his own material.

  • “Touring is definitely the gift that keeps on giving, as well as publishing… I write most of my stuff.” – Kem (04:26)

3. Struggles with Addiction, Homelessness, and Sobriety

Timestamps: 04:36–08:18

• Kem recounts overcoming addiction to alcohol and drugs in his early 20s, acknowledging homelessness, estrangement from family, and time spent in jail/hospitals.

  • “My testimony is everything… the music is infused with it. I look at it as ministry in a way.” – Kem (04:46)
  • “You get sick and tired of being sick and tired… I got sober when I was 23 years old.” – Kem (05:29)

• Credits a moment of “surrender” and divine help for his recovery:

  • “When I gave up, when I surrendered, God brought some people into my life who showed me how to live a better way, and I've been doing it ever since.” (05:29)

• Discusses the generational cycle of addiction in his family and the difficult but necessary act of his mother kicking him out, which ultimately saved him:

  • “Best thing that ever happened to me was my mother throwing me out of the house.” – Kem (08:10)
  • “My mom's in recovery too… We did a lot of good work to get to a good place.” – Kem (08:18)

• On being a generational curse breaker:

  • “My mother got sober first. And I have continued the curse breaking… hopefully my children will carry it forward.” (09:20)

4. On Mental Health, Therapy, and Breaking Stigma

Timestamps: 09:44–19:33

• Kem reflects on his upbringing in a household where emotions were not discussed and explains how this lack of coping skills fed into addiction.
• He shares how panic attacks arose after achieving career milestones, and how therapy and medication played a crucial role in healing:
  • “I thought that getting a record deal… was gonna be the cure all. But… all this other baggage… still needed to be unpacked… She [therapist] recommended a therapist… it was life changing.” (17:12–18:18)
  • “You need Jesus and a therapist. And you might need some medication.” – Kem (18:52)

5. Music Born from Darkness and Healing

Timestamps: 14:06–16:38, 21:02–21:54

• Even at his lowest, music was the light that guided him. He recalls playing piano at the Detroit Rescue Mission and Salvation Army while homeless:
  • “Music has always been a light… If you get honest and surrender, nothing is wasted.” – Kem (14:16)
• Kem emphasizes that all of his early records were “aspirational”—a yearning for love and connection that he hadn’t yet experienced.
  • “All the early records… up until I met my wife are aspirational… I’m an introvert pretending to be an extrovert… All of my songs were this… aspirational.” (25:28)

6. Love’s Central Role in Kem’s Life and Music

Timestamps: 26:21–27:56, 32:47–34:58

• His music, both before and after meeting his wife, explores the concept of love as a healing force and aspiration. After finding deep love, his writing deepened.

  • “Give My Love… all the music is still inspired by love, but now really inspired by love in a much deeper way.” – Kem (32:53)
  • “All that ails the world is a lack of love to some degree.” – Kem (27:37)
  • “Love, empathy and care… that's what’s missing.” – Angela Yee (27:39)

• Memorable discussion about the viral “Give My Love” line dance:

  • “We called [Kenny J] to put a line dance to it, and then he taught it to me. … We dig it.” – Kem (37:30)

7. Sobriety and Navigating Social Spaces

Timestamps: 28:04–29:59, 36:29–37:48

• Kem affirms sobriety is the foundation for all his accomplishments:
  • “I am most proud of being sober, because upon that… everything else is built.” – Kem (28:04)
• Asked if venues serving alcohol is ever an issue, Kem responds with confidence and ease:
  • “Me being sober is just a choice for me, you know… People innocuously offer alcohol, and I'll just say, ‘No thank you,’ and you just move on.” (36:39)

8. Writing Process, Aspirational vs. Autobiographical Songs

Timestamps: 38:05–40:11

• Kem reveals that some songs, like “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” are autobiographical and candidly about infidelity, while most love songs were written from a place of yearning or as lessons for himself:
  • “I Can't Stop Loving You is one of those… yes, it is about infidelity… people always want me to sing it at their wedding. … Have you listened to the lyrics of this song?” (38:05-38:56)

9. Faith, Discipline, and Intention

Timestamps: 40:15–42:46

• On the intersection of faith and discipline:

  • “You can… when you ask God to move a mountain, you bring a shovel with you. … There’s work to be done.” (40:24)
  • Cites the Serenity Prayer as foundational to his approach: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” (40:24)

• On career as calling vs. platform:

  • “I see it as a calling mostly. … Trying to be mission-driven, calling-driven… what’s really important, right? And not chasing the trends.” (41:20–42:46)

10. Reflections on R&B, Influences, and the Modern Landscape

Timestamps: 43:41–45:28

• Kem names his R&B and soul “Mount Rushmore”: Prince, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Ron Isley, Earth, Wind & Fire, plus inspiration from newer artists like October London, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Summer Walker.
  • “If they did a time capsule of somebody to represent R&B and soul, Ron Isley’s voice is that to me.” (44:28)
• He wishes to collaborate with Sade, but hasn't yet connected with her team.

11. Success, Legacy, and Staying Grounded

Timestamps: 45:21–46:33

• Kem is candid about still striving for career milestones, but remains deeply grateful for the road so far:
  • “I haven’t won a Grammy… There are all of these marks that I haven’t hit yet… But if I was done, I’ve had great success doing what I do.” (45:28)
• Writer’s block is a challenge, but returning to the love of songwriting is his focus:
  • “The hardest thing is… just sitting down… and just let it flow.” (46:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On recovery and self-sabotage:

  • “How do you get kicked out of rehab? … Drinking.” – Kem (12:06)

• On family cycles and tough love:

  • “There’s a risk… they won’t make it, but there’s also a risk that they’ll die in their darkness. I’m glad my mother made that choice.” – Kem (08:18)

• On the real work of recovery:

  • “You’re overhauling your entire life… you’re not gonna get better in two weeks… It took a lifetime for our dysfunction to reach its peak. It takes time in order to get better.” – Kem (13:03)

• On aspiration in songwriting:

  • “All of the early records … are aspirational… a shy, skinny, dark-skinned kid… I’m standing in the gap for my brothers: you ain’t got the words, there’s a Kem record for it.” – Kem (25:28–26:28)

• Viral line dance:

  • “[Kenny J] put a line dance to it, and then he taught it to me… We dig it.” – Kem (37:30)

• On music as calling, not just a platform:

  • “Trying to be mission-driven… What’s really important? Not chasing the trends.” – Kem (41:20–42:46)
  • “You have to do things for intention, not attention.” – Angela Yee, quoting Paris (42:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Kem on legacy, independence, and business | 03:33–04:24 | | Addiction, family, generational change | 04:36–09:20 | | Therapy, mental health, Black community stigma | 17:12–19:33 | | Homelessness and music as salvation | 14:06–16:38 | | Meeting his wife, evolution of songwriting | 29:01–34:58 | | “Give My Love” line dance—creation and story | 35:33–37:48 | | Songwriting: aspirational vs. autobiographical | 38:05–40:11 | | Faith, discipline, and career as calling | 40:15–42:46 | | R&B Mount Rushmore, new vs. old school | 43:41–45:28 | | Definition of success, ongoing passion | 45:21–47:51 |

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Kem’s humility, humor, and authenticity shine. The hosts match his vulnerability with thoughtful, sometimes playful questioning, yielding both serious insight and relaxed camaraderie. Kem’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and deep faith—not just in God, but in music and the possibility of renewal. The interview is a stirring lesson in perseverance, love, and the eternal joy of R&B.