‘WORTHY’ By Mike Fleming
IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER 2020 AND THE height of civil unrest in Atlanta, LGBTQ R&B artist Larry “Phylle” Carter worked on his fourth album Worthy and an accompanying video project that dropped last week.
The Atlanta-based musician, educator, husband and black gay advocate records mononymously as “Phylle.” He said that Worthy turned into his most mature and authentic offering to date. It brings together R&B, Soul and a “healing” vibe, he said. “When I say ‘healing,’ I mean looking at life and love trauma from an empowering reassuring way,” Carter said. “That is why it is titled Worthy, I believe we all are worthy of the life we desire.” Summer’s atmosphere of upheaval fueled him to release any apprehension in his creative process, Carter told Project Q. “It forced me to face and process my feelings in the moment,” he said. “There was no ‘I wonder how people will receive this.’ It was all gas, no brakes.” “I wanted this project to be very personal and authentic,” he added. “No flexing, no pretending, just me.”
SETTING AN EXAMPLE The full album Worthy drops Dec. 13 on all. In addition to a titular single and the single “L.O.L. Love. Out. Loud.” that are already out, the album is preceded by the 19-minute immersive video “The Worthy Experience.” “[The ‘Experience’ video] is where I was more vulnerable and showed the emotional connection between the songs,” Carter said. Those kinds of connections with others mean a lot to the singer. In fact, it’s his favorite part of creating music. “The best part about recording is being able to
touch people’s hearts,” he said. “Being able to help people be more kind, more understanding, more loving. That is the blessing of it all.”
In the meantime, Carter keeps a full plate of singing, acting and activism. He’s on multiple Signal 23 TV and ACTV web series as well as an upcoming movie. Some of Carter’s time also goes to The Aiken Foundation, which aims to raise and reinvest funds in nonprofits that support minority groups and minority-owned businesses. “Everyone does not have the capacity to scale a wall, however with a ladder a wall is easier to have access,” Carter said. Being Black and gay informs not just Carter’s art, but all of his activities. Staying visible as both is critical, he said. “I believe LGBTQ influences my work the same way being Black does,” he said. “These are part of my DNA. I am not without them. I know the importance of exposure to examples, so I am open about being part of the community. “We all experience love, heart break, joy and pain, though their origin might be a bit different,” he said. Carter said that the unique creativity and diversity of LGBTQ Atlanta holds a lot of potential and avenues to explore every side of ourselves. He also sees places we could be better. “I would love to see people love and accept themselves more so they will have more space and grace to love those who are different from them,” Carter said. “If we all take those steps forward together we can build stronger loving communities.” “It is our responsibility to create that change instead of it being forced upon us,” he said. “Help your neighbor, be kind, smile. We all are out here trying.” Visit phylle.com or @PhylleWorld on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. Pre-order “Worthy” anywhere you download music. theQatl.com 15