Bobby Lee

Bobby Lee's debut album reflects his own eclectic style, and his own personal life theme as well: Encouraging and fun, this late-summer release promises a canny mix of Christian, pop, dance and R&B music.

"What makes me unique," Bobby Lee says, "is I'm not afraid to go outside the box and sing and write about what I'm feeling at that time -- whether that's about love, my faith, or life situations. You are always going to get something real and relevant. And I create my own path; I do not like to do everything that everybody else is doing."

His influences on the forthcoming Freedom 2 Live, and his most-listened-to favorites, run a similarly interesting gamut -- including John Legend, John Mayer, Mandisa, Matthew West, Lecrae, Adele, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5, Michael Buble, Neyo and Smokey Robinson, among others.

"I don’t like to be put in a box as an artist," Bobby Lee adds. "I love enjoying life and having fun and making others happy -- so when you hear my music, you hear freedom."

That plays out in a musical amalgam that has already brought comparisons to Chris Brown, Neyo and Trey Songz. "I implement a variety of sounds in my music -- from pop and dance, to gospel and R&B," Bobby Lee says, "but I create music to inspire and encourage people -- whether that’s through sharing my experiences of love, hope, faith and life, or just making a fun record that people can dance to."

All of that enthusiasm and emotion can be found on his early 2012 debut single, the soaring personal anthem "Never Give Up," which Bobby Lee launched exclusively on his Facebook page official store and now available on Itunes, and Amazon mp3. In announcing its release, Bobby Lee concluded -- as always -- with his signature phrase: "Kul beans!" He explains that the phrase is just another sign of his overall positivity, with a versatile meaning that includes "something is cool, or great. I just simply dig what you are saying, or I'm just a cool, stand-up individual."

Bobby Lee began his collegiate education with an eye toward teaching, but soon transferred from Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, to Devry University where he could further develop a knowledge base around business -- a growing passion: "I'm a very easy going guy," Bobby Lee says, "but I think too much: I'm always thinking about my next million-dollar idea!" That fiercely independent streak prompted Bobby Lee to release a debut recording through his own start up, MLIE Inc., an investment enterprise that specializes in music, publishing and film/TV/stage productions. Though he says "songwriting is my niche," Bobby Lee is a whirlwind in the studio environment, as he helps with recording and arranging, as well. "I'm very hands on," he says.

Away from music, Bobby Lee is also deeply involved with the Wings Against Wind Foundation, a nonprofit organization, which focuses on providing services and support for young adults facing non-violent first-time felony charges. Those who complete the program are eligible to avoid incarceration -- providing them a second chance to begin their lives. He also volunteers his time to aid in the fight against sickle cell anemia, something that hits particularly close to home: "I have a heart for youth sickle cell anemia, because I have the trait and my twin brother has the disease," Bobby Lee says. "I've seen the effect on people."

A singer since he was four and a writer since he was six, Bobby Lee was raised in a single-mom household with seven other siblings. He's the third oldest, and first-born male. "We didn't have much when it came to money and materialistic things," Bobby Lee says. "We've been through some hardships but came through together. Our family was always pretty close."

All of that story -- the triumphs, the setbacks, to the pain and the love -- play out in Bobby Lee's emotionally direct, heartfelt music: "Everything I write about and sing about it comes from experience, so I’m