GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Kobe Brown, a Grand Rapids native who came from humble beginnings at GR's Circle and Civic Theatres, is currently playing a young Rick James in "Super Freak: The Rick James Story."
"It's a massive project to be part of," Brown said. "I've never considered myself to be a punk or funk singer. But it has really shown me how much I'm capable of and how much is out there for me."
Brown was a student of Grand Rapids Public Schools for his entire youth. Yet, he found himself immersed in the arts amidst an environment that valued academics far more.
"I always was in like choir in school growing up, I always like to sing," he said. "And then, in high school, some of my friends were auditioning for a show at the Civic Theatre," he said.
While dancing, storytelling and performing — he found his passion.
"I was like, 'Oh, wow, like I could actually go make a career out of this,'" he said.
Brown continued to land roles between the Civic Theatre and Circle Theatre, dreaming of his next big step.
"[I felt] like a big fish in a small pond at times," he said. "Being happy where you are [and being] thankful for your roots, but really anxious to get out into the world."
After he graduated high school, Brown made the leap and moved to New York City, where he was offered the role of a lifetime.
He was cast as a young Rick James in a stage production produced by James' daughter — and even he said he couldn't quite believe it.
"It reminds me of the respect I need to put into the job, as opposed to just any other job. Brown said. "The family is in the room and their name is on the project, so it definitely adds another layer to it."
The production attempts to capture just how layered James was.
"It doesn't necessarily focus on the negative about Rick James." Brown said. "It's less of a who he is and more of a why he was the way he was. You really get to see what makes a person get to that part of themselves."
"Super Freak: The Rick James Story" opened mid-March in Detroit, the birthplace of Motown, and is now traveling across the country with 27 shows to go.
Brown's journey, however, is only just beginning.
"I've been able to work for the last two years, and kind of build my way up to this." he said. "I'm glad that I was able to stick through it and have this moment and just take it all in day by day."
When the curtains rise, Brown said he knows he's living in the big time.
"Before I go out, I go to my dressing room and I I just blast Rick James' music and I just let sink myself into it." Brown said. "I just have to make the strong choice to go out there and command the stage."
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