It’s lovely to still be surprised after over a decade talking to musicians. 3D The Boss is without a doubt, the first group I’ve talked to that incorporates the idea of health and fitness into what they do. Such an interesting thing about this trio, I had to know more. So with that, I set out to talk to them and in doing so dove not only into the health and fitness side of things, but also the lack of groups in the industry, creative processes, and more.

Kendra: You all come from different backgrounds, so how did you three come together and get 3D The Boss off the ground running?

C Lei Boss Lady: Day and I met in 2001 after being introduced by a mutual friend, Jennifer Bliss. He was her personal trainer. I didn’t realize at the time that he was also a singer, dancer, and drummer. I didn’t find that out until many years later when I started training with him myself. We struck up a bartering deal to support me because his rates were outside of my musician’s budget. In exchange for training, I taught his daughter piano and laid down keyboard tracks in his home studio. That was the beginning of our musical partnership.

Donna (Lady Bass) and I go way back musically to 2002. We had both been hired by Irene Cara to start an all-female band that would co-write, record, and perform original music together. We were all flown to Orlando and met at a studio there called Phat Planet. Donna and I quickly became close friends when she moved up to Atlanta later that same year. I introduced her to Day much later, say 2012. I’d invite her to come to the Playground (that’s the name of our gym, where all the magic happens!) with me; she eventually came into playing for her own fitness. And we’ve been playing in bands together ever since.

Lady Bass: Yes, so true. Our backgrounds are largely different, with Boss Lady and I having very similar upbringings. Both of our fathers are gospel preachers. It goes in very unique directions after that. Boss Lady and Day offered me the opportunity to join them in 2016 and I quickly accepted. I’d always wanted a musical family. 3D was already a well-oiled machine, Boss Lady and I have known each other since 2002 through a musical relationship with Irene Cara. In 2012, she introduced me to Day and invited me to be a part of the Your Day Balance Game with her. She’d been playing the Game already through training with Day. It’s a health and fitness game inspired by Love and Balance and 3D is the Brand Agent for it. Day created this awesome and fascinating healing modality. I was recovering from a divorce and heart attack when I started playing the game, so I was looking for a way to build and improve my health in a sustainable way.

Kendra: Health and fitness aren’t something we necessarily hear when talking about a musical artist. Was that always part of the foundation of the group?

C Lei Boss Lady: Yes, health and fitness were always a part of the foundation of 3DTB. I met Day as a personal trainer, and he met me as a musician. So literally, we personified and represented both passions that we both cared about. At the time we met, Day didn’t know I was into my fitness, and I didn’t know he was a musician! When we initially formed 3DTB in 2011, 10 years after we met, we were all about the integration of health and fitness into the music. 3DTB is the flagship artist and spokesperson for the YDBG, a health and fitness platform powered by Balance and Love.

Lady Bass: Most definitely! Day is a coach, a Transformational Specialist, actually. This band is the result of what he envisioned. We’ve experienced putting our wealth before our health and have received a lot of feedback that shows us that there’s no point in having wealth if your health is “bankrupt.” We intend to be a unique band in that we’re literally bringing our healthy habits, fitness, and musicality to the stage to inspire the world to see that they can create a balanced life that’s fun and healing.

Kendra: Speaking of groups, they aren’t as common as they once were back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s. Why do you think that is? Because frankly, where would we be without some of the iconic pop groups that shaped music back in the day?

C Lei Boss Lady: Great question. I think there was a shift in the consciousness of the music business when social media, self-publishing, and internet radio became popular, available, and accessible to independent artists. That shift created a ‘me’ over ‘we’ way of thinking and operating. Literally, an artist could sit in their room with a midi keyboard, speakers, and a laptop and make a whole album. Even the instrument is optional! So that shifted the whole collaborative mindset and process. I think a lot of artists who were not inspired to collaborate with others during a time when the industry was shifting. I see the pendulum has begun to swing in the other direction again recently. Lots of collaborations happening. I love it! And I’m certainly game to do some collaborations as well.

Lady Bass: Groups were definitely the thing at one point. Even from the ‘70s and ‘80s with Earth Wind and Fire, The Eagles, Gap Band, and so forth. They all put out such awesome, collaborative music! What comes to mind for me is the bottom dollar, when it comes to labels. I imagine it not being economical and cost-effective in their minds. It’s also possible that some band members really wanted to be solo artists and the band was what helped them get there. I always feel a sense of family when I listen to music from groups that are actual bands. I love family and 3D is that for me.

Kendra: Now onto the music you three create together. Your album, ‘Push It,’ dropped in April 2021, and since you’re all about health and being active, I want to know which type of workout do you feel ‘Push It’ was meant for? Cardio, spin class, pilates, etc.?

C Lei Boss Lady: I feel that ‘Push It’ would be great for Hip Hop Cardio, Dance Fitness, and Spin Class. Those are all class types that require a person to go beyond their comfort zone and past what they think they can do. But mostly, our Cardio Concert concept is the ideal workout model for our music! We created the concept of Cardio Concert back in 2017. Imagine what it might be like to marry dance fitness with a live concert in a large enough space for people to move and dance freely…

Lady Bass: All except for the pilates. I’m sure an instructor could spice it up a little for a pilates class, though. That would be very interesting. Actually, I’d love to see someone do a dance routine for it. All of our music has an energy that inspires movement and the style of ‘Push It’ comes from an era where movement and dance were a part of that culture and time.

Kendra: One of the singles from ‘Push It’ was the addicting, tantalizing “Sneaky Peeky.” Rather than asking which celebrity you’d like a sneaky peaky at in that regard, I’d like to know which artist’s creative process would you love to get an inside look at?

C Lei Boss Lady: Great spin on that question! I’ve always been curious about the creative process for other artists. In particular, Adam Levine and Maroon 5, who are formulaic writers, in my estimation. How do they stay inspired to make similar types of songs over and over and what does that process look like? Does it start with one person and a pen or do they sit in a room as a group with a bunch of seasoned writers and just crank?

Also, Bruno Mars, prior to his Silk Sonic collaboration with Anderson Paak fascinates me. I’d love to know his process as well. And if I could go back in time, I’d love to sit in on a session with Michael Jackson and Prince. Both of those artists had such a unique approach to making music and I know very little about their processes. Of course, there are so many more: Isley Brothers, Whitney Houston, etc.

Lady Bass: Prince and Dirty Loops, for sure! I’ve heard that he was very open to sharing his wisdom beyond music. That’s really inspiring. Sometimes, I just want to know “why” or “how” a performer came to that note or lyric. What were they thinking or feeling? I imagine those kinds of experiences as very contributing because you go beyond the allure of them on stage and get in touch with them as people and creators. That is sexy as hell for me!

Kendra: Now, each of you coaches in some capacity whether it’s life coaching or musically. I was wondering if that aspect of your life has any impact on how you approach your more creative side when it’s time to put on your artist hat?

C Lei Boss Lady: I can tell you, as a performer, coach, teacher, parent – I am always finding creative ways to reach people and share what I can. I’ve used musical analogies in life coaching and I for sure use life analogies in music coaching and parenting! We live a highly integrated life that flows from one role to another. There’s not much separation between them. Maybe a wardrobe change or two. But that’s about it!

Lady Bass: Ah, yes. Then there’s that! HA! What I’m most grateful about in my growth and process as a coach is my awareness. Coaching others is a great opportunity to see myself in them. There are easier days than others and I really appreciate my courage to consciously choose to align to my creative flow with humility and gratitude. My creativity is my intimate time with God, or Source, or whatever name or description people use today. It continues to be a great exercise in making the coaching, creativity, and artist aspects one. The more congruent these experiences are, the more empowered I become and it shows in my artistry.

Kendra: Speaking of art, being in Atlanta – I’d love to get your opinion on what spot in your city best represented Black excellence in regards to artistic expression?

C Lei Boss Lady: There was a place called Apache Cafe which was the premier place to showcase your talent if you were a neo-soul, R&B, or hip hop artist. It’s since moved, but all kinds of great artists got their start there. Both myself and Lady Bass have played there many times as well.

Lady Bass: Morehouse and Spelman College come to mind for me. Not only do they continue to support the tradition and history of the black family but their choir

Kendra: Since it’s still the new year, I’m asking everyone…not for a lengthy resolution, but for a resolution, a goal they have for this month. What’s yours?

C Lei Boss Lady: Our goal for this next month is to prepare for the release of our new music video, “Heaven and Paradise.” And also some supportive content about the making of the video and a breakdown of the dance routines. We are excited about putting it out!

Kendra: With the new album out and about now, what can fans – both new and old – expect from you as we break in the early months of 2022?

C Lei Boss Lady: Our fans can expect more videos on our YouTube channel with meaningful and entertaining content. We will be sharing more about our creative process, our Abundant Loving Lifestyle, and our Balance Lifestyle Coaching. Stay tuned!