In this heartfelt episode of "The Father's Truth," host Alan Donovan sits down with Caliph, a Toronto-based artist, and new father. Kalief talks about his journey from pursuing a challenging career in music to finding success in real estate and eventually returning to music inspired by fatherhood. This episode is a deep dive into Caliph's latest song dedicated to the themes of fatherhood and paternal relationships, reflecting the often-ignored emotional narratives in modern rap music.
Alan and Caliph discuss the inspiration behind this powerful track, which focuses on relationship with his own father, the struggles they faced, and the newfound understanding they share now. Caliph shares his intent to shine a light on the positive aspects of fatherhood, especially in the black community, addressing the often misleading stereotypes about absentee fathers. The episode also touches upon the broader implications of fatherhood and men’s mental health, and Caliph's plans for future releases that continue to explore these important themes.
The Power of Authentic Music: Caliph believes in creating music that resonates with genuine experiences, focusing on the seldom-discussed themes of fatherhood and love.
Inspiration from Fatherhood: Becoming a father drastically changed Caliph’s perspective, pushing him back into music to leave a legacy for his son.
Breaking Stereotypes: The song aims to counter the stereotype of absentee black fathers by showcasing the positive, loving relationships many have with their children.
Emotional Storytelling: Through his lyrics, Caliph addresses the complex relationship with his father and the journey towards mutual respect and understanding.
Upcoming Projects: Caliph hints at more music centered around men's mental health and treating personal struggles with dignity and respect.
"We need to tell the stuff that we all feel... it doesn't always have to be dark." - Caliph
"I watched firsthand how it just destroyed him and how hard he had to fight to get shared custody." - Caliph on his friend's custody battle
"You want to be an inspiration for some young kid or some young father that is scared to death about whether or not they're going to be a good father." - Alan
"The theme of the song is really just to show that the black nuclear family still exists too." - Caliph
"I'm the artist. I've accepted that my story is my story." - Caliph