From growing up as a young basketball star in South Central Los Angeles, to becoming a songwriter at age 19, attaining multiple college degrees, and now working to help children with intellectual disabilities, Willie Lowe certainly has a unique story to tell. We recently got a chance to talk with him about his songwriting process and latest track, “My Love is Here to Stay.”

“Music is universal. It carries a message to anyone and everyone who listens. It can make you laugh, cry and dance. Music can change the world.”

When you create new lyrics, do you pick a genre or style of music first?

When I’m writing a lyric, I do have a melody in mind as well as the arrangement I’m looking for. It makes it easier to get the finished product I want. I try to write lyrics from both a male and female perspective. The lyric has to be as close to perfect as you can get, without writing it to death.

What changes you have you noticed in popular songwriting, and what has remained the same?

We’ve come to know you as a talented songwriter by night. Tell us a bit about how you spend your days.