WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

“I was hell! I was hell! I wasn’t always like this Busta,” said Lamont Fletcher. The Fletcher I know is a phenomenal young man and an extremely gifted singer. So I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting the give-them-hell Fletcher. 

Before we get into the give-them-hell Fletcher, let me share where he is now and how he got here. 

Lamont’s fans know him as singing sensation Young Fletcher. He’s recorded with superstars such as Trey Songz, Fantasia, J Cole, and DaBaby, just to name a few. The biggest names in the pop, R&B, and hip-hop call Fletcher to do background vocals, production on their songs, and tour. He combined his silky-smooth Donny Hathaway and Sam Cooke type vocal style and his personal experiences, and became one of the most sought-after songwriters and producers in the music industry.  Fletcher’s single and video, ‘’Carolina Blue,” has become a fan and peer favorite. 

“Just being able to connect with different people and knowing that my music is inspiring them, gives me inspiration. I was at a wedding recently and the photographer came to me in tears. She told me that she had a horrible day and was ready to give up on photography, and pretty much give up on it all. Then she heard my song “Energy” on the radio, and said every lyric was speaking to her and she decided to keep it moving forward. That’s big when my music affects people in a positive way. That’s the beauty for me,” said the singer. 

I asked him if he believes it’s necessary for celebrities to take on the title of role model. “A lot of celebrities are intimidated by that label. I try to walk it like I talk it. But at the same time, we all slide off and backslide. But even so, I make it my role and position to use my music to spread the gospel. It may not be all clean, but it’s real life. It’s my way of touching those that so many turn away and turn their back on. It’s good news that I’m spreading, because I make music for struggling souls. If you’ve never experienced any trials and tribulations, you might not relate and rock to my music. I’m not ashamed to talk about my bad past. Things I wished I hadn’t done. But it’s my testimony. I come from church, so you’re going to hear that in my music, and I don’t hide it,” he said. 

The first time Young Fletcher heard his song on one of our local radio stations, he couldn’t believe it. “I looked at the radio to make sure it was really playing my song. I was only 16 years old when I heard my first single, “Know Ya Name,” and I turned the speakers all the way up to the max. That feeling was amazing! And to hear thousands of people singing along with me while I’m performing, was crazy. That’s when you know they’re listening and feeling your music. It’s the best feeling in the world!” he said, nearly in tears. 

Since then he’s had an arsenal of hits, such as “Truth Be Told,” “Right Back,” “Learning,” “Love In The Kitchen,” and many more. Young Fletcher was the headliner and keynote speaker at Vital Global Music and Entertainment Conference and The Indie Entertainment Summit in Los Angeles, with industry leaders and attendees from across the world. 

In 2019, a judge allegedly granted a $6.6 million judgment to Young Fletcher and his former manager, then tripled the payout because the judge found “willful, unfair and deceptive acts” conducted by superstar hip-hop artist Yo Gotti. We didn’t get into further details because the two have since mended their business relationship and released the song that caused the beef between the two. The song, “Truth Be Told,” featuring Yo Gotti, was eventually released and became a smash hit. 

His friendship with Fantasia began while both were up-and-coming local artists. “I met Fantasia and her family at an open mic night at a club in High Point. They went onstage and brought the house down! They were amazing! I remember telling my manager at the time, ‘I’m not going up after that. Ain’t no way!’ I did anyway, and Fantasia and her family loved it! We started singing at churches together, and The Barrino pack and I have been like family ever since. They took me under their wings,” said Young Fletcher. 

Young Fletcher and another hip-hop superstar Lil Baby has a project coming soon, so look out for it. It’s a guarantee R&B and hip-hop smash! 

The road to success was a bumpy one for the gifted singer, songwriter and producer. While Lamont Fletcher’s mother Alicia Hoggard was pregnant with him, she was sent to live in Long Beach, Cal., where they lived for five years. In 1996 they moved to Winston-Salem and at the age of 13, they moved back to Long Beach with his grandfather. “I was getting in hella trouble! I was running away, stealing cars, joining gangs, you name it. But living in the LBC at 13 with no friends wasn’t the move, so I begged my mother to move me back to Winston-Salem and I would get my act together. Sad to say, I gave her two more years of hell. When I turned 16, American Idol came to N.C. I did great at the auditions, but the word got out that I was hell and I decided I didn’t want that label and lifestyle anymore. That’s when I made a change for the better and I’ve been on a good path ever since, Busta B. I’m not perfect, but I’m so far from what I used to be,” said the superstar entertainer. 

He went on to graduate from East Forsyth High School. During his childhood, his mother Alicia married John Hoggard, who’s a devout Muslim, yet she’s devout Christian. But it worked and has molded Young Fletcher into a well-rounded man both personally and professionally. “It’s not any negatives with it at all. Because of the Muslim upbringing, there was a lot of structure and serious discipline. We all woke up at 6 o’clock every morning, whether you were praying to Allah or Jesus. We didn’t eat any pork and there’s a lot of things I’ve learned that had pork in them, like Rice Crispy Treats, Dorito’s, and Pop Tarts. So we didn’t have that kind of stuff in our house. But on Sundays we went to grandma’s house and got it cracking with the pork chops,” he said while the two of us were cracking up laughing. 

“On Sundays when I went to church and my mom made us do something in the church, whether it was on the step team, an usher, or sing. I choose singing in the choir and the rest is history. My testimony proves to young people that there’s hope, so don’t ever give up on God, because He won’t give up on you. My goal is to use my money and influence to put an end to homelessness and hunger in this country. I plan to start very soon right here in Winston-Salem.” 

Lamont Fletcher’s music is available now from the SONY system on all platforms including Spotify, Apple, Tidal, Amazon, and YouTube. My Person of the Week is singer, songwriter and producer, Winston-Salem’s own, Young Fletcher.