Sean Forbes

Sean Forbes

Sean at 54 Sound.
Background information
Birth name Sean Forbes
Origin Detroit, Michigan
Genres Hip hop Rock
Occupation(s) Rapper, singer, speaker
Instruments drums, hands
Years active 2005–
Labels Web Entertainment
D-PAN Entertainment
Kobalt
Website www.deafandloud.com

Sean Forbes (born February 5, 1982 in Detroit) is a deaf American hip-hop artist. Sean became deaf from spinal meningitis when he was a few months old. The cause was never officially diagnosed but Sean has said that they (the doctors) had suspected spinal meningitis.[1] Sean's parents bought him a drum set when he was 5 years old[2] and he started writing songs and playing guitar when he was 10. Sean grew up playing music with his siblings. His dad, Scott Forbes, is in a Detroit country-rock band called The Forbes Brothers. Sean's mom is a Pianist.[3] "They played everything from The Rolling stones to The Beatles, all big band music and stuff like that."[4] Sean attended R.I.T./N.T.I.D where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mult-disciplinary studies focusing on management, accounting, and communications.[5] Eminem was one of the first people to actually see one of Forbes' music videos.[6] Sean's long time producer and collaborator is Jake Bass, together they have penned over 100 songs, many of which they perform live. Sean recently had Oscar award winning actress Marlee Matlin co-star in his music video for the song "Let's Mambo." "because I play drums, I play guitar, I write songs, rapping is just something that I do because you don't want to hear me sing."[7]

Sean is a co-founder of D-PAN, The Deaf Professional Arts Network, an organization that has been making music accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community by creating American Sign Language interpretation music videos of popular songs. D-PAN has created videos for John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Eminem, White Stripes, Owl City, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Clark Sisters, Imagine Dragons, and more.

Sean is prominently featured on "Motor City Rising" a television show on the Ovation about artists from Detroit.

In 2012, Sean released a full-length CD/DVD album titled "Perfect Imperfection" and toured extensively to promote the record over the past year.

In an interview with ABILITY Magazine, Forbes explains how he began his musical career in such a challenging industry.

"Music is something I've wanted to do my entire life. I was always around music, growing up. My parents played it during car trips, and we had all kinds of drums and guitars and other instruments in our basement. At an early age, my brothers and I decided we wanted to develop careers in the music business. I'm the only deaf one in the family, and also the only one who, as an adult, actively pursued music as a career."[8]

Sean has been featured on CNN, Parade Magazine, Vibe Magazine, Fox News, ABC News, BBC, and many more.

Sean is currently on tour, performing and giving motivational speeches.

Music Videos/Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Sean Forbes Not Hard To Hear", "Ability magazine", February/March 2011, accessed May 3, 2013.
  2. ↑ NPR Staff "Sean Forbes Paves The Way For Deaf Musicians", “NPR”, August 8, 2010, accessed March 22, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Sean Forbes Paves The Way For Deaf Musicians", "NPR", August 8, 2010, accessed May 3, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Sean Forbes Paves The Way For Deaf Musicians", "NPR", August 8, 2010, accessed May 3, 2013.
  5. ↑ Jessica Nunez "Deaf Rapper Sean Forbes signs record deal with label that helped launch Eminem", “M-Live”, May 13, 2010, accessed March 22, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Sean Forbes Paves The Way For Deaf Musicians", "NPR", August 8, 2010, accessed May 3, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Sean Forbes Paves The Way For Deaf Musicians", "NPR", August 8, 2010, accessed May 3, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Interview with Sean Forbes". ABILITY Magazine. date unavailable. Retrieved 2012-04-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ↑ Crain's Detroit Business "20 in their 20's", “Crain's Detroit Business”, April 22nd 2010, accessed March 24, 2011.

External links