Interview with Rising Indie Artist Bar Lingo Hosted By Qween$Ching

hose that believe in God often attribute two characteristics to Him…1) He works in mysterious ways and 2) He has perfect timing. Such could be said about the timing of the birth of Hip Hop and the birth of one of its formidable M.C’s, Botney “Bar Lingo” Collins. Both birthed during tumultuous times, and one birthed into turmoil, in perfect timing the two would soon cross paths.

Botney “Bar Lingo” Collins was born in the small, blue collar town of Muskegon Heights, MI to single mother Daphne Annette Collins and local musician Kenneth Bankhead. The 2nd oldest of three children, and the only male child, Bar Lingo, a.k.a B.L. was thrust into the role of an adult navigating the responsibilities of being a son, a brother, and ultimately a provider with little to no guidance or direction…except that which was provided from the streets. B.L. found a way to use his hard upbringing that was riddled with poverty, violence, and substance abuse, by utilizing powerful metaphors to combat everyday obstacles that reality so harshly and vehemently dealt. A product of the streets, B.L. had no choice but to find his own way…to walk his own path. He used music as an outlet. After all, music is in Bar Lingo’s blood from hanging out in the garages where rehearsals of his father’s band in the early ‘80s would take place, to just listening, dancing, and singing along to Michael Jackson songs. “I was born with music embedded in my DNA. I can’t recall a time when music wasn’t a part of my life. 

When Bar Lingo found himself in the confines of the Michigan Penal System, Hip Hop became his saving grace…his place of solace. Hip Hop saved him from reverting back to a life of crime and falling victim to the streets. Now, this hard hitting M.C has emerged to return the favor, and save Hip Hop.