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See the Able not the Label – a conversation with B.Able
12 Plays5 days ago
B. Able stands at the forefront of a new narrative: one that challenges stereotypes and demands that the world “see the able, not the label.”
Revolutionary recording artist, songwriter, actor and saxophonist B. Able blends hip-hop, R&B, soul, and jazz influences to create music that awakens awareness as much as it entertains.
In this episode of the Abeceder work life balance podcast Rest and Recreation, B.Able explains to host Michael Millward how as a man who is openly on the autism spectrum, he is awakening awareness of autism, and how people focus on the label not the individual person.
B.Able explains how after moving to Los Angeles he built a network of the right people and how he combats the masking that people with autism adopt to fit in.
They discuss
- ·B.Able’s first single “The Definition,” and his follow-up project “Working on Myself,” which embodies disciplined growth in action.
- Being defined as autistic at age 2 and the challenges that created
- The value of family support
- How B.Able built his music career
- How B.Able spends his rest and recreation time.
Discover more about B.Able and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk
Mentioned in this programme
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Transcript
00:00:05
Speaker
Made on Zencastr. Because Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform that really does make making podcasts so easy. you'd like to try podcasting using Zencastr, follow the link in the description. It has a built-in discount.
00:00:23
Speaker
Hello
Podcast Introduction
00:00:24
Speaker
and welcome to Rest and Recreation, the work-life balance podcast from Abysida, where we don't tell you what to think, but we are hoping to make you think.
00:00:36
Speaker
I am your host, Michael Millward, the Managing Director of Abbasida.
Meet Bea Abel
00:00:41
Speaker
Today i am meeting Bea Abel, a musical artist who is openly on the autism spectrum.
00:00:49
Speaker
Bea Abel stands at the forefront of a new narrative, one that challenges stereotypes and demands that the world see the able, not the label. That is such a good slogan for a way to live.
00:01:01
Speaker
for all of us that i i wish I had created it. Beable is based in Los Angeles, a place I have visited.
Travel Club Benefits
00:01:10
Speaker
If I ever get the chance to visit what is a fantastic city again, i will make all of my travel arrangements with the Ultimate Travel Club because that is where I can access trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, holidays and all sorts of other travel related purchases.
00:01:28
Speaker
You can also access those trade prices on travel by joining the Ultimate Travel Club. And to make that easy, I have added a link to the description, which has a built-in discount on subscriptions.
00:01:41
Speaker
Now that I have paid some bills, it is time to make an episode of Rest and Recreation that will be well worth listening to, liking, downloading, and subscribing to.
00:01:52
Speaker
And I hope worth sharing with your friends, family, and work colleagues as well.
Pursuing Music in Los Angeles
00:01:58
Speaker
But now, time to say, Hello, Be Able. Hey, Michael, how's it going?
00:02:04
Speaker
It's going extremely well, thank you very much. It's Friday night, so at least here in the UK, I know it's midday in Los Angeles, but how is life in Los Angeles?
00:02:15
Speaker
Life in Los Angeles has been an absolute blessing. I moved here from Morristown, New Jersey, and every day i wake up blessed. Cool, that's brilliant. Why do you feel blessed to be in Los Angeles?
00:02:29
Speaker
I feel blessed to be in Los Angeles because it's actually um close to my birthplace, Santa Monica, California. I've always wanted to live in Los Angeles as I was about 14 years old.
00:02:42
Speaker
I finally got to move in July of 2023, and that was probably one of the biggest accomplishments I have to date. I moved because i wanted to be closer to where i was born, but also wanted to pursue the arts, ideally in music and entertainment.
00:02:59
Speaker
Los Angeles is the capital of the entertainment world. Indeed it is. So it's been a long journey of getting to this point. I've been performing in Los Angeles, in San Diego, in Bakersfield.
00:03:12
Speaker
So I'm just actively growing my music career. And I couldn't be more blessed of the people that are rallying behind me and the team in front of me that's getting me into more doors like this one who can only help the music career.
00:03:27
Speaker
Sounds fantastic. Because I'm thinking like Los Angeles, center of the entertainment world and full of people who are building their careers. So it must be a little bit like being very small fish in a very, very big pond. How do you find the right people to be working with?
00:03:47
Speaker
That is a very good question. I guess when it comes to finding the right people, it requires effort.
Networking and Authenticity
00:03:54
Speaker
making sure that you put in the time and the energy to network.
00:03:59
Speaker
When you go to events, make sure you introduce yourself to people. i mean, it's one thing to have people be drawn to you, but it's another thing to actually put yourself in front of people and just make connections that way.
00:04:15
Speaker
If I wasn't so straightforward with my introductory style, I would not have met my manager, Quadri, who used to work with Boyz II Men and Michael Jackson.
00:04:27
Speaker
Even so, taking that extra step is a lot for me. And it also, will I think, requires patience because one thing that I've come to know is that being yourself, you draw the right crowd.
00:04:43
Speaker
If you're fake or anything less than that, you're know you're only going to attract the wrong amount of people. It took me a couple years to find my circle of friends, circle of supporters who really accept me for me.
00:04:58
Speaker
One requires effort, the other patience. It's very sound advice really for anyone who's interested in taking up a career in entertainment, but also any career, I suppose.
00:05:11
Speaker
Like, yeah, you can't expect it to be handed to you on a plate. You've got to put yourself in the right place, make an effort to meet the right people. and meet the right people in the right way, but also be patient.
00:05:25
Speaker
But you said something there which I think is so very important. If you are authentic, if you are your real self, you will attract the people who value you as you.
00:05:40
Speaker
Regardless of anything else, they will see the real you and be attracted to the real you. If they aren't, then they're not the right people for you to hang out with. They're not the right people for you to work with.
00:05:51
Speaker
so such an important thing
Masking and Standing Out
00:05:55
Speaker
to actually realize. I'm thinking that all of those things that you've just described there must be difficult for anyone. But for someone who's on the autism spectrum, it must be, well, it must have extra challenges.
00:06:10
Speaker
It does. It most certainly does. You said that like, you know, you're only a young man, but you said that like like you were like in your 50s or your 60s, like looking back and start thinking it certainly does. But what sort of challenges does someone on the autism spectrum have when they're trying to build this type of career?
00:06:30
Speaker
One daily challenge that people on the spectrum have is masking. Masking their true self. Masking is the practice of fitting in in a neurotypical world when you're neurodivergent.
00:06:43
Speaker
This would be masking certain behaviors, certain actions that would distinguish ourselves, but we hide those so we can more be accepted into our society.
00:06:54
Speaker
And that's something I want to challenge for the autism spectrum. In some cases, it's actually better to stand out than to fit in. One way that I do stand out in a music career is that Whenever I go to networking events, when I go to concerts, I have my saxophone on me.
00:07:14
Speaker
Because if I have my saxophone on me, I really stand out amongst the crowd. Like you're referring to the small fish in the pond. Well, if I don't have my saxophone, I am that small fish.
00:07:29
Speaker
But when I have my saxophone on me, people are constantly drawn to me. They're asking me, you know, you want me to play for you? Can I get a picture with you?
00:07:40
Speaker
That's the kind of attention that a standout person will get. Yes. So when it comes to masking, yes, in a neurotypical world, it's essential.
00:07:52
Speaker
But when you're really trying to build a fan base, surround yourself with good people, and b and achieve your dreams.
00:08:04
Speaker
Masking is not necessary. Yeah. Yeah, I can see what you mean. And I know that lots of people, it's not just people on the autism spectrum, but lots of people who think that they have something which is different, but about themselves, which should be a disadvantage, will work very hard to mask that whereas what you're saying is what makes you different is what makes you special and that's something that is to be celebrated rather than hidden and ah love how you said that with the the saxophone people are drawn to you the saxophone is a fantastic instrument i uh ian jury from drawing blockheads once described the saxophone as the the instrument that is closest to the human voice
00:08:55
Speaker
And it's an instrument that can can set a mood in a in a room, I think, can't it? You can raise a mood, bring a mood down, make it very special. It's a very emotional instrument. of People like to hear a saxophone played.
00:09:11
Speaker
I agree. My saxophone, you know, I take it very seriously. i've been playing saxophone for almost 18 years. Every time that I take my saxophone out, I bring it with the intention that i am going to play it.
00:09:27
Speaker
You know, when i first started doing the music career, didn't expect it. It would gather so much attention, but I had a discussion with my manager, Quadri, who often told me, you should take your saxophone out more.
00:09:42
Speaker
I asked him, when should I take my saxophone out? He said, the moment you walk in the door. So I made it a habit that everywhere I go musically, my saxophone is on me, really after I get out the car.
00:10:00
Speaker
I walk with it. If anyone stops me, i play. it If anyone stops me and asks me to play for them, I play. Doesn't matter what song I play, I always want to brighten up the mood.
00:10:13
Speaker
I mean, some of my music does contrast that. But for the most part, I always Lighten the mood by saxophone. It is a party starter, a conversation starter.
00:10:25
Speaker
It really does help me musically. Yes. think it's, if you've been playing it for 18 years, then it's a, it's an intrinsic part of you, isn't it? It really is. Um, I tend to find so much joy with playing an instrument and making a part of my brand and who I am.
00:10:45
Speaker
Very, very, very grateful that I have my saxophone. Yes, there will be a time, you know, when you go on to the late night chat shows and you have your saxophone with you and there you'll be like, yeah, what can you play, what can you play?
00:10:59
Speaker
i can I can see that happening. You've been playing the saxophone and accomplished saxophone player for 18 years. What made you decide that you were actually going to go into the performance without the saxophone and actually create records with your own vocals on as well?
00:11:19
Speaker
That is a very good question.
Musical Influences and Passion
00:11:22
Speaker
So when it comes to um doing music with my vocals, rapping, singing, I've always had a passion for that since I was about five or six years old when I was first introduced my first hip hop kind of record.
00:11:38
Speaker
um It was Bow Wow who I was introduced to, and I just fell in love with it. So I've always wanted to be a rapper it comes to singing. I've had multiple influences.
00:11:50
Speaker
Usher, R Kelly, later on Michael Jackson. And I just really wanted to make music like that. I've always wanted to be in the studio, create music, create my own music and release it into the world and entertain others.
00:12:07
Speaker
And ever since I was young, i'm I'm a natural entertainer. I've been in plays. I have done concerts. Like I've always wanted, you know, that spotlight, that center stage.
00:12:19
Speaker
when it comes to performing, think it's in me as music has been my best friend throughout my entire life. I can understand that.
00:12:30
Speaker
And the influences that you mentioned there, you know, Usher's a very melodic, grown-up type of music, Michael Jackson. There's an awful lot of structure in the music that he produced, you know with Quincy Jones. There's an awful lot of complicated music in there.
00:12:46
Speaker
And yet, when I listen to your first single, The Definition, it's you're a bit more powered back from that. The emphasis of The Definition is very much on the words that you're that you're saying, rather than just the music that backs it up.
00:13:05
Speaker
Would that be an accurate sort of way to describe it?
Overcoming Labels in Music
00:13:09
Speaker
Yeah, so The Definition is really telling my life story from when I was two years old to today.
00:13:18
Speaker
The challenges i had to overcome growing up, the achievements I have had growing up, the message I want to relay upon others. Do not let anything or anyone define who you are and what you can do.
00:13:33
Speaker
See the able, not the label. Yes. It's a very powerful lyrics that you've got in there. It's also very personal. You have exposed in a very vulnerable way Well, exposed your vulnerability by telling the story of your life and doing it. Every line makes you stop and think really as you're listening to it.
00:13:57
Speaker
And there's a message in there for so many people that like don't be defined by the labels that other get people give you. Don't allow that to happen. Demonstrate what it is that you can do.
00:14:11
Speaker
We'll put a link into the definition in the description to the the video on YouTube but summarise some of the obstacles that were put in your way because at two years old you were defined as on the autism spectrum and then it almost seems to me that that said you've now got to go down this path and there's no other path you've just been put in a box and that is what your life at the age of two that is the life that you are now going to have
00:14:43
Speaker
Well, when it comes to my life growing up, um it was not an easy in childhood. My parents, hearing about my diagnosis of autism, they got me the help that I needed very early on.
00:15:00
Speaker
They gave me the required amount of attention, more attention they probably would have given my little sibling. um They have fought for me numerous times growing up in the classroom, in the church that I grew up in.
00:15:19
Speaker
My parents sought to get the required a amount of support that I needed growing up in in school, I was bullied.
00:15:31
Speaker
I was teased a lot growing up. I was in special ed for pretty much all of the elementary school. So i really had to face a lot of you know stigma. I had to face a lot of obstacles in regarding just getting caught up with my peers.
00:15:52
Speaker
I had to face obstacles in my social life. um not and i didn't get invited birthday parties as much as I would have loved to I didn't have my first relationship, think, until senior year of college.
00:16:10
Speaker
But you know, when it comes to the achievements I have, they outweigh it because I've done a lot of things that people on the spectrum, most people on the spectrum probably would not have done.
00:16:22
Speaker
I did graduate from college. I do have my master's of science degree in accounting. I currently live alone in Koreatown um independently, no roommates. I have done so much. um I've won awards in martial arts. I've played two instruments.
00:16:46
Speaker
I've had singles on Spotify. I've played with so many different bands. For me, I've had a very fulfilling life. And that would not would not have been possible without the support that I've received from my family, friends, and my community.
00:17:04
Speaker
Well, it sounds as if the autism diagnosis really with each day becomes less significant because you of the things that you have achieved? I would say that my autism diagnosis brings awareness to people.
00:17:19
Speaker
One side of the coin is that, yes, I am different. What people fail to realize, though, is that different doesn't mean less. And I guess the other side of the coin with being aware is that people are now accepting me for who I am.
00:17:37
Speaker
not just what I can do, but who I really am as a person. While actions speak louder than words, character speaks even louder. That's a very interesting thing to say. Actions speak louder than words, but character speaks even louder.
00:17:55
Speaker
What do you mean by that? Sometimes when we think about what we do, we think that it defines a person. But really it's what the context behind the action, the character that really stands out more.
00:18:09
Speaker
For example, if a person gets arrested, is he gonna make the same mistakes that got arrested or is he gonna do better? When it comes to person who gives back to the community, he gonna continue giving back to the community through charity or is he just doing this because he was required to do what he was forced to do?
00:18:29
Speaker
When we talk about the relationships we have in our lives, We think about when a person shows love, is it really showing love or is really showing desire?
00:18:40
Speaker
Very interesting. Getting to know someone's character takes time and requiring to know my character being on the autism spectrum requires a lot of patience in which people don't always have.
00:18:55
Speaker
Sometimes a lot of people misjudge me because of what I've done or my words. Sometimes people misinterpret the intention.
00:19:07
Speaker
Some people, you know, define, you know, what I've done in my life and I've done things i'm not proud of. We all have. But I know that what I've done doesn't de define me as a person.
00:19:20
Speaker
What I do after what I've done, taking accountability for what I've done, that really defines me. I know what de defines me. but a lot of people want to put limiting labels on me. And that's what I want to avoid for people on the spectrum.
00:19:37
Speaker
Yes. I can see what you mean now. It's like, you do something wrong, you own up to it, you get caught, whatever. And the person with a good character does all that they can not to do it again.
00:19:53
Speaker
person with a bad character says, oh, so what? I'm going to do what I want to do anyway. like i get what I see what you mean now by that. It strikes me that one of the things is that when you're playing the saxophone, you're saxophone.
00:20:09
Speaker
For people who are listening to you, you're someone who is playing the saxophone. You're not someone who's on the autism spectrum playing the saxophone.
00:20:20
Speaker
You're a saxophone player. You would not be on the stage in a studio doing those recordings, you wouldn't be playing with those bands if you weren't actually good at what you do.
00:20:33
Speaker
You're not there because you are someone who's on the autism spectrum. You're there because you are good at what you do. Absolutely. And that's the most beautiful thing about music.
00:20:44
Speaker
Music doesn't discriminate. But to get to that point, to actually be the quality player, the quality performer, artist that you are, means that you've had to perhaps be more resilient, more accountable, more self-aware than perhaps other people would have had to be?
00:21:03
Speaker
In a way, yes. I would say that when it comes to being on the spectrum, one statement that I get is that I am not self-aware. I'm more self-aware of myself than people think.
00:21:16
Speaker
And I think people are giving me less credit because of how much of aware i am i I am very empathetic. I'm very sympathetic. I'm very generous.
00:21:27
Speaker
And above all, I'm very honest. So
Authenticity in Performance
00:21:31
Speaker
when it comes to performing, I'm very well being well aware that when I step on stage, I am my true self.
00:21:42
Speaker
And most times that people see me on stage, they don't even know that I'm autistic until I say it. But even when I say that I'm autistic, I'm met with applause.
00:21:57
Speaker
I'm met with understanding. Because while I bring a lot of authenticity in my performances, I bring so much entertainment and wisdom to it.
00:22:10
Speaker
So I am openly on the spectrum. But i also know that when I'm on stage, I am my true self. And people should accept me.
00:22:24
Speaker
But I'm not aiming to be accepted. I'm aiming to be real. Very true. Very true. Do you think there'll be a time when you don't need to tell people that you're on the spectrum?
00:22:39
Speaker
That is a very good question. Will there be a time where I don't have to tell people that I'm on the spectrum? The answer is, I hope.
00:22:53
Speaker
I hope so. I hope that throughout my performance career, through my entertainment career, I don't have to tell people that I'm on the spectrum because they should know firsthand that I'm on the spectrum.
00:23:08
Speaker
Yes, yes, I might get treated differently if everyone knew that I was on the spectrum, but at the same time, I want people to know more about me so that people can treat people on the spectrum much more positively.
00:23:29
Speaker
Yeah, that's great. As we're talking about the future, what sort of plans have you got in terms of your your music career? what's What's the next thing that's going to be happening for you?
Upcoming Projects and Charity
00:23:41
Speaker
well I do have an upcoming music video called Working On Myself, which will be released on May 1st. Before that, I am actually hosting an open mic.
00:23:53
Speaker
It's called Beyond the Label Open Mic 2 that will be held at Valley Rocks in Reseda on April 26th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 50% of the proceeds will go towards Breaking Barriers, which is a nonprofit organization that helps adults on the spectrum graduate from college and graduate.
00:24:14
Speaker
provide vocational skills for them to get employment. In April, 2027, I plan on releasing my very first album, The Definition, which will comprise of hip hop, R&B, jazz, reggae, and gospel.
00:24:32
Speaker
So nice I have a lot of exciting plans in the future, and I hope that many people, more people, will be on the bandwagon for that.
00:24:43
Speaker
This is something they miss. Great. You're a busy man. What is it that you do when you're when you're not performing? what how do you How do you relax?
00:24:55
Speaker
I relax by playing video games. I relax by talking to friends. um I do like going on walks. I like to get coffee.
00:25:06
Speaker
I like spending time with people. I'm actually trying to date right now because eventually i will do want to settle down, get married and have children of my own. Great.
00:25:18
Speaker
Great. But lots of activities and and it sounds like you're someone who likes to get out into nature. I do. I love nature walks.
00:25:29
Speaker
I definitely want to take up hiking one day. One goal of mine is to hike up to the Hollywood sign. Nice. Not going to take the taxi or a bus. You're going to walk all the way up.
00:25:42
Speaker
One of the things I remember about Hollywood when I was there was that on Sunset Boulevard, you can see the Hollywood sign. And it is a long way up from Sunset Boulevard up to the top of that hill where the Hollywood sign is.
00:25:58
Speaker
Nothing is impossible with God. This is true. This is true. It's just it is a long way up, but it's a very impressive sign when you see it. And you know where you are.
00:26:10
Speaker
definite I wish you all the best of luck with that and getting up there and getting out there and more. But, you know, it has been a fantastic opportunity for me to meet you at this early stage in your career as a solo artist with your own records coming out and I do appreciate the time that you've given to me today. Thank you very much. It's been great.
00:26:33
Speaker
Be Able. Thank you. Thank you. I am Michael Millward, Managing Director of Apocida and in this episode of Rest and Recreation, I have been having a conversation with Be Able.
00:26:45
Speaker
You can find out more about both of us by using the links in the description, which include links to Be Able's music. I am sure that you will have enjoyed listening to this episode of Rest and Recreation as much as be able and I have enjoyed making it. So please give it a like and download it so you can listen anytime, anywhere.
00:27:07
Speaker
To make sure you don't miss out on future episodes, please subscribe. Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abbasida is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to have made you think.
00:27:21
Speaker
Until the next episode of Rest and Recreation, thank you for listening and goodbye.