Written by | Ray Cornelius
Justin C. Gilbert is living the life he dreamt of years ago as an aspiring musician growing up in Atlanta. The multi-talent songwriter promised himself about 12-years-ago that he would one day play alongside Justin Timberlake after picking up the pop singer’s Justified album from South Dekalb Mall’s DTLR. Not only did Gilbert accomplish that goal in 2013 during Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience World Tour but he’s also worked with a number of other musical heavyweights along the way including Jay Z, Eminem, Alicia Keys, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Tyler Perry and the queen of soul Aretha Franklin. For Gilbert, all of these amazing opportunities are just a part of a master plan created long before he ever played his first instrument at age 2.
“It was an amazing thing to do,” says Gilbert about the 20/20 Experience World Tour. “I was able to build relationships and travel the world. I was also able to operate in my purpose and do what I was born to do. It’s a trip how thoughts become things.”
It was also during the 20/20 Experience World Tour that he picked up the nickname “Bishop” after becoming the group’s chaplain and providing spiritual guidance before and after shows. But Gilbert wasn’t just giving. He also learned a few lessons from Timberlake during their two years together.
“You have to put in the necessary actions to get the desired results. If it’s multiple rehearsal days where you’re rehearsing with a band for a couple of hours and then go do your dance rehearsal for a couple of hours. Keep in mind this may not include your vocal warms up too. But you do what you have to do to make it pristine and make sure you won’t have any regrets about it later. That’s what I took away from Justin.”
Now Gilbert is using that same work ethic to promote his first solo project Aligned. The 10-track CD, which was released last fall, features a number of collaborations with a few of his personal friends like “The Creation” featuring electronic violinist Ken Ford, “Smoke & Coffee” with vocalist Chantae Cann, and “Try Again” with gospel star PJ Morton. Of all the songs on the project, “Dance” is the one he enjoys performing the most.
“It’s funny as the record grows inside me and every time I start to perform the song its like I get a new revelation and ideas about things I can do with it,” says Gilbert. In addition to promoting the album, Gilbert has gone back on the road with Tyler Perry’s “Madea on the Run.” It’s a gig he enjoys simply because Perry is such an inspiration to be around.
“He [Tyler Perry] is so fun to work with. Being around him and just understanding that he is another guy just operating in his purpose is so awesome. He’s inspiring people in a very unconventional way. I mean, who would have thought that putting on a dress and teaching people these lessons would bring him all of this? He softens them up with comedy and gently slides his message in there all while inspiring humanity about simple things or the things that people don’t want to talk about. He has a very interesting gift and being able to hang around him and understand the type of person he is has really been a blessing. He’s certainly inspired me to just operate and be true to myself.”
Check out the Aligned album and our “7 Questions with Justin C. Gilbert” below:
You’re from the ATL? What’s your favorite thing about the city?
“I love the Atlanta Skyline…”
Who is your celebrity crush?
“Shay Johnson from ‘Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta'”
Name the last book you read?
“The last book I read was Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Instinct…“
What’s your “must have” fashion item?
“I have these ‘euro’ joggers that I love because they are very form fitting and they have the perfect amount of flood that I can easily wear with any shoe. I can dress them up or dress them down…”
Who is Justin C. Gilbert listening to in his iPod?
“I’m listening to a couple of artists like Anderson .Paak and this group named The Internet. I also have a few buddies with great albums out like Tony Hightower, Cornell Thigpen, and Shaun Martin from the group Snarky Puppy.”
You’ve traveled the world quite a bit. What is your favorite city? 
“Amsterdam…hands down!”
If you could perform with any artist…dead or alive…who would it be?
“Michael Jackson…particularly the Bucharest show. Hell, any of his show for that matter!”
Photo Credit: Facebook/Justin C. Gilbert
