Jodie Spartz wrote, edited and published 8 books check them out here:
Bridging Cultures & Clinical Care Meet: My Co-Author,
Tony Hotep pronounced ( O-Tep)
When I work with someone, I don't just look for professional expertise—I look for heart. My co-author on Master Your Vibe, Tony Hotep, is a Hip-Hop Scholar, but that title only scratches the surface of who he is.
I wanted to peel back some layers and introduce the man behind the book Masters of Vibe. I sat down with Tony to talk about his own journey, what shapes his worldview, and why he’s so passionate about the work we're doing together.
Jodie Spartz: Tony Hotep, getting to know the "Hip-Hop Scholar" side of you. Who was young Tony Hotep? What was the soundtrack of your early years?
Tony Hotep: I grew up in Burlington county New Jersey which is about a hour north of Philadelphia Pa. and two hours South of New York City. I'm in the middle of a passage of cultural influence and availability to a lot of information. Burlington County is also the hub of the underground railroad and it has a rich historical background. That was the canvas in which I saw Hip-Hop's colors painted. Movies like Wild Style and Beat Street narrated what I was seeing develop around me.
Jodie Spartz: What is one experience—a moment of triumph or a moment of challenge—that completely changed the way you look at the world?
Tony Hotep: I grew up in the era of food stamps VS fathers which caused us to move around a lot in Burlington county, always changing schools. When I experienced the loss of my brother Terrell he was 14yrs old. So at 16yrs old I realized the length of life varies. Then my father moved us to Venice Beach California which put us in a whole new perspective from the West Coast. It was 1988 I was 17 years old.
Jodie Spartz: You have spent so much time pouring into others. Which shows in your book Masters of Vibe. How do you personally recharge when the world feels too heavy?
Tony Hotep: Being creative, creating some kind of something. Whether it be creating some kind of fancy new slang term, carving a stone, making Hip Hop style beats even different kinds of graffiti style art.
Jodie Spartz: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice—the kind of wisdom you wish someone had handed you back then—what would you say?
Tony Hotep: When you have good ideas jump into them like when my older cousin Conya threw me in the pool... you'll swim.
Jodie Spartz: Clarifying for my readers what do you mean by that?
Tony Hotep: Sometimes when there is a task ahead of you and you don't know how to do it at all. You may be scared to jump into it. I want to remind our youth that sometimes you find when you're in the situation that you can handle it but sometimes fear can stop you from even trying.
Jodie Spartz: What is one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you?
Tony Hotep: That I make music and I've dropped three albums this year! More on that later.
Getting to know the person behind the professional work is why I love collaborating with others. Tony Hotep and I share a vision not just for Master Your Vibe, but for a world where our young people are supported, understood, and equipped to thrive.
Thanks for taking the time to let us in, Tony Hotep!
In our next collaboration we will dive into the influence of Black American History.
Jodie Spartz also wrote, edited and published 8 books check them out here:
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