Musical legend-turned-author Jackie Gouché, mother of hip-hop and R&B stars D-Smoke, Sir, and Davion Farris, has written a book about her journey in overcoming addiction and raising three Black kings.
What was the inspiration for sharing your story in your book titled “Raising Kings”?
Basically, I have been asked the question on numerous occasions, “How did you do it?” People recognize my sons, see their success, and enjoy their music. When they find out that they are all brothers, they are in awe—three amazing young men from one family. I have literally been asked that question thousands of times, so I decide to share the story. I thought it was incredible because of all the things we were able to overcome and for them to be who they are, I thought it would be inspirational.
You personally are no stranger to success, especially when it comes to music, having performed with several of the greats, including Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, and more. When did you realize that your sons had inherited your musical gifts?
It was as early as when they reached around four and five years old. I had already decided before I had them that I was going to teach my kids music. My parents started teaching me when I was seven, but they didn’t stick with it. I was angry that my mother gave up on my piano lessons so easily. It was when I started teaching my kids when they were toddlers that I recognized that they had a gift for music.
During your son Davion’s interview, he discussed how your support empowered him and his brothers in their musical journey.
I had a wonderful music teacher when I was in high school. I developed a passion for teaching, and of course, my kids were my first students.
Having overcome so many things as a parent, to what do you credit your ability to not only persevere but also thrive?
I was raised in the church, but I don’t necessarily credit the church. I credit God. I like to tell people when I’m speaking to them about life and my story; I am a wholehearted believer in God… There were times when my addiction to cocaine got the best of me, but even then, I had the presence of mind to pray, and God always—and I mean always—miraculously answered my prayers and blessed me. It was my relationship with God that strengthened me to help me overcome my addiction and single parenthood.
Parenting one child can be full of difficult moments. How did you manage to raise three young Black men?
You know what I’ve learned? Two or three are necessarily harder than one. The beauty of our family is that I had three boys, and they had one another from birth. They have always had a friend or a playmate in our household. It required a little more money (laughing), but it wasn’t more difficult than parenting one child alone. That’s a lot of work because you have to be that child’s friend, playmate, and everything else. I was also blessed with some really amazing children. They all came into the world with their own unique strengths and, of course, personalities. They were not difficult. As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is love your children unselfishly and put them first. That’s what I did, and as a result, it wasn’t hard. If you talk to any of my sons, you will find that they had a really wonderful childhood because I made them collectively a priority.
What do you hope readers take away from the stories you share in “Raising Kings”?
There are several lessons, sentiments, and feelings you can take in from reading the book; the most important is inspiration. I hope the book inspires you that no matter what the situation you’re facing, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or being a single parent, you can also overcome those things. That’s the main thing that I want people to take away. There are also little tidbits of clear lessons that you can learn from the book, including how to treat, engage, and interact with your kids to bring the best out of them.
You share so many very personal experiences throughout the book. Were you apprehensive at all?
I have actually been sharing my story ever since I was one-year-sober. I have been grateful and proud to have defeated the obstacles in my life, so I have always wanted to share. I got over the shame of it a long time ago. I love sharing all of my stories because it can be a blessing to so many people. This is my third book. I told the story from another perspective in my first. People have told me how much it meant to them to learn about my experiences and the hope it has given them. When someone meets me now, they would never know I was a drug addict. It just gives me joy to be able to share my story with everyone willing to read it.
I deeply admire that. Reflecting on the most challenging moment of your life, can you share your pivotal turning point?
My children were one, two, and three years old. Davion is the oldest. They were sleeping, and I was in the bedroom getting high. He woke up, looked at me, and asked me what I was doing. It was at that moment I had to decide if I was going to be a mother or a drug addict. That was when I made the clear choice that I was going to do whatever it would take to become sober and be a good mother to my babies. Another part of my inspiration was the things that I wished my mother had done. I was able to turn around and do those things for my sons. That made a huge difference in how I interacted with them and the choices I made regarding my children.
BE’N ORIGINAL
