Peach Jam Podcast: Clay Hodges - Savannah, GA

On this episode, host Jeremy Powell sits down with hip-hop artist Clay Hodges. Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, Clay brings a deep, grounded authenticity to his music, shaped by the grit of his community and the spiritual legacy of the African-American experience in the region. For Clay, Savannah isn’t just a hometown, it’s a foundational influence on his sound, his purpose, and his sense of identity.

Clay opens up about the pride and pain that comes from growing up in a city often overlooked in the music industry. His music reflects the nuances of Savannah culture infused with its African roots and untold stories. Inspired by local historians like Jamal Toure and Pat Gunn, Clay channels the power of storytelling into tracks like “Riverbounce,” which pays homage to the spiritual and historical weight of Savannah’s riverfront. His music becomes a vessel for preserving the voices that tourism often silences.

Clay is more than a musician, he’s a multi-talented creative with projects like Fat Vegan, a travel show he hosts and produces to highlight vegan food across the US. He also directs music videos and creates content for other artists and businesses. For Clay, expressing his full creative self is essential. As he puts it, “I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t express all parts of me that want to be expressed.” At his core, Clay identifies as an artist in the purest sense: driven to create across mediums and messages.

The conversation takes a vulnerable turn as Clay shares a pivotal moment of self-doubt. But in that low moment, he received what he believes was divine confirmation: a stranger recognized his song playing on local radio.

“That was God saying, ‘Shut up — I’m doing all this for you,’” Clay says. That experience reminded him of the importance of gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to his journey, even when the road is rocky.

Clay's story is also about family. He credits his father for exposing him to a wide range of music and his mother for instilling the belief that he could achieve anything. Even though she worries about the risks of a creative life, her unwavering support fuels his drive.

“My goal is to be one of the biggest artists in the world,” Clay declares. It's an ambition rooted not in ego, but in purpose. Every sacrifice, from skipping gas for studio time to enduring rejection, serves the larger mission of telling his truth through his art.

The episode ends on a hopeful note, with Clay embracing the momentum building around his career. He reflects on what he’s most proud of: not fame or accolades, but simply that he’s still going.

“I’m building something from nothing,” he says. “This is a milestone for me.”

If you’re looking for a story of resilience, authenticity, and spiritual grounding in art, this episode of Peach Jam is one you won’t want to miss.