- What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and when did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?
What inspired me to pursue a career in music wasn’t the typical “ it’s my passion” approach. although i’ve grown up with music instilled in me and i sang as a child in a church choir, the reason i decided to pursue music was solely based off of my favorite artists not saying what i needed to hear being sad as a youth, experience heartbreaks and change. I almost felt as if my favorite artist couldn’t relate to struggle so i started with poetry and blossomed from there.
- What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an emerging artist, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges would have to be not knowing what’s real and what’s fake. In this music business a lot of people look at upcoming artists as a joke and never take them serious but will be quick to take money. Me doing everything on my own with no team, it’s difficult to keep clear and find the best opportunities,but i’d say for me i have to double check anything that comes my way and verify everything, you know talk to close people around and so on, trying to find people who believe in what i’m trying to do 100%.
- Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
Top people for me would have to me Tyler, the creator, Cheif keef, Playboi carti , Kanye, Drake and kendrick, J. Cole, Childish Gambino, Jaden smith, the list is endless honestly. i have a whole list of people i wanna work with that have inspired me varying from Tierra Whack to Taylor Swift or Elton John to a Lucki , Youngboy or Slipknot. i find that being introduced to 70s,80s, 90s music at a young has help me expand my pallet and prefer sounds and instruments over 808s and booming bass all the time. It comes naturally for me to push myself to try anything, as long as i have a vision and a curiosity to know what i’d sound like doing different genres.
- How do you approach the songwriting process, and where do you draw inspiration from for your lyrics and melodies?
Writing songs is second nature to me. I can hear a beat once, stop it and within 5 minutes have my verse and a repeating chorus ready to go. This is probably something i develop while watching people like Jay-Z , Lil Wayne or even Kanye get pulled into a beats world and come up with something on the spot, easy. The inspiration comes from real life experiences and sometimes even stories i made up from seeing a person once and daydreaming a life and tragic end or just something i feel people could dance too, cry too, I pride myself in being able to do so.
- What can listeners expect from your upcoming album or project, and how does it differ from your previous work?
You can expect acoustic guitar, you can expect synths and 808s, you can expect to be sad, you can expect to be happy, i’m building a whole universe with my upcoming projects, using little to make a lot and i’m experimenting but also doing things i know people love from me. Expect the unexpected but be prepared to replay over and over.
- How has your background or life experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I could be typical and tell a sob story about poverty and becoming a man and hurting my community but instead i’ll say that i never want to go back or glorify any type of pain experienced as a youth. I will say it made me who i am, being able to decided for myself the path i want to go down, being able to mix and the separate the crooked from the straights and be better, set up generations wealth for my family and the ones after me.
- Can you talk about a particularly memorable or inspiring performance you've had, and what made it special?
first performance would have to be the most memorable. I’ll never forget the feeling i felt being introduced and walking into the stage, seeing some familiar faces and knowing i’m putting myself out for judgement on art i made from pain that couldn’t be express in regular words. I left my problems behind me in that moment and let the vibe guide me, into applause. I knew then that i could capture an audiences attention, i could do so much more , the sky was the limit and even then, that is limitless. i could be a man on the moon, with one song. That thought within itself was special for me because that’s when i saw myself being trendsetter, and helping people see life is worth living through my voice.
- What do you hope listeners take away from your music, and what message do you want to convey through your art?
I want anyone who listens to me to feel better about themselves or to understand that what may be stressing you out , causing pain or problems then is temporary and is only more lessons into your own personal growth, ongoing journey and life story. I can reach someone who needs comfort or someone who just needs to know they are the best and that no one can is like them, no matter what the world may do to our minds with social media, and the cruelty that may with it sometimes.
- How has the music industry changed since you first started, and how have you adapted to those changes as an artist?
I’d say i am a lot more understanding, confident, competitive and compassionate. It takes a tole on me at times so i’ve been practicing more with patience and faith but i’m welcoming the good and bad. I’m not seeking monetary gain as much, just making what feel and knowing my limits but also having fun so the love never goes away.
- What advice would you give to other emerging artists who are just starting out in the industry?
Advice i could give us to always believe in yourself, it’s hard to get the attention of a label or an artist but if you are being yourself and your consistent and open to things like collaboration and criticism, your on your way up! also sometimes you must get away from what you know to grow, so if that means moving or losing some friendships, it may be sad but just remember the bigger picture and never lost sight of your end goal or dream. Results don’t come unless you put the work in.
