What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.
I first got inspired when I heard Johnny Cash for the first time as a kid. I was so connected to his story telling and I needed an outlet to make sense of everything that was happening so I started to write songs.
Provide us with some info about your latest release…
Snitch is my first song I’ve put out. I just released it by putting a link on my Instagram a couple of weeks ago and now it’s done over 100,000 streams which is sick. I made it for myself, to give myself confidence and to feel empowered to go after everything. When you put yourself out there in the world it comes with a lot of bullshit, so this record reminder to ignore that, to keep pushing. Your success is not up to anybody else, it’s up to you.
Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?
Johnny Cash is my biggest influence, even though we sound nothing alike. Our music is so opposite, but he encouraged me to be raw with my words. Don’t hold back. I’m not really inspired by any popular artists out there or current ones really, it all feels like a bore to me right now on the mainstream scene. I like old bands and dead musicians to be honest. If you hang out at my place in Harlem it’s going to sound like a musical graveyard. I look to film and photography to get inspired too. I’m very visual.
In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?
I hate that question. No offense of course, but it’s not up to me to decide why somebody should listen to my music. I create what I feel is necessary to exist and if others find their way to it that’s great. All I can do is hope you feel something when you hear my work. I can’t label my sound either quite frankly other than it’s Urban. I feel I’m too much on the inside of the fish bowl to reflect on what it is specifically. It just is what comes out of me. It’s up to you to decide.
Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…
Movie: Batman – The Dark Knight
Album: That’s really hard to pick one… Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
Book: Lowkey I hate readying, shit is mad boring to me and I’m too ADD.
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?
I love both but in very different headspaces. I’m a Gemini to my core, so my mood is about as unpredictable as it gets. I’m very introverted most days and then equally as extroverted but never at the same time. It’s one or the other. The studio is where I go almost every day and it’s where and I find that I’m quite introverted while writing, but the second a mic gets in front of me that switches. The stage is the greatest place.
Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?
I met Big Sean recently and it was one of the funniest experiences. We were in this VIP section at an afterparty and there were only 6 of us back there. He was with his manager and they handed me a big bottle of champagne and did this toast. He had no idea who I was he was just being chill and having a good time. But he toasted my bottle so hard it flew out of my hand and shattered all over us. All over his expensive ass outfit. I thought security was going to flip but he just laughed and toasted again.
Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?
It’s not out yet, Snitch is the only one out, and of course that one will always be special to me.
Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?
More music.
Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…
What was it like growing up in Texas? In East Dallas?
It was tough and I had to find a way out but looking back it was beautiful. Texas and East Dallas, they made me who I am.
Curated by: Christos Doukakis
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