The article
- How do you define hip-hop, and where do you feel you fit into that definition?
- Hip-hop is a culture, a frame of mind and a form of expression for me. Some people speak from the mind, some speak from the heart, but I believe hip-hop allows artists to speak from the soul. The soul is the "ultimate truth," so when you speak from it, people tend to listen to what you have to say, because we are all addicted to truth. I believe through hip-hop I am able to connect with people on the most intimate level — able to tap into the minds of many, sharing my thoughts and experiences.
- What drives you to stay in a business that is rarely profitable and highly competitive?
- If you are appealing to a market that is over-saturated with hip-hop artists, you will never be successful. In marketing you need to find a need, and I think most artists don't think about what their "end-user" needs or wants from hip-hop music. What drives me through this industry is the simple fact that I am making music that people want — not what I think they want, but what they ask for. There will always be a market for artists that discover the new demands of their target audience.
- Where are you based specifically?
- Calgary, Alberta.
- How has living there influenced your sound?
- Most of the people that I talk to like electronic music. I channel my sound through their feedback as to why they like certain sounds, then incorporate that into my music. I don't lose myself in that kind of music though — I keep the beats funky and use that as my foundation, and add new elements that people like in other genres as decoration.
- Who is your primary fan base?
- My main fan base exists all around the world. I make targeted music and put it on the web for all people to hear — I make music for the people, through analyzing current events.
- What tips would you give young artists coming up, or what do you wish someone would have told you when you first started out?
- Think outside the box, and don't waste your time trying to convince people your music is hype. Just make music people like.
- In which ways do you interact with your community?
- I volunteer and make speeches about my experiences. I used to teach young kids how to rap. Now I interact with people through social media, because it's a place where I can control my artistic expression.
- Which artists have you worked with that left an impression on you, and why?
- I learned basic production skills from a man named "Chain Reaction" — I always give him respect for teaching the basics about making beats. I also learned a lot from a local artist named "Phebus," who taught me how to write rhymes. My personal mentor is music legend Gary Martin, who is considered the only Canadian Funk Brother — his list of accomplishments amazes me, and he taught me most of what I wanted to know about music. He also introduced me to Gloria Jones, Joe Hunter, Uriel Jones and Martha Reeves — Motown legends, all of them. I have also worked with Matthew Perry (Chandler from Friends) and taught him how to rap.
- Which Canadian artist would you most like to collaborate with?
- Kardinal — I like his style of music.
- Tell us about past and present successes, as well as future projects.
- My biggest achievement was when I had my son — nothing means more than that experience. Apart from that, I won a Calgary Stampede Western Legacy Award for Youth, my YouTube channel has passed 400,000 hits, and I make my own beats and produce and write my own material — as well as my own graphics and video production. I've been an honourable mention for a production contest for K-OS, and I've released two albums on iTunes, with a new one, Aeroplane, on the way.
