3 months ago 26th Mar 13:11
But umm.. there was my friend Add-2 that was at my high school and he was the best rapper there and this is before I even started rapping. So I think I was a sophomore at the time.
So fellow classmates and me we would go to the lunch table, beat on the tables and just have ciphers. When I was doing it I was jokingly doing it, and just playing around. LOL!
Then we started battling and I started getting real good at that. Then that’s when I started the writing process and started getting better and better. Once people started saying I was dope that’s when I decided to start doing it for real.
I think a little bit of both. Cause I’m goofy first off. So when I was free styling most of the time it was to make people laugh. Then when I started writing all these emotions just started pouring out. I’m not good with talking to people about how I feel: so when I just started writing and figuring out different ways to say things I just kept getting better and better.
It's something I definitely had to work at. And I’m still working at it till this day. This is a sport for me, and like the saying goes: Practice makes perfect!!!
I’m glad you asked this question! I currently attend Columbia College Chicago so I take certain things of what the teachers tell me and I already know 90% of things going on industry wise.
To be successful in this industry you have to be a BRAND!! You also have to take on tasks that a label used to do for you and do it for yourself. You have to show why a person should take interests in you. What makes you special and unique??
You need to establish a following. Also I think you really need to step out the box BUT.. When you step out the box it can’t be wack.
It has to be Dope but Different. That way when people hear your music they can identify with exactly who it's from.
The most important thing is Branding though. You are your biggest asset! You have to sell yourself. That will ensure your success.
It's a risk. Well in their eyes it's a risk. I think that labels are dumb (For lack of a better word) I mean lets take a look at the R&B game, they are still going platinum! They are putting out the right singles. And most importantly there is still substance and feeling in the music.
When it comes to Hip-Hop, The labels are just being so scary. But I'm not going to blame them for everything. I put it like this, rappers who get called wack or people keep telling them they can't make it.
9 times out of 10 they hustle harder than an Emcee who people say is dope! I feel Rappers still think its the 90's where they think there talent is going to be the thing to get them in this game.
That's definitely NOT the case! You have to have a sense of business first, to get into this game, and then the Talent is extra and what will keep people interested in buying your product.
And that’s why you see labels taking the easy route with the Rappers that make dance music because it’s easy.
Everyone loves to have fun! Another thing is most dope rappers don’t know how to make singles! It is very essential to be able to make Singles.
But some artists are so stuck on going against the grain. Then complaining that Hip-Hop is Dead!
It definitely does. I have done all sorts of events on the strength that I do not curse. I mean I haven't cursed in music in about 3-4 years. It is the best thing to happen to me. Then people forget that when you curse it cost more to get the song edited. I
t also trips me out because it’s only about 6-10 curse words out there LOL! I would like to think my vocabulary is pretty big! But I don’t take away from anyone that uses profanity. I like when certain people use it to get a point across.
Like Joe Budden for example, he is in my Top 5 favorite emcees! He has so much emotion in his music and that’s how he vents. You can just feel it so when he is cursing he is not just doing it for No Reason. You can actually feel when he says: F*** YOU! Because I know most people feel like that majority of the time. Life ain’t sweet whatsoever! But yeah I don’t do it. I have other ways to get out what I need to say.
I chose not to curse for about 3 reasons. First, my Mom didn't like when I cursed. When I cursed I was in a very DARK place in my life. I just hated everyone! And me writing was how I vented. So I just was on my F*** this person! I'll do this to that person etc. I was just very angry. I just felt my life was unfair.
But through Counseling I learned how to get over certain things. So I lifted that burden of my shoulder. Secondly one of my fans hit me on Instant Messenger. And he was telling me how much he listens to my music. He was only 16-17. And I just thought to myself like Ok, I don’t want to be a reason for kids to start using profanity. Especially when I know I can control not using it.
I don’t want to be a cause for anything Negative. That’s not apart of my swag. I’m a positive dude. I have overcome a lot by being positive.
So once I found out even little kids listen to me that’s definitely when I stopped. And third the editing. I had a joint Called I ain’t Gotta Front.
First record I did with one of my producers Slot-A. That joint had cursing in every other line. I was going to get radio play and I had to get it edited. I had to pay for a whole hours worth of studio time just to get it edited. So that definitely made me just quit. (laughs)
I just want people to see that I’m very different. I mean they call me Bullet because of the shape of my head (Laughs. I am definitely not a one a minded character. I do everything! Even when you listen to my music I'm either on my soulful-Hip Hop making music or I’m doing my ‘Lets have a good time and party music.’
The thing is I think people get it confused and I get mad at people when they say once you do "commercial" you are dumbing down. I want to yell at those people 'Like come on!'
Some of Jay-Z illest verses came from his records that had commercial appeal. I love doing commercial records.
My life ain’t all sad! So I like to have fun! Especially when I’m in College! In college we go to Clubs, in the clubs we dance! So why not have them dance to one of my joints? So just know I’m not in one lane! That’s the biggest thing. Anyone will tell you that. They know I’m not in a box! I do everything. And it’s not forced. That’s the key thing to my success. I don’t force anything.
Ahhh!! There’s so many. But any and everyone who knows me would probably say Lupe Fiasco. Favorite rapper hands down. The reason why is because first off he is from Chicago! I support everyone from Chicago. And for him to be doing the things that he is doing and stand his ground while doing it, that’s amazing to me.
He has not changed one bit. Performing along side him is in the top 3 Goals of my career (Laughs). I would be set. So that would be a great achievement to work with the big homie Lupe!
Melanie Cornish
Your Comments:
Be the first to comment!