BNG MAG® July 2016 (Vol.-2/Iss.-3) | Page 12

THE WATCHLIST FIRST UP: ASPEN MARTIN I’ve been told ever since I came out the womb I was musically inclined [laughs] but if I had to put an age on it. I would say 4 years old. I remember riding in the car with my dad one day and he kept playing “O.P.P.” and 2pac until I knew every word. I was 5 when I joined the youth church choir, but it wasn’t until I was 8 when I got my first singing solo. Thats when my family knew I had the gift of singing. Do you find yourself wanting to sing more or rap more? It really just depends on my mood, some days I solemnly reflect on past relationships with women I cared about or will just overall be in a more romantic mode, so I’ll sing…Other days I’ll be on some straight disrespectful sh*t, think about what I’ve been through in life, or just feel like proving my worth to myself as a rapper so I’ll drop some bars [laughs]. Would you ever start producing your own tracks? If I developed more patience I will [laughs]. But I’m definitely open to the idea. Anita baker is one of your influences, how has she influenced you and your music? When it came down to capturing emotions, and learning how to maximize your range, her albums was like my personal vocal coach. She can go from being a tenor to a soprano real quick, like 0 to 100. 12.