XPOZ Magazine XPOZ ISSUE #71 | Page 8

1) How long have you been doing music and what made you decide to make music? I honestly can’t remember when I started doing music. My dad was a dj; so he was always playing records in the house when I was a child. Groups like War, Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Jimmy Hendrix, Santana are the ones I really remember. I always had a love and respect for music. In my life I’ve tried all musical instruments: guitar, bass, drums, piano but none of them ever stuck with me. In fifth grade I really started getting into poetry as a way to express myself and this was about the same time I started really listening to rap music . 2 Pac, Snoop, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Easy E and Bone Thugs were my favorite at the time and most of them still are to this day. I soon realized that my poetry had turned into rap and it’s been a wrap ever since. My first track I ever recorded was at 14 over an X-Rated beat I got from Napster called “DOA” (DeadOnArrival) and I’ve been recording ever since. What has kept me doing music is the fact that I realized how many people could also relate to the things I was saying and that I could inspire someone so deeply just through a song. To me music is life and without it we would be dead. 2) Do you run into any obstacles with your name? Obviously, you rep gang culture; are you against doing music with opposing gang affiliated artists? I do occasionally get grief from people about my name but once they meet me they really can’t help but to respect my hustle and realness. True, I am from Southern California and do rep the Southside. However, I do not gangbang, I maintain and all my homies know this. To me a true gangster is respectable, hard-working, loyal, trustworthy, intelligent, organized and God fearing. I have no problem working with any people from all races, sets and lifestyles as long as their talented, hardworking and motivated hustlers about the music business. So, if you like my style and sound holla at me, let’s do work. 3) You mentioned you recently came back to full focus on music, what were you doing in your time off of music? I took some time off to reinvent myself if you will. I felt like my music was lacking substance and becoming just something to do as what I call a “weekend warrior”. You know doing a local show on a Saturday night just to feel like a star for a few hours; get way too wasted, go home and the next morning realize no one cares about you or your music and probably don’t even remember your show . I’m sure a lot of people hate that statement but it’s true and it’s something a lot of “artist” still do today. I also started doing things I really shouldn’t have that ended up getting me in a world of trouble. In the past year and a half or so I came to the realization that music is truly my calling and if I really wanted to make it happen a lot of things had to change. I locked myself up like a hermit away from everyone and everything and began working really hard. I now have a lot of great music that will be released soon to the world. I’m focused now and ready more than ever for the great success I will create. So keep your eyes and ears open, here I come! 4) How would you describe your music to someone who was against giving you a listen to convince them to listen? My music is real. It is heartfelt and has great substance. I tell stories in my lyrics that most people can relate to. If you like 2Pac, The Game or Xzibit then you should listen to my music. You might not like every song but there is a