What differentiates you from other artists out now?
I want to do everything organically. I mean that, from the bottom to the top. I am not trying to be associated with anything fake. I’m not trying to trick you with views, buying followers and fans, or anything that’s not organic or not real. The difference is that they want fool you with views and friends, trying to buy their way in. I have always been a diamond in the rough. I want to show everyone that as long as your skills are there, you can do it.
Are you saying that a lot of today’s artists are buying their success?
I am saying to each their own. They know whether they are authentic or organic with their music or with their fans, faking it until they make it. I love everybody’s music but I think my music is more organic because I am starting from right where I need to be and I’m not faking anything. I want my fans to like my music because they relate to me
You are inspired by a wide range of artists from Jay Z to A Tribe Called Quest to Master P and more.
They were all originators, creators of their own sound. It’s like going back and reading the Old Testament. When you learn everything in from the old, when you listen to the new music, it’s the same story. You can see their influence on the new artists. I call them Pave Gods because they paved their own way, wanting to create music that was different from everyone else.
As far as your fan base, you don’t really care about social media statistics, but fans who sincerely support your movement.
I care about social media, but I want to reach as many fans as I can organically. When I performed out in Houston, my fans came out because of the musical work that I’ve done. I do my work in the streets instead of relying solely on social media. I do things organically so that I can reach my fans personally. I want them to really know my music. You can tell when you perform.
Name some of the artists that you have shared the stage with?
Jeezy, Gucci and Chamillionaire. Chamillionaire was taken aback by how the crowd responded to my shows. I have performed with Tech 9, Slim Thug and Paul Wall. I performed with Jim Jones when he came to Oklahoma City. I have performed with a lot of great artist.
How do you feel about the impact the images of a lot of new artists on black male masculinity? For example, Young Thug wearing a dress or Lil Yachty wearing beads in his hair.
Each of those artists have great music. I don’t know what’s behind it really. You have to know artists like that to know what they think. Would I do that? No, that’s not my style. You have different breeds of hip hop. You have west coast, east coast, and southern. I can’t really talk down on them because their generation and where they come from is differently.
-BE’N ORIGINAL
