1. How do you label your style being a rapper AND a singer at the same time?
Honestly, it's hard trying to give one title to a multi-musical display of art. I'd definitely describe it though, as modern-urban-pop. I'm not a gangster rapper, but I'm a lyricist. And I'm not a pop diva but I'll dabble in the pop category 'cause I have that type of voice.
I am too creative to remain one-dimensional that's for sure. So, I predict that trying to label me as a particular type of artist may always be up for debate.
Bottom line is, whether an album of mine is sold in the pop or rap section, it'll only mean an easy way for consumers to find it; but when they go home, they can either list me alphabetically in their CD rack, or keep me in their favorites pile :)
2. How do you balance the two (deciding when to rap or sign – using one more often)?
As much as I love to rap, I'm not trying to push a rapper's image. I tell people that I sing & rap, not the other way around.
I'll listen to a beat, and hear a Hook or Chorus before anything else. I'll decide to rap on a verse if it'll sound good but that's not always the case. It really depends on what the beat's bringing. The only challenge is when it comes to making a beat from scratch. I usually have to decide from the jump WHAT kind of track it's gonna be.
It's really not as hard as it sounds though. Imagine 'Gangsta Lovin' by EVE and Alicia Keys and imagine that being done by one artist. Kinda how Drake does both, and how T-Pain features on his own songs as Teddy Pendherassdown...
I'll do what sounds hot and that's how the balance will be determined.
3.where do you get you inspiration
It's not hard for me to be inspired by everything and everyone I'm exposed to. I'm a very free-thinker and very artistically open. In fact, sometimes catching too much inspiration occurs regularly and makes my brain go on 'overload'.
I do have to say that certain artists' lyrics do feed me in many artistic ways like:
Nas, Weezy, Kanye, Biggie, Common, Beanie Sigel, Lauryn Hill, Def poet/rapper Black Ice and India Arie, (who has been good for my soul.)
At the end of it all though, I really do take inspiration from a lot of different styled artists, but my songs so far, have been inspired by my own personal experiences.
4.What is the last song that got you emotional?
Sad/reminscent: 'Like You'll Never See Me Again'- Alicia Keys
Ready,Pumped: 'Golden'- Jill Scott
Feel to conquer anything: 'No one'- Alicia Keys/ 'Successful'- Drake/ 'Forever'- Drake
5.What’s next for you (video, title of album, release date, etc.)?
The next goal is to make a video for 'Take It To The Bank'. In the meantime, we're working hard on my EP. No dates yet. Considering we have to think strategically, in terms of the style and singer/rapper duality, it will not be rushed. One thing I WILL say is, you can definitely look forward to more shows, more singles, some nice collabos and curve balls in 2010 ;)
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