WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT PEOPLE THAT AREN'T FANS OF YOU MUSIC TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
That I struggle and live a life just like the average individual. I want people to have a sense of relativity so when they do hear my music they will be able to grasp hold of the topics I speak on and understand that I am a man of the people. Never fabricated, nothing but the real
WHAT ARE YOU TRYNA BRING TO THE GAME?
SUBSTANCE...originality, creativity, intelligence, and fresh lyricism with consistency!
WHO ARE SUM OF YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?
I'm a fan of great music. Let's see some of my musical influences are Erykah Badu, The Roots, The late Michael Jackson, Nas, Al Green, Gnarls Barkley, Common, Bilal, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Wu- Tang, A Tribe Called Quest. The list goes on and on lol
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
observing the progress of my musical peers and seeing the things that they have accomplished due to their hard work and pure dedication. They know who they are and I commend them for their diligence & tenacity.
WHO TAUGHT YOU ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE LESSONS IN LIFE?
My mother. Growing up she stressed the fact that I should never want to depend on anyone in life. Always have your own and be able to take care of yourself when no one is around. It will make you a strong individual.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE 1 THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU? WHAT WOULD IT BE? AND WHY?
I would bring my son, grandmother and uncle back. These were the three people who I kept closes to my heart and ironically they died right after each other. My grandmother in 2007, my son in 2008 and my uncle in 2009. It felt like a tragic movie re- occurring all over again.
IF YOU HAD TO WORK A 9-5 WHAT WOULD YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING?
I'm not going to sit up here and front like I don't already work a steady job. I work at a pharmaceutical plant. I have to work though, to really make it in this industry you have to put in alot of money and with music as well as my other responsibilities, you have to have a way to make money.
WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE WHAT WOULD TRULY MAKE YOU HAPPY?
To see my two sons grow up to be healthy intelligent men making a difference in this corrupted society.
WHAT IS YOUR FAV SPORT AND TEAM?
Basketball. LA! LAKER NATION!
WHAT YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE STATE OF MUSIC?
I think the state of music in general is satisfactory.I mean there is always an evolving state in music, especially in hip hop, and as the newer generations begin to add on, a lot of uniqueness and creativity will start to come to the forefront. Unfortunately, its more difficult in this day and age for substantial music to reach the masses opposed to the same repetitive, syndicated nonsense that is overwhelming the mainstream world. I have no beef with any of the music though. There will always be progression and room for improvement..
HOW LONG YOU BEEN IN THE GAME?
Well, I don't really know how to approach this question to be honest LOL. If you are asking how long I been on the mic, then the answer is for YEARS. About 10 to be exact. But like Phonte from Little Brother said "The way I see it, as long as I don't blow...each and every year I'll be the next big thing" ;)
WHY DO YOU LOVE MUSIC?
Music is a direct connection to a listener's mind and soul. As artists its our way of communication amongst the world and it gives us that freedom to do so. It shares our thoughts and emotions in a way where we can genuinely express ourselves. Music literally keeps the world synchronized in my opinion.
WHO ARE YOU TOP 5 MC'S
Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan and DYLAN! Sorry I had to do that LMAO. No, but I seriously hate and try to avoid this question whenever I'm asked just because there are so many other artists who I have recently listened to and really believe they have or could have potential to surpass your favorite MCs. But I will always debate that Nas is one of the best in my book. I'm feeling Elzhi, a very underrated MC. Let's see Joe Budden. I don't care what anyone says, that man is sick. Black Thought from The Roots, one of the illest lyricist I've heard. Mos Def, Eminem, Andre 3000. None of these are in any solidified order, but these are some of the MCs I believe that has that "Top" status.
WHAT ARE YOU TOP 5 MOVIES?
The Matrix, SuperBad, Man on Fire, Belly, The Pursuit of Happyness
WHAT ARE 3 THINGS YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT?
HIP HOP, My sons, Food
IF YOU COULD PICK 3 ARTISTS PAST OR PRESENT TO WORK WITH WHO WOULD YOU PICK?
Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE COOL LAID BACK, INYOUR FACE, CONSCIOUS?
Well not stating the obvious...my stage name is ILL Conscious, but I'd like to say my style embodies all three of those characteristics.
LINKS?
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOUR GOING TO SUCCEED
I am very passionate about my art. Though it sounds cliche, I just believe that you have to really enjoy this to be at the level you ultimately want to be.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO RELAX? (THAT YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT) = )
Sleep, eat, play NBA 2K11, listen to jazz instrumentals, watch sports and lay back all day!
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU LOVED MUSIC MORE THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON?
When I'd rather stay in the crib just to listen and write lyrics instead of going out to the club with the fellas and getting wasted. That was one large step for man lol
IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME AT HOW RAPPERS CAN JUST GO OFF THE TOP WHEN FREESTYLIN... HOW DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU, DO YOU JUST SAY AIIGHT IMA GO ON THIS TOPIC OR DOES IT JUST COME TO YOU AS YOUR SPITTIN?
Freestyling is all apart of being an MC. It takes a lot of practice and dedication to the craft to the point where its second nature and you just flow on the spot. A lot of times, cats might ask you to drop a few bars and right there you have to be able to come up with some current shit, whether it be about what's going on around you or how your day is going, anything so that cats will know its a legit freestyle. NO PREMEDITATED VERSES
WHEN FREESTYLING.HOW DOES THE BEAT COME TO YOU? I KNOW SOME PRODUCERS SAMPLE BUT LIKE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL BEAT HOW DOES IT COME TO YOU?
Well I'm not a producer, but it usually takes me a few moments to listen to the beat and come up with a concept. I have to really be zoned out and the beat has to speak to me. If I can't feel that divine connection with a beat, I won't deal with it. Plain and simple. Many of the joints I record are from sampled records, just because I love that soul vibe.
HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR ENVIRONMENT HAS INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE AND YOUR RHYMES?
Well as artists, we need to be a positive reflection of our environment and take everything from the negative aspect of it & put it into perspective. When i see our people struggling and basically upholding the stereotype of black people, its motivation for me. it gives me reason to make more people conscious of our actions and give those who are blind, intellectual knowledge within my music.
DO YOU DO PERFORMANCES? IF SO WHERE CAN PEOPLE CATCH YOU?
yes, i actually took a hiatus from performing and music in general due to getting projects complete and dealing with personal situations. i have a few upcoming shows later in the spring and summertime. i will be hitting chi town and a couple of other cities. we’re just waiting for the politics and everything to be worked out first so we can know exactly which venues the shows will be taking place.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE ARTISTS YOU'VE WORKED WITH?
let’s see i’ve worked with a few artists, mostly in the dmv area. luminarty, mark milly, kimberly holloway, salem brown, jade fox and a few others i cant really think of at the moment. i still have joints in the works with al great, greenspan and a few other local cats.
HOW MANY MIXTAPES/ALBUMS HAVE YOU MADE
technically four mixtapes to date, but i never really pushed the first two as much. i’m too much of a perfectionist and there is always something i put out that i’m not really feeling. i can be too critical at times.
WHATS NEXT FOR YOU?
i just released an online mixtape, “The focal point” so i’m basically letting that get rotation and hit the blogs. i’m also in the process of working on a few projects with a few close producers. i’m doing two eps, one with mizfitz soundz producer gq and the other with brake fast records as well as the album, executive produced by nascent and qb. So at the moment i have a lot on my plate that everyone should be looking out for.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR STYLE HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?
well its funny because in my earlier years of doing this i had a bit of an identity crisis. lol but that’s the beauty of it when you are first getting into hip hop and finding your lane. My style has came a long way and it definitely has changed for the better.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EMOTIONAL SONG FOR YOU TO WRITE?
“AS I MOURN”. it was a song about my first born son who passed away in August of 2008. Bless his soul and Rest in Power to Latrell. IT was Nothing but raw emotion and pureness poured out into that track. I dont think anyone can imagine that pain and sorrow dwelling so deep in your heart. Definitely a very difficult time for me as well, but my fam, friends, and music family at the time helped me through that situation.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY LOVE YOUR SONG/S?
its an amazing feeling and as an artist it should definitely humble you. When people tell me that they love my songs, it gives me a sense of appreciation, because when I write lyrics its as if i’m inviting you to my life and what i represent. i take that love and i reflect it with positive energy. its all about embracing it.
YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A MINUTE NOW WOULD YOU SAY OPPORTUNITIES ARE EASIER FOR ARTIST TO COME BY NOWADAYS OR IN THE PAST?
well from the skill aspect of it, i would say opportunities are a a bit harder for artists to get to the same level their music is actually worth. We all understand why, so there is really not a point of bashing the masses. But, in general...its the digital age; with the technology of today and the Internet, opportunities are easier to acquire by any artist from any genre. A wider range of audiences can be reached and it makes independent promotion more efficient for artists.
