What made you realize that music was your path?
I didn’t honestly. I was into poetry of course I was in a church choir singing in my adolescence and I’ve always mimicked songs I heard as a child. I never would’ve imagined that I would be in this line of entertainment. It all happened by a childhood friend pressuring me to do so.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Think of your favorite book or movie. The dialogue in it makes you want to watch it over again because you know it’s something you missed when you first watched it. It was the portrait presented in such an astounding frame that you couldn’t do anything but appreciate the image presented. Then you have to speak on it to your peers. This is how I would describe my music to people.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
My biggest influence is Jason Riddle, may his soul rest peacefully. This was a childhood friend of mine. I started out writing poetry, but at the time I had no interest in music and he read one of my poems and kept harassing me to make a rap out of one of them. He pushed me on it so much that I actually gave in and started. I’ve always loved songs from Bobby Womack, Marvin Gaye, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Stevie Wonder, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Nirvana etc. It’s so many artists and bands I can name that it would take me months to go down the list. I can truly say I’m a fan of the art in total, so being able to be a part of it is a true blessing to me.
What makes your music unique?
Seriously that fact that everything I deliver has a message to it and it can be visualized. The fact that there’s so much attention to detail in the art of delivering the words itself proves that not only have I studied artists before me, but I’ve actually learned from them and taken steps to do certain things they may not have thought of at the time.
Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
One of the biggest opportunities I’ve had is working with a pioneer DJ in the south by the name of DJ Smallz. I ended up meeting him from MySpace and he has always been receptive as well as open to sending people my way to open my fan base more. For that I’m grateful. There has always been a number of DJs who have supported me and for them I’m thankful. The greatest opportunity any artist now myself included can say is the internet. You are easily accessible to anyone around the globe by logging in and sharing your music
Who would you like to work with in the near future?
Of course any legend in Memphis would be first due to the fact that they are the reason Im present. I'll take the others as they come but I stand for what Memphis is and should be when it comes to this particular genre of music.
What’s next for you?
Right now I’m working on four different projects and hopefully one of those will be out in the near future. I may premier another video but as for now I’m just make sure everything is where it should be in the musical format
How can we find you?
Twitter & IG @man1startist2nd
Anything you want to add before closing out
To anyone pursuing a career in any art form remember it takes a lot of willpower, skill, and work ethic to persevere. You can gain ground if you believe.
