Last Words is my second solo project. Came up with the concept when one of my closest friends got sent off to War. Pretty much had to envision how I thought and felt I would act if i were in his position. Of course the story is completely made up, but the feelings spoken about and such are true.

1) What inspired you to be a part of the music industry?

I’ve always struggled with deciding whether or not I wanted to do anything with music. The deciding moment that made me not only realize I wanted to be part of the music industry but actually pursue a career in it, would be when i went to a MellowHype concert in NYC and got to meet and chill with Hodgy Beats and Left Brain from OFWGKTA.

2) Talk to me about the making of your latest project. What was the inspiration behind it?

The making of this project was actually a long journey. The inspiration behind the whole project came from many things but mainly my closest friends in the military. One was getting out of it and another had not only entered it, but had been deployed also around the time of writing for this project and coming up with the story line and concepts behind it.

Making the project had taken about a year and some months for many reason. Some being personal, school, and others (being work related). Overall, this has been quite the ride and experience and i would not have gone about it any other way for it forced me to grow as an artist and a person in general.

3) What was the process behind making the project?

Well like I had said in the previous question, the ideas and everything came from my friends whom were in the military. To come up with the story, I had to envision myself in their shoes and took a lot of research, mostly questions all my friends and family who had been or are in the military, to come up with the story I was going to tell.

Then I had, started to make the story more complex and came up with the concept that almost every track would be a letter to a certain someone or group of people. The hard thing was balancing telling the story as well as incorporating my own experiences and emotions into each track plus the project as a whole.

Once I had everything mapped out and written the way I wanted it, I proceeded to record the tracks, add in all the little things that would make the story told even better, mix them myself, and then finally master them myself.

4) What are your thoughts on the hip-hop industry at the moment?

I feel it’s over saturated with this trap-ish style. Now I understand there is a time and place for everything, which is why I will not knock it. Am I starting to see that lyrical conscious rap and story telling coming back into the industry though. I’m just hoping I am or will be able to ride that wave up.

5) Do you enjoy grinding it out independently or would you prefer to be signed to a major label?

I absolutely enjoy grinding it out as an independent. Leaves me free to do whatever I like. Though the allure of signing to a major label, if ever the opportunity were to present itself is definitely enticing for the resources they possess would absolutely be beneficial and helpful.

But the possibility of making it on my own just seems to be way more rewarding and satisfying. So I prefer the independent grind, but if i were offered a fair and too good pass up contract from major label I think I would take it solely for the fact that I would be using them more than they are using me to make any form of income.

6) What do you think goes into building a loyal fanbase?

Communication for one. I feel that speaking to them really shows them and also gives them a sense of who you are. Interacting with them at shows as well. Fans want that experience. To meet you and feel your vibe and energy in person really helps them connect more. Humbleness and just being laid-back. You know just showing them that you are entirely grateful for their loyalty and their love.

7) What sort of online promo and marketing are you doing to reach your fanbase?

Well beside, my own social media profiles I promote my music on and blogs that fuck with me, I’ve finally generated enough income to use sites like StopTheBreaks.com to promo myself and my music on. I try to market to all those who love all hip-hop made from 1989 to about 2005 for I feel that is the vibe my music gives off.

8) As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?

Troubadours is name my Brand goes by. Also everyone needs a hashtag now right? haha mines is #CueTheTrou. The way I am trying to stand out from the rest of the artists out there is by one staying true to myself and the sound I am building, but also the stories I tell through my music, concepts, and such.

Like I said previously, trap-ish style sound and feel of music is all the rage right now which actually makes it quite easy for me to standout against many of the rest. The ways I am trying to get myself exposed and build a buzz many others, including those who are going with the trend, are using as well.

So it makes it tough to stand out, but I believe I can and will be found by those whom are looking for quality music.

9) Where do you distribute and promote your music and why do you think this channel works best for you?

I distribute my music on Bandcamp, for I just like how they’re whole setup is organized, and soundcloud, which is like the facebook of music if you’d like to make that comparison.

As for promotion I use nearly all the social media sites I have. Facebook for everyone I know locally, instagram and twitter which seem to be one of the best ways to promote music in general, but my main Channels are Tumblr and Instagram.

I’ve got a bigger fanbase on Tumblr thats why it works best for me, but also it seems my music is listened to and appreciated more on and through that site more than anywhere.

Instagram recently showed to be one of my top channels as well for all the reposts of my project on many Instagram profiles that I did not think even listened to my music.