Describe your sound in 3 words

Dark, passionate, triumphant

How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

I’m really a producer first, so usually I’m accustomed to just creating the ideas that come up in my head, which are entire songs. With this project, I really stepped outside of myself to work with other producers. I am very meticulous about how the music sounds — if it doesn’t have real potential , the lyrical ideas I receive I get aren’t going to be very strong, either. There are a lot of instrumentals out there, but there are also a lot of gems. You have to find what works for you.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

“Why should I confine to the norm, I have been scorned before I had a chance to be born, planned to abort — still kicking, I’m meant to move forward — still in it. Honesty, confidence, personality, let them witness it….”

Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

My favorite rappers/lyricists are Big Pun and Eminem. My father (also known as GSB/Lake Verde, another of my greatest inspirations) gave me an MP3 Player when I was 12 years old with the entire Eminem discography on it with the freestyles, and just no one was on his level. Even to this day, it’s difficult to find lyricists on his level of penmanship. Same with Big Pun, who was incredibly ahead of his time. I place Big Pun ahead of Eminem on my list mostly because of the time period. My favorite producer has changed so frequently (I am a producer first), Alchemist was my first favorite producer growing up. Then it became Skrillex and then Ramzoid… producers have their hots and colds, and I’m extremely picky about soundscapes. I also love ka1, who produced “Goddess” for the I Know I Waited project. Super talented, we’ve known each other for years trying to make it in the electronic music scene.

What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?

Hip Hop symbolizes a culture that mostly people who look like me can call a place for expression, whether as a listener or a contributor to the genre. Hip Hop is the culture that was cultivated out of love during a time where we couldn’t seem to get it outside of our closest communities. It represents Deejaying, Emceeing, Graffiti, Breakdancing, street fashion, Beat boxing, street knowledge, street language, street entrepreneurialism, which have provided a means of salvation for a people who have been oppressed and marginalized for generations to the point of desertion. I may not know my cultural heritage, but I do know that I can represent for it through my culture, which is Hip Hop.

When not writing music, how do you spend your time?

I love to play chess, I love to read. I also like to go out to events and vibe and connect with more creative people.

Future plans?

I Know I Waited is one of a few mixtapes. There are videos/content coming soon, I’m performing throughout LA, more mixtapes being released soon; we’re leading up to an album, that will be titled “The Stomach.” Stay tuned!

Thank you!

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