Lyricist, Songwriter, Rapper

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: 3 Takes. 3 Takes is a song about my step-father who has literally been pronounced dead 3 times. He is alive and well today. I tell the story in the song and a video/photo company reached out to me and wanted to film the music video for it. It got almost 20,000 views within the first couple of weeks. I am not most proud because of the views, I am proud because I was able to articulate the story exactly how I wanted.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm expanding my brand. I released an album last year, we sold out the release show, I toured with Afroman and am about to tour with Ces Cru. Once I get my followers in the 20-50 thousand range, I will release a new album. I've already started working on this album (because it's impossible for me to not write music) But I've decided to focus on promoting this entire year before even thinking about releasing a new one. My goal is to do a 15 city tour next year to support the new album, all in cities that I've already performed at sometime this year.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Sunnie Williams, she is a singer who I've known for a very long time and have even had on a decent amount of my personal tracks.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: EITHER. I master in lyrics, which requires a pencil. :)

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will not disappoint. I do revisions if you need me to. I enjoy writing your song because every song is an experience that will eventually build to a better level of songwriting for my clients and for myself. If I do a job and do not get a 5 star review, I am much more unsatisfied than you. So don't expect anything less. My rating is perfect for a reason, I'm here for you.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Writing different styles and seeing happy customers. When I write music for myself, I stick to the style I like most. However, songwriting has expanded my abilities and really pushed me to learn how to write fast, slow, melodies, and all types of stories. I love it.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Most people usually ask what information I need from them. An instrumental, or a song you want it to sound like, and a little bit about themselves. An idea for the song goes a long way as well.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: "Hip Hop" It is insane how many people I meet think that I put on a huge chain, pop my collar, wear a hat and then rap over my own vocals the word "ass ass ass ass" a million times. There is no art in that, and that is not what I want. I tell people all the time that my music is far from hip hop. That being said, I've been hired for plenty of hip hop/dance type songs and have always satisfied.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you want your song about? Tell me about yourself. I do this because even if the story has very little to do with you, I need to know your story. If I know a little bit about you, I can imagine as though you are the one writing the song.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Look at our work in general. Soundcloud, my website, whatever the case may be. Really listen to the lyrics and if you enjoy a great flow with a story behind it, I'm the right person for you. I've written plenty of songs that are more "club" style if you will, but my true art is in poetry and story telling.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Notebook, Pencil, Headphones, Drums, and Spotify (not a chance I'm going without hearing new music every once in a while)

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started writing music when I was 14 because I wanted to make my own soundtracks to stupid little videos I made with my friends. After a few years, I really began to enjoy the music part. After high school, I found my level of focus sky rocket and began to take off in the local scene, which only made me want to keep going.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I consider myself a lyrical rapper. I like to make sure my songs tell stories and put as many double meanings and complex rhymes in there as possible. I graduated with a B.A. in English from Sacramento State and studied literature and poetry. I think that background gives me a unique qualification for that type of music.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Macklemore would be one of my favorite artists to work with. I think his storytelling ability mixed with energy and fun is such a unique style

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Practice a hundred times before recording. If you are working with an engineer, then you are likely paying for time. Don't waste your money and take more time than needed due to not enough practice.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Witt Lowry is also one of my favorites right now, he has a similar style with storytelling and performs everything with a very impressive energy.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Rap, pop, alternative.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Difficult rhyme schemes, allegories, poetry, storytelling. I keep the art of poetry in music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Experience and a speedy process.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Give me your instrumentals first and an idea and I'll give you an entire song, hook, or verse. Whatever you prefer.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in a home studio in production but finish my final projects in a professional studio in either Sacramento or San Jose.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I write verses for rappers and hooks/verses for singers. My level of writing is backed with a Bachelor's degree in English and an experience of writing over 200 songs.