You just recently charted at no. 6 on the UK iTunes Rap Chart with your (song) “Couple Bucks”. How does that feel?
It feels absolutely amazing. Being able to chart as an artist is a major accomplishment so I am happy to be able to reach that goal.
Tell us about your background getting to where you are today?
Well, it’s been a very long journey. I started writing music back in my hometown of New Orleans when I was in high school. Once I learned how to freestyle I became a battle rapper which is what started my career in music. After a couple of successful years battling, I started to record songs and I’ve been at it ever since. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, I relocated to California where I literally had to start all over. Luckily for me I was still able to make a name for myself in L.A/Hollywood and that changed everything. I’m now focused on continuing to hit the iTunes charts, hit billboard and work with some of the biggest names in the music industry.
What is the most challenging thing you have overcome in your life?
I’ve definitely been through so many challenges but one that was extremely hard was homelessness. Going through a phase like that will for sure make you or break you but if you can live through it, it makes you a much stronger person who can handle tough situations.
What do you want people to take away after listening to your music?
I want people to know that my music is authentically mine. I write, record and perform all of my own songs. I know many artists have songwriters especially nowadays but I genuinely look at my music as an art form and an expression of self. I paint my life with my lyrics so the more you listen, the more you get to know me.
Any new music coming out soon?
Yes, I release music literally every Friday for what I call #FrequencyFriday. I plan to release songs every week for an entire year. I also started a group with my homie Mayjah Payne called Crown Energy so we will be releasing a new project by Summer 2022. Shoutout to Sirr Jones as well.
What is your greatest achievement as a musician?
Hmmmm, great question. I’ve experienced many great moments. One would be when I opened for Rick Ross on Memorial Day in New Orleans. I performed with two artists in my group at the time that night and we were only supposed to do one song. After the song, the crowd kept yelling for us to do another so the DJ obliged and it was lit. Met a bunch of big artists backstage afterwards that I ended up working with later on.
What are 3 words that describe your music?
Unique -Informative -Fire
Describe your creative process when you write new music.
The music usually speaks to me so that I know what subject to write about. I play the beat and let the ideas flow. Once an idea sounds good enough for me to repeat a few times and the rhythm is right, I write it down and keep going. I focus on four bars at a time and I also enjoy complex rhyme schemes, metaphors and similes. I have an extensive vocabulary so playing with words has always been fun to me.
Which qualities do you think make a great musician?
There are many qualities that make a musician great, but greatness can be measured in different ways. Being unique is for sure one of the main qualities along with lyrical ability, consistency, rhythm, different cadences, the ability to switch up your style on different tracks and authenticity.
What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
Create what you want and never try to cater to what others want. This was great advice because no matter what you do in life, you will never be able to please everybody. If you do something to make one group happy, the other group will hate you and vice versa. I always do my own thing despite how others may feel about it if it’s an individual decision.
Anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in my life thus far, especially those in my inner circle. Thank you Sammy Issac, Mayjah Payne, Sirr Jones, mom, son, and everyone else who deals with me consistently. Love y’all.
Do you produce your own music? If not, who do you work with?
I work with different people from time to time but my main producer is Sammy Issac. His ear for music is absolutely incredible and I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for him. He’s also my music engineer and business partner.
Anything else you want the audience to know about you?
Just to be on the lookout for any new projects I’m putting together. Also, I’m helping people grow on social media and I’m offering artist development for those who take their music seriously and are looking for the right connection to put things in place. If that’s you and you have a budget, get at me.
Where can people listen to your music?
https://www.sthug84.com/ https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shorty-t/421022742 https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XP9NCixAfUsr7Fiu0SlPf?si=-rsbHfLgTQaFoVA5UwoMCg https://youtube.com/user/CarterBoyEntTV https://instagram.com/sthug84
