SPLYT
This is a true artist on the come up and one to watch out for. Odd enough, I saw him for the first time at Hoodie Allen's first show in Denver at the Bluebird in 2012. This show was referred to in his song "Anything" as the show where is songs were playing out of an iPhone on airplane mode. Although he was new to doing shows, a large group of the audience went home knowing the name Splyt. Since this, I have gone to almost every show of his in my area including 3 more Hoodie shows. I think one of the most monumental shows for Splyt was the one he did with Mackelmore in April 2013, this was a huge accomplishment to be opening for such a large artist. Since then; they've done multiple shows with Radical Something, G-eazy, and White Panda. Splyt is really involved with his fans and makes sure a crowd always goes home remembering his name and music. As a constant concert go-er, I must say, these are always the most hyphy shows I go to filled with mass amount of energy, as an audience member you cant help but dance around and sing whatever lyrics you can remember, of course to get this energy he has help from his manager Dan, and his hype man/graphic designer Stryker. If you are ever in Colorado, I highly recommend going to a show.
I was able to ask him a few questions and here is what he said:
What is your biggest motivation?
My biggest motivation at this point is proving the people that never believed in me, wrong. Thinking about people laughing at my failure has always pushed me.
What is the hardest part of this journey?
The hardest part is staying positive and keeping from being content. You've got to keep working and pushing forward so keeping your spirits up and focusing on an end-goal gets hard at times. Getting content with what you've accomplished is my number one fear, it kills people, it's a constant battle.
Who are your biggest supporters?
Overall it's def the fans of course. Some people have been to like 10 shows of our's, that's crazy to me! I mean I'm not that far removed from rappin in front of the bartender and the 5 rappers that were on a show (laughs) so to consistently grow and push tickets to shows that outweigh a promoter's expectations, it's mind-blowing to me.
As far as the actual work aspect, I have some great homies that run camera, take photos, run merch, like a crew of people that are just down and see the vision and take criticism to improve. We may have like 8 people really putting in work at a show and at this point, all money gets re-invested right back in to the music so I can't thank them enough. Squad.
Have you developed any "Haters"? Why do you think so?
Of course I have, that's only going to get more prevalent as we continue to grow. As your music reaches more people, it gives more people the chance not to like it. Not everybody likes everything, it's like even if you want to like everybody and treat everybody well, there's still people you hate (laughs) that's just the way it is.
There are a lot more ignorant haters now than before. The only way I could describe it is like I used to hate Channing Tatum cause a girl I was dating was obsessed with him. We occasionally get some haters just because people are squad, haven't heard a single lyric but just hate cause people love, it's human nature. It has helped me mature though, proud to say I don't hate Channing anymore (laughs).
How has your life changed as your music has spread?
It def has gotten a lot more complicated, good complicated for sure. It's not like I walk down the street and get accosted for autographs or anything so personally like 100% of my time is spent on how we can get bigger and spread more of the music. It's essentially what a lot of people my age are doing, working their asses off to make something of their lives.
What is the main message in most of your music?
My overall message I would say is that no matter where you've come from or how bad a situation you've been in, you can channel that negative emotion into something positive.
What was your motivation for your new song, "No Help"?
The inspiration for this song comes down to two variations of one topic - paying dues.
The first being the people we've encountered now that we're paying our dues. We have done a bunch of great shows with great artists and gained great fans from them. However, a lot of people don't understand some of the trouble we've had to go through in order to not only get on the shows, but to get into good standing with promoters in order to keep getting great offers. We drive and hand deliver every ticket, not only because it's a cheaper ticket than one that our fans will get online, but to interact and chat with people on a personal level. We take this very seriously and we've dealt with some really unprofessional people (I wouldn't name any names) in this industry so that frustration kinda boiled over.
The second are the people who aren't willing to work or put time in to achieve something. I can't tell you how many times I get hit up with a "please listen to this" or "can you help me get on this show?" I'm not one to knock anybody's hustle but I couldn't really do much for an up-and-coming artist for the simple fact that I am an up-and-coming artist, myself. We've been blessed to get the opportunities that we have in the past year and we worked our asses off to capitalize on them but on the large scale and in relation to where I want us to be, we're tiny (laughs). There's also portions of the song that sound like I'm kind of bashing fans, even my mom pointed it out to me (laughs), but I love every single one of my fans. What I'm referring to are people who try to take advantage of us, wanting things for free when those items aren't even free for us. We try and do a bunch of giveaways and contests so it just kinda gets frustrating to hear that. Like the homies in the squad that work at shows still pay for merch, my own family still pays for merch, as much as I would love to hook everybody I could up, I still pay for my own merch (laughs).
How important is it for you to rep Colorado?
Extremely important. Behind being the best artist I can be and continue improving, that is what I consider to be important. I have pride to come from where I do, and the fact that nobody's really made it big in a hip hop setting from here and only a few are really making noise here like we are just makes me want to put us "on the map" even more. I don't see people as being better than us, I just see them as doing it for longer than us. We're only a year in, still youngsters in this music industry, and the people of Colorado have really embraced us and given us a platform to be heard. Because of this as well, I take pride in repping CO as hard as I can.
Do you have a theme for your next project?
Yes, the title is Perfect Storm and it's all one big story of my life in the past year since we began this journey. Every song is part of a reason why we have taken huge steps to being in the discussion of the top artist in the state. I like to write stories, and what better way to tell them than from personal experience. This last year has been crazy so I want to share it.
When are you expecting to release your next album/project?
I'm finishing up the writing now, it should be poppin up somewhere in the Spring of 2014. Maybe earlier even.
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Today is one of those days where I can’t decide what to listen to, so I am listening to all my old favorites that make me feel good, a mix of Timeflies, Jon Bellion, Aer, Hoodie Allen, Skizzy Mars, Splyt, Kinetics & One Love, and Radical Something. All of these artists are similar but completely different too, each of these have a different style but they all are very cohesive and on a chill day like today it’s nice to jam out to some songs I can sing along to as well as rap when I'm feeling a little gangster. Below are my favorites from each of these artists and some links to their sound clouds where you can download most of their music for free. Most of these songs below are going to be older songs from these artists, but each of these songs are the reason I fell in love with them and have continued to listen to them religiously.
Timeflies
This song is "I Will Always Love You"-One of Timeflies freestyles when Valentine's Day fell on a Tuesday. The most amazing part of this song is the fact that in the first verse, to start each line he would pick up a candy heart and start the line with the words on the heart, and for me that is almost better then free styling because he had to be that much more creative with his lyrics. This song gives such a good feeling when you listen, and not to mention, his voice is absolutely amazing when he raps and sings.
Aer
This is "Feel I Bring"- More reggae but I love it. These guys release songs that relate to everyone and makes music that just makes you feel good. This is one of the songs to put in your car and jam out while you drive through nature and hangout with your friends, or something to dance to while you're cleaning. If you listen to more of their music, I promise you won't be disappointed.
These guys don't have a sound cloud but just google them and you will find plenty!
Hoodie Allen
This is "You Are Not A Robot"- Anyone that knows me can tell you that I have a crazy obsession with Hoodie Allen and it can get a little excessive. This song is one of his old ones but by far his best. This song is full of crazy energy and will make any one sing along. He has come very far since this song came out, but this is one of the main reasons for his success.
Radical Something
This is "Be Easy"- One of my favorite songs of all time. This song is just pure and fun and is really what Radical Something is about. This song gives an overview of the music that they put out, all relatable, fun, energetic, and addicting. These guys have easily become one of my favorite artists through both their music and personality. I promise there isn't a song of theirs that you are going to hate so go take a listen.
Splyt
This is "Mountain High"- It's hard to choose my favorite from this artist, but this is one of the songs I heard from him that made me follow him so closely. It is purely everything Splyt is about, which is good music, great lyrics, and repping the best state out there. This music video is just a taste of the energy Splyt gives through his music, but you will never be able to understand until you go to a show. He is on the come up, so pay attention because you will be hearing his name a lot very soon. Go to his soundcloud and listen, you are about to fall in love.
Skizzy Mars
This is "Colours"- One of an older Skizzy Mars jam, came out around 2 years ago, talking about peoples true colours that have come out since Skizzy has become more of a "star" kind of saying a screw you to those who didn't believe in him. This really just makes me want to dance around when I am stressed out and think about everyone that has never believed in me either.
Kinetics & One Love
This is "Sign Language"- Boy oh boy, this is one of the best written songs I have ever heard in my life. This song truly tells a story, which almost everyone can relate to. This is about suicide, and almost everyone I know has some connection with someone who has committed or attempted suicide. This also leaves a message to the listener, some different than others, but take a listen and decide what it's telling you.
Jon Bellion
This song is "Dead Man Walking" - One of the funniest songs I have ever heard, when I am having a bad day, this song truly lifts my spirit. I mean what's not funny about a guy singing about having sex with his sisters best friend and knowing she is going to kill him, I mean come on, that's hilarious!
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