Much respect for reppin Boulder, CO, and holding down the underground music scene out there! You mentioned you are currently only 17yrs old? So how long have be been rapping, also how did you come up with your stage name Focus?
Much┬álove! I actually recently just turned 18. IÔÇÖve been rapping since I was 13 years old, 5 years now. I used to go by a different stage name, but wanted a fresh start. I came up with Focus after I met one of my favorite artists, and when I asked him what his┬ábest advice for me was, he told me to stay laser focused. Guess I took the advice to heart!
In high school, were you known as the rapper in the school? Are there other up and coming rappers on campus?
Yeah, in high school everybody knew me as the ÔÇ£rapper kidÔÇØ. ┬áNobody in my high school ever rapped and I was usually surrounded by and listened to rock. ┬áBut around the area I grew up in there were a few other hip hop artists I worked closely with.
Feel free to breakdown the creative process of your latest single “ÔÇ£EGO”.
For┬áEGO I basically took all my frustrations as an artists and spilled it over one of Urban NerdÔÇÖs beats (check him out heÔÇÖs a great producer). Under my old stage name I was held down by one of those other local rappers, and never had room to move up. So I took┬áeverything going on with that, added some frustration from a past relationship, and wrote EGO in a day or two. Recorded it all in one take. My overall goal for the song was to have a killer flow with deep lyrics.
Who are your Hip Hop influences?
Too┬ámany to count! Right now my main influence is Russ. But IÔÇÖm inspired by a good mix of old and new school rap. Abstract, Cam Meekins, Dr. Dre, G-Eazy, Ice Cube, Eazy E, etc.
How many music videos do you guys have under your belt as a solo artist?
None right now but expect that to change in a few months.
In your young Hip Hop career, how many times have you performed live? Also, do you ever want to tour on day?
I┬áthink IÔÇÖve performed live about 6 or 7 times. IÔÇÖm about to get a lot more shows as well. I would take any opportunity to go on tour.
Where do you yourself in 5yrs time?
Still┬ámaking music! To be honest I have no idea where IÔÇÖll be in 5 years, but I know IÔÇÖll never stop working my ass off to live my dream.
Here it is! Our most popular question! What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
Non-commercial music. Usually unsigned artists (but could be rappers with a deal) who make music from the heart.
Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.
You can find everything over at hiimfocus.com.
soundcloud.com/hiimfocus
facebook.com/hiimfocus
twitter.com/hiimfocus
instagram.com/hiimfocus
Lastly, and shout out?
Huge┬áshout out to Zack Markle and the whole team over at KMGLife Inc! Zack is crazy good at mixing, and the whole experience over at KMG has been nothing short of amazing. Shout out to my brother Hazy. Lastly shout out to everybody thatÔÇÖs been with me since I startedn5 years ago, they know who they are.
Q&A With New Underground Artist Focus : Underground Hip Hop Blog
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