Exclusive | TommyOTD Talks the Release of His Debut Studio Project 'TheSupremeTape'
“One of my fav artist would have to be Dom Kennedy because we both grew up in the inner city around the violence but still found a way to be productive and show our creativity to make a way out.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Los Angeles rapper TommyOTD! Rapper, producer, songwriter, TommyOTD is a jack of all trades. TommyOTD hails from South Central, Los Angeles where he was born and raised in the inner city and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School. He later went to Pasadena city college to play football and study physical therapy.
TommyOTD recently released his first studio project called TheSupremeTape which featured 12 tracks and a number of features from other LA rising artists. “This project is different from all my previous ones, I basically had fun with this project, you can play this when you on your way to get some money or to just simply start your day, it will put you in a good mood.” TommyOTD brings a dope vibe to his tracks, mostly laid back tracks with west coast flavor on each song and is definitely an artist to keep your eye on!
We talked with TommyOTD in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING MUSIC AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
I’ve been rapping since middle school with the homies but didn’t start taking it serious and making full songs until summer of 2015 when I got hurt playing football. I ended up losing the passion to play because of the injury and just continued to focus on music and it grew on me.
MUSICALLY, WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN HELPING YOU ALONG YOUR JOURNEY AND WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIANS?
My biggest music influences that helped me on this journey would have to be my homies “DollaB, LijahT and Charlieedap“. They always let me know what I’m doing wrong and what I’m doing right and always push me to grow in the music game. One of my fav artist would have to be Dom Kennedy because we both grew up in the inner city around the violence but still found a way to be productive and show our creativity to make a way out.
WHAT ARTISTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHY?
Some artist I would love to collab with would be “Asap Rocky, Isaiah Rashad and Dom Kennedy because of their unique sound and beat selection.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS YOUR BEST SONG/PROJECT EVER RELEASED AND WHY?
I feel like my best project was my 2nd tape “4thaMoney“ because I stayed true to my roots with a west coast sound and dope lyrics. I spent a lot of time recording it at home in my room and I had a lot of support and help from my team to put that project together, my best work to date .
HOW DO YOU GENERATE NEW IDEAS FOR YOUR MUSIC?
The creative process for me is usually slow, unless I have something already previously written. I like to take my time and actually sit and listen to the beats and get a feel for the song. Some ideas will usually come from inside the studio from conversations and discussions we have or I just go off how I’m feeling.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Looking at my older music usually motivates me to keep going because I can see the growth from where I was till now. I wasn’t that good when I first started rapping and I can hear that compared to where I am now. I can only imagine how good I will be in 5 more years. And I define success as being happy and able to put your family and friends in a better situation to change more lives.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO PEOPLE AND WHAT SEPARATES YOU FROM OTHER ARTISTS IN YOUR GENRE?
I describe my music as being motivational, real, and fun, and a mixture between Asap Rocky and Isaiah Rashad with dope rhymes and lyrics to motivate you to get some money and change your situation. I think that’s what separates me from other artists. I want my audience to know it’s Ok to have fun and fuck up sometimes but at the same time get your money because at the end of the day you gotta eat and take care of yourself.
DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A FORMULA TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST?
I honestly don’t think there’s a formula to being successful because it’s a different route for different people . The only thing I think everybody can use to be successful is hard work & consistency.
WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?
My greatest inspiration is my mother because no matter what she went through she always stayed strong and kept pushing, she never gave up and that’s what inspires me to never give up on something I love which is music.
IN YOUR OPINION WHO IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND SUCCESSFUL ARTIST IN YOUR GENRE TODAY AND WHY?
I would have to say that Drake is the most successful and influential rapper of my generation because he’s been in the game for almost 10 years plus and continues to supply us with hits. Most rappers won’t last 10 summers in the game.
WHICH EMOTION MORE THAN ANY OTHER, CURRENTLY DOMINATES YOUR MUSIC? JOY, SADNESS, ANGER OR PASSION ETC. , AND WHY?
The emotions you can get from listening to my music is joy & passion. You can feel a sense of joy because of the beat selections, it just feels good and gets you in a good mood. And I say passion because of my lyrics, you can tell I’m passionate about what I’m saying especially when it comes to speaking on real life stuff.
WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU HAD TO MAKE, TO MAKE YOUR DREAM A REALITY?
I’ve sacrificed a lot of time and money to try and make my dream a reality and I know it’s going to take more time and consistency to make it come true.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE MUSIC MAKING PROCESS EXCITES YOU MOST, AND WHAT ASPECT DISCOURAGES YOU THE MOST?
I think the music making process excites me when we all brainstorm and find topics to talk about, it could be something going on in the world or something you went through personally and I try to incorporate that into my music. The thing that discourages me in the music making process is bad energy. If the energy and vibe is not there I can’t be as creative as I want to be.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC IN 10 YEARS?
In the next 10 years I see myself still being involved with music, even if it’s being behind the scenes or dealing with the business aspects, I see myself still staying focused.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER UP AND COMING ARTISTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
The advice I would give to new up and coming artists is to do your research and perfect the craft before you get into the game.
I want to say thanks to 247 Live Culture & Omar Cook for giving me the spotlight . I also have a new project & Documentary dropping this month. You can follow me on Instagram @_therealarrington & on Facebook @TommyOTD
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