Exclusive | Rapper Princeton Marcellis Talks His Upcoming Mixtape 'By Any Means'

“My goal is not to be celebrity, but a servant. Most celebrities want the limelight and try to hide their failures and shortcomings, but I think a servant wants the limelight only so they can point it back to the One who truly deserves it, and that’s God.”

— Princeton Marcellis

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Dallas rapper, Princeton Marcellis! This artist has a goal to inspire his listeners and help them improve their lives by telling stories of his own struggles and success. Princeton Marcellis has a dope flow mixed with real messages in his songs and is definitely an artist that needs to be in your playlist. He began to pursue music seriously while attending the University of North Texas and attending open mic nights. His persistence and talent eventually landed him in opportunity to be a hype man for artists such as Lecrae and Tedashii.

Princeton Marcellis - Promise (Official Music Video)

We talked with Princeton Marcellis in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Princeton Marcellis: I’ve been rapping since I was about 5 or 6 years old. I remember my parents buying my older brother a Casio piano that had a couple of Beethoven presets on it such as the 5th Symphony. One day I took our karaoke machine which allowed me to record on a cassette tape, and I took the mic and put it to the piano speaker so it could record the music from the piano. I began freestyling haha. Grant it, I wasn’t good at all yet, but it also came to me naturally to do that. My parents, especially my dad, always had music playing throughout our home and in the car and I know it heavily influenced me to fall in love with hip hop.

From there, I continued to make music that I would pass out to some of the homies at school. At 16, I gave my life to Christ, which not only awakened my life purpose but also gave my music more purpose. However, at the time I was also really focused and passionate about basketball, and wanted to hoop at a Division I school to make it to the NBA. Needless to say, that didn’t work out. Because of that, I started taking music more seriously at the University of North Texas. Open mic shows eventually turned into free shows, and free shows eventually turned into paid shows. I dropped a mixtape on Datpiff and Noisetrade called Excuse The Explicitness which spread way more than I imagined it would when creating the project. Before I know it, I’m a hype man for Lecrae and Tedashii of Reach Records performing in front of thousands almost every show. This helped me to develop my stage presence more, and get used to being in front of so many people. Now I’m focused only on my own brand and finishing my project entitled, By Any Means.

Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Princeton Marcellis: My biggest influence has to first start with my family. My mom and dad. I have so much love and respect for them to be able to teach and provide for my brother and I, even with our financial circumstances. Now that I’m older, I truly appreciate the hard work and foundation they gave me, along with the musical influences they bestowed on me.

In regards to artists that are my biggest influence, I would have to say 2Pac, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Notorious BIG, Kanye West, Jay Z, and Eminem. They’ve helped me in my own life and personal troubles, as well as challenged my pen game and craft. These are rappers that I’ve studied the most over the years in order to develop my own voice.

What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Princeton Marcellis: There’s so many I would love to collaborate with! Any Dreamville or TDE artist would be dope. I would love to collaborate with Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, Chance the Rapper, and many others. I like doing collaborations that would make sense message wise and brand wise, and I think I align most with these type of artists.

What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Princeton Marcellis: My best songs I have out right now are my latest singles “You Can Make It” and “Thank God Ballad”, as well as my song “Heart To Serve”. I think these songs really gave me a great direction with what I want to do with my music now, and they have given me the biggest buzz. The music video to “Heart To Serve” was predominantly shot in Guatemala and won 6 Telly Awards. This was a theme song for a Non-Profit Organization, and I was able to perform this song in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rome, and Hong Kong. Each one of these shows had more than 10,000 people in attendance!

What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Princeton Marcellis: Right now I’m working on a mixtape called By Any Means, and soon after that I will begin working on my debut album. I’m very excited about that. 

Princeton Marcellis - You Can Make It (Official Audio)

How do you generate new ideas for your music? 

Princeon Marcellis: First and foremost my story and my life experiences, as well as others’. God is my biggest inspiration, and just living life because my music is about real life, real pain, and real hope. Other than that, I’m always checking out new music to spur on creativity. 

What motivates you and how do you define success?

Princeton Marcellis: God, family, and friends. Things that truly matter is what motivates me. Most people think that chasing money, power, women, and things will make them successful. Most people die and realize that their success ladder was leaning on the wrong wall the whole time. Success is not what I do compared to what other people do, it's how much I do compared to what God created me to do.

How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?

Princeon Marcellis: I describe my music as being lyrical and about real life, yet inspirational and motivational. What separates me from other artists is my story and voice.

Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Princeton Marcellis: I don’t believe there is a formula for being a successful artist, because I don’t believe success is overnight. You have to be willing to do the things other people are not willing to do, and do it consistently. So there’t not an exact formula, but there are competencies that a successful artist possesses. A huge thing every successful artist has never done is quit.

Who is your greatest inspiration?

Princeton Marcellis: God is my greatest inspiration. The fact that he would come and save His people from what we deserve is mind blowing, because of unfathomable amount of love it takes. This is what pushes me to love people so much, because of God’s love for me.

In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Princeton Marcellis: In opinion, I would say J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West. I think they possess everything a great rapper should have: storytelling, lyrics, punchlines, metaphors, similes, and imagery over solid production. I actually made a song called Make Cole Proud, in which I rapped over the same beat of Let Nas Down. Nas also has a version called Made Nas Proud. I put them all together on youtube as one video, you should peep it.

Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Princeton Marcellis: I think sadness and passion dominates my music right now, only because that’s the season of life I’m in. Don’t get me wrong, my energy is always joyous and positive, but when I think about a lot of the things I’ve been through these past couple of years, it would be hard to say that sadness doesn’t come over me. However, the sadness leads me to keep pushing, instead of throwing in the towel. In this game of life I gotta get around the board as many times as I can. Life is something that I look at and cry at sometimes, I laugh at sometimes, etc. You try to come up and get pulled back 5 steps and then you come back up and get pulled back 18 steps. But really there’s a good balance of emotions on this upcoming project.

What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Princeton Marcellis: So many. From working jobs that I really don’t want to work, to not being able to travel as much like some of my friends do, to not buying shoes or clothes that I want, etc. Because I need that money to create and for the craft. I’ve sacrificed so much time and money to keep growing in this, that I know most people wouldn’t do. 

What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Princeton Marcellis: I think the whole thing excites me, from writing the lyrics to mixing and mastering and hearing the finished product. If there’s any aspect that discourages me, it’s all of the business side of music. Sometimes I wish that side didn’t exist haha.

Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Princeton Marcellis: I’ve always hated this question, because I don’t know if I’ll be here tomorrow. So if God allows me to live another 10 years, I see myself as one of the greats because of how many lives I’ve impacted and helped.

What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Princeton Marcellis: Find your voice, take the craft seriously, and don’t quit.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?

Princeton Marcellis: I’m always grateful for every listener and follower on social media, and always appreciative when someone shares my music with their network of people who hasn’t heard of me. My goal is not to be celebrity, but a servant. Most celebrities want the limelight and try to hide their failures and shortcomings, but I think a servant wants the limelight only so they can point it back to the One who truly deserves it, and that’s God. Therefore, I don’t mind exposing my own faults throughout my story, because I believe my story will hopefully help someone else.

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Exclusive | Maui Max Talks His Motivation To Change Lives Through Music

“Everything I say in my music are real emotions and things that I go through whether it’s a hype song or something you can just ride to. You never have to worry about me fabricating anything or being something i’m not; I give you the good and the bad.”

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is East Coast rapper, Maui Max! This 25 year old artist was born in Newark, New Jersey but now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. We’ve interviewed a lot of talented artists on this platform, and this is easily one of the most under the radar rappers out right now. Maui Max brings a dope flow with raw lyrics and just about every song is a banger in it’s own right. He does a good job of making music you can vibe to, and music you can turn up to while still holding true to his own originality. Slept on is an understatement, and if you’re looking for new music for your playlist, this artist has to be added.

Maui Max - Want It All (Prod. by LaCoMusic)

We talked with Maui Max in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Maui Max: Been making music seriously for about 6 years. I moved from Jersey to Georgia in 2011, got a job at a clothing store and one of the managers told me I looked like somebody who would hang out with his little brother lol. So one day he introduced me then me and bro been rocking ever since, come to find out he does music not only rap, but produces and engineers as well. I always wanted to rap but at the time I didn’t think it was realistic and in Jersey there weren’t many platforms or studios that I knew of. Being a fly on the wall and watching the homies work, doing features here and there and being pushed to take it seriously, I said why not? I’m going to make my own mixtape and it was on from there.

QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Maui Max: My biggest influence can’t just be one person, it’s a whole plethora of artists I look up to but if I had to name any off top it would be Pac, Jay Z, Nas, Curren$y, Dom Kennedy, Schoolboy Q, Cole, Wiz, Cudi, and the late great Nipsey Hussle not just because he’s gone now. People that know me knows what he meant to me alive. It’s hard because i’m a rap music guy and so many artist have a big influence on who I am as a person and style as an artist. 9/10 if they from LA they probably had an impact on me at some point, I love the culture and authenticity of the westcoast.

QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Maui Max: Most people I would like to collab with are people I would like to just sit down and chop it up with, get game, ask questions, build far beyond music, people who I identified with and said “We be thinking the same shit.” So I guess it would be my idols and influencers I named previously. I don’t really have anybody in particular i’m just dying to work with, I let stuff like that happen naturally. Matter fact, Pharrell, when he collabs with artists he brings this classic feeling.

QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Maui Max: TO ME my favorite song that I released will probably be “Work” produced by the homie Waitmattno. The bars and flow are effortless and when people want to hear me for the first time that is my go to track. It gets people moving. Song is so old but timeless, I had a lot to get off my chest and I was angry because somebody told me that my music was alright so I said i’ll show them how alright I am and boom, everyone’s favorite song by me was made lol. It’s been so hard to recreate something like that.

QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Maui Max: I have my first full length project dropping summer time 2019 executively produced by the dude I said I met and got me into music LaCo. It’s so dope so far I can’t wait for people to hear it and also see the visuals, it’s a reintroduced me. Don’t have a name for it yet as I like things to come naturally, we just building the product til it’s ready 100%. 

QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music? 

Maui Max: Live. I just speak about what i’m feeling. I feel like you can never run out of ideas if you just being you. 

QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?

Maui Max: My kids motivate me, I got 2 boys, the world motivates me, cause I love it so much but hate it at times. I always wanted to go out in a blaze of glory fighting for what I believe in and that’s the betterment of my people. When it’s my time to go I want my boys to be able to say I was a real G. I want the world to remember and carry my name, I want to set a blueprint for them. That’s success to me, forget about the money give me a platform to say what I feel needs to be said and done to change lives. I’m also motivated by working for other people because I hate it.

QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?

Maui Max: I just say I don’t rap like anybody you’ve heard and that’s because I really believe that. Nobody sounds like me and I don’t sound like anybody. Especially people my age and coming up like I am. I rap how I think a dope rapper should approach a beat not what I think everybody wants to hear.

QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Maui Max: Music is powerful. There’s definitely blueprints to follow but I think you can pick and choose what you think would work for you, there’s no right or wrong way to do this and that’s the beauty of it, I think people who want to make money come up with all these analytics and cheat codes but if you genuinely want to reach people you just got to be you, be relatable. Say something, help raise these kids through your music. 

QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Maui Max: Hands down Hov, could have been Nipsey if given more time (RIP) but look at where Hov came from and where he’s at. The fact that he’s basically 50 and selling out american tours and can drop a album and it’s a big event alone proves that. When that man talks, we listen.

QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Maui Max: It’s a mix of everything because I’ve been through so much these past couple of years, it really just depends on how i’m feeling in that moment. I’m human and I display that in the music.

Maui Max - #Work (Prod. by WMN)

QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Maui Max: Giving up drugs, I have my fun, but I started realizing that partying hard and doing things to tear up my body was taking a toll on what I was making when I really thought it was helping. Having to record in a hot ass garage sweating non stop just to get things done that I might not even like. Taking time away from my kids wishing I can be with them more. Spending my last to make sure I get good quality product so y’all can take me seriously. A whole lot more. 

QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Maui Max: I don’t get excited until the song is done. Most times I already have a pre thought on how I think it will sound and if it doesn’t come out how I thought or want, i’m hurt. So once the main parts of a song is done that’s when I REALLY start to get creative that’s the part that excites me. The writing process can be discouraging sometimes because I can’t always think of something dope to say and I start to overthink. I put a lot of thought into what I put out. Im starting to break out of that though and just free myself and have fun again while still keeping the integrity of the music alive.

QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Maui Max: Lord willing doing big things, things I always knew I would do, things I never thought I could do. Owning businesses, opening schools, being a real boss. 

QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Maui Max: If you need to, it’s okay to take a break, don’t kill yourself. I went crazy about this thing a million times, it really messes with your head and that’s why you always see these depressed artists. You got hella time, take it to make the best product possible and not the quickest. Also, know what you doing it for if you want to last long, have a purpose, a goal that music can open the doors for. You think big you’ll be big, we different, don’t let small minded people talk you into thinking you tripping I promise you’re not.

QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?

Maui Max: Everything I say in my music are real emotions and things that I go through whether it’s a hype song or something you can just ride to. You never have to worry about me fabricating anything or being something i’m not; I give you the good and the bad. Some songs may be a cry for help, some may be me just saying i’m good now and I was bugging but you’ll always know its coming from me.

IG: @Mauimax

Twitter: @Mauimaxx

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Exclusive | Malcolm Taylor Talks Regaining His Faith and Inspiring People Through Music

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Philly rapper, Malcolm Taylor! This rapper uses his talents to paint a vivid picture with his lyrics based on his life experiences and uses his voice to spread a conscious, positive message. Malcolm has a versatility in his flow that makes each song feel different and keeps you entranced with the story telling. He remains authentic to his own delivery and separates himself from mainstream artists with his own style. This is an artist you need in your playlist.

Malcolm Taylor - PRAY PRAY PRAY (Music Video)

We talked with Malcolm Taylor in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

Question: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Malcolm Taylor: I been making music for over six years now. I can’t really tell you when I started, it’s just always been around me. 

Question: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Malcolm Taylor: No one actually, I get inspiration from life, experiences, and what ever moves me. Some of my favorites are Biggie, 2pac, Jay-Z, Nas, DMX, OutKast, Kanye West, and Lauryn Hill just to name a few. I could really go on for days with naming my favorites.

Malcolm Taylor - Heart in it (Music Video)

Question: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Malcolm Taylor: At the moment I would say J. Cole and Ty Dolla. I pick Cole because we would compliment each other by giving our point of views on what ever we choose to rhyme about. Ty Dolla brings a different element and vibe. Simply picked him because I enjoy his music.

Question: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Malcolm Taylor: I really couldn’t tell you that, I put my all into everything. The one I have more of a personal connection with is a song titled “Faith” on my 1st project titled Commemorate. When I talk about losing my faith when my mother was murdered to gaining it back when my son was born. 

Malcolm Taylor - PITY (Music Video)

Question: What projects can we look forward to in the near future? 

Malcolm Taylor: I’m working on so much music that my fans just might get more than two projects from me in 2019.

Question: How do you generate new ideas for your music?

Malcolm Taylor: A lot of times I let the the production talk to me. If it doesn’t touch my soul I don’t write or even want to put my energy towards it. The best is like a canvas and what ever it tells me to paint I just go for it.

Question: What motivates you and how do you define success?

Malcolm Taylor: What motivates me is my purpose. My purpose is to be that voice that inspires others, and motivate them in an artistic way.  

Question: How do you describe your music to people?

Malcolm Taylor: It’s a heartfelt experience!

Question: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Malcolm Taylor: Not at all. I feel like everybody has their own path to success. 

Question: Who is your greatest inspiration? 

Malcolm Taylor: So many things but life, my son, my parents, my fans, music and God. 

Question: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Malcolm Taylor: I would have to say Jay-Z. We have to sit back and see everything this guy has really accomplished with his team. It’s amazing to me on so many levels. He just continues to break barriers and open doors for artists to really be moguls and business owners.

Question: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Malcolm Taylor: Passion because without it how can you make people feel where you’re coming from

Question: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality? 

Malcolm Taylor: Go on a budget and really trim the fat on things I don’t really need.

Malcolm Taylor - Can I Live (Music Video)

Question: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Malcolm Taylor: Creating the music and performing the music gets me excited the most. At the moment nothing discourages me, I’m in love with process.

Question: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Malcolm Taylor: I see my music springing the next generation to do great things.

Question: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Malcolm Taylor: Stay true to yourself because it’s only one of you!

Question: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?

Malcolm Taylor: The New Ep is out now, “Protect your Energy” enjoy it until the next release!

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Exclusive | Jeh $inatra Discusses His Latest Album 'B.LA.C.K.'

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Jeh $inatra, an up and coming lyricist from the East Coast! $inatra hails from Syracuse, New York and graduated college in 2010 with a degree in Business Administration. At 32 years old, this artist is married with a 10 year old daughter and owns an independent record label by the name Broken Hearts Music Group. His label curently features 4 rappers including himself and their in-house producer. $inatra is passionate about all the arts, and as a creative he likes to show off his creativity in many different forms. His most recent album B.LA.C.K. can be found on all major streaming platforms (apple music, spotify, tidal) with a new album that is planned to be dropped in March.

B.L.A.C.K., an album by Jeh $inatra on Spotify

We talked with Jeh $inatra in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

Question: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Jeh $inatra: 10 years. I got started through my brother who had been rapping since he was 15 himself back in New York. One day he wanted me to rap on a track with him, took me to the studio, I laid down my verse and the rest is history from that point. Haven’t stopped writing/rapping since.

Question: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Jeh $inatra: My biggest influence has been my best friend Tavares. A lot of times when people didn’t quite get the vision or the direction we were going with the music, he never lost sight of it all. He stayed true to what we were doing and what we stood for out of everyone else. Also my wife Candace as well. Huge influence and motivator. Favorite musicians would have to be Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley, Miles Davis, Jay-Z, Nas, Rakim, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole...the list goes on and on for me.

Question: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Jeh $inatra: Nas, Pharrell Williams, Adele, a dope R&B singer by the name of Ari Lennox (she has a really dope vibe and sound), H.E.R., Frank Ocean. Why I would like to collaborate with these artists is mostly to pick their brain and the inner workings of their minds. Being around creative minds like these you almost in sense can’t help but want to soak up as much knowledge as possible while given the opportunity. Nas has always been one of my favorite emcees of all time, Pharrell Williams has always been one of my musical idols, and as far as rest of the artists I just love their music.

Question: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Jeh $inatra: So far my pick for best song would have to be off of my current album “B.LA.C.K” entitled “ACT III. GLORY”. To me that’s my best song because I was able to channel a more emotional, vulnerable side of myself I never really tap into musically, not to mention recording that record was the only time I spoke on my daughter as much as I did. For an entire song it was me rapping to her my love for her and why I do the things I do for her.

Question: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Jeh $inatra: Projects to look forward to in the near future from myself, I’am currently releasing a few singles with other artists leading up to my next major project which is slated to release next year March. I currently have a record set to release 11.14.18 with another artist from the Florida area we’ve been promoting. This is part of the series of singles I’ll be releasing over the next few months. My label also has in the works a compilation album featuring my artists TZO, Liron Dayo, $wayze, Eric King with production by our in-house producer D.A.GonBang.

Question: How do you generate new ideas for your music?

Jeh $inatra: From life experiences mostly. I always find ways to tie in my life into my music as much as possible. I find it to be more organic and truthful, versus just writing from an angle I haven’t really explored. I try to keep as much truth in my music as I can.

Question: What motivates you and how do you define success?

Jeh $inatra: What motivates me would be my Family first and foremost. My daughter, my wife, my mother/father and so forth. My true friends, the artists on my label, other indie artists and just creatives in general, and the sheer love and passion I have for music as a whole. I define success by personal growth and personal goals achieved all the while being able to help others achieve their goals. Success isn’t limited to personal accomplishments, the most successful people in life are those who extend a helping hand to others.

Question: How do you describe your music to people?

Jeh $inatra: “Grown-man rap” lol. Mature rap. In the truest form hip-hop. Not necessarily “backpack rap” or “conscious rap”, but just real rap with real lyrics, real stories, and real life relatable content. Nothing fabricated.

Question: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Jeh $inatra: Yes and No. We’ve all witnessed up and coming artist come from nothing with no formula and blow up to be huge stars, however there are artists like myself who stick to the traditional path and follow that “formula” of hard work, grinding for a long time, not necessarily looking to  make the next viral hit. Nothing wrong with that at all, but not every artist is inclined to doing that. Me personal I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to my music and the music our label releases. So to answer I believe there is a formula, I just don’t think it works for every artist.

Question: Who is your greatest inspiration?

Jeh $inatra: My daughter. I’m always striving to create a better life for her.

Jeh $inatra featuring TZO - “ACT X/ FOE”

Question: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Jeh $inatra: Jay-Z, Diddy, Dr. Dre, and there’s a few others. Why because they are the epitome of coming from nothing, working extremely hard, staying dedicated to their craft/vision, and accomplishing honors in the hip-hop industry that rappers only dream about accomplishing.

Question: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Jeh $inatra: Passion. I have an undying passion to succeed and help the ones around me succeed.

Question: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Jeh $inatra: Time. Time has been the biggest sacrifice I’ve had to make while chasing this dream. Time spent with family members and loved ones alike. That’s something you never get used to, you can only make the adjustments needed to make it work but you never fully get used to losing out on that time. Sleep lol. Lots of that.

Question: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Jeh $inatra: What excites me the most is working with other creative minds, being able to make something from nothing and give birth to an idea in the physical form. I love writing music a lot. When people say it’s therapeutic it truly is. What discourages me about the music making process is the greed associated with working with those same artists. A lot of artists won’t have your best interest at heart even though you’re working closely with these individuals. There’s not too much I don’t like about the process or being involved with creating period.

Question: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Jeh $inatra: Where do I see myself in 10 years, successfully running this label with more acts/talent, joint ventures with sports agencies, owning multiple lucrative businesses outside the world of hip-hop, in addition to partnering up with some non-profit organizations and really helping the community. I see myself helping to give back to those who need assistance in any way, shape, or form. To be the most well rounded CEO, that’s my end goal.

Question: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Jeh $inatra: Stay true to your art, your craft, stay true to yourself, and your team and the ones around you. The ones who really support your dreams. Never switch up on them. Don’t be afraid to work with other artists. This business is all about relationships and building those, the more you’re receptive to with working with others the more opportunities come your way. Always Be Open Minded to Creating.

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