– What first got you into music?

Since I was a kid, I always had a passion for music… I mean at first I really wanted to play soccer but my parents didn’t want me to because they wanted me to stay in school so all I had left was my passion for music. I started going to the studio behind my parents back but to answer the specific question I don’t really know what FIRST got me into music cause I feel like music has always been in me.

– How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Well, I can say that the music I create is to touch everyones soul.. it’s just “vibes” that’s what I call it. I create it to make people feel good and happy, I personally believe that my music is unique and different, even though I do afro and rap just like other people …. the sound that I have is what makes It different. I don’t think anyone could copy my sound even if they wanted to.

– Has your style evolved since the beginning of your career?

Oh yea! It has a lot, I feel like my style from the jump and now is totally different. Eventually I grew into my current style with experiences and you know now there’s money *laughs* so the style definitely evolved. Stuff I couldn’t afford before I can afford now.

– What is your creative process like?

I ain’t gon lie, I get inspired by anything at any time any moment. But I love being in an environment where I can hear the full bass. Like when I want to write a song I sometimes can be sitting in a car but if the car doesn’t have the right bass then nah I’m not wasting my time. I love hearing the beat with the right and full bass. So yea the shower, car or studio are just environments that I love being in that helps me create music. Being surrounded by people who are also artists…. Just positive vibes and good energy helps me too.

– What inspires you?

Typically anything… by lifestyle, experiences, God, the environment I’m in and also what’s going on in the world today. But mostly God and good energy.

– What does your music say about you?

My music says a lot about me honestly , you can definitely hear a n*gga that’s passionate about it, you can hear that this is for sure my dream and trying to achieve sh*t. I’m unique and I’m all over the place … and you’ll hear it in my music. But In real life too, not just in my music I’m all over the place, I don’t ever just do one thing… you’re going to see me do this and do something right after, I’m just everywhere. So it shows in my music and it’s because I’m versatile, today you’ll hear me do some afro and tomorrow you might see me do some rap/hip hop. I don’t put myself in a specific genre or box… I love everything and I do everything because It’s a passion.

– When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?

When I make music I just want people to have a positive energy, I want people to be in a good and positive spirit and I just want to make people happy. I want people to forget about their problems, that’s my goal to touch their soul. I want people to understand that whatever problems they’re going through other people are also going through their own problems EVEN ME but to always keep a positive spirit.

– How have you developed your career?

By performing in many places, always looking for gigs and shows, by working on my sound because its really hard to find the perfect sound for me. Till today I feel like I’m still working on my sound, I feel like I haven’t seen and touched the best of me yet. I’m just striving to get to where I want to be so I work really hard.

– How do you feel the internet has impacted the music industry?

I feel like it has impacted the music industry in a great way, the Internet has made music way easier now… back then there were a lot of things you had to do to get exposed or put your talent out there, you needed to know the right people to connect with or the right people to connect you to the industry. But now with the internet it’s easier. You just need to remain consistent and bring out the content and make it look good and attractive… it’s way easier for people to gain access to you, it makes it easier for your exposure. So yea, the internet definitely has impacted the music industry in a good way big time!

– Do you write your own music? If yes, do you ever deal with writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

Well yea, I do write my own music .. Everything I do is my own music. I barely deal with writer’s block because I usually write about what I’ve been through, seen, heard, my vibe, basically what’s around me. I don’t just write about random things, everything I write about is what’s around me. Sometimes I can also get political but that’s also very rare.

– Does your music fit into your local scene? If so, how do you take advantage of that? If not, do you see that as an obstacle and what do you do about it?

I feel like my music can fit in my local scene. The advantage I can say that I have is that I’m able to rap; I grew up mainly in New York, and now live in Dallas. I was also born and raised in Africa so I can switch from rapping to afro and I think with my passion, the fact I’m able to just switch up like that whenever I want to with my sound still sounding good, I tell myself that yes, I can really fit in my local scene. Especially now Afro beats are really taking over and I’m good at that, I’m not trying to brag but I think I’m good at that and rap too. I find it easier for me because it’s a passion of mine… there’s a difference when you do music for fame and money instead of it being a passion. You can never go wrong by being yourself so the fact that I’m me, I believe my sh*t can fit in any scene; it doesn’t matter where. If my music doesn’t fit, I’ll always make it fit.

– Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself famous, rich and I see myself as a role model. I’d like for other young people or anyone like me with a similar story as mine to know that you could go from 0 to 100, give them the motivation that you can go to a foreign country where you don’t even speak their language and still make it. Like me… I speak French. When I came here I didn’t know any words in English at first. So for me to make music in English and speak it fluently, I give myself props for that. I definitely see myself as a legend in 5 years. But in the end of it all I’m trying to do is to stay ambitious and optimistic. Someday I want to win awards, break through all music charts (billboard, apple charts, etc,) and be recognized worldwide for my music. I see myself enjoying my success with my family and my children living in a beautiful home. I want people to see me in 5 years and say there’s the first Ivorian who came from nothing and went to the States to thrive. I just want to put my country on the map. That’s it.

– What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of pursuing a career in music?

Advice that I can give to someone who is thinking of pursuing a career in music, I would tell them to just be themselves and don’t let your friends or anyone back you down or discourage you. Be unique don’t try and copy anyone else’s sound or try to be like anybody, just be you because that’s how you’ll breakthrough and become a legend no one will be able to compete with you or shut you down because you’ll be unique by being yourself. Never give up and always go with your gut! Know where you come from and know where you’re going through. Someone who didn’t have a golden spoon in their mouths growing up, they always know where they’re going especially when they get it.