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| Artist Statistics |
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Artistopia Rank : 125
Member Since : 2/2007
Last Login : 6/7/2008
Views : 7,658
Songs : 1
Events : 12
Alliances : 8
Releases : 1
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Artistopia URL :
http://www.artistopia.com/foe_certain |
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| Latest Music By Foe Certain |
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Foe Certain Music
Published Date : TBD
Total Downloads : 0
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Browse Artist Music |
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News Article |
Artist News Home |
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Interview with Foe Certain |
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| Published on 9/10/2007 |
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| By Artistopia |
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Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why?
Doz… I’ve always been involved with art my entire life. Wether it was music or acting but I started taking rap seriously about 5 years ago..
Swamp- I always loved music but didn’t take it seriously until some bad career decisions made me look for an alternative path.
Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business?
Swamp… My main influence and motivation was myself.
Doz… A lot of people recognized my entire life I had talent in a lof of things I did and were positive about any decisions I have made on the path to where I am today. As far as Foe Certain it’s Swamp that influences me to continue doing this.
Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why?
Swamp…. I listen to major artist and their styles but I don’t think that they influence my style. I think I stand apart from everyone because my scheme is so different from what most artist are doing today.
Doz…. I listen to way to many artist to say that any single one has influenced my style. I think I’m pretty
Much a melting pot of all of the music I have listened to my entire life.
Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition?
Swamp…. Simply put we are Foe Certain and we are giving hip hop its nuts back.
Doz…. I don’t think that there is anyone else out there that sounds like us. I mean I listen to so many artist that are saying their original yet I just don’t see it. Plus we are totally different within our own group.. Swamp and I are like Night and Day we both bring something different to the table and that is what makes us stand out from everyone else.
Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door?
Swamp… A lot of people say they don’t but they do but I put it on everything that I would not change my rap or look for anyone. If I decided to change it would be for myself not anyone else.
Doz… I think that theres a big difference to seizing an opportunity and selling out. As long as someone is not making me change who I am or my beliefs than I might be willing to paint my toenails or get a mohawk.
Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professional
Doz…. Just recently we had a meeting about getting our music on a local radio station and they had some positive things to say and also some negatives. The main negative was that some
Of our material is too dark. But I think that is not true because our music is about our lives and sure there is some dark stuff but also there is the fun stuff and the anger. We incorporate all emotions and aspects of our lives into our music and eventually it will get into the right hands our ears.
Swamp… In our promotion we don’t have a rockstar attitude because we are doing the work ourselves and promoting it ourselves. As far as promotion word of mouth is the best way to get your name out there. The more you have people talking about you the more you will eventually be exposed to key player in the music industry. If everyone is talking people have to take notice.
Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache?
Swamp. A hustle is a hustle when you come from a background like mine you learn how to hustle to survive. A lot of rappers come from the drug game and personally it’s a logical step because they are a lot in the same. You have to make deals that can hurt you or deals that can help you you just have to go with your own decisions and do what you feel is right. Both are headaches and heartaches you just gotta keep moving to make it…
Doz I think that business is the key. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t have that business mentality than you will never make it. You have to always be on guard and always be making moves. I think the best artist out there are not the ones that are the most talented but they are the ones that are the most business savy.. Why do you think some many rappers and singers have multiple corporations they are running such as clothing lines, and so many other businesses…
Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists?
Swamp… Hopefully five years from now I’ll own my own studio and be able to offer affordable services to independent artists so they can have a good product because with a good demo you have a better chance of getting heard.
Doz…. I think the same most people that do become successful forget how hard they had to work to get there and how many people turned them down therefore they treat people the same way. I think that if you are blessed enough to have become successful you should give back and take a chance on other artists that are trying to do the same things you started out doing.
Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why?
Swamp… I believe in local charities not helping people overseas we have enough problems ourselves at home. You always hear about Oprah and everybody else helping people in Africa and there are starving people right outside of her studio…. D
Doz…. I think I would start an organization where bands our artist that have made it donate their old equipment to people who really need it. Recording and live instruments are so expensive and pursuing music takes a lot of cash which a lot of people in the world don’t have. I mean you hear a lot of rappers who come from poverty why not work more in helping people get musical equipment and start more musical programs in schools.
Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy. AND THAT’S FOE CERTAIN…..
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| Article Credits and References |
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| No Credits or References were provided by publisher |
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