Featured artist: Curtis North - Curtis North: Rome Was Built In A Day
Below is a short interview with the upcoming underground artist Curtis North.
How did you decide to become an artist?
Curtis North: It wasn’t really a decision for me because this is who I am. I grew up on the south side of Chicago, IL off of 79th & State and I have been writing poetry and lyrics since I was at least 7 years old. I used to get in trouble in grammar school for writing music & stories instead of doing work and I also attended the Marwen School of Arts in downtown Chicago, IL for 6 years, making me one of their longest tenured students. What made me want to take my music to another level is the fact that I know we have to take our chances and pursue what we want to do for the rest of our lives over what I have to do. The freedom of having peace of mind and live the life you want to live. What gives me peace of mind is music, therefore I have chosen to live in it, to learn and cultivate my craft so I can use it to deliver the message of the common person. I know that I’m good but I have to get better and become the best, I don’t have a choice because I have a gift I refuse to waste. There are so many people around the world that wish they could do my worst and they can’t because of something that is holding them back, some memory, disability. or negative words spoken. So I work diligently to become this instrument of the people. That is why I created the music label Black Flag Music & Entertainment. We believe in a sense of thinking outside the box. We are a group of individuals that live for the preservation of artistic freedom. The freedom to think how you want, feel how you want, live how you want, and say what you want. We produce material that is fully controlled by the artist/controlling party and market to all walks of life.
Music is influence, influence is power, what you choose to do with that power is totally up to you.
What about concerts? Do you play live?
I haven’t done a live performance since Spring of 2009 due to me taking a break to pursue other ventures. Yet, my label has performances and concerts coming in the near future.
Best punchline you ever wrote?
Ima CEO in the making, every top nigga started off in the basement
What are you currently working on? Did you release something in the past?
I just released a mixtape called ”Memories” which is a compilation of some of my past work and I currently have 4 personal mixtapes coming out throughout this year with the addition of 2 label mixtapes, numerous features, and video & photo shoots. There is so much more so we will be real busy this year.
Last but not least: Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
I would sign to a major label so I wil have access to the resources I need to reach my goals. The networking, financial backing, the total experience that the likes of Interscope, Def Jam, Atlantic can offer is unparalleled. Yet, if you don’t watch it you can also find yourself doing things you don’t want to do.
Any last words?
Shoutout to Simon Clarke, our new BFME Director of American Management & Promotions hailing from Toronto, CA. Josh Perry, our new BFME Director of Canadian Management & Promotions. My homie Knallege and the whole Wake N Bake Gang. Don Cuso & Kongo from Mad Stak Studios in Utah getting it in, keep it 100. Shoutout to my hometown Chicago, IL aka Chiraq and all my friends and family there. Shoutout to the H-Town where I’m puttin it down right now, they have shown a lot of love man, all you gotta do is be real and they’ll take care of you. Shoutout to YGBZ, Crimson Rose Management, & Ex NoVo Films and Datpiff for giving me this opportunity to get myself out there.
Where can we contact you?
Curtis North: www.blackflagmusicent.com
Thank you for your time. We wish you and your career the success it deserves.
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This interview was done by Amanda Aselia, a long time blogger and entertainment journalist specialized in the underground hip hop music field.
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