Featured artist: Itz Prof - Stand Up Guy
Below is a short interview with the upcoming underground artist Itz Prof.
How did you decide to become an artist?
Itz Prof: I think it decided to pick me. I grew up watching the East Coast/West Coast rap war and Tupac Shakur was a major influence on my early life. I always wanted to be just like him. Not the gangster and not the rapper, but the Legend, the way he repersented the truth; Having no fear of the consequences; because at the end of the day it’s worth dieing for. He and He alone is what got me into rapping. Years later here I am.
When it feels like it’s over, you’ve given your all, 1000% 25/8 NO BREAKS, when you’ve been told no by all the majors, when it feels like there’s nothing left, YOUR HALF WAY THERE.
What about concerts? Do you play live?
I do as many as 5 concerts a week and sometimes struggle to get booked. It’s a roller coaster type industry. Alot of ups and downs. But the key is to stay consistent. No matter what you have to stay relevant.
Best punchline you ever wrote?
I can’t. I don’t wanna let the other punchlines know I gotta favorite.
What are you currently working on? Did you release something in the past?
I’m nominated for Best Hip Hop Artist & Club Banger of the year at the Carolina Hip Hop Awards so I’m syked about that. I’ve put out two mixtapes this year. ”Like A Movie” & ”Everybody Starz” lately I’ve been predominately filming videos off those releases. I’m now working torward my solo release later this year ”Stand UP Guy: The Rise & Fall of a College Kid Running a Drug Empire”. I’m deffintely excited about this one.
Last but not least: Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Only if I had creative control and could retain a percentage of my brand. Thats OWNERSHIP for all you slow folks. To many rappers signing rappers. The Majors have figured it out they sign one artist they fuck with HEAVY (i,e. 50 cent for interscope, Rick Ross, Def Jam does it to and every EXTRA player you sign with get a percentage. At the end of the day your only making royalties and you own 0% of the brand you created. This is the truth behind the industry. It takes A TON of money to get noticed on a national scene, and then once you are everyone comes calling trying to take the most money from you as possible while smiling in your face. It’s rough out here. It’s very tough for a indepedent to make it. But IT IS POSSIBLE. That’s real.
Any last words?
First and foemost I want to thank God for allowing me to be here today. I wanna thank my friends and family for putting up with the struggle for so long. S/O and FREE my BossTalk family Jerm Hatcha. S/O Breezy Hendrix Kiddo Brown and the rest of the BossTalk click. S/O BombSquad, KillaChriz, Shiest Boogey, Tim Dunk, Yung Man, Safe Money, The HD Boyz, Tre Game Click, PST, Cre Lee, Cash Millionz, Soco Beats, And the SMF family, EVERYBODY OUT HERE WORKING. S/O ALL MY DAY 1$!$!$!$ You know who you are$!$!$! I know I’m forgetting people but Yall know I love yall And thanks for all the love and support this far.
Where can we contact you?
Itz Prof: www.ItzProf.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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