Featured artist: Travis Centell - ”Welcome to the Renaissance”
Below is a short interview with the upcoming underground artist Travis Centell.
How did you decide to become an artist?
Travis Centell: North Carolina Recording Artist and Producer, Travis Centell, began his torrid affair with music at a young age. Sneaking away to become more acquainted with his mother's record collection and spying on his father's choir rehearsal, TravisCentell quickly became enamored by the soulful sounds of Norman Connors, Donna Summer, and Mel Carter all the while being influenced by the pace and bass of the gospel music his father kept him privy to. Travis Centell would often tip–toe away to sneak time on his father's keyboard and guitar but the day he laid eyes on the Roland 808 Drum Machine, it was love at first sight. Being a man of his time, influenced by the decades before him, a young Centell began to work the Roland 808 until his beats sounded as industry as possible. His eternal bond to writing and producing music was cemented after finding an old love letter and successfully putting it to music. With a goal to connect to the energies of the people around him and infect his listeners with the lyrical truth only a poet can provide,Travis Centell draws on the influences of the 80's and 90's in order to bring about a rebirth of hip hop. Renaissance Muzik is a return to that feel good music we could listen to on a Wednesday morning or a Saturday night. The music with beats that keep you nodding and a message that moves you. Renaissance Muzik is an intellectual, spiritual, and physical stimulant designed to align your heartbeat to that of the 808 and (re)ignite a fire in this generation that burned so brightly in the lasts.
As a recording artist the best advice i was ever given was to build my own brand and grow a demand this way when negotiating with labels you will have leverage to stand on and you will be able to critique the deal to your liking. Also if you cant come to a agreement with the label you will still have a strong fan base and not only that but yu can still tour and do everything major artist do except you pocket more money and have more freedom.! being a independent artist in todays music pays, so no matter how hard the process is, its still
What about concerts? Do you play live?
Yes, I have performed concerts before at various venues around North Carolina and a few here in LA
Best punchline you ever wrote?
Ummmm I dont really have a favorite puchline simply bc there are too many to choose from BUT there is one that stands out i did on a Nas cover where i said ”I STILL GOT IT AND THEY BUYING THEIR STRIPES, FLO ADIDA SHELL TOES WHAT MY HIP-HOP LIKE” haha i like that line simply bc thses new artist try to pay their way in the industry instead of putting in work to reach superior levels in the music industry!
What are you currently working on? Did you release something in the past?
Yes, I have singles that i have unofficially released just for promo but right now im currently working on the first volume of a series of Albums(Ep) called ”RENAISSANCE MUSIC”, which is also the name of my outfit/music group that im building as we speak! The Renaissance Album series will not just be your typical rap album but instead a album full of various genres of music and artist. I have also had the opportunity to work with some great engineers and producers such as DEVIN HOOKER, ANDREW LAW, and ALAN DASH who were all outstanding graduates and teachers in the music industry!
Last but not least: Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Im not saying i wouldnt accept a record deal but the contract would have to be a balance of my artistry as well as assistance from the label! i say that because i personally know main stream artist that are basicly slaves to their label because the label takes way to much of their life and work for a bigger percentage than is rightfully owed, so i wouldnt say no but the contract would have to be negotiated thoroughly and legally.
Any last words?
Yea i want to give a huge shot out to North Carolina, New Jersey and California! Also DeVan Hooker(Producer/Engineer), Tariq Reddick(Mentor), Aaron Stewart(Manager/PR), Jack Foster(Drummer), Alan Dash(Producer/Engineer), Jason Agua(Musician/Engineer/Producer), MadReal(italian Producer/engineer) and everyone else who has played a part in my success! Salute
Where can we contact you?
Travis Centell: Soundclound.com/traviscentell
Thank you for your time. We wish you and your career the success it deserves.
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Rap's new generation is a long time urban lifestyle and entertainment blog dedicated the underground rap music field.
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