Artist of the Week: Sincere Reason (@SincereReason)
TP: What is your stage name and what made you stick with that name?
FT: Sincere Reason A.K.A S-R. If you look up the definition of both words in the dictionary you know I take my name as seriously as I do my music. “Sincere” is that real side; [adj: free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings]. That’s that from the heart music you’ll hear from me, everything from anger to pain. “Reason” is that side you hear tell the younger generation things like “Stress makes a strong man, go and get some exercise.” [Noun: the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic]. I’m 26, grown, and ever since I was a boy I’ve seen so many ‘young this’ or ‘lil that’ names for rappers. I felt it was time for something different.
TP: How would you describe your style of music?
FT: My music style is just that, M-u-s-i-c. I don’t like to place myself into a box as an artist. It stops the creativity, but the best way to describe it would be as a cross between that 90′s hip hop I came up on, the new hip hop, and my own originality. Why be like everyone else?
TP: If any, who were some of the people that influence you to pursue music? Why?
FT: The cliché’ answer is Tupac and The Notorious BIG, But those would be the first two. I would choose Tupac, for his passion and BIG for his lyrical ability. Eminem opened a lot of doors and showed that not all white rappers are ‘Vanilla Ice’ status. He came with that talent that just motivated me to go harder. Red & Meth, LOX, that whole Roc/G Unit movement, and dudes like Lupe were inspiration at the fullest. I listen to all forms of hip hop from Common to Lloyd Banks. If you only hear one type of anything day after day, you start to become that.
TP: Now that you’re in the “Industry” what do you think of it so far?
FT: As far as the industry goes, I’m still getting my feet wet. I really don’t consider myself IN as of now. Maybe the door is open and 1 foot is about to step in, but from what I’ve seen so far there is a lot of greed, envy, and jealousy within the system. Labels try to ’360′ artists and don’t deserve to take the profits they are aiming for. I saw they tried to force Lupe into a 360 contract, and he handled it right. Right now I think the independent route is the way to go, and plan on taking it; unless the numbers and contracts are right.
TP: What do you see missing?
FT: Honesty, it is all lies and strategy in those offices and with certain artists as well. Don’t lie to the people, or yourself. We all need the money to support our families and get those toys we ‘want’, but the bottom line is the music. Now the radio is the same song, different day. It’s hard to go to a station now and get a song played if you’re not on that bubble gum tip, or some coke rap.
TP: In your own opinion what do you think needs to be done to improve what you see missing in the “Industry”?
FT: Less d**k riding, more artist development, and more creative control for the artists. If the artists stop putting out only one type of music, the radio will stop playing only one type of music.
TP: What do you think a lot of Indie Artists are missing to take their talent to the next level?
FT: A financial backing that doesn’t require putting your soul on the clearance rack. Don’t get it twisted, a lot of artists talk about money but don’t have it. 90% of us are struggling check to check or bag to bag.
TP: What project(s) you currently working on?
FT: Right now I’m working on a mixtape with my boy Mr. E, most likely titled “Built For This”, a solo mixture, “Let Me In”, and an Ep. I am still working on the title for the Ep, and none of these projects have clear release dates yet (Please check out www.SincereReason.com or Follow @SincereReason for updates). Once the track stash gets to a certain point we’ll have a clearer idea of release dates. My last project was released in June, the mixtape is entitled “Practice” and it was put together and promoted by Tawag Promotions & Hosted by DJs Slick & Nemeses (Trigger Twins). It is available for download on www.SincereReason.com.
TP: Who are three Indie and Main Stream Artist you would love to collab with?
FT: If I had to pick three it would be Lloyd Banks, Eminem, and Lupe Fiasco, but I would like to work with a lot of others.
TP: What is one thing you would like the Readers to know about you, that they may not know?
FT: I’m a father before anything. If it’s not in my child’s best interest, I won’t do it.
TP: What would you like to say to your current and future Haters?
FT: Thank you for making me work harder.
TP: Where can the Readers find out more about you and hear more of your music?
FT: Hit up www.SincereReason.com and follow me on Twitter @SincereReason .
TP: Anyone you would like to shout out?
FT: God, my little girl Bianca, my Wife, Ny5Haze, Marlando (who stay on a look out for me up at Tawag), and the ones who know they deserve it [too many to name]. RIP Grandma D.
Dope!
Do work son. We’re proud of you T-Dawg.
Awesome to see a young man with his priorities in check and his head on straight. Dont let fame change you, and I am sure you will achieve fame. Peace!
Keep pushin man, u know what it is on this side. Definitely spoke much trueness in this interview.
Thank you for the support, I appreciate it.
Artist of the week my ass!!!! ARTIST OF THE YEAR, I’m predicting it now… Good Shit SR
Straight 2 tha top…….no brakes or stops…….
Hi, just a teen struggling to become the next big <a href="http://www.crixgreen.com"hip hop artist here just wanting to say that you touched on various fine points there. I did a search on the topic and found that nearly all people have the same opinion with your blog. keep the updates going!
Thank you for the support.