2L's: Welcome to the world of 2L's fam! For those who may not be familar with you, let us know about yourself.
Chance: Chancellor Warhol signing in better known as one half of the Cyber-Rap/Electro Group N.O.B.O.T.S. (No Other Band Offers This Sound), Chancellor Warhol is a mix between pop culture, the love of art, fashion and music. I'm American mentally with Japanese tendencies! You can say I crash landed in Nashville,TN because nobody believes I'm from here until I tell them I am. Which is usually followed by looks of disbelief. I am the thread that accents and not the fabric that overwhelms.
2L's: When did you first start your career and who were your influences?
Chance: I started taking music seriously when I was 19. I signed with an independent label called HunnedSpoke Ent. as part of the rap group Verbal Assault. (Shout out to Big Kev & Drupy for giving me my first start). I mean we were all into what Rocafella had going at that time with Jay Z, State Property, Young Gunz, and Ye and Just Blaze on production. Shit was Crazy!!! Can I cuss in my interview HAHA! Pharrell Williams was probably and still is one of my biggest influences to date. At first they thought I was weird cause I would be playing Daft Punk, Eagle Eye Cherry, N.E.R.D.,Smashing Pumpkins, and Susan Vega until I started rapping to those same tracks and they started diggin' it. You see nowadays it's cool that everything is different, and you can also see everything has hip-hop influences. Go to these Electro?Dance clubs and you'd be amazed to here the electro version of stanky leg or Birdman Money To Blow! You see, I was diggin' different long before it was cool.
2L's: Not only are you an artist, but you also are very in tune with fashion, correct? who are some of your favorite designers?
Chance: First let me start off by saying RIP Alexander McQueen, his vision and creativity will be missed. If it's one thing that could take the place of music in my life it's fashion hands down. I always tell people I'm not a rapper, I'm a fashionista that just knows how to rap...HAHA. No seriously, I've always been the guy that didn't like rocking what everbody else was rocking. I remember when rocawear was cool I was already on Bape and Evisu. When Bape got Saturated I cut down on my collection and started rocking SoftHard, Clot, Fenom, and John Lawrence Sullivan. I remember walking in PhatKaps one time with a Clot shirt on and the saleman being like "Where did you get that, what is that?". I mean not to knock any other rappers swag, but alot of them talk brands in there songs to sound cool but don't own it....If I say it in a song I own it. Hell I might own it and havent even said it yet. I was a stylist on the side to alot of local rappers and producers, thats how i got alot of my beats. Beats for BAPE's and exclusive Sneakers!!. In 2008 I was fed up with music and stopped to focus on my line Marti Mcfli full time. This was around the time I met N.E.R.D and gave Shae, Fam-Lay and Common a shirt and they were really digging it. Now I'm currently on my 4th season and it is being sold in the upscale Posh boutique in the Village and will soon be in JoyRich in L.A. Having it in Posh was a great accomplishment in a sense, because so many local designers try to get in there and get turned down and here is my brand on a rack next to Cavali and G Star. Im a big fan of Japanese design. Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, her apprentice Junya Watanabe, and Nigo creator of BAPE. I'm also a big fan of Karl Lagerfield, Tom Ford, and Stefano Pulati of Yves Saint Laurent. These are designers that are more so architects of fashion to me and I'm always blown away and inspired by their work.
2Ls: So what exactly influenced Japanese Lunchbox: A love story?
Chance: Life.Love.Lost. Just like in the promo video. It was just alot going on at that time in 2009 good and bad, but I'm the type of person that takes bad in it's worst form and make it art. N.O.B.O.T.S was doing very well in 2009 and we didn't even have a project out, I think we were the only act to play Next Big Nashville that didn't even have an album out...Crazy!! I'm a music artist...not just a rapper, and what I mean by that is It's embedded in me to paint a picture and for all the pieces to make sense in a creative way and for it to appeal on a universal scale outside of the four corners of the block. For example, would you look at my album cover and think that it is a hip-hop album? Probably not but it draws you in. Then you hear how ecletic the story is. Anybody that's listened to my album can never just classify it as one thing and I like that, because it's not just one thing. I've got country A&R's who, let's be honest aren't big into hip hop, loving my album, Heavy Metal headbangers and even the hood gets me which is even cooler. I always want to grab everbody's attention no matter what race, color, or creed. Thinking outside the box or Lunchbox for that matter has always just been me doing what I love to do no matter what people think. I also made this album for the ladies...Yesssir!
2L's: Nice! Who have you worked with so far?
Chance: Well in order to make an eclectic album, you must have a diverse group of minds working with you, which is why I had production by Ducko Mcfli who is the Maestro of N.O.B.O.T.S., that one was a no brainer. One guy that I was honored to work with, and did alot of the production for my album was Aaron Harmon of the rock band Enjoy The Zoo. I mean real talk, those guys from ETZ are the reason why I started back making music again at the start of 09. I went to one of their shows and was just blown away! I could tell by the first time talking to Aaron Harmon that his influence of hip hop was matched by his electro-rock vibe. I also have worked with upcoming producer/singer Boss Of Nova and Marcin Bela from Poland. As far as other artist, I have collab'd with electro heavy Justin Kase and Speaker Spell, R&B artist Rio & Robin Raynelle, Rappers Drupy & Future. I also was proud to get up and coming artist Mikky Ekko on my album, he has that Thom Yorke meets Muse kinda vibe and our collaboration on "Bleeding Hearts" was a first for both of us. I don't think he has worked with any hip-hop artist before so I was very honored.
2L's: Aside from your music, what are some other things you are into?
Chance: I'm into art. I'm not a painter by any means, but more like a connoisseur or advat admirer and collector. That is where I get the Warhol from, because of my love of art. Seriously all my photographer friends and models come to my apartment and want to take pics of my collection. You probably can catch me at almost every Art Crawl downtown at the Arcade. I mean free wine and art! It doesn't get any better than that!
2L's: What impact do you feel you will or have had on the music industry?
Chance: I'm just getting started, so I can't really say what impact I will have. As long as at the end of the day people sit back and vibe to my music, rock my clothing line or whatever I create and feel like they are apart of something thats bigger than the man behind it, then I'm fine with that.
2L's: I understand that. Your line is nice by the way! What can we expect from you in the future?
Chance: Tours!!! College tours, promo tours, etc.I'm going to SXSW as we speak, and then I'm doing Nashville Fashion Week with Naked Without Us. Also me and Aaron Harmon are doing the theme song for that. We are going to shoot a video or two for Jpanese Lunchbox. I'm looking foward to working with Nyse and Nash Overstreet from the rock band Hot Chell Rae as far as production goes. A "Warhol The World" mixtape, N.O.B.O.T.S. album, and the sophmore album "The Silver Factory." probably in the fourth quarter. Me expanding my clothing line and collaborating with Converse on my shoe line thanks to my Manager Robert Campbell. I'm also in talks with Sony, Universal Republic, and Republic Records as well.
2L's: To the artists who may havent gotten their foot in the door yet, what advice could you offer for them?
Chance: In the words of my fellow Nashville rapper "Grind Hard"!!! Also don't change or conform. The world needs individuality so don't be afraid to give the world you as an artist. Whether you a skateboarder or a hustler just tell your story and the world will appreciate you more than just another rapper following the pack.
2L's: What sets Chance Warhol aside from other artists?
Chance: I have a spaceship and they don't. HAHA! No seriously, I'm just me at the end of the day take it or leave. I'm the same guy whether I'm rockin Louis Vuitton Jaspers or $20 Polo shoes I bought from a Vintage store. Whether I'm in Karma Lounge or 12 & Porter electro night! I'm still me. Every artist thinks there the freshest, or there the best rapper. I just do me and let the people decide.
2L's: Anything else you'd like to tell my viewers?
Chance:Japanese Lunchbox: A Love Story on iTunes NOW!! It's epic, it's fresh, so go cop that!!!!
Check me out at www.warholtheworld.com
and follow me on twitter twitter.com/chancewarhol
Managment Contact:
Icrea8 Ideas
Robert Campbell
615-586-5999
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Chatting W/ L's: Starlito (cont.)
2L's: First off, for those who are unfamilar with Starlito, fill everyone in on the man behind the name.
Lito:It's Someone Trying And Really Living It Truly Officially (acronym)
2L's: Now I say Starlito now, opposed to Allstar. What influenced the name change for you?
Lito: Obviously, Carlito's Way, but less because it's a "Gangster" movie and moreso because of the underlying theme of a man torn between where he is and where he wants to be. Plus it rhymed. I suppose it was a form of recreating and reinventing myself artistically. Some of my most recent and most inspired work (IMO) "Renaissance Gangster" w/ DJ Burn One further explains my thought process as a street savy dude trying to let my morals and good sense prevail. Aside from all that, I had been known as "All Star Cashville's Prince" on some legal shit, and I felt like I had out-grown that. Not necessarily "All Star", but that long name for a title, etc. I'm me, I always will be. I'll respond to either. "LITO" seems to be what sticks, and what people use the most. Ladies, I even heard that if you say it three times fast all your dreams will come true.
2L's: You released a good number of songs and mixtapes in 2009. What was your favorite track or mixtape that you released and what can we expect for 2010?
Lito: Around the time I quit college, again, I decided that I wanted to return to form from when I had stopped going to college the first time to pursue rap as a career (2004). I dropped four mixtapes in 9 months, had never been on the radio, and earned a record deal. I was reminded by my loyal day one type fans of the quality and consistency of my original releases. The only difference I observed was an obvious hunger that was there at 19 when it was a now or never, do or die or get locked up type of mentality I was 'trapping' myself within.
I did the same with the 3-part LOVE series (I Love You Too, I Love You Too Much w/DJ Folk, I Still Love You w/DJ Burn One). I also released Tenn-a-keyan 3 w/DJ Crisis. I approached it similarly as I did before I had a deal, a following, etc. I would have to say "I Love You Too Much:The Necessary Evils" & "I Still Love You: Live from the Back of Class" were a tie because they both had that "play me straight through" album feel. They were different tapes though. I had liked "I Love You Too Much" and it was being very well received so it was hard for me to convince myself that I should drop another tape so soon. But after a while I just stopped thinking about it so much and the "I Still Love You" tape almost recorded itself. I had no features outside of my group (Trash Bag Gang) , and I didn't work In-studio with any producers. Just me and my natural/cosmic influences.I just figured with the internet as the vessel that it has become I would just channel my energy into what I'm blessed with, musical and lyrical talent. I'll spend this spring on the Live from the Kitchen Tour w/ Yo Gotti & Waka Flocka Flame. What I created through that massive amount of work I released was a spike in my demand curve. I also had quite a few records designate themselves as potential singles, which in this day and age is your lifeline as a hip-hop artist.
Choosing a favorite track would be a little harder. I'll try choosing one off each tape. "Made it This Far" off "I Love You Too" was a song I liked. I didn't curse and I jacked a Biggie Smalls beat w/ no regard, reference to the original song. I can remember it being just me and the beat as if the beat was made at the beginning of that studio session. "I Know Now" featuring Robin Raynelle off of "I Love You Too Much", because it was so brutally, and angrily, honest. Also, because that song immediately became my mother's favorite song, which was bittersweet considering the tone. I figured if it got her attention enough to appreciate it, then I was good at my job. To be comfortable being honest is almost lost in this artform and genre. Some of the most successful and sought after hip-hop music is absent of feeling and emotion. I like the idea of going the other way. Also, I had a different hook on that song originally. Getting in the studio and taking it apart with Robin turned it into a record rather than some frustrated rap shit. Broadway did his thing on the instrumentation with the Faith Evans Sample, and moms even noticed that and called me about it. On "I Still Love You" I'm partial to "Live from the Back of Class" feat. Mike J. It had no hook and I love everything about the song. The track is bumping, the raps are a good mesh. It's got a school theme, but it's like we are rapping right outside of the classroom while smoking. Kind of tripped out I guess, but not really for someone that actually sat in the back of nearly all their classes.
I can only hope and pray that 2010 allows for me to see a return on my investments from 2009 and yesteryear. I've already released Tenn-a-keyan 3.5 (but that whole series is more beat jacking). "Renaissance Gangster" w/ DJ Burn One is an album in the sense that it's all original production from Burn One. Starlito's Way 3:Life Insurance is my Street Album and conclusion to the Starlito's Way Series.
2L's: What can we expect from the upcoming Starlito's way 3: Life Insurance Mixtape?
Lito: A delay. Not from the record label/corporate end. But because I like "Renaissance Gangster" so much and that's alotta of original music back to back. I have been pushing for March 13th, which is ironically my mother's birthday. I've been finished since before I finished "I Still Love You" (released 12.22), but times change, and my temprement surrounding all this changes even more frequently. Maybe not a huge delay, but just til I get tired of people inquiring about it, which might be til March 30th or perhaps the Tuesday after Easter Sunday.
Completely unrelated, but I gave up eating other rapper's beats for Lent along with a few other things. No beat jacking til Easter, so maybe I'll do one Easter, put it out that Monday, then release the Album that Tuesday. This is the first time I mentioned any of this about a date change.
Content-wise, I just want to showcase the growth since "Starlito's Way 2" (2CD) which won me some awards and was extremely well received. It had some heavy and auto-biographical content. I was reaching and stepped into a space that at the time I hadn't with my music. The intro-spective. I had lived, gotten myself into my unfair share of trouble, and had surrounded myself with some energy that had me uncertain of the future. Some of that music was recorded not knowing if I'd survive. I think it was well received because it is part of the human condition that we really never if there will be a tomorrow. If I sounded angry, I was. If I sounded hurt, I was. If I sounded lost, etc. I actually was. Not just making those records, or making random records about feelings.
This time, I had upgraded my studio and had the luxury of recording at the crib. Because of that, I had done sooooo much music in between the time of Part 2 and the time that I decided to start on Part 3. I just sifted through everything and try to offer what an album would sound like if I had full creative control. Labels water down, and even if not intentionally, influence the recordings of artist. I say this having submitted probably 100 songs that have never been released. I know I lost some bangers in the process, because they've either become outdated or I just forgot about them. I ain't with that. I rap too well, and since I bought the equipment to be able to do it whenever I got the time, I figure this is the way I should do it. (laughs) Starlito's Way.
2L's: You've recently been speaking of the Trashbag Gang. What members does this consist of and where did you all get the name?
Lito: Right Now it's Mike J, Red Dot, and myself. Those are my two of my real-life every day homeboys. Mike started releasing music shortly after I did, and Red just kind of dove in to this rap thing head first after he got into some trouble. He going hard though. He rapping like he trying to get out of the streets, which i'd assume is why any street-cat would pursue the rap game. The name comes from having excess baggage (laughs). Naw, but seriously it's street content. That's where our bond starts and so it makes sense within the music. They making it fun for me again, and we've been working consistently. Whatever opportunities my ventures offer, tour included, I plan on using it as a launching pad for the group and my label (Grind Hard).
2L's: I'm sure everyone wants to know if you are still affiliated with Cashmoney Records. Are you still in touch with everyone? And can we expect any future work with them?
Lito: I hadn't really thought about it. I saw all those guys while I was at Yo Gotti's "Women Lie, Men Lie" video shoot. I guess you'd have to ask them.
2L's: Congradulations on making the cover of the February edition of Concrete Magazine! That had to be a good feeling for you right?
Lito: Sure. It was about the fourth time I had been on there. 2nd time by myself. The other two times alongside Yo Gotti. Being recognized is generally pretty cool. I guess even more when it was brought to my attention that increase in there ads and pages from other issues (laughs). I don't mean to keep laughing. I ain't trying to provoke no other kind of backlash, just restating what was brought to my attention (laughs). Concrete tries to give artist from Nashville a look that they might not otherwise be able to offer themselves, and I think that's good. I was partial to this one because I was smiling on the cover. I had a hard time smiling for a long time. Either because I was dwelling on what wasn't or because I couldn't find much to smile about. My fans have reminded me that neither of those frames of mind were where I was supposed to be.
2L's: Can you give any insight on who you're looking to work with in the near future and what's next for Starlito?
Lito: Perpetual Motion and forward progress. "Renaissance Gangster", "Starlito's Way 3", TRASH BAG GANG project, the tour w/ Yo and a label tape w/ I.E. (Gotti, Zed Zilla, Don Trip). My Clothing Brand and Label, Grind Hard. I got two singles in the streets that I'm behind, "Alright" & "I Go Ham"
2L's: What motivates you as an artist and what advice could you give to other artists looking to start a rap career?
Lito: This may seem cold, but my advise for someone looking to start a rap career is DON'T. I'm the same guy that suggests that you let know one crush your dreams, but I just wouldn't advise anyone to get into this cut-throat game. The business structure is fading, and I think there is less room to establish a career. I'm motivated as an artist by life and all it's influences whether good, bad, happy, or sad.
2L's: What seperates Starlito from other rappers in the South?
Lito:I think I'm extremely witty. An honest wit that comes from my interactions and experience. I guess that makes it genuine. I'm not trying to make anyone else less significant or genuine by saying that, but sometimes I listen to my music as if it's not me. I am my biggest critic and favorite rapper. I kind of take pride in being smart too. I think there are some other smart artists that hide it in their artistry. That's fair if they're doing in favor of marketing or getting a desired sound, but I'm just trying to put it all together. I want to be what I display.
2L's: How can we listen to your music and keep up with Starlito?
WWW.GRINDHARDONLINE.COM
TWITTER.COM/LITO615
MYSPACE.COM/STARLITOGRINDHARD
2L's: Ok, now I always ask those who I interview about my site. Just for fun, what do you think about the 2Lsonacloud site?
Lito: I think it's a cool site. For the fashion conscious hip-hop head its got a cool edge that offers enough to provoke new trends. It's cool to see someone give a look to what they prefer. Most blogs offer that, but it's not just a music thing, and it's not just a shoe thing, not just a clothing thing, etc. Plus it describes the weed head state that a certain portion of my music embodies. Just playing, sort of.(laughs)
Lito:It's Someone Trying And Really Living It Truly Officially (acronym)
2L's: Now I say Starlito now, opposed to Allstar. What influenced the name change for you?
Lito: Obviously, Carlito's Way, but less because it's a "Gangster" movie and moreso because of the underlying theme of a man torn between where he is and where he wants to be. Plus it rhymed. I suppose it was a form of recreating and reinventing myself artistically. Some of my most recent and most inspired work (IMO) "Renaissance Gangster" w/ DJ Burn One further explains my thought process as a street savy dude trying to let my morals and good sense prevail. Aside from all that, I had been known as "All Star Cashville's Prince" on some legal shit, and I felt like I had out-grown that. Not necessarily "All Star", but that long name for a title, etc. I'm me, I always will be. I'll respond to either. "LITO" seems to be what sticks, and what people use the most. Ladies, I even heard that if you say it three times fast all your dreams will come true.
2L's: You released a good number of songs and mixtapes in 2009. What was your favorite track or mixtape that you released and what can we expect for 2010?
Lito: Around the time I quit college, again, I decided that I wanted to return to form from when I had stopped going to college the first time to pursue rap as a career (2004). I dropped four mixtapes in 9 months, had never been on the radio, and earned a record deal. I was reminded by my loyal day one type fans of the quality and consistency of my original releases. The only difference I observed was an obvious hunger that was there at 19 when it was a now or never, do or die or get locked up type of mentality I was 'trapping' myself within.
I did the same with the 3-part LOVE series (I Love You Too, I Love You Too Much w/DJ Folk, I Still Love You w/DJ Burn One). I also released Tenn-a-keyan 3 w/DJ Crisis. I approached it similarly as I did before I had a deal, a following, etc. I would have to say "I Love You Too Much:The Necessary Evils" & "I Still Love You: Live from the Back of Class" were a tie because they both had that "play me straight through" album feel. They were different tapes though. I had liked "I Love You Too Much" and it was being very well received so it was hard for me to convince myself that I should drop another tape so soon. But after a while I just stopped thinking about it so much and the "I Still Love You" tape almost recorded itself. I had no features outside of my group (Trash Bag Gang) , and I didn't work In-studio with any producers. Just me and my natural/cosmic influences.I just figured with the internet as the vessel that it has become I would just channel my energy into what I'm blessed with, musical and lyrical talent. I'll spend this spring on the Live from the Kitchen Tour w/ Yo Gotti & Waka Flocka Flame. What I created through that massive amount of work I released was a spike in my demand curve. I also had quite a few records designate themselves as potential singles, which in this day and age is your lifeline as a hip-hop artist.
Choosing a favorite track would be a little harder. I'll try choosing one off each tape. "Made it This Far" off "I Love You Too" was a song I liked. I didn't curse and I jacked a Biggie Smalls beat w/ no regard, reference to the original song. I can remember it being just me and the beat as if the beat was made at the beginning of that studio session. "I Know Now" featuring Robin Raynelle off of "I Love You Too Much", because it was so brutally, and angrily, honest. Also, because that song immediately became my mother's favorite song, which was bittersweet considering the tone. I figured if it got her attention enough to appreciate it, then I was good at my job. To be comfortable being honest is almost lost in this artform and genre. Some of the most successful and sought after hip-hop music is absent of feeling and emotion. I like the idea of going the other way. Also, I had a different hook on that song originally. Getting in the studio and taking it apart with Robin turned it into a record rather than some frustrated rap shit. Broadway did his thing on the instrumentation with the Faith Evans Sample, and moms even noticed that and called me about it. On "I Still Love You" I'm partial to "Live from the Back of Class" feat. Mike J. It had no hook and I love everything about the song. The track is bumping, the raps are a good mesh. It's got a school theme, but it's like we are rapping right outside of the classroom while smoking. Kind of tripped out I guess, but not really for someone that actually sat in the back of nearly all their classes.
I can only hope and pray that 2010 allows for me to see a return on my investments from 2009 and yesteryear. I've already released Tenn-a-keyan 3.5 (but that whole series is more beat jacking). "Renaissance Gangster" w/ DJ Burn One is an album in the sense that it's all original production from Burn One. Starlito's Way 3:Life Insurance is my Street Album and conclusion to the Starlito's Way Series.
2L's: What can we expect from the upcoming Starlito's way 3: Life Insurance Mixtape?
Lito: A delay. Not from the record label/corporate end. But because I like "Renaissance Gangster" so much and that's alotta of original music back to back. I have been pushing for March 13th, which is ironically my mother's birthday. I've been finished since before I finished "I Still Love You" (released 12.22), but times change, and my temprement surrounding all this changes even more frequently. Maybe not a huge delay, but just til I get tired of people inquiring about it, which might be til March 30th or perhaps the Tuesday after Easter Sunday.
Completely unrelated, but I gave up eating other rapper's beats for Lent along with a few other things. No beat jacking til Easter, so maybe I'll do one Easter, put it out that Monday, then release the Album that Tuesday. This is the first time I mentioned any of this about a date change.
Content-wise, I just want to showcase the growth since "Starlito's Way 2" (2CD) which won me some awards and was extremely well received. It had some heavy and auto-biographical content. I was reaching and stepped into a space that at the time I hadn't with my music. The intro-spective. I had lived, gotten myself into my unfair share of trouble, and had surrounded myself with some energy that had me uncertain of the future. Some of that music was recorded not knowing if I'd survive. I think it was well received because it is part of the human condition that we really never if there will be a tomorrow. If I sounded angry, I was. If I sounded hurt, I was. If I sounded lost, etc. I actually was. Not just making those records, or making random records about feelings.
This time, I had upgraded my studio and had the luxury of recording at the crib. Because of that, I had done sooooo much music in between the time of Part 2 and the time that I decided to start on Part 3. I just sifted through everything and try to offer what an album would sound like if I had full creative control. Labels water down, and even if not intentionally, influence the recordings of artist. I say this having submitted probably 100 songs that have never been released. I know I lost some bangers in the process, because they've either become outdated or I just forgot about them. I ain't with that. I rap too well, and since I bought the equipment to be able to do it whenever I got the time, I figure this is the way I should do it. (laughs) Starlito's Way.
2L's: You've recently been speaking of the Trashbag Gang. What members does this consist of and where did you all get the name?
Lito: Right Now it's Mike J, Red Dot, and myself. Those are my two of my real-life every day homeboys. Mike started releasing music shortly after I did, and Red just kind of dove in to this rap thing head first after he got into some trouble. He going hard though. He rapping like he trying to get out of the streets, which i'd assume is why any street-cat would pursue the rap game. The name comes from having excess baggage (laughs). Naw, but seriously it's street content. That's where our bond starts and so it makes sense within the music. They making it fun for me again, and we've been working consistently. Whatever opportunities my ventures offer, tour included, I plan on using it as a launching pad for the group and my label (Grind Hard).
2L's: I'm sure everyone wants to know if you are still affiliated with Cashmoney Records. Are you still in touch with everyone? And can we expect any future work with them?
Lito: I hadn't really thought about it. I saw all those guys while I was at Yo Gotti's "Women Lie, Men Lie" video shoot. I guess you'd have to ask them.
2L's: Congradulations on making the cover of the February edition of Concrete Magazine! That had to be a good feeling for you right?
Lito: Sure. It was about the fourth time I had been on there. 2nd time by myself. The other two times alongside Yo Gotti. Being recognized is generally pretty cool. I guess even more when it was brought to my attention that increase in there ads and pages from other issues (laughs). I don't mean to keep laughing. I ain't trying to provoke no other kind of backlash, just restating what was brought to my attention (laughs). Concrete tries to give artist from Nashville a look that they might not otherwise be able to offer themselves, and I think that's good. I was partial to this one because I was smiling on the cover. I had a hard time smiling for a long time. Either because I was dwelling on what wasn't or because I couldn't find much to smile about. My fans have reminded me that neither of those frames of mind were where I was supposed to be.
2L's: Can you give any insight on who you're looking to work with in the near future and what's next for Starlito?
Lito: Perpetual Motion and forward progress. "Renaissance Gangster", "Starlito's Way 3", TRASH BAG GANG project, the tour w/ Yo and a label tape w/ I.E. (Gotti, Zed Zilla, Don Trip). My Clothing Brand and Label, Grind Hard. I got two singles in the streets that I'm behind, "Alright" & "I Go Ham"
2L's: What motivates you as an artist and what advice could you give to other artists looking to start a rap career?
Lito: This may seem cold, but my advise for someone looking to start a rap career is DON'T. I'm the same guy that suggests that you let know one crush your dreams, but I just wouldn't advise anyone to get into this cut-throat game. The business structure is fading, and I think there is less room to establish a career. I'm motivated as an artist by life and all it's influences whether good, bad, happy, or sad.
2L's: What seperates Starlito from other rappers in the South?
Lito:I think I'm extremely witty. An honest wit that comes from my interactions and experience. I guess that makes it genuine. I'm not trying to make anyone else less significant or genuine by saying that, but sometimes I listen to my music as if it's not me. I am my biggest critic and favorite rapper. I kind of take pride in being smart too. I think there are some other smart artists that hide it in their artistry. That's fair if they're doing in favor of marketing or getting a desired sound, but I'm just trying to put it all together. I want to be what I display.
2L's: How can we listen to your music and keep up with Starlito?
WWW.GRINDHARDONLINE.COM
TWITTER.COM/LITO615
MYSPACE.COM/STARLITOGRINDHARD
2L's: Ok, now I always ask those who I interview about my site. Just for fun, what do you think about the 2Lsonacloud site?
Lito: I think it's a cool site. For the fashion conscious hip-hop head its got a cool edge that offers enough to provoke new trends. It's cool to see someone give a look to what they prefer. Most blogs offer that, but it's not just a music thing, and it's not just a shoe thing, not just a clothing thing, etc. Plus it describes the weed head state that a certain portion of my music embodies. Just playing, sort of.(laughs)
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