Vital Stats

Age: 24
Instruments/duties: I rap, sing and write songs. I perform with a DJ and-or with a band.
Bands/artists you perform with on a regular basis: Dark Citizen. I sit in with Duo de Boom and Stylus Groove.
Day job: Student at Daytona State College
Hometown: New Smyrna Beach
Current residence: New Smyrna Beach
Type of music you perform: Southern-style/future-contemporary/funk/soul/hip-hop/fusion
Upcoming area gigs: 8 p.m. May 15, Seabreeze Coffee Connection, 315 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach; cover $3 with flyer, $5 without. The show will stream live on coffeeshoptv.com.
CDs: I have a new mix-tape that will be available for free this May. You can listen to songs from it on the website.
Website: soundcloud.com/unifying-theory-records



Taking Notes
 
Who or what inspired you to take up music?
     
I started rapping in high school because it was something I was good at that my peers respected. As my rap evolved, my purpose for rapping had to as well, leading me to my current thesis: Everything I create is for me. Others may be able to benefit, but the gratification I get from creating should be the only motivation for my art.
     
Eliminating regard for audience allows me to make genuine music. We still think about our audience as it relates to marketing which song to which crowd, but during the creation process nothing should motivate you but emotion.
 
What musician/celebrity/historical person would you most like to have dinner with?
     
I would like to have my last supper with Jesus, Tupac, Biggie, Khalil Gibran, J.J. Abrams, Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, Stan Lee, (Japanese manga artist) Osamu Tezuka, Moses, Muhammad and Siddhartha Gautama. We would have a discussion that would answer all the questions I have about the universe.
 
What was the last book you read?
     
"1984" by George Orwell
 
What CD/tape/music is in your car/home stereo/iPod right now?
     
I've been listening to young LL Cool J, Eric B. and Rakim, MF Doom's "Born Like This" and Major Lazer's "Guns Don't Kill People Lazers Do."
 
What is your favorite movie?
     
"Coming to America"
 
What was the best concert you ever attended?
     
The best show I ever saw was Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh live in Orlando. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands with minimal effort. They were so cool and collected and completely in control.
 
"If I didn't play music, I would ... ":
     
Rap to myself.
 
"I'd sell my soul for ...":
     
Soul.