Fayette-Nam is in the Carolina Hustle BUILDING!!!! Yes, we have First in Flight Recording artist, Lo-Keys in the spotlight! Sit back, relax, and get ready to cruise at an altitude you've never been at before. Lo-Keys has some good things to say about the Carolinas and the movement we are in.
How did you come about finding Carolina Hustle?
I found out about Carolina Hustle in the later part of 2009. My manager had brought it up to me saying that many artist throughout the Carolinas were using it as a major networking tool and it was gaining a lot of followers on the web. So I gave him the go to sign up for it, and here we are today.
What does Carolina Hustle mean to you?
Well I think the Carolina Hustle defines North Carolina. You see everyone in the Carolinas hustling one way or another you know. Whether your rapping, hooping, or selling Bootleg merchandise it seems as if everyone in the Carolinas is hustling. So I believe that’s where the phrase comes from. As far as defining it I see it as meaning everyone has ambition. The ambition to make it to the top by any means necessary.
I got a chance to hear your interview on The Lyfestyle Radio with Ms. Chriss. You explained your situation about changing record labels. Do you mind explaining more in depth?
Changing record labels is a difficult thing. My manager and I were at Nam Records for 2 years. When they met me I was very young; I'd say around seventeen. I was very hungry for the music. The passion I had for it was undeniable so they took a chance with me and I took a chance with them. I recorded my first mixtape with them and everything was good. Then as tables turned they were asking me to record certain songs, dress a certain way and do things that I was not accustom to. After a lot of meetings and arguments I parted ways with them. The wheels were just stuck in the mud. They wanted me to act a certain way and make a certain brand of songs and I just couldn’t do it. I don’t believe that’s the way to go. Gimmicks get ripped apart after awhile, and I'm no gimmick or game. The streets is [are] serious and I can't run around being something im not. So after 2 years the last year I became real stagnant. By stagnant I just mean in one place. Not showing up for studio sessions, not returning phone calls and finally we lost contact. During the last year of that, Rain and I had became real good friends and let me stamp the music with the First in Flight logo. I create the music I want over here. No restrictions. So if I'm feeling a certain type of way and make a club song then I want to make a song about my life it’s all good and music is based off emotion. I like to think of it as “Another song done, another thought captured.”
Nowadays, race isn’t even a factor when it comes to Hip Hop. Have you come across anyone who thinks otherwise?
Actually, I haven’t come across anyone who thinks it’s a problem. Well at least not anyone that would say it to my face. I can’t change anything that’s happened in the past. I understand people have history. So if anyone does think like that I understand their opinion and I respect it. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to change a person’s way of thinking. I understand people come from different generations, so people in my generation don’t have the same mindset as people that come from our parent’s generation. I look at it as “different times, different ways.” So, to anyone who may think I have no place in music, the way I have it, I would encourage them to listen to my music and try to understand my story and where I come from because talent is undeniable.
What do you feel needs to change in your market (NC) and what needs to change in the Carolina (NC & SC) market as a whole?
I think radio has to change. Program directors have to play Carolina music. Spins create record deals. So that’s what’s missing here. As a whole I can’t really tell you what needs to change. Over the last year or so I have seen a lot of North Carolina and South Carolina artist working together. We get nominated at a lot of their award shows and such. So I have seen a lot of progression over the last year or so with the two states and peoples views. It’s a good thing for the Carolina’s as a whole.
What would you like to see happen for the two states for the rest of the year?
Well I would love to see us get our well deserved spot in the industry. Like I said before “talent is undeniable” so I know they are looking it’s just the fact of actually convincing someone to put the money behind you for that major push. That’s the tuff thing. I would also like to see more North Carolina and South Carolina Djs working together. Creating mixtape’s to flood the streets with Carolina artist. The More we work together the more gaps we bridge, which in turn is more progression for the state.
Independent or Major? What are your views on the two?
Well I would go with major to be honest. Even though now on a major you still have to do as much footwork as an artist on an independent label the brand means so much. Major labels hold a weight that independent labels don’t. That can range anywhere from the promotion funds, air time and also how much you can actually charge promoters for a show, so there are many benefits of being on a major label rather then independent. However I don’t see anything wrong with independent labels but if I had to pick from the two I would recommend a major in all cases.
What in 2009 are you going to bring with you into 2010?
I’m bringing First in Flight with me. That’s the team. So no matter what years change into we are family. God willing we will get on together and leave the game together.
What in 2009 are [did] you leaving in 2009?
Well that’s a hard question. (laughs) I guess I’m going to leave my anger with some people behind. I recently did a new song called “Forgive and Forget” and that talks a lot about some of the issues I had in the past with people and how I’m willing to let it go and start over fresh. I’m not saying everyone deserves a second chance, I’m saying I’m willing to leave it behind.
Shout outs, what to look out for, new music, DVDs, Videos, etc…
Always. Look for the new project I have coming out in 2010 with Dj Messiah entitled “From Dusk Till Dawn” I’m going to have a lot of heat on there for the streets. Coming into that you guys will see more videos from me on the blogs and in studio sessions of me creating the actual project. As always you can hop on most blogs and catch the leaks that come out and new freestyles as well and most of the time if Rain is showing up in your town ill be there baby. Big Shout out to CarolinaHustle.com, TheLyfestyle.com, Rap Soulution Magazine, First in Flight Entertainment, Dj Messiah, and the whole North Carolina. We going in!!!! 2010 is going to be big.
Contact & Website:
www.twitter.com/LoKeys910
http://www.lokeys910.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/LoKeys910
Music Downloads:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/qzsfyx - Lo-Keys feat. Rain "Sinful Life" (Prod. By Rain)
http://www.mediafire.com/?zhny5oioj4y - Lo-Keys "PaperTrail" (Prod. By Beeno)
http://www.mediafire.com/?cejgzmy1nqm - Lo-Keys "On To The Next One" (Freestyle)
http://www.mediafire.com/?1oczuw5w2m5 - Lo-Keys "I Wanna Rock" (Freestyle
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