Eppic became interested in music at age 11. After watching the movie 8 milie with his Dad, he began experimenting with music, writing lyrics.
Although he said he only started off as a hobby but everything changed for him when his Dad took him to watch Eminem perform at one of his concerts, after seeing the energy of the crowd, the interaction of the artist with fans, the energy he brought on stage, he realised that this is what he wanted to do.
Here’s the full interview.
Hey man, Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today. How are you doing?
I'm doing great.
Can you give us some background information about yourself to get to know you better?
I was born in Washington D.C. on July 12,1991 and moved to Colorado when I was 2 years old.
Take us back in time, How did you get involved in music?
I actually got involved in music when I was about 11 years old. My father was watching '8 Mile' one day and I was so captivated by the movie from beginning to end. Once it was over and I heard 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem I immediately ran to my room, grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and I began to write. It started off as a hobby at first but then I started to love it more and more as I got deeper into and I learned how to structure verses and entire songs.
I was always the shy and quiet kid in school and so when it came to times where I had express myself and speak up I could never do it and that's why I have such a passion for music and writing because I'm able to speak up and say what's on my mind creatively. The passion and drive really sparked inside me when my father took me to see an Eminem concert for my 14th birthday.
The way the crowd reacted and how Eminem interacted with his fans and the energy that he brought on stage was incredible and that's when I knew that's what I wanted to do. It was until later when 2 of my good friends pass away that I began to write from a different perspective and actually observing different situations that were going on around me and that I wanted to write about real situations and not about what other rappers typically write about.
I wanted to bring a different vibe. I had always written for the lord, but it was after I brought myself out of this deep depression that I fell into when I really began speaking about god and how much faith I had in him and how I wanted to just spread the word through my music and to move people with every song that I wrote.
Where did you decide to actually take it serious?
It was definitely after the Eminem concert that I truly wanted to do music for a living. I had also done a few performances as well through high school, but I was so nervous that my legs literally went dumb before each show, but it was the feeling afterwards that I loved the most because having people tell you that they like what they heard and still support you even when you messed up a line or two was a great feeling and that kept fueling my passion for music.
Who were your musical inspiration growing up and why?
I would have to say my musical inspirations were and still are Eminem, Lecrae, and Jay-Z because I really look up to artist with great work ethic and in my opinion those three had the work ethic, the talent, but also the true passion for music that I really admire.
How did you hook up with Tyler and the Crew, would you say that also helped you as an artist?
I was in my first year, second semester of college and Tyler had just came out with a cover to 'We Are
The World' and I remember thinking it was a really good cover. So I began researching Tyler and the other artists that were in the video and I found out that Tyler lived in Denver. So I messaged him saying," if you have the time please check out my music and if you like what you hear maybe we could work together sometime." So a few days later he replied back to me saying he liked what he heard and that we should talk.
Then a month later Tyler calls me up to meet him and to record a cover to 'Airplanes' and the rest is history. I seriously thought I was only to going to record my song 'Doubt' and that was it, but god definitely had a plan. It was when I met Tyler when I met the band as well as the rest of the artists you see me collaborating with like Julia Sheer, Megan Nicole, and Jeff Hendrick. Meeting them has definitely helped me as an artist, there's no doubt about it.
My style, flow, and how I express myself on each song has definitely improved by working with Tyler and the crew because they hear things that I sometimes miss and then they also tell me different ways I could say something in different parts of the song to make it more powerful. So yeah I'm definitely blessed to be able to work with them and blessed for everything that they have taught me so far.
Have you encountered any setback as an artist that you would like to share with us, especially how you came out of it?
Writers block is the worst thing that can happen to an artist. There was a point where I had serious writers block for about 2 months straight and I thought I was going to go insane. I'm telling you when I can't write a song for long periods of time I don't know what to do with myself and I begin to freak out haha.
Every day I was in the studio, but it felt as if I was forcing lyrics to come so my songs weren't as great as I would had liked them. So what I did was I left the studio for about a week or so and got some fresh air and did other things to keep my mind off the music for a bit so I could calm myself down. But when I returned back to the studio eventually I felt great and was ready to write again.
What would you say has been your most memorable memory on your journey as a music artist?
Meeting and working with Tyler Ward and the Crew.
What has been the most valuable lesson learnt as an artist so far?
Always be different no matter what people think cause just know that you can't please everybody.
What do you do when you're not working on music?
Since I've been so focused on my music I haven't had time to hang out with friends so I'm usually catching up with them, getting in the gym, playing basketball, and watching a lot of Big Bang Theory and House.
Who are the 5 artists that you could love to work with right now?
1. Eminem
2. Lecrae
3. Lupe Fiasco
4. B.o.B
5. Carrie Underwood
What are your top 5 songs at the moment?
-I Believe by Blessid of Union Souls
-Crush Crush Crush by Paramore
-All of the lights by Kanye West
-Another Day by Natalie Grant
-Set Fire To The Rain by Adele
What are your currently working on?
I actually just got done working on and releasing my first EP 'Forever Imperfect'. Now that it's finally out I'm currently putting together ideas for a mixtape, but I don't want to get ahead of myself and jump into that project just yet. So until I figure out what I want to do with that I'm just focusing on new covers/remix and collaborations.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself on stage or in the studio working on new projects to put out and thinking of new ways to make a positive impact in someone's life with my music. Also I see myself sitting side by side with artists that I have always looked up to having a conversation about the future and making a difference in music.
What advices would you give to young rappers out there looking up to you for inspiration?
If your heart isn't in it 100% then you need to go find something else to do. There's a difference between a hobby and a passion for something. Work hard and don't let anyone tell you what kind of artist you should be because at the end of the day it's your music and they don't know what you are feeling. Also surround yourself with a strong team and positive people/artists because that's going to make a huge difference.
Don't forget to check him out on:
Make sure to support and download his new EP - Forever Imperfect
