Respect Magazine’s Unsigned Spotlight – Series 5 - RESPECT.

Independent artists keep music exciting & always remind us that there is so much talent in the world. Nowadays it is easy to get swamped with all the mainstream music that is out & you often forget to take time out to discover some new sounds that’s where Unsigned Spotlight comes in. Sundays at Respect Magazine will now be dedicated to giving Unsigned artists the spotlight & showcasing their talents. These artists will come from all over the country & have various backgrounds but all their music will be unique in a way as they pave the way for the next wave of music. Enjoy!

1. Clay James – (@WhoIsClayJames)

Clay James aka The Prince Of The South comes out of Atlanta by way of Savannah with his own wave of music. Sticking to his Southern roots, he supplies us with a high fashion taste backed by his player lyrics & charismatic flow. His music is filled with heavy lyricism & he has shown us that he can handle various types of productions. His movement continues to evolve & his future is looking bright.

1. What’s the biggest goal you hope to accomplish in 2015?

I want to have a video in rotation on MTV. I just feel like once the world see what I’m offering to the hip-hop game and the fact I’m showing another side to “southern rap” music, I think I will become a superstar.

2. What message do you hope your music gives to the listeners?

I hope my listeners get inspired from my music. I’ve faced a lot of adversity growing up and as an artist in the industry and I still keep achieving things that only a few people from my town (Savannah Ga) I have been able to accomplish. I want my listeners to see thru my struggle that anything is possible long as you believe in yourself!

3. How would you describe your own sound?

Traditional southern sound, with a modern and innovative twist. My tone and accent and subject matter is similar to the southern rap music of the past but me being an artist thriving in 2015 I’m able to give you the sound from a more modern perspective. From a perspective of the southern kid that is from the hood, went to college, and was able to experience a whole another side of southern living come from a small town to the city of Atlanta. All this contributes to my sound.

4. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since making music?

Not to put so much trust in other people when it comes to handling your career. No one else is gonna move with a sense of urgency pertaining to your career like you will. And waiting on others to do what you can be doing yourself is only gonna slow you down and that can be the difference between you making it and not making it in this game.

2. ReQ Cartier – (@ReQCartier)

ReQ Cartier out of Brooklyn comes with a nice skill set & a knack for putting together some great music. The Bed-Stuy upstart has been making moves for a minute now & his growth is evident in every release. Always putting on for where he’s from, ReQ plans to bring a new voice to New York & fills his music with various elements. Get in tune.

1. What’s the biggest goal you hope to accomplish in 2015?

Currently, my biggest goal for 2015 is to breakout on the indie scene and make people aware of ReQ Cartier. Within the last 2 years, my team and I have worked to create a buzz for myself along with The Suite Life brand throughout New York City. Now everything is coming full circle and its time to get my name buzzing on the national indie scene and not just the local.

2. What message do you hope your music gives to the listeners?

I want people to understand my story. When people hear my music, I need them to learn who I am. Every song I reference where I’m from by saying “Brooklyn” or “Bed-Stuy”. I’m proud of where I came from. Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York made me who I am. I believe that listeners can see I’ve been through some stuff & learned from it. Hopefully they can take from my story and apply what they learned to theirs. Music helps people evolve in life, believe it or not…

3. How would you describe your own sound?

My sound is pretty unique in my opinion. I don’t sound like a New York rapper, which is a good thing. When I first started rapping in 2002, I said that I would polish my flow before I decided to be serious and make a career out of this. Polished to the point where I’m deemed versatile and you can’t tell Im from New York. Then I added singing to the mix. I listen to a lot of artists who are versatile. You look at artists such as Drake and Tory Lanez; These guys switch things up so much, you never know what to expect. And if they happen to throw mediocre material out, you get disappointed because you’re so used to being shocked and amazed. That’s the same feeling I want people to have for me. My sound is so different from your average new york artist. I can give you the punchlines and gritty aggression. But then I can harmonize or sing a hook and even the fellas are rocking with it.

4. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since making music?

Music is a business. Treat it like a hobby and you’ll never make it. As soon you decide that you want to seriously do music, you become a brand. Therefore, you must carry yourself like a brand. It’s more than just making music and putting it on the internet. You gotta learn all aspects of this industry. Books, Google & Youtube are your best friends. Learning the business side of the music industry will help you in the long run. A lot of these artists don’t know about copyright, Soundscan, ASCAP or BMI. Thats not even 1% of the stuff an artists needs to know to prosper the right way. I’ve been doing this for about 13 years. Studying the game. Met a lot of people. Seen a lot of people blow up. Seen even more do nothing. I just studied and learned from it all. Then applied it within the last 2 years. Now it’s time to work. I’m still learning as the days go by. And everything I learn, I pass it off to my team because nobody else is gonna teach them. Artists usually get on and tell you “work hard” and that’s it. That’s not real words for the upcoming artists. We gotta properly tell each other how to succeed. That’s what I’m doing. Learn the game. Research, study and apply. The Suite Life.

3. Money Makin’ Nique – (@MoneyMakinNique)

Money Makin’ Nique comes rumbling out of Atlanta in his own lane & a hard-hitting sound. Fueled with real-life material on his records & heavy punchlines, he shows us that he has what it takes to be a force in this industry. With so much music coming out of Atlanta, it’s refreshing to hear someone not get caught up in the popular sound. His music speaks for itself & it’s going to be exciting to continue to watch him grow.

1. What’s the biggest goal you hope to accomplish in 2015?

My biggest goal is to put my team in a better position in terms of livelihood. I’m the type of person that functions better when the people around me are happy. It makes my job easier.

2.What message do you hope your music gives to the listeners?

To pay attention and to make my presence felt. Without tryna sound too deep. I love perspective. So I try to cater to everybody musically in a specific way, but in a way that only I can do it. Never sounding out of character. always sounding like me. Regardless of what it is.

3. How would you describe your own sound?

In 3 words. Colorful. Vivid. and Lyrical

4.What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since making music?

Do it yourself. No risk, no reward

4. Hodgie – (@HodgieXVII)

Born and raised in Lima, OH currently residing in Columbus, OH, Hodgie started his musical career in 2001 and has made a name for himself in the Midwest music scene throughout the years. Hodgie has ghost written for different industry artists and was first noticed by R&B singer Ginuwine in 2005. His music shows his signature style & his conscious sound. He gets better & better as he progresses in the industry.

1. What’s the biggest goal you hope to accomplish in 2015?

I definitely want to increase visibility for me and my brand, but I really want to continue to grow as an artist. I know I have a lot to say and you can only get so much out in a record. I definitely want to show the world what Ohio has to offer on the Hip-Hop side. If I had it my way, I’d be a house hold name before the years up, but I’m willing to get there the same way I got here. Step by step. No handouts. Don’t get me wrong though, putting my momma in a new crib is really my motivation. So growing my brand, spreading my music and remaining the same while being able to take care of my loved ones is the goal.

2. What message do you hope your music gives to the listeners?

My music is all about going out and making your dreams a reality. This world isn’t really gonna hand nothing to you so you have to be the deciding factor in your own happiness. It’s about going hard, trying to do right by your people and making the people around you happy. I hope my listeners are inspired to not take no for an answer. All things are possible but it’s up to you. Success is what you make it, and we all have the ability to make our dreams come true. Just hold your head and keep pushing.

3. How would you describe your own sound?

My sound is a product of Ohio and the midwest. Your gonna get witty lyricism, as well as catchy hooks and stories. Being that Ohio is a melting pot, we’re influenced by a lot of different culture. I grew up listening to Pac, Biggie, Nas, Jay Z, Bone, Snoop and Dre, Project Pat, UGK, Outkast and many more. We got to take in all that flavor without having a coastal bias so your gonna get some of that in my music. On my debut album “American Dreamin” I also made it a point to incorporate some of the Ohio legends whose sound has had a big influence in music period. That includes mixing in Bootsy Collins “I’d Rather Be With You” and Zapp & Roger “More Bounce to the Ounce”. My sound is Ohio.

4. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since making music?

It’s been quite the learning experience for me over the years. I’d say the biggest thing was learning how to be patient, and how to operate with tunnel vision. This game is unforgiving and timing is everything. You have to be able to stay productive and visible while waiting for that window of opportunity. I’ve definitely learned how to stay patient, and focused at the same time. I’ve never wanted to get caught up in what others around me are doing, so having tunnel vision on my goals has allowed me to stay patient for better or worse. Things don’t happen overnight, but when that time comes you can’t drop the ball. Learning how to balance patience and the outside influence has turned me into a monster.