New York producer and artist Why Cue began gaining recognition after producing for former Jive Records artist Lil B “The Based God” He is also well known for his Trippy singles, Drippin’ being one of his latest which lead his YouTube channel to reach almost a million views. Why Cue debuted national radio play in 2017, with Roswell Gray when their single “I Get Around” got spun on New York’s Hot 97. Fast forward into 2013 he managed to get a co-sign from Bankhead rapper Shawty Lo. 2018 Why Cue released his latest visual for his single “Cappin Alert” shot and edited by Tyler B Studio’s who recently released collaborated videos for Young MA, Flipp Dinero & Jay Critch. He currently shoots music videos as well. Most of all of his videos are shot & edited by Why Cue himself under his brand WhyCueTV. He’s also the co-founder of his label SPG/Pluto Ent.
RESPECT.: Where are you originally from?
Why Cue: Originally born in Peekskill, NY. My pops had moved my family from Brooklyn before I was born in pursuit of a better life. I mean it was a better living situation but it’s still bulls**t everywhere you go, but we made the best out of it.
RESPECT.: You’ve been making a spark over the last few years on the scene, what makes your platform effective towards your fan base?
Why Cue: Well mainly because everything I speak about is real. I try to only speak on things my fans can relate to. Always keep it realistic because that’s how you touch base with your fans I feel like over the years my fans seen me progress they actually got a chance to witness my story then to actually just hear about it.
RESPECT.: How’d you get into music?
Why Cue: Well my step pops was a DJ & when I was young I would always watch him do his thang on the turn tables. He was old school so he had me listening to classic’s early. After he past away I had to take music even more serious because it was an eye opener to me that life is short. Him dying of cancer is what made go into overdrive.
RESPECT.: You enjoy being the artist or the producer, what’s the difference in the process?
Why Cue: Well I always was an artist first but producing is what got my name out there when I first started. End of the day all rappers need beats so producing can bring you a long way. I honestly enjoy being an artist much more that’s why I fell back from producing.
RESPECT.: Who are a few of your musical influences?
Why Cue: One of my biggest influences is Ice Cube. I love how he took the music thing & took it over to acting. I feel as an artist now a days you have to come with a package. I mean anybody can rap but are you willing to take your take your career to the next level? Ice Cube showed me that it doesn’t matter where you come from you just have to believe in yourself & never limit yourself. I also grew up listening to Wiz Khalifa, G-Unit, Dip Set, Ruff Ryders the list goes on. Right now I’m listening to artist like Gunna, Lil Got It & Trippie Red I like the whole melodic s**t too It’s a different vibe. I’m mainly listening a lot of underground up and coming artist at the moment though. Mostly New York we been f*****g shit up lately.
RESPECT.: You’ve produced for artists like Lil B, how’d you get position for the opportunity and how has this helped with your sound?
Why Cue: It actually helped me a lot because Lil B was signed at the time I got my first placement with him & I’m just this kid looking to make a name for himself. So when I started making beats for B a lot of people started reaching out to me mostly his fans.
RESPECT.: Music is a commitment and it can be hard balancing that with the family. I know you recently lost your stepfather who had an impact on you, how you feeling about that and what would he want you to do with your career?
Why Cue: Well before he died some his last words to me was to show my face more. To travel and get in front of people faces & just network mainly. Ever since he gave me those words I just took it and ran with it now I can’t stop taking vacations I love it. I’m always finding myself running into important people now & I just want to leave my mark & show people I’m coming. I think that’s what he wanted for me for me to see the world & never limit myself.
RESPECT.: You recently dropped “Lavish” you focused on the commas at this point in the game?
Why Cue: Not really I’m more focused on making good music cause that’s what I’m doing it for, for the fans. I mean everybody wants to get paid but when I started it wasn’t even about the money. It was about something that made me feel good, an escape route to express my feelings & relate to others through music. I love the feedback I get from my music the money is just something that comes with it unfortunately.
RESPECT.: What’s your plan for 2019-2020?
Why Cue: My plan is to drop more music videos. On top of that I have my album Xxotic 2 on the way I got a good feeling about this album. I’m taking my time on it really focusing more on quality. I’ve been doing music for a long time now & I just really just want to give my fans what they want to hear & be more consistent. By 2020 i’m a be doing a lot more shows and meet & greet’s with my fans because they’re the people who keep me going & I’m always looking to give back.
RESPECT.: Any advice you have aspiring artists watching what you do?
Why Cue: Invest in yourself. That’s really the main thing. I saw a lot more things happening for me once I started putting the money behind the music. I mean anybody can rap & shit but who’s really listening if you just starting off ya feel me that’s where the investments come in. You gotta put up money for music video’s, promo & even studio time. I invested in my own studio which cut out he middle man & made things a lot much easier for me.”
RESPECT.: How did you manage to work with Shawty Lo?
Why Cue: Well I met Shawty Lo through a close friend of mine DJ Ransom Dollars. He was actually Shawty Lo’s DJ at the time & we had worked on a mixtape together. I met Ransom through one of Lo’s artist Jurrarri. Rrarri was one of the first to rock wit me so when I brought it up Ransom he said he was gone try to make it happen; me thinking nothing of it. So one day I’m just chilling wit my boys & I get a call from Shawty Lo. I ain’t even gone lie I was hype to hear bro voice. At first I thought it was a prank call or some shit but nah it was really him he was f*****g with me RIP Shawty Lo.
RESPECT.: What does RESPECT. mean to you?
Why Cue: Respect is not something that’s given its earned. A lot of people forget that. To get respect you have to give it. Nobody is gonna respect somebody that’s not putting in the work it don’t matter what you doing. Be the best at what ever you do its the effort that counts & treat people the way you want to be treated because everything comes back around so if your putting out bad energy its gonna come back to you & bite you in the ass & that’s real talk. Respect can bring you a long way.
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