Rising Artist Haze OPC Talks New Music, What It Takes To Write Your Own Lyrics, Internet Struggles And More

1. How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place?

“I’ve been writing songs for awhile now, but as far as finding my own unique way and being comfortable with it, I’ll say 5 years. I got started because music is my passion & it’s something I saw my older cousins & family members doing and it inspired me so here I am out here grinding & working hard to finish what they started.”

2. Who were the first influences on your music & style?

“Musically my first influences were legendary hit makers like the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson, and one of the kings of soul, Roy C, and a lot of the older greats that my parents were always playing around the house. As the music and sound evolved so did the influences so it’s a lot of people I can’t limit myself to just pick one person. I would like to give a big shoutout to, The Sandpipe because they definitely sparked something inside of me. R.I.P. to the living legend J.Boss, the pioneer of it all. They are truly some hometown legends K-Town Stand Up. As far as my style I’d say Camron & Dipset because they were always original and different, they don’t get the credit they deserve and those guys birthed a lot of great things and people. Free Max B.”

 3. In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

“In my opinion it’s a lot of great artists male and female so I just can’t say one person. Everybody is successful in the game in my eyes, if they’re doing what they love and having fun with it but in the same note making a living off doing it, being bosses and helping others feed their families.”

4. Do you think your music is mostly enjoyed more for the beats or for the lyrical flow and content?

“I’d have to say all 3, guess you can say it’s a Triple Threat. In my opinion all of them go hand in hand. I’m pleased with the outcome so I aim to make the audience and listeners feel the same way I do.”

5. Do you write your own lyrics? If yes, what do you think about artists who use ghost writers?

“Yes I do. I feel like originality defines who you are as a artist and what you stand for but to those who tend to get a little help from someone else to each his/her own, I’m not the one to judge, but I would say just be truthful if the question arises and give credit where it’s due.”

6. If you could choose to work with some of today’s established artists or producers, to move your game to the top, with whom would you like to collaborate?

“Anybody that’s original & share the same similar ideas & beliefs I do. Anyone with great ideas that aren’t afraid to let somebody else shine & eat without all the extra BS. I love music and different styles so I’m pretty much open to work with anybody that’s ready to get in the studio and work”

7. Which latest songs, videos or mixtapes releases are currently available to your fans and where can they be heard or downloaded?

“Well currently we’re promoting the singles “I’m Tired,” “Mind On Track,” and “Bad Habits;” as well as the videos for those singles. Why, which just got nominated for the Carolina Video Awards can be caught on YouTube as well as, “No Capp,” the latest single off of the project, Moment Of Silence. You can also find all those tracks on Spotify as well as other streaming services. You can download and stream the latest compilation.”

8. Which ingredient do you think is most essential in making your sound and style the way it is?

“Faith, being original, being myself, telling & speaking my truths and showing my personalities having fun doing what I love whole time being relaxed doing so.”

9. Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc., and why?

“Pain, sadness, anger and passion, passionately crying out Just from telling my story and giving my testimony. The GOD inside of me helped me rise from a lot so I feel like, it’s only right for me to help those that’s going through certain situations and issues rise from theirs as well. I have to be the light in the darkness and help lead the way or else everything I do, been through and fought so hard for would be in vain.”

10. What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

 

“The aspect of the process that excites me the most is the beginning process. Having an idea or hearing a beat and listening to what the beat is saying to me, basically what emotion is resonating within me that’s trying to get out and be heard. What discourages me the most is trying to get it out exactly like how it is in my head and putting it on the track to be released into the universe, so it will & can be received by the people that the song/message is meant to be reached and received by.”

11. How involved are you in the recording, producing, mastering, marketing, and other processes needed to make and sell your music, and do you outsource any part of these processes?

 

“I’m very involved in recording, producing, mastering, marketing and other processes needed to make and sell my music. I try to be apart of every aspect to learn as much as possible to create a formula that works for me and possibly help others. As far as out sourcing I’m a firm believer that whoever and whatever is for me will gravitate towards me. I’m open to the idea if the opportunity arises, but right now I’m still weighing my options and looking for new avenues to venture to expand my brand as well as protecting it and taking ‘Official Paper Chasers Records’ to the next level.”

12. Do you think the advent of internet and all the new technology has helped your music and independent musicians in general, or do you think it just creates a mass of mediocre “copycats” who flood the web, making it difficult to distinguish yourself? 

“I Think the internet is a blessing and a curse. With all the major platforms out there like YouTube, Spotify and iTunes; just to name a few, artist are able to put themselves out there for exposure and display their craft in hopes of it catching the right person/people’s attention. The internet do make it easier in a lot of ways to target people that you probably couldn’t reach on a daily basis. In the same breath it’s a curse because you’re putting yourself at risk because other people can steal and try to mimic your style, and act as if it’s their own and don’t even give you credit for none of it even if you’re the source that sparked the idea or helped them with something. Legally, if you don’t have nothing in writing backing you up it’s a loss you’d have to take and there’s no room for error or setbacks in the music industry. That’s why it’s important to stay growing and evolving so you’ll stay steps ahead of the game and everyone else.”

13. What in your opinion is the biggest barrier an artist like yourself, has to face and overcome, to gain any commercial success?

“I’d say the biggest barrier is finding and fighting your way through because everybody doesn’t want to see you make it, they hate to see the greatness in you come out. Just stay true to yourself through it all and don’t get discouraged, quit or lose yourself during the process.”

14.In closing, tell us something about any project and ideas you have in store or already working on as well as where people can find your music.

“Well there are several projects available for the people to check out. The Compilations by Official Paper Chasers, Life Iz What U Make It; and The Last Will Be First;  The Project Time Iz At Hand by yours truly Haze OPC they’re all available on DatPiff and all your music sites. We have the singles out now which I mentioned earlier in the interview that you can find & check out on all your streaming services.”

IG: @Mr_Paper_Chaser_Opc Or @OfficialPaperChasersMusic
Twitter: @HazeOpc