PUSH! MONTANA
New York City, New York, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
With a steady grind, confident lyrics and a charismatic delivery, PUSH! Montana has managed to separate himself from the slew of mixtape dwelling MCs.
After a few run-ins with Maino (way before the deal), the two built up a common respect for each other's grind and ventured out to cement their names in a sleepy New York rap scene. "Maino is like my big brother," PUSH! says. "He felt my grind, my music and he didn't know I was so young and I was doing all this shit by myself, as far as putting myself in studios and getting clothes made".
PUSH! quickly became a fixture in Maino's crew and followed him to shows, studio sessions and to his eventual signing with Atlantic Records -- soaking up all the facets of the music industry all the way.
In a scathing diss record to some fellow Brooklynites, the two released "Disgrace to BIG," which generated a nice local buzz for PUSH! After dropping some verses on mixtapes, the Money In The Bank CEO released the initial offering from his The Fresh Prince of N.Y. mixtape series. Around the same time, PUSH!'s manager got some music to legendary Cincinnati producer DJ Hi-Tek. After a studio session together, Tek gave PUSH! a few beats. PUSH! spit a little lava onto the track and Tek, impressed with the performance, sent PUSH! the foundation to do what is now the street anthem "Kill You" from Tek's Hi-Teknology 3.
Originally content with a being a fixture on wax, PUSH! now has loftier plans. With his own imprint, Money In The Bank Entertainment, the self-described MCEO (MC+CEO for all you numbskulls) is on a mission to take on the world. - The Source Magazine
24 - So tell the world a bit about how you got into the music
and how long you been at it?
PUSH! - Well I’ve been rapping since 2002. But I've been rapping full-time since august 2009. I stopped the hustling and all the street bullshit I was involved in. There was jus a lot going on between my family getting locked up, my pops fighting cancer and both my grandmothers passing. I felt like God had a plan 4 me and it was 2 do this music. So I just wanted 2 submerge myself into my talent and go as hard as possible.
24 - Tell me about the Diss record you did alongside Maino called “Disgrace to BIG” in 2005. I’m aware you got a notch on your belt for that record particularly in the industry a lot of heads were talking about it who was the record directed to?
PUSH! -Yea shouts out to Maino. That record was a good look 4 me but not 4 Lil cease and Banga and rats worldwide I guess. But yeah…. that was a nice platform for me to display my lyrical powers and speak to the streets and let them know there’s still real niggas out here. MORALS STILL EXIST AND THE CODE STILL STANDS. DEATH B4 DISHONOR!
24 - What are some of the DVDS you have been featured on I know there is a bunch?
PUSH! - I've been on so many I can't name them all .My first one was on the Canada based "Rock Da House DVD".
Then Real Talk TV, Cocaine City, All Access n countless others.
24- How did your Relationship with Hi-Tek come about?
PUSH! - Well we didn't actually meet until we were at the studio laying “Kill you" down. My man D Prosper and Walt Jones (A&R at SONY/ATV) had told him about me because he was looking for new artists to work with on "HI TEKNOLOGY 3"
24 - How did the record “Kill you” originally come about on Hi Teks last album Hi-Tecknology 3? The album got many great reviews how did it feel to be apart of that project?
PUSH! - Well after they told him about me he sent a track 2 me which I guess was like to see if I had "IT" .The beat wasn't really a beat I would pick normally. But I did it anyway and it came out dope and he liked it a lot. That record is actually on my Rebirth/ No Floors mix tape. It’s called "Ridin Round". So after that he sent me the "Kill You" beat and set up the session. It felt great 2 be apart of that album. He's a legend in my eyes, and to be handpicked and featured on that record was big for me. It opened up a lot of eyes and it gave me an I’ll reference for my resume.
24 - Tell me about the mix tape “The Rebirth of Fresh” alongside Dj Canon tell me a bit about the mix tape and how you and Canon linked up for that collaboration?
PUSH! - Well Cannon is like a big brother. I mean I go 2 Atlanta every month and we always kick it. He's another person who I've met in this industry who is genuinely a good dude. And we just wanted 2 introduce my sound and style 2 the masses. A lot of so called rap "purists" get caught up in the fact that I do what they would consider gangster rap. And they don't even listen to my lyrics to understand that I'm the dopest nigga out here regardless of what u want to classify it as. That was the goal of this tape to show that I'm the New Guy.
24 - What do you feel separates you from other artist’s? And how do you feel about the state of music and artist’s in general coming out of New York?
PUSH! - What separates me is that I give u education in my bars and 100% truth. That's how I speak and that's how I rap. Some people got the street cred but they're not as lyrical. Then you got lyrical niggas who be making up shit in their raps. Then you got niggas who can rap but can't make songs and in person they are cornballs. I'm witty, make dope songs, and I’m authentic almost 2 a fault in this fake ass industry. I feel good about the industry. I mean its politics in everything in life and things could be better but you just have to roll with the punches. Real niggas adjust to they surroundings and still eat. I love the internet right now. It allows me to move as an independent artist and reach my fans across the world without leaving the office. I mean and for NY artists we have an uphill battle right now and our djs, radio stations don't really support us out here like they do out of town. They rather go to Atlanta and bring all the new shit from down there and play it. But we (talking about NY artists) we need to just outwork everybody and make good music. Only worry yourself with things you can control and perfect your craft. Fuck all the petty bullshit going on out here. It’s a whole new world out here and if u can't build a fan base out of all these millions of people, that should show you that you don't need to be rapping. UPS is hiring. And that court officer test coming up again.
24 – Before we check out let our readers know around the world where they can cop the new mix tapes and stay in touch with everything Montana…….
PUSH! - You can keep up with me on www.PUSHonDEMAND.com.
And on twitter/PUSHMONTANA. Besides that just keep your ears to the pavement for that new street shit. It’s PUSH! Don’t forget that exclamation point in my name. Always make a statement! Thanks for the interview homie. FRESSHHH!!!!!!
- 24hourhiphop.com
The Deal delivers the best Hip-Hop videos and up and coming talent on BET. PUSH! Montana appeared and kicked a freestyle on a segment of "60 Second Cypher" on 4/18/2010. - B.E.T.
Tomorrow (5/28), Sickamore and XXL are presenting The Famous Factory Show. The Famous Factory is a new monthly live show series that will travel the country highlighting all genres of hip-hop. The first show of the series will feature performances from Sean Price, Curren$y, Vado, Rich Hil & Push! Montana. - XXL
Discography
SINGLES
"Kill You" - Hi-Teknology 3 album by Hi-Tek.
MIX-TAPE RELEASES
Rebirth of Fresh 1.0: No Floors (with Don Cannon)
When PUSH! Comes To Shove
Fresh Prince of New York: Vol. 1
EP'S
5 Heartbeats EP
Photos
Bio
PUSH! Montana a/k/a “The Fresh Prince of New York” is a certified hustler and MC from the streets of Brooklyn with the potential to be Hip-Hop's next biggest superstar. While rhymes about selling dope and stacking dough have become hip-hop's stale cliché, PUSH! Montana livens up the scene with an original flavor and a refreshingly gritty movement. The self described “MCEO” of Money In The Bank Entertainment (M.I.B. for short) is applying the same intense focus and passion for major success that he achieves on his daily grind to both his music and business careers. His ultimate goal is to create classic music and a lifestyle brand capable of impacting and remaining at the forefront of Hip-Hop culture for many years to come.
In just his early twenties, PUSH! Montana has already been well recognized for his many skills, talents and accomplishments. However, he is most well-known for his "unmatchable" drive and determination to be the absolute best at his respective craft. Whether during his past days as an all-city high school basketball star, hustling in the streets of New York or recent times as an MC, his consistent success proves that he is indeed cut from a different cloth. Through all his ups have also come with major downs, from run-ins with law, loosing family and friends to jail and murder, he handles the pressure, stays humble and maintains what matters the most to him - honor, credibility and integrity.
PUSH! Montana possesses an "old soul" and his unique upbringing and lifestyle make his movement authentic and refreshing. What sets his music apart from other rappers is its gritty nature, vivid imagery and universal appeal. His charismatic, yet aggressive delivery combined with his unique flows and hard beats command attention from all types of hip-hop listeners.
PUSH! Montana is a true lyricist because he is committed to delivering the truth with absolute conviction. He is consistently witty, displays exceptional word play and possesses the natural ability to make a wide range of quality songs that are full of substance and heartfelt emotion. He also has the ability to weave in wisdom, inspiration, and emotional intensity with a honest picture of his imperfections and shortcomings. His worldview is not just street or ‘gangster,’ its spiritual and philosophical, laced with strategic vision.
PUSH! Montana says it best by stating “I don’t rap about stuff that I don’t have or things I haven’t experienced. The way I see it that’s cheating. How can you be true to yourself and what’s around you if you’re rapping about things you don’t have? Me, I speak about the moment and not through imagination.”
In late 2005, PUSH! Montana first gained notoriety as an MC by appearing on the infamous diss song, “Disgrace to B.I.G.” with his big brother and fellow Brooklyn rapper, Maino (Huslte Hard/Atlantic Records). His featured performance created an instant buzz on both the streets and New York City mix-tape circuit. PUSH! Montana continued to win over fans across the country with the mix-tape releases of The Fresh-Prince of New York: Volumes 1 and 2 and various appearances on popular Hip-Hop DVD's such as Real Talk, Smack and Cocaine City.
In 2007, PUSH! Montana began recording with various top-notch producers. Around this time, he collaborated with legendary producer Hi-Tek which lead to the street anthem “Kill You” off the Hi-Teknology 3 album. His performance on this track impressed Hi-Tek and also landed him a feature in The Source Magazine (March 2008) for its vivid story-telling and razor-sharp lyricism.
In early 2009, PUSH! Montana began concentrating on the recording of his long-awaited, independent debut album, FRESHDOPE. During this time, he also made numerous appearances on tracks with Maino and he was eventually featured on "Back to Life" off Maino's recently released Atlantic Records debut album, If Tomorrow Comes. In addition to his impressive features, PUSH! recently released a mix-tape entitled, The Rebirth of Fresh 1.0: No Floors with producer and DJ, Don Cannon and an EP entitled, The 5 Heartbeats. Now with a solid and growing fan base, the attention of a mainstream audience in place, PUSH! Montana is even more confident, focused and prepared to be one of the best and most influential rappers of the new school era.
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