Rizzo

Exclusive Interview

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
I’m from Dallas, TX. I started making music a while back in 2007 but it wasn’t until 2011 that this hobby turned into a career. I grew up listening to DSR, Young Nino, Mr. Pookie, and Mr. Lucci - a few household names in my city. For the longest time I was just perfecting my craft, my flow. What got me recognized so quickly were my freestyles. I was just jacking beats and switching up other artist’s songs. After awhile people caught on and were waiting for the next one every time.

I released a few mixtapes free via Datpiff and from there my fan base started to grow. All throughout that process I built my brand and label GreenGrass Entertainment. Once I felt everything was in place I started prepping my EP Exile which was just released via iTunes, GooglePlay, etc. After doing shows all over my city and meeting with a ton of DJs, people started recognizing my movement and I got a ton of support.

As of right now my team and I are currently in the process of getting a video shoot together for both singles My City and To The Crib. The DJs played a big part in my success. Getting them to feature me on their mixtapes I believe pushed me to another level. Networking is key after all in this game.

Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone.
The current song I’m promoting is To The Crib featuring Javon. Its’ my second single. It’s a track more for the ladies because a lot of my female fans have told me I don’t do a lot of songs for them so I made sure I did a track just for them. It was one of the most frustrating tracks to make though because I had a hard time finding the right singer for the chorus but it came out dope in the end.

The track describes a night out with my team but ends up with me taking a couple of ladies back “to the crib.” I just wanted it to be a playa (ha ha). It is available on iTunes as apart of my full EP Exile along with my very 1st single My City.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
The hardest thing I had to face so far would be just getting my self established as an “artist” in the beginning. In the beginning a lot of artists don’t have a clue what’s going on. They think that you can make one song and you are considered a rapper. After I learned the business side of everything I focused on building me, Rizzo, from the ground up and building my brand GreenGrass Entertainment.

Everybody is looking for a record deal these days, but what artists haven’t realized is that record labels are not in the business of developing artists anymore. They want someone who is already at that level. The way the game is set up now a lot of the basic stuff a label can do for you, you can actually do yourself.

My 1st official project Exile took the longest and I worked the hardest on it, it’s just an EP but if I could of had more resources and time I would have turned that into a album. It was entirely produced by one of the dopest producers in Dallas, Woodknock Productions. So basically everything up until now has been the hardest because it was really my 1st run through on everything.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
The biggest set back was losing a lot of money in the beginning of my career. A lot of money was wasted when it shouldn’t have been, but I learned quickly. I make way better choices now and they always benefit me now. We are in the business of making money after all.

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Being that everybody wants to make money in this industry, to a lot of people you are nothing more than a dollar sign. You have to make smart decisions and make sure you handle your business the right way. Artists please do your research and take that extra mile in everything you do. There are a lot of people who will try and take advantage of you so make sure you stay focused because it’s easy to get side tracked by all the lights and everything.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
To any and all upcoming artists, don’t be discouraged if you feel you need a certain amount of money to get into the spotlight because honestly I started with nothing. Perfect your craft and find your market and cater to your market. The business side of this industry is just as important, get registered with ASCAP or BMI. Remember the official way is the best way.

This is a grind that everybody has to commit to. Invest in yourself and believe in yourself because no one else will if you don’t. As an artist the most important thing is that you can’t be afraid to fail, you won’t know the outcome unless you try. Just grind!

What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
The internet is one of the easiest outlets for an artist these days and I try and use it to its full potential. I stay on as many forums and tr - WWS Magazine

Exclusive Interview

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
I’m from Dallas, TX. I started making music a while back in 2007 but it wasn’t until 2011 that this hobby turned into a career. I grew up listening to DSR, Young Nino, Mr. Pookie, and Mr. Lucci - a few household names in my city. For the longest time I was just perfecting my craft, my flow. What got me recognized so quickly were my freestyles. I was just jacking beats and switching up other artist’s songs. After awhile people caught on and were waiting for the next one every time.

I released a few mixtapes free via Datpiff and from there my fan base started to grow. All throughout that process I built my brand and label GreenGrass Entertainment. Once I felt everything was in place I started prepping my EP Exile which was just released via iTunes, GooglePlay, etc. After doing shows all over my city and meeting with a ton of DJs, people started recognizing my movement and I got a ton of support.

As of right now my team and I are currently in the process of getting a video shoot together for both singles My City and To The Crib. The DJs played a big part in my success. Getting them to feature me on their mixtapes I believe pushed me to another level. Networking is key after all in this game.

Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone.
The current song I’m promoting is To The Crib featuring Javon. Its’ my second single. It’s a track more for the ladies because a lot of my female fans have told me I don’t do a lot of songs for them so I made sure I did a track just for them. It was one of the most frustrating tracks to make though because I had a hard time finding the right singer for the chorus but it came out dope in the end.

The track describes a night out with my team but ends up with me taking a couple of ladies back “to the crib.” I just wanted it to be a playa (ha ha). It is available on iTunes as apart of my full EP Exile along with my very 1st single My City.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
The hardest thing I had to face so far would be just getting my self established as an “artist” in the beginning. In the beginning a lot of artists don’t have a clue what’s going on. They think that you can make one song and you are considered a rapper. After I learned the business side of everything I focused on building me, Rizzo, from the ground up and building my brand GreenGrass Entertainment.

Everybody is looking for a record deal these days, but what artists haven’t realized is that record labels are not in the business of developing artists anymore. They want someone who is already at that level. The way the game is set up now a lot of the basic stuff a label can do for you, you can actually do yourself.

My 1st official project Exile took the longest and I worked the hardest on it, it’s just an EP but if I could of had more resources and time I would have turned that into a album. It was entirely produced by one of the dopest producers in Dallas, Woodknock Productions. So basically everything up until now has been the hardest because it was really my 1st run through on everything.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
The biggest set back was losing a lot of money in the beginning of my career. A lot of money was wasted when it shouldn’t have been, but I learned quickly. I make way better choices now and they always benefit me now. We are in the business of making money after all.

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Being that everybody wants to make money in this industry, to a lot of people you are nothing more than a dollar sign. You have to make smart decisions and make sure you handle your business the right way. Artists please do your research and take that extra mile in everything you do. There are a lot of people who will try and take advantage of you so make sure you stay focused because it’s easy to get side tracked by all the lights and everything.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
To any and all upcoming artists, don’t be discouraged if you feel you need a certain amount of money to get into the spotlight because honestly I started with nothing. Perfect your craft and find your market and cater to your market. The business side of this industry is just as important, get registered with ASCAP or BMI. Remember the official way is the best way.

This is a grind that everybody has to commit to. Invest in yourself and believe in yourself because no one else will if you don’t. As an artist the most important thing is that you can’t be afraid to fail, you won’t know the outcome unless you try. Just grind!

What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
The internet is one of the easiest outlets for an artist these days and I try and use it to its full potential. I stay on as many forums and tr - WWS Magazine