Saidu Ezike
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Saidu Ezike

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"WWS Magazine Feature"

Exclusive Interview

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
Staten Island, NY, the place I was raised and established myself as a person. I lived in Crown Heights Brooklyn until I was 8 years old and moved to Mariners Harbor Staten Island where I currently reside. My goal is to put Staten Island on the map, turn it from the forgotten borough to one of the hottest boroughs (that rhymed, lol).

I was a popular track athlete in Staten Island, obtaining currently standing records for the 60 meter and 110 meter hurdles. Along with my academics, this served as a catalyst for my admission to Cornell University where I met Kenan Goggins aka Concise of True2Life Music, also a member of the Cornell track team at the time. He mentored me with recording, producing, and the business of music. We were in school concurrently for just my freshman year, but when he graduated we continued working together and he saw my skills develop as an emcee.

Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone.
During the spring of my junior year, I used all the money saved up from my on Campus jobs to purchase a higher quality studio set up and continue to write and record songs at a higher level. When I got out of college I began teaching, wrote songs here and there until Kenan (and many of my music friends) told me that my talent can really get me somewhere in the music world. It took nearly 4 years after college for me to begin recording my first mixtape, but when I came out with The Essence on September 15th of this year, many people labeled it epic and I knew I could really take off once it reached the ears of many people.

Since then, I’ve continued to work on my craft and study the best. It might sound far fetched at this point in my career, but I intend on being one of the best to ever do hip hop and that’s why I’m working as hard as ever to build my brand.

On my first mixtape I showed people that I have talent. The first single from my second mixtape, not yet titled, Clockwork, is part of a collection of songs that will get my fans to know me more as a person. Hopefully it will give them more information about me which they can interact with. This song speaks to what I specifically do to increase my breath control and lyricism while informing people that I’m still on my grind and that I deserve recognition for it.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
Not switching my style of music or my image to “appeal to more people.” Some people (not all of course) have told me to “rap about the clubs and things that people like” and I’ll be honest to say that it’s tough not too. I can easily jump on a track that’s a “club banger” and quickly gain some fans, but I’m in the business of gaining a loyal following with the type of music I make now.

I want to be in the same sentence with lyrical artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Nitty Scott, MC , Hopsin, Kinetics, Macklemore, J.Cole, etc. This isn’t to say that some rappers who make “club bangers” do not have loyal fan bases and/or aren’t being honest, but I’ve established myself with a certain style and feel I should keep it that way.

I’ve literally been sent tracks and asked to write verses about how I would “bust guns” on someone if they messed with my crew, how much money or women I have (lol). What do I know about that? Nothing. Of course I’m willing to compromise/give and take in this industry to make the best music but not at all willing to be dishonest in my music to appeal to some people.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
I’m stretching a little considering this a set back but not putting myself out there earlier in life is the reason why I’m not a household name yet. I’ve felt that my talent was/is among the best in the game right now and had I been really going hard like I am now when I was 22 (I’m 26 now), I might’ve literally been in the same sentence as Kendrick Lamar and Hopsin; two artists who are in my age group and doing it big.

I feel that everything happens for a reason though and my God had it destined for me to start putting myself out there at this age. Without preaching too much, I feel that he enabled me to bounce back by simply giving me the strength to release The Essence and the strength to perform and be a teacher at a high performing charter school simultaneously.

I would also say I bounced back by simply making good music and putting it out there. Many of the people who were afraid to even be in the same area as me are reaching out to work with me and it feels amazing!

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Diving head first into committing to a label or music group. As attractive as being part of a group or signing with a label is, sometimes it can be a detriment to your career. Some people want to change your image completely, aren’t’ willing to compromise with your style of music, or simply just want to make a ton of money off of you. When you find a group of people you can really mesh with and are truly about making the best music possible, you go with them after reading all the fine print.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Put yourself out there! Attend every single event you can, whether it be an open mic, showcase, or a show that you aren’t performing at but have important people in attendance. Bring business cards and/or promotional materials you can hand out so people remember who you are. Of course everyone who takes a business card doesn’t listen to your music and/or is willing to promote you. Mathematically, however, your chances of receiving an opportunity increase with the more people who receive something physical.

Aside from that, always seek advice from people in the industry. Yes, it’s true that most of the advice won’t be specific and many people will say the same thing to you. However, there will be people in the industry that will open your eyes to opportunities and teach you things you never knew about the industry.

Last but not least, do everything in your power to perfect your craft. Whether it be doing specific workouts to increase your breath control, skimming through a dictionary to increase your vocabulary or anything else, perfect your craft. The more you put into bettering yourself, the more potential you will have to be one of the best ever.

What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
Street promotion! I love to approach people randomly or at a show and give them promotional material or a business card. The more I can interact with fans, the better. I can’t say I don’t do the Facebook/internet grind however. Nowadays, this is more important than ever.

Where can people visit you?
Facebook! Here I compile my Twitter updates as well as info about my next moves and career progress. I’ll be updating my site, saiduezikemusic.com, frequently as well so you can check me out there.

Don’t hesitate to contact me via Facebook, Twitter, or saiduezikemusic@gmail.com of course! I love receiving and answer questions from fans and connecting with other dedicated artists/musicians!

Shout out to all the artists on their grind. I pray that it all works out for y’all. Also, shout out to WWS Magazine for this interview! Peace y’all!

Links to my music/story:
Bandcamp: www.saidu.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/saiduezikemusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/saiduezikemusic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/saiduezikemusic
Website: www.saiduezikemusic.com
- WWS Magazine


Discography

Single: "Clockwork" prod by B.DURAZZO [Selected to be on the EMPIRE STATE MIXTAPE hosted by Power 105.1's DJ Suss One and Z100's Mo' Bounce] admist numerous other smaller awards - October 31, 2012

Mixtape: "The Stash" - October 8, 2012

Mixtape: "The Essence" - September 14, 2012

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Bio

Saidu. He wasn’t making the progress he wanted to as a teacher. He also felt as if he had missed his calling to be a hip hop artist, was unhappy with the decisions he had made in life and even struggled with depression. Despite this, knowing that he was approaching his last months of being 25 years old, he decided that he would do whatever it takes to achieve his goal of being a successful hip hop artist. During the summer of 2012, He recorded “The Essence,” his first real mixtape which was released in September 2012 to favorable reviews. As he began to promote this mixtape, he began to feel that he had a place in the music industry and acknowledge that it may take time but that it is very possible for him to blow up.

As a result, Saidu has been taking advantage of every performance and networking opportunity possible. Along with the heavy workload of his high performing charter school job, he performs at showcases, his own shows, open mics or cyphers every night to help improve his skills and build his fanbase. There are many times when Saidu will do a show in a shirt and tie because he wouldn’t bring a change of clothes to the show. Saidu continues to work extremely hard to achieve his dream and although it may take time, Saidu is showing that he is ready to rhyme with the best in the game…