TRUTH407

Behind the Mic: Truth407 By K-Mo
– December 1, 2011Posted in: Behind the Mic, Truth

K-Mo: To me, the first obvious question is: Why do you call yourself Truth?

Truth: Just for clarification, I never called myself Truth. After people would hear me spit bars, the first response would always be “you are the Truth” so after hearing that so much, I just stuck with it and it grew on me. Now I embody it and try to live up to the name to the best of my ability.

K-Mo: Makes perfect sense. How would you describe your style and sound for someone who has never heard your music before?

Truth: I like to describe my sound as “Top Echelon”. My style is very versatile and I love making soulful music because of my roots and my musical background. I have a strong, raspy delivery and my southern drawl peeks on different tracks, but I am very lyrical. My sound has a wide range from hard street records to social conscious records as well. My beat selection is full of variety so I create music that consumers like regardless of their preference, whether it be uptempo, club & bounce, or laid back smooth tracks. I’m Universal.

K-Mo: I think the best artists are well-rounded, as you described. You recently tweeted that you write songs for all genres of music. Do you ghost write for other artists or is it more of a hobby?

Truth: No, I don’t ghost write for any Hip-hop artist at the present time. I definitely would if the opportunity arose though. I do write songs for R&B singers, Pop, & Rock artist. 90% of the hooks that are sang on my records by other artist are usually written by me as well. I wouldn’t call it a hobby because I’m so dedicated to it and I see it as a part of my job description as a musician & artist.

K-Mo: Your bio on truth407.com says that you hail from Louisiana…what made you choose Orlando and how long have you been here?

Truth: Yes, I was born and raised in a little country town in northwest Louisiana called Minden. I’ve been a resident of Orlando for like 10 years now, so this is home to me! I had a couple of friends that had relocated and lived here. At the time, I had dropped out of college and didn’t know what direction I wanted to take in life. I was just running the streets in Louisiana with my cousins and hustling out of a shoe store. One of my friends told me that i was welcome to come down and try to get on my feet, so I moved and slept on his floor until I could finally get my own place after a few months. I felt that there were definitely more opportunities here for me compared to what I was previously doing. Shortly after I met my business partner Big Dox, who immediately made me apart of the Colab Entertainment Music Group family.
“Rolling”

K-Mo: We’re glad to have you. In reading your other interviews and tweets I noticed you are quite articulate. To what do you attribute your vast knowledge?

Truth: I would definitely have to credit that first to God for giving me the ability to clearly communicate with others through speech. Next, my mother and father. They always raised me to equip myself with as much knowledge as possible and to speak educated and with conviction. I was always an avid reader and spoke with older individuals my whole childhood. That helped develop my word choice and usage as well as my ability to hold an intelligent conversation. Not to mention, I was a pretty good student in the subject of Language arts!

K-Mo: Reading is fundamental! It can help you create more lyrical songs when you have a wider vocabulary for sure. What can you tell us about your next project?

Truth: Well I have a few projects in the works. I recently finished my Brown Liquor & Swishers mixtape, which is hosted by Dj Greg G. It will be released this month. This tape takes you on a journey through my life and explains the Southern culture aka (the 3rd Coast culture) that I grew up in. Deeply inspired by UGK, Outkast, Scarface, Master P, 8ball & MJG to name a few, I stayed true to what my heart felt. I wanted to bridge the gap between the new and the old generation and
fuse both worlds. It is definitely a collectors edition and classic mixtape. I’m currently in the studio working on 4 or 5 other mixtapes that will immediately follow up so stay tuned!

DOWNLOAD TRUTH’s LATEST MIXTAPE BROWN LIQUOR & SWISHERS

K-Mo: We look forward to that. How do you feel about the state of underground/indie hip hop in Orlando?

Truth: I feel that the state of Orlando Hip hop is thriving more than ever! If we can become more unified, greater things can happen but we don’t live in a perfect world. We all are adults and have our own destiny to fulfill so everyone has to walk in their own light. I’m personally proud of all of the artist that I have relationships with in the city and fully support and wish them the best and continued success!

K-Mo: Hopefully ROHH can play a part in unifying the scene just as RPHH did in Pittsburgh. What impression do you hope to leave while you’re here?

Truth: I hope to leave an “Indelible” mark everywhere locally and internationally. A mark that can’t be erased and that will never be forgotten. I hope that my struggle inspires those after me to never give up on what they believe in. If i never sell a million records in my lifetime that’s fine. I make music because I love music. Because of music, I’ve experienced things and saw places that some of my closest associates and friends will never get to see, and I’m thankful for that!

K-Mo: When you’re passionate about what you do, it shows in your product. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Truth: In 10 years I see myself with a lucrative empire with my best friend and business partner Big Dox ! In 10 years I see a successful label of artist, musicians, entertainers, producers and songwriters. I see myself beside some of the biggest moguls in the world through my music and fashion. I see restaurants, clothing lines, shoe lines and apparel, colognes and any other type of endorsement that you can imagine. In 10 years I see myself being able to provide and change the lives of everyone around me, especially my family, my kids, and my homies who were there from day one! I see big investments and a major non-profit charity organization to give back to the community! In 10 years I see “Truth” C.E.M.G WORLDWIDE

K-Mo: Word. If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

Truth: I am a fan of a lot of different artist but If I could collaborate with any artist it would have to be Jay-Z . I feel that he is one of the best to ever do it and that he definitely elevates the performance level of any artist put in his presence. Being a young Mc, I would have to colab with a living legend who has accomplished so much musically and on a business level.

K-Mo: What do you do when you’re not creating music?

Truth: When I’m not creating music,, I’m thinking of what music I’m gonna create next. But outside of the studio, I like to enjoy my kids and family. I also paint a lot, so I would definitely be painting. I free my mind and escape when I’m in front of a canvas!

K-Mo: I’d be interested in seeing your paintings. Who is your favorite Orlando hip hop artist?

Truth: My favorite Orlando artist is Me. period..

K-Mo: Any final thoughts?

Truth: I would like to thank God first. I would like to thank ROHH for reaching out to me for an interview. Thanks to my label, Colab Entertainment Music Group & to the big homie Dox again for executive producing all of my projects as well as mixing and mastering. Thanks to Bangoutboyz Films for blessing me with great visuals. Thanks to my A&R Sunny Barret. Big Thanks to the CEMG executive staff Reece Rolex, Authentic, J Chunn, Osti, Shorty Fresh & Qaadiru Rashaad. Thanks to all of the talented producers and artist that help enhance my projects. Personal shout out to the homies Dj Greg g, Dj Dstrong, Dj Nasty, Dj Caesar, Dj Et, Dj Chino, Dj Msquared, Dj Baby Lac, Dj 4000, Dj Dissco and all other djs who have been supportive. Thanks to the whole staffs at 102 jamz, and 95.3 for recognizing good music and hard work. Special thanks to Men’s Closet clothing store, Detour II clothing store, Wildside clothing store, Jimmy jazz clothing store, Jah Love Jamaican Restaurant, Press Play Cd shop, 5star Barber shop, and all other retail outlets that carry my music. Thanks to Bloodline productions for photography work and upscale graphics for providing all of my print material. Last but not least, thanks to all of my family, friends, and fans who continue to support and encourage me to follow my dreams. Love you all!

DOWNLOAD TRUTH’s LATEST MIXTAPE BROWN LIQUOR & SWISHERS

VISIT WWW.TRUTH407.COM

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.COM/TRUTH407

FACEBOOK- TRUTH407

REVERBNATION.COM/TRUTH407
- REPORLANDOHIPHOP.COM

Interview with Truth about his BROWN LIQUOR AND SWISHERS MIXTAPE

Your latest project is called “Brown Liquor and Swishers”, can you break down the meaning behind the name?

I just wanted to think of a metaphor and concept that represented what people needed. Something that felt good. I remembered riding in the regal with my cousins and the first ingredients to a good party was some brown liquor and a pack of swishers. Where I’m from, brown liquor and swishers are apart of our culture. A way of life. Sort of like chicken and beer, fish and grits, watermelon and BBQ Ramon noodles and hot sauce. We weren’t sippin vodka, it was crown royal. And you had to have something to roll up with.lol. I sat down and discussed my idea with my management team and they loved it! Now I got the green-light!! Its go time…



Artist usually have a specific inspiration for different projects, what specifically motivated you this time around?

First of all, I love making music. That’s motivation in itself, but “Brown Liquor & Swishers” is heavily inspired by artist that influenced my musical growth as a southern M.C.
Who are some of those artist?

Artist like UGK, Outkast, Scarface, 8 Ball MJG, Master P, Devin The Dude, Tela, Goodie Mob, etc.
Just that raw southern sound with a new school twist.lol
How would you define that Southern sound?

Just smooth. Driven by heavy bass and strong high hats, often mixed with old school samples… Lil rhythm and blues all blended into one. Its beautiful, its soulful.
what was the direction taken on this mixtape?

My direction was really simple. To strictly focus on what felt true to me. I aimed to be innovative but also show people a side of me that
they weren’t familiar with. I have a versatile flow, so sometimes people don’t even realize that I’m from the south. I wanted to
highlight that in this project.its not as lyrical as my last project “Keys 2 da City” but it definitely has more feeling and personal impact. Very special.

Why is this mixtape special to you?

Its very meaningful to me, because I didn’t conform to whats considered to be the most popular thing to do right now. I visited a few areas that personally have changed my life as well. I touched my grass roots, grabbed a couple samples that I used to listen to my dad spin on his record player and the lyrics just came. Everything flowed together.
Are there any music artists featured on your mixtape?

Yes definitely. I reached out to a few independent artist that I liked, but that I also felt added and extra element to what I was trying to accomplish this time around. Dropped a blazing track with my homie (Bighead) called “Tops Drop”. He is the streets, certified Flawda G. Brought that raw orange county flow. My lil dog (Peril P) laid a verse for me.. He’s one of the dopest youngsters coming under my peer group. My patna (Podgy Smith) gave me some of that Arkansas flavor. Dropped a very soulful record with r&b sensation (Damarcus) from upstate new york. Oh, and I reached out to (Eliseo of Treal), we put together a heart felt tribute with the big homie Dox.
Will it be hosted by a DJ?

Its hosted by DJ Greg G who is a major force in the music scene here in Orlando and who has been a viable asset to my musical presence here. Greg G is one of the few DJ’s that really embraced my music and movement so I felt that it was only right to go with the home team support.


If you had to pick a favorite track off of your “brown liquor and swisher” mixtape which one would it be and why?

Woooooooow! I have a few but to choose one, I would definitely have to say the “Miss My Homies” track that I laid feat. Big Homie and Eliseo of Treal. Its my favorite because it touched me the most. Its a new school rendition of what Master P created back in the day laid over an Isley brother sample. I was writing my verse a week before I recorded the song and got a call that one of my college homies was murdered in Dallas Texas. That’s when it really hit me that it was something special. I have a few friends who will never get to physically take this musical journey with me. It hurts, but I definitely cried tears of joy in their memory knowing that they are looking down on me smiling every time that song plays.
Would you like to give any shout outs or thanks?

Yes. First thank God for blessing me with such a extraordinary gift. Thanks to astanstill.com once again. Thanks to my label, Colab Entertainment Music Group & to the big homie Dox for executive producing the project. Thanks to my A&R Sunny Barret. Big Thanks to Cemg executive staff Reece Rolex, Authentic, J Chunn, Osti, & Qaadiru Rashaad. Thanks to CEMG recordings for doing such a wonderful job of mixing and mastering. Personal shout out to the homies, @greggodzilla @bighead407, @imperilp,@podgysmith , @treal_eliseo , @bangoutboyz, @damarcus, for blessing records with their presence. Thanks to all of the producers. Thanks to Bloodlineproductions for photography work and upscale graphics. Thanks to all of my family and friends who continue to support and encourage me to follow my dreams. Love you all!
How can listeners get a copy of “Brown Liquor & Swishers” mixtape?

Stay tuned to www.truth407.com and follow me on twitter @truth407 for the specific date release. It will be up on iTunes, Rhapsody, datpiff.com, and a host of other digital download sources for your enjoyment. There will also be visuals for a few tracks off of this project courtesy of Bangoutboyz Films. - ASTANSTILL.COM

Interview with Music Artist Truth

If your life was created into an album what would the title and first single be called and why?

Im actually creating my life into one of my albums now! Its called “The Struggle” because that is what I represent. I was that little kid who grew up with nothing. I have been that homeless man in the streets. I’ve lost close friends to drugs and crime. At times I have even given my last dollar to that single mother with no car, job, or food to eat. I wouldn’t be the artist that I am today if it wasn’t for the struggle. The first single is called “Street Dreams” because we all have dreams of one day being famous. We all dream that one day
we can become a star and stand on stage in front of a crowd! The song is an inspiration and tribute to everyone who aspire to become great!
Is there an artist from your childhood that was a major influence in the development of your personal style?

Yes, I feel that I have my own style, but my musical influences are Tupac, Biggie, 50 cent, Jay-z, UGK, Scarface, Outkast, 8ball MJG,etc. The list goes on. LOL. I think you can find a little of all these artist in my style and flow. I admire them for a lot of different reasons though.
Can you tell us about an experience during the making of a track that had great chemistry from the production stage to the finally end result?
(Dealing with producers, audio engineers etc.)

Every experience during the making of my music has good chemistry for me. Mainly because all of my sessions are engineered by my Big Homie Dox who is also my manager and cinematographer. We have been together so long that it makes the process flow smooth from beginning to end. I like to think of us as Jay-z and Guru in the studio. BEASTS!




If you had to name two musical challenges you overcame that made you a better artist what would they be and why?

The first one would be overcoming the stereo type that southern hip hop artist aren’t great lyricists. That only made me grow and expand my vocabulary and rap bars. I can cypher with some of the best in the game and hold my own. The second one would be overcoming the thought that you had to have a multi million dollar record deal from a big label in order to be successful in this music industry. Success is how we define it in our own minds in terms of what we want to accomplish and the goals that we set to achieve. This encouraged Dox and I to start our own independent music group, production label and film company. This made me a better artist, because I am learning to be a better business man and partner, which is a quality that all artist must possess in order to walk in the foot steps of hip-hops greatest moguls.
What’s your opinion on the state of Hip-Hop? (Mainstream or underground/internet)

I think that the state of hip hop is better than ever because its in favor of the independent artist due to easy online access and free social sites that artist can promote themselves on! The record sales aren’t like they used to be, but that’s not the end of the road. Artist have to want to be heard and reach the people regardless. I intend to be one of the elite few who catapults hip hop to the powerful state that it once was while giving substance and the touching the lives of those who appreciate and enjoy real music - ASTANSTILL.COM