EPIC Interview 26 Questions
The long awaited debut mix-tape “Long Story Short” was finally released on April 5th to a very positive response. Justin Barnette known as the emcee EPIC out of the I.E. takes some time out of his, I’m sure is rapidly filling up schedule to answer my 21 questions. Sit back and enjoy as I pick this young emcee’s brain.
When did you decide music was going to be your career? What made you decide that?
I’d say once I graduated high school and went to college. My first semester in college I used to sit in class all day and write music to the point that I didn’t really pay attention to the professor. So it was then when I realized that music was what I wanted to do.
What do you use your music to do? To tell stories? Talk about society? Get out your thoughts?
All of the above. I don’t really aim all my music in one direction I just kinda do what I feel at the time and my songs usually reflect whatever I was going through at that time. Sometimes I’m in a partying mood so I make that type of song or sometimes I have women problems so ill write about that, I just try to keep everything true to me and original.
Who are some of your influences?
I honestly don’t think I have any influences because I don’t try to be like anyone I just do me, but some artists that I favor would of course be Kanye, Jay-Z, Wayne, Drake is dope, Andre 3000, Mase in his prime was my favorite.
How does EPIC rate against the rest of this emerging rookie class of talented hip-hop artist entering the game right now? Against guys like (Kid Cudi, Drake, Wale, J Cole, B.O.B, Asher Roth, etc.) You a fan of any of their music?
Much respect to all those artists they’ve all kinda set the standard for the new age of young artists like myself by showing how powerful of a tool the internet can be for your career. I’m defiantly a fan of all those names and I hope to reach their level of success sooner than later.
Canada got Drake putting them on the map, North Carolina got J Cole, DC got Wale, does the IE got EPIC?
I think our region is the toughest to gain the support of your peers because of the simple fact that everyone out here is an artist so it’s more like a competition with everyone instead of supporting one another. I can’t tell you yet if the IE got me but I can tell you that I got the IE and I’ll always represent where I’m from with pride.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’ll be somewhere on a worldwide tour still going hard. Maybe have a couple grammys under my belt with a couple platinum selling albums lol.
What direction do you think Hip-Hop is headed? And is it a good or bad direction?
I feel like hip hops headed in a good direction. I’m confident that this new era of rappers will bring back the substance that we’ve been missing.
What’s your favorite song on your mix-tape “Long Story Short”??
Man, honestly my favorite song changes every time I listen to it. Every single record has significant meaning to me and it takes me back to when I wrote it and recorded it and all the emotion that went into it. So to answer your question, I’d say all are my favorite.
Long Story Short is a hot mix-tape I can personally say, and I’m a tough critic, but even the peeps I’ve played it for were very impressed so big ups. Now the danger of releasing such a hot mix-tape is that now your fans, me included, are going to be expecting a FIYA debut album…So how do you plan on topping this mix-tape and any other mix-tapes you might plan to release before your debut album? How are you going to make sure your fans continue to be impressed?? Did you save some really hot songs for your debut album?? Or are you going to create some new hot ones??
Long Story Short was actually my third mixtape so anybody who has been following my career has to notice the progress since my first mixtape back in 2007. I feel like I keep getting better with every project and hopefully that continues forever. I didn’t save any songs from this tape, every song I recorded for the project went on the project which is kinda crazy, but yea I just plan to continue making real heart felt music and hopefully everyone keeps spreading the word and keeps rocking with me. Im not really sure what my next project will be, an album or mixtape so I can’t really comment on that just know that it will defiantly be soon.
If you had your pick, name 5 artists you would want to work with on your debut album?? Any genre….
Lauryn Hill, Kanye, Pharell, The Dream, and Timbaland.
You took on the juicy beat in your mix-tape; did you feel any added pressure to spit some hot shit on that track to make sure you did it justice???
Hell yea lol. That was the only beat that I had to think twice about jumping on. That’s a classic so I didn’t wanna come wrong and make big turn over in his grave. From all the feedback though people seem to be feeling it so that’s dope.
What’s next for EPIC?
Just trying to stay productive, active, and continue progressing.
Is the I.E. a new breeding place for talented people to come through across the board from sports to music to fashion??
I hope so. There’s a lot of really talented people out here and I wish everyone the best.
What’s in your IPOD right now? Give us a snapshot of your IPOD…
Man I’ve never owned an ipod in life lol. I’m kinda old school I still rock with cds. As far as what I listen to now id say: Drake, Kudi, Dom Kennedy, Pac Div, Nipsey Hussle, Wayne, Rick Ross, Plies, I’m just a fan of music, I like it all.
I’m a big fan of the “Top of the World” track, was that song inspired by some real events that have taken place in your life thus far?
No doubt. That’s all speaking from the heart. Shoutout to my boy Farrin who blessed me with a hook on that and TMG who produced that, defiantly one of my favorites on the tape.
How was it working with DJ Ill Will and DJ Rockstar?
It was good, it was actually my second time working with Ill Will he’s a big homie and he knows good music and always offers advice so I got a lot of respect for him.
Favorites Corner
Color? Money Green
TV show? Entourage and How To Make It In America
Movie? The Wood
Food? It’s a tie between Asian and Mexican
Sports Team? Athlete? Lakers and of course Kobe
Music Artist? Jay-Z
Place to Party? The studio
Place you’ve travelled to? Definatly Hawaii
What’s your take on the whole Tiger Woods episode?
He’s human, he’s gonna make mistakes that’s just life. Hopefully he learned a lesson from it all.
If a big time record label wanted to sign you up for like 10 million, but would switch up your whole style and turn you into the Justin Bieber of Hip-Hop would you do it? For 10 million? 20 million? How much would it take?
I don’t know how to be fake so if I can’t stay true to myself and my family and friends then I don’t want it.
This is for the ladies…. Is there a miss EPIC in your life right now??
Sure isn’t. I’m focused right now.
Out of all the collabo’s on your mix-tape like (Mister Wright, Farrin, Curtis King, Dub, Stunna P, and Jazzie) whom did you have the most fun working with? And did any of them come in legendary status and just kill their part in one take?
They all brought there own thing to the table and I enjoyed working with all of them. No one take status but they’re all very talented people.
I’m going to test how Unfluenced you are…
Finish this statement: With my music I hope to…Inspire
What kind of music do you like? A variety? Or just a few main genres?
What do you think of Bob Dylan? John Mayer? Kenna?
They’re all super dope. I’m a big fan of John Mayer.
Are you looking to get signed as soon as possible, or just taking your time and waiting for the right deal to come along? Do you prefer a major label or a smaller one?
I don’t have a preference right now I just want to be in a situation that benefits me and still maintain my freedom.
Where is your next performance going to be?
Depending on when people read this it could be already passed so ill say just stay tuned to my myspace for future shows (www.myspace.com/epicthefuture) and (twitter.com/epicthefuture)
[Space for Shoutouts!!]
Shout out to you fam and Michael Arballo, we all go back to elementary and I thank you guys for this interview along with the rest of your team.
EPIC is not only a talented hip-hop artist...hes also a cool ass dude...I've known him since elementary school, he was a cool ass dude back then, and with all the hype and love hes getting now...hes still the same cool, down to earth dude...RESPECT to EPIC...I and Unfluence Society will see you at the top homie...All the best...
I can certify that EPIC is Unfluenced...so he got my full support....
if you havent already...go ahead and cop that mixtape "Long Story Short" and give your ears an orgasm...lol...foreal tho...shits fiya....
Stay Unfluenced!!
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