Let’s take a ride down to Queens, New York to link up with Tommy 2 Face. He’s been doing his thing in the NY underground scene for a while, and could be considered as a mixtape legend. You’ve probably heard his music and seen his face on A LOT of mixtapes the past 10-15 years, and I mean, A LOT. He recently dropped some new material and we’ve had the chance to sit down with him for a « Mixtape Addict » interview. Check it out below :

• Who is your all time favorite DJ ? 

This one is hard.. I have a few… I’ve used to DJ as well… Not easy lol.. Umm.. DJ Scratch and Kid Capri as of now off the top of my head. I know I have more… Having a brain freeze Lol.

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• When was the first time you heard about a mixtape ? And do you have a favorite mixtape ?

Kid Capri tapes back in the days… and DJ Ron G.

• What are your plans to get bigger in the future with your music ?

As far as music, I will keep speaking my truths and doing a lot more visuals so people can see the talent and not just hear it. 2nd is to build a stronger in-house marketing team so I can have a better reach and direct connection wit my audience and fan base.

• To you, how important is entrepreneurship as an independent artist ?

It’s very important. You have to be put in that work, in order to get a greater return. Music is music, but being an entrepreneur inside of music is the main hustle.The music is just an opening to many more avenues you can travel.

• Who’s your favorite hip-hop entrepreneur ?

Hmmm.. The favorites would be 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and it keeps going !

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• If you had to pick two of your favorite producers to work on a EP who would you choose ?

My favorite producers to do a EP with would be Dr. Dre and Dr Dre… Lol.. The reason I say him twice is because he is a master at managing records outside of making beats. And then when he makes beats he gets other producers involved, so it’s not just totally him alone.

• What’s your recipe to make a good project from start to finish ?

I think that a good project starts with the concept. It all starts there for me. Like what point are you trying to relay to the listeners, then production. The beats have to carry the song’s concept and the lyrics bring the sound home. Last but not least.. Very important…. The order/track listing. The project has to flow ! Each song has to stand on its own as well as open the door for the next song to have a better effect on the listener.

• After all those years in the hip-hop industry, what keeps you motivated to stay in the marathon ?

I think that the time in the industry doesn’t matter to me, I really don’t trip on it because I have highs and lows… It’s like high school to me. You just keep going. But for me now, the marathon is more of me just letting out my past trauma. It keeps me going. It’s my therapy now.. So.. That’s what my motivation is now. Just expressing and letting go of my past.

• Do you think that the OGs of this hip-hop culture are getting enough respect and credits ?

Hmmm. Good question ! I would say yes and no. Yes because they are still getting shows and they are having lanes opening for them. Such as radio stations only playing that golden age of hip hop etc… So yes on that part. I say no because the newer artists are not going back and learning and respecting the platform that the OG’s have laid out for them.

• If you had 3 words to define yourself as an artist, what would you say ?

Passionate, aggressive and witty

• Do you have any words of advice for the young upcoming artists ?

My advice to the young artists would be to speak what’s in your heart. Not your head or follow the trend… Become the next trend ! Don’t follow the crowd, put in the work until the crowd starts to follow you !

FOLLOW TOMMY 2 FACE :

IG : @tommy2face_ | TWITTER @tommy2face

https://solo.to/tommy2face