EMGWORLD SPEAKS WITH THE SELF-PROCLAIMED "SOUTHERN PRESIDENT" ON HIS GRIND WITHIN THE INDUSTRY
From Elvis to Three Six Mafia, Memphis is considered a home to some of music’s most diverse stars. Whether country, rock or hip-hop, Memphis has played a role in every genre of music. The city now shines its brightest lights on a new star in the making. Memphis born and bred artist 2Deep is ready to show the industry just why he’s the next Southern President.
Latest Mixtape: “No More Mr. Nice Guy” released through datpiff.com
EMGWorld: How long have you been grinding as an independent artist?
2Deep: I'd have to say about 10 years.
EMGWorld: What would you say really sparked your love for music?
2Deep: I just always had a talent for writing poetry and expressing myself on paper. I was always an exceptional talker and performer. Music became my outlet.
EMGWorld: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
2Deep: My biggest musical influences are 8-Ball & MJG, T.I., UGK, Scarface, Jay-Z, etc. I just relate to artists that make timeless music.
EMGWorld: How would you describe your own style as an artist?
2Deep: My style is very Southern influenced, but my music is just real from the HEART. I pride myself on making something that whether two weeks, two months or twenty years from now you can pop it in and still ride to it.
EMGWorld: What would you say you’re bringing to hip-hop that other mainstream artists aren’t?
2Deep: I'd say the difference between me and a lot of other artists is that I'm bringing the TRUTH. Not only am I giving you good music, but I’m giving you me. A lot of rappers are scared to be themselves. I'm not trying to give you a facade to look cool. I'm not exaggerating or stretching the truth out to sound more gangsta. I'm not looking to do that. I'm just looking to give you my story. If you can relate to it, cool. If you can't relate to it, cool.
EMGWorld: Digital distribution is giving light to new and seasoned artists. How frequently do you release digital mixtapes and albums?
2Deep: It's nothing for me to record some music because I record extremely fast. But my process of putting out music takes longer. I take time and make sure I give you QUALITY versus quantity. I believe the most successful artist only drop music maybe once or twice a year so I try to follow that same dynamic.
“When you download a project from me you're going to get consistently good music you don't have to skip through.” – 2Deep, Blogboard Spotlight
EMGWorld: Why did you title your most recent mixtape ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy?’
2Deep: I had six or seven mixtapes before this one. They all received mixed reviews. I had reached a stage where my attitude should be “no more Mr. Nice Guy” because I felt like my music was being overlooked. We're doing this music for everybody who feels like there being overlooked or slept on.
EMGWorld: Is there any one artist on a major label that you would like to collaborate on a track with?
2Deep: Big K.R.I.T. I believe he's the only other artist making the style of music I make. I like what he's doing in the game. I’ve watched his career blossom and saw it on the rise a couple of years ago. He's definitely somebody I would reach out to do a record or two with.
EMGWorld: What radio stations have shown love to your music?
2Deep: Sometimes you can’t really chase radio. You just have to let radio come to you. K97 and Hot 107.1 have reached out and shown support to my music. Both of these stations are based in Memphis. They're a lot more in touch with my records and what I'm doing in the streets.
EMGWorld: Have any major labels taken notice of the movement you’ve created off of your mixtape releases?
2Deep: Honestly, I'm not really worried about major labels. I'm just worried about building my brand and my movement. If a deal happens then so be it, but right now I'm more focused on building my brand and myself as an artist. I got a call from Big Cat Records, but I'm not sure where that went. Jermaine Dupri [CEO of So So Def Records] and I have chopped it up a lot. You never know where these relationships can take you, but JD is good people.
“I'd say the difference between me and a lot of other artists is that I'm bringing the truth.” – 2Deep, Blogboard Spotlight
EMGWorld: In what ways would you say you're building your brand up?
2Deep: We're doing a lot to make "No More Mr. Nice Guy" more than just a mixtape series. We're doing everything from T-shirts to Pimp cups. We're also campaigning through video. Young Jeezy created such a strong movement with The Snowman that people connected with it. That's what I'm trying to do. I think you can compel people in the streets when you have something that's bigger than you. I'm trying to create something that's bigger than just me as a rapper.
EMGWorld: What producers are you working with?
2Deep: First and foremost, Hot Rod. I would say he's most responsible for my sound. We have a knack for creating records. Webb, another producer I work with, does alot of creative sounds that make me reach deeper than just a [typical] Southern sound. I have another guy named Tony H. Tony is a great producer and engineer. I have another producer named Chieve that's great at producing that R&B sound and laid back stuff. These are my main producers.
EMGWorld: Are you open to working with new producers?
2Deep: [Definitely.] Sometimes the guy with no name is the producer you want to roll with because he's HUNGRIER. I've noticed with each album Rick Ross brings someone new to the table. He brought out producers like J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and The Runners before we really knew who they were. As an independent artist you have to do the same thing.
EMGWorld: How can producers out there send beats to you?
2Deep: Hit me on twitter @ 2DeepGSD. I'm very good at answering my tweets and direct messages so just hit me up on Twitter. I'm very approachable.
EMGWorld: Very few acts are able to make noise in a major way without having a co-signer. Rick Ross co-signed for Meek Mills. Lil Wayne co-signed for Drake. How difficult is it without a cosigner?
2Deep: I would say it’s extremely harder. It takes so much in this industry to drive attention to yourself. A co-sign is so major sometimes because someone like Drake would've never got to us without a Wayne. The best advice I could give someone is to be creative, different and create your own lane. I know I can get where I want to go without having someone stamp me and say I'm the truth. The co-signs will eventually come.
EMGWorld: What would you say separates 2Deep from every other artist in the industry?
2Deep: I do this from the HEART. I take pride in putting a lot into this music. I don't feel like there's no other artist out, especially a new artist, that's going to give you a mixtape or album where you can listen from track one through sixteen. When you download a project from me you're going to get consistently good music you don't have to skip through.
EMGWorld: How can EMGWorld fans stay connected to your movement?
2Deep: www.2deepthesouthernpresident.com. From there you can go to my pages on twitter, facebook and youtube.
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