EMGWORLD SHINES BRIGHT ON QUEEN'S PRODIGY 360
If New York is the birthplace of hip-hop, Queens might as well be considered as the pre-school of hip-hop. Def Jam, one of hip-hop’s most prominent record labels, was co-founded by Queens native Russell Simmons. From Run DMC to 50 Cent, some of music’s biggest names were grown right out of Queens, New York. New artist 360 breaks down why he’s on deck as Queen’s next hip-hop prodigy.
Latest Mixtape: Everywhere and Back (released through datpiff.com)
EMGWorld: How strong of a following would you say you have right now with your hometown?
360: On 1 to 10, I'd say I'm a 7. Queens is big as hell for those who don't know.
EMGWorld: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
360: I like real MCs. I grew up listening to Nas and Jay-Z. I listened to the Lost Boyz. Their movement definitely put a spark under me. What 50 Cent did in music was amazing, especially since I lived through that same story. I learned from all the legends that came before me.
EMGWorld: What would you say you’re bringing to the table that other mainstream artists aren’t?
360: Hip-hop is recycled.... Period. It's no different than what Biggie said or what Common is saying. It's the same thing, but just said differently. I feel like most artists [nowadays] don't put the effort into it. Those artists are just working rappers instead of trying to connect with the people and giving them what they want. I’m expressing hip-hop from my own point of view, so I'd say I'm bringing CREATIVITY. I pride myself in being creative and challenging peoples brains, as opposed to giving them that same dumb s**t.
EMGWorld: Have any radio stations out there taken notice of the movement and shown love to your music?
360: Hell yeah.. My hometown radio stations have shown love. Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97 has been bumping it. He's the one that broke off my music first. After Flex spinned it, DJ Envy on 105.1 played it. Then Satellite radio called me to let me know I'm in their rotation worldwide. I also get love from a few college radio stations. It's a BLESSING.
EMGWorld: Have any major labels reached out to you based off the buzz you’ve created from your mixtape releases?
360: I sat down with a couple of labels. They sat me down, but weren’t really talking in the direction I wanted to go. I still feel like I can do a lot of the stuff they wanted to do for me on my own. It wouldn't make sense for me to sign with a label and spend their money when I can do so much myself.
EMGWorld: Very few acts are able to make noise in a major way without having a co-signer. T.I. co-signed for Meek Mill. Lil Wayne co-signed for Tyga. How does this affect your grind as an independent artist?
360: A co-signer is just circumstantial. It definitely helps 100%. It puts the light on you, but I don't depend on that. I feel like people focus more on co-signers than actual music. I'm my own man at the end of the day. I feel like the FANS are the best co-signers you can have. That's it. The people that you see when you walk down the block and show love are the co-signers I need.
EMGWorld: You have alot of feel good music. Your music sounds like its fresh out of the golden era of hip-hop (90s). Are you influenced by that era?
360: I grew up in this... FAST. I was raised by older uncles as a lil kid on the block. I listened to Nas, Biggie, Jay-Z. They definitely influenced what I'm into today. I took a piece of all of them and channeled it into my music.
EMGWorld: Is there any one artist outside of your camp that you would like to collaborate on a track with?
360: I'd say J. Cole. I'd get on a track with him and burn it down. There's Z-Ro out in Houston. A lot of people don't know him, but that's a dope artist. I would work with him.
EMGWorld: Every state or coast has their moment. NY had it. West Coast had it. The South has it. Where would you say New York is at right now within the shuffle? Would you say New York is back on top?
360: Not completely yet. I feel like it's a MESH. You have New York artists meshing. Nicki Minaj is meshing with Lil Wayne. French Montana is meshing with Rick Ross. ASAP Rocky is meshing with Texas. New York is here, but the presence is not as strong. I've been all around the world so I’m not really into the territorial thing.
EMGWorld: How can producers send material to you?
360: Hit me up via twitter or via e-mail at info@360ismusic.com.
EMGWorld: Where can fans connect with you?
360: Fans can hear the latest from me at 360ismusic.com. You can follow me on instagram and twitter @360ismusic or friend me on facebook at facebook.com/360ismusic.
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