In this Interview, The Carolina Inquirer sits down with rising rap sensation Ike Ellis to discuss his forthcoming album Cornbread (due June 12 2012), his opinions on the music scene in The Carolina and why he's now known as The King of the Carolina!
The Carolina Inquirer: What makes you "The King of the Carolinas"?
Ike Ellis: I am glad you ask me this question. Now
it is my belief that as Black men in America, we were stripped from our
heritage, culture, identities during slavery. Throughout history we
have been taught to be inferior, mediocre, second class citizens. The
mentality has been inbreed-ed within our culture to be less which in
actuality we are extraordinary individuals. We were kings in Africa. We
had everything, as if we were royalty. Many times I am misunderstood, as
if I am an arrogant person who thinks I rule the Carolinas. Wrong
answer, I am a confident individual who refuse to look at myself less
than the Black king we were mean to be. I just happen to be from North
Carolina. If I was in New York, Florida, or Arizona, I still wouldn’t
consider myself less than a King in my mind. Every black man in America
is in some shape or form decedents from the kings who are transported
thru the Atlanta slave trade. I think, therefor I am, bottom-line.
Who are some of the artists here in The Carolinas that you have worked with?
I have worked
with numerous artists in some type of way, whether it be at an event,
but musically or composed songs with I would say, Broadway Miller, Young Niters, Elevator Jay, Ricky Ruckus, Paradox, Lava Izzle, Picasso, bobby Bugatti , just to name a few. Back in 2010 composed a song called the “Carolina conglomerate” that was crazy.
Who are some of the artists here in The Carolinas that you respect, that you haven't worked with yet?
Umm
I respect every artist in the Carolinas that's true to this Carolina
grind. The truth is [that] we are limited when it comes to the resources or
access to the industry, which makes us have to work just that much
harder. I support the
grind whenever approached on a business aspect of this music but, artist
I would like to work with some of the R & B artists, Hugg E Bear to make a
hit song.
Who are some Carolina based artists that you would like to work with eventually?
Whoever willing to make that music for the love of it, I will work with from the Carolinas.
As for producers... who are some of the beat makers here in The Carolinas that you've worked with?
Focus, B squared, Brad M, Streetz mentor
Who are some of the Carolina based producers that you would like to work with in the future?
See what Manifest got for me.
Can we ever expect to hear an Ike Ellis/ 9thWonder collaboration?
It would an honor for that to happen.
What about up and coming Carolina based beat maker J-Coleman? He
has been making a lot of noise on youtube and twitter with some of the
various instrumental she's produced, would you ever consider working
with him? http://www.youtube.com/jcolemanbeats
Yea I would work with him!
What about another North Carolina based producer by the name of Olatunji Mason? He's
a member of the group Blaq Planet that currently has a single with
Shabba Ranks and KrumbSnatcha titled "So Much Trouble"... you can listen
to it here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HajCC3ZSxes&feature=plcp
Yea I got a few concepts with that make some powerful music that way.
Now
I know this question has come up a lot in various interviews from
Carolina based artists, but in your opinion why do you think that North
and South Carolina have been over looked, and never really made a huge
impact in the music industry?
There are a few reasons. There
is no dedicated market for the Carolina artist to establish underground
so the commercial music industry doesn’t respect our grind. The numbers
is the only thing that matter when it comes to the music industry. Who
we know sold 100,000 copies independently? Question, where can a consumer go to buy the music of a Carolina artist? This is large market, but broken into pieces. The music industry see money that can be made, and we have not made any money. The
radio, the music industry, needs to see numbers. The artists have to
have their stuff together to generate the money, so the music industry
would not need to come here and give a deal, but wish we would break
some of that bread with the music industry. The control comes with the
influential figures that can make the decisions. It’s a bigger picture
than the artist, the promoter, the DJ, and the radio. Its nothing for a rapper to come from another state and get major spins on a radio power house? There are promoters who take advantage of the artist constantly with false promises, fake contests, and bias opinions.
What advice would you give up and coming artists based here in the Carolinas?
Focus
on the business aspect of making music, understanding what makes the
money, generate the money by understanding your target market or the
people that is going to spend money. Always try to Network with people
who can make a difference in your career. Stay
far away from false profits, and dream takers. The object is to get
paid, not get hustled by some fake promoter. Break bread with other
artist, build your circuit for everybody to eat, not just yourself. Make
music your target market is going to feel. Be
true to yourself as an artist, as am individual. Invest in yourself, if
you believe in yourself. Don’t invest in somebody else nightmares. Keep
grinding in all the markets not just your home town. You are not doing
nothing until you hit five cities hard with your product.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself with a certified business generating income for my family to be straight.
Listen to the lead single "Loving You" from his forthcoming album here
