Today, we sat down with our artist INF Black for an interview. Here is what he had to say:
1. How has your hometown shaped who you are as a musician today?
Well im from Parkhill, STATEN ISLAND NEW YORK….known as the fifth borough. Home of the WuTang CLan. I grew up under some of those guys…knowing members personally. Back when i was a lil sponge…growing up…when they made it….i wuz about 11 yrs oLd. Seeing them on television….and shooting the music videos around the way….gave me alot of inspiration. See where we come from in that section of Staten Island…many dont make it. Not onLy is it politicaL being from Staten Island as compared to BrookLyn….which is rite across the bridge. …In the music worLd….itz also a geographical thing. So in a nutshell….we have to fight harder to be heard….within the 5 boros of New York City. Politically…the people in power always wanted Staten Island to be considered a clean…no crime area. MeanwhiLe…itz full of Dope heads…and several low income areas where the people…mainLy of my complexion suffer the most. Unlike Brooklyn….Bronxx …etc….we dont get no light….but aint no difference on them streets….onLy difference is the agenda. WuTang had to open them doors and really let the worLd know wat was goin on. Being from SHAOLIN…also where Caucasian sneva wanted us there anyway. Most black families in Staten Island since the 70s…were not born in Staten Island….they migrated there from the other boroughs.(HarLem..BrookLyn…Bronx…Queens)
2. If you could single out one artist or band that has influenced you, who would that be and why?
It would have to be the WUTANG CLAN. I grew up knowing Method Man…Raekwon…UGod…etc…and alot of their famiLy members. Goin to shows….being back stage…was all great experiences for me that made me. Also if yall remember “KING JUST”…from Black Fist…which was distributed by Select Records back in the 90s…..is also from my neighborhood. Grew up younger than them dudes….but rite under them….gave me alot of inspiration.
3. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what is the first thing you would buy?
If i won the lottery tomorrow….i would buy my momma a house. She deserves it. WouLd take her far away from these project buildings….pissy staircases and elevators. Make her comfortable….for the rest of her precious years.
4. What is your advice to fellow underground musicians in regards to remaining discipline in your craft?
My advice to my fellow musicians on the come up. Same advice I keep telling myself. Stay studying your craft. Stay diligent….persistant… neva give up. Everybody is someone special….in their own way.
5. Do you have any songwriting or recording tips you’d like to share?
I usually…listen to a beat for a couple of days….sometimes…something might hit me as soon as i hear the beat. It all depends. But i always follow my heart and vibrations. Some words come out non stop…some take a min…..but i zone in on my topic…and constantLy…tryin to catch the rhythm as i go along.
6. How does your family and close friends feel about your music career? Have they always been supportive or have there been issues in the past?
I get alotta support from my friends…who constantLy tell me to keep going….think deeper. My family iz there. Sometimes itz difficult for certain people to see happening….especially if itz not there DREAM. Especially when less then 5 percent…or lower actually can sell tickets or generate a fan base…to create a suitabLe income….u dig.
7. If you could open up for one famous artist or band, who would that be and why?
If I could open up for an artist….it would be NAS… AZ….or DMX….because….i respect real raps and reaL personas…..real life….speakin on real shii. A couple of my favorites. Plus i feeL like those guys were big influences on me as a young fan.
8. If you could have a dinner with one musician who is no longer living, who would that be and why?
If i couLd have dinner…wit a deceased artist….i probably could name a few….but i would have to say….NatKingCoLe…Miles Davis…and Tupac & BiGGie…to name a few. Legends*
9. In your time with LiquidSound Records, what is the number one thing you have enjoyed the most? Also, what is your advice to those artists who would be interested in joining the roster in the future?
I enjoy the information that LiquidSound provides. If you are an independent artist like myself….you need all the help you can get. Everything from information ….to know how….promotion and marketing….and most importantly….”THE PLUGS”. The bridges or links we need to success….that we probably cant attain on our own… A link to one meeting….conversation….or event*
10. In ten years, where do you see your music career?
In ten years i see my music career growing…wit every fan …person…or consumer….i can touch. I also see my music growing. If you compare my verses from ” UGOD PRESENTS THE HILLSIDE SCRAMBLERS”…COMPILATION ALBUM BACK IN 2005….THAT I DID WIT UGOD OF WUTANG CLAN….DISTRIBUTED BY SYNERGY DISTRIBUTION…..TO MY DEBUT SOLO MIXTAPE “CONCRETE JUNGLE”…RECENTLY RELEASED….THEN YOU KNOW WAT IM TALKIN BOUT. IN TEN YEARS….I SEE MY MESSAGE BEING PLANTED ACROSS THE GLOBE. I ALSO SEE MY MUSIC IN TELEVISION..AND CINEMA. I SEE MY CAREER GOIN FROM MUSIC TO FILM. I ALSO SEE MYSELF INVOLVED….CONSTANTLY LEARNING…AND EMBRACING ANY NEW ENDEAVORS THAT RUN PARALLEL.