Today, we sat down with our artist Katie Tropp for an interview. Here is what she had to say:
1. How has your hometown shaped who you are as a musician today?
I was born in San Jose, Ca. Growing up I always gravitated towards West Coast Hip Hop starting with 2pac, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and so on. In turn, many of these artists have shaped who I am as an artist as well. My lyrical style, clothing style, instrumentals I use, along with a lot of my slang and mannerisms all derive from the many West Coast Hip Hop legends I grew up listening to. When most people hear my music for the first time they ask if I’m from Cali because they can hear it in my music.
2. If you could single out one artist or band that has influenced you, who would that be and why?
Eminem. The day he hit the scene was when I decided I wanted to be a rapper. I’m not sure exactly why or what the motivation was, but he really invoked the rapper within me. I bought the “Marshall Mathers LP” the day it came out and after I listened to it I picked up a pencil and my notebook and started writing, and haven’t stopped ever since.
3. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what is the first thing you would buy?
A house.
4. What is your advice to fellow underground musicians in regards to remaining discipline in your craft?
Never limit yourself or stop learning. You can never have too much knowledge when it comes to the music industry and it is ever changing. The only way to keep up is to keep your ears open, ask questions, and to pay attention.
5. Do you have any songwriting or recording tips you’d like to share?
Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone by trying new things in the studio. Like maybe trying something different with your voice, or experimenting with a different effect on your voice, or maybe toying around with adlibs. You never know what is going to grab your audience and there may be a time where you toy around with something in the studio and it ends up being a hit!
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?
Everyone close to me has been very supportive of my music career. They all see how hard I work and what I put into it and they know how serious I take it. Frankly, if someone close to me had a problem with it they wouldn’t be in my life because my music is a huge part of who I am.
7. If you could open up for one famous artist or band, who would that be and why?
Snoop Dogg because I think we have similar music and a similar fan base.
8. If you could have a dinner with one musician who is no longer living, who would that be and why?
2pac because he is by far one of the most influential rappers of all time in hip hop and is one of my all-time personal favorite rappers. I would love to discuss music with him!
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’ve been working with LiquidSound basically since it began and what I have enjoyed the most is watching the continued growth of the company as a whole. Nothing is built overnight, but Ryan Katz and his crew have maintained a solid work ethic which has continued the growth of the business in many ways. This is to the benefit of his current and future management roster. My advice to anyone interested in joining LiquidSound in the future would be stay patient and work hard. Ryan is here to help you as much as he can, but you have to make sure you utilize the tools he provides to your best advantage.
10. In ten years, where do you see your music career?
I see myself as an established touring artist with a record label and a publishing company. I don’t plan to be a one trick pony, that’s for sure!