It’s Thursday ladies and gentlemen, so you know what that means.
Cheers to another edition of BSO’s music showcase and in this week’s feature, we’re exploring all the way out to none other than Delaware.
To be exact, we’re invading the city of Dover, where recording artist ‘TMZ 3O2’ resides.
Typically, one wouldn’t think of Delaware as a hotbed for hip-hop music, but you must realize how close they’re to surrounding areas such as New York, DC, Virginia, Maryland and etc.
After listening to TMZ 3O2’s music, it was pretty evident to me that his sound is influenced by creative thinking and others who’ve came before him.
To get a better grasp of who TMZ 3O2 is, check out my interview with him.
How was it growing up in Dover, Delaware and what influence does your environment have on your music, if any?
Growing up in Dover, DE or the 302 (as we call it) was cool for me man. Although I was born in Chicago and would go back every summer until I was about 14. It’s a small city so it has that community feel where typically most people know each other and the good thing is it isn’t to far from big states & cities like NY, DC, VA, MD, NJ I played basketball since I was 4 yrs old so that’s how I mostly knew everybody and attracted friends (And that I was NICE with it) and I’ve always been the cool charismatic person I am now so I was cool with everybody. There really wasn’t too much to do in the state except go to the beaches in the summer so having a good group of friends was key because house parties were more so the wave.
My crew always threw the illest parties. (FACTS) Growing up there definitely influenced me musically because DE is located so close to NY, DC, BMore, Philly and Kiss 101.7 was a big radio station in DE. So I would exposed to and hear all types of genres & styles from Go Go, to B-More Club music, NY music, Philly music, and hear a lot of southern music as well. That helped me be well rounded & to appreciate & accept different genres..to not be put in a box. Me & my boy TL were music fiends…we got to the point to where we would even know and could tell which songs were gonna blow on radio before they did. My boy TL always had that ear especially for production.
What artists from the past and in today’s game have helped mold your unique sound?
2pac first and foremost, Andre 3000, J Cole, Kendrick, Curren$y, Kanye, Drake more so because I can relate to them and each one has their own unique style like they’re 1 of 1’s. Their level of creativity and soul are crazy. They’re not just rappers they’re complete Artists
What’s the process like when coming up with a concept for a song?
The process for me with coming up with a new song really isn’t that traditional for me it’s more abstract. With my music I write songs from either experiences, what im thinking, it’s hard to explain..it just comes from my soul. I don’t go into a thinking that i need to make a certain type of song so to say. My music is just free flowing…pure. I always listen to beats first then I write to how that beats makes me feel or what it makes me think of. Sometimes I’ll write like a song or 2 a day then sometimes I need inspiration and i’ll go to an art gallery, read or just go experience life. Also 70% of the time I’m usually smoking good when making music so I guess that’s part of the process.
Where do you see yourself five years from now in the music game?
In 5 years I see myself in a top position in the game doing special and unconventional things not only in the music game but in the entertainment game period. Making My Own Lane. I see myself growing and blossoming and definitely having a strong and powerful influence on the culture. Moving this DOPE In It’s Purest Form Everything I do Is to be Great I take pride in my art and I’m a competitor.
What should the fans be looking out for in 2016?
Fans should be on the look out for visuals off of the EP Eudaimonia & a new project maybe even 2… I’m currently working on 1 now I still haven’t titled it but a few songs I’ve let trusted ears hear tell me this next one will be something special.
Make sure to check out his music on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/tmz302
If you’re a music artist out there and you want some exposure like this, make sure to contact me on Twitter @MarkAGunnels or just simply email me your music at [email protected].