Tell us about yourself.
I’m GIOVANNI, an 18-year-old bedroom artist born in New York. I lived in Haiti 90% of my life and moved to Canada after the earthquake in 2010 (best thing to happen to me). I’m very loud, annoying and creative…basically a child.
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Tell us about yourself as an artist.
I enjoy experimenting. I try to learn as much as I can from different genres; it helps me avoid putting my music in a box. When I’m not making music, I take photos, sometimes draw, write and do graphic design, so I design all my covers and edit my videos.
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Tell us about the genre of your music.
Since I experiment quite a bit, it’s a bit hard to say. But I’m very influenced by Hip-Hop, Indie, Rock, Alternative, some Jazz and some Pop. There’s probably more that I can’t think of right now. I like string sections a lot.
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Tell us about the story behind your song.
This song is a bit old actually. The way it came together is pretty interesting. I wrote the lyrics 5-6 months ago for a different beat, but it wasn’t working out too well. So a few weeks later, I find this sick sample on YouTube and I make this beat, an idea came to my head to try to rap the lyrics over that new beat and it worked perfectly. I released the first version of RYSE 5 months ago, it was just my verse. Then I met my good friend Cassius, he liked it and wrote a verse for it and made a second version where it was only his verse. And then finally a few weeks ago I ended up putting both together and turned it into a proper song.
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Tell us about the problems you are facing as a musician.
My parents. They’re not very supportive, which sucks. There’s also the fact that I’m independent and I do everything myself in my home studio which costs a lot of money and time.
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Tell us about the recording and production of the song.
For production, it’s pretty straight-forward. There’s a cool Japanese sample looping throughout and the snares are tight. I made this beat pretty quickly too, probably 10 to 20 minutes. Recording-wise it took a few tries because it was one of my first times rapping with a faster flow so I had to make sure my delivery and cadence was good at all times.
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List the names of blogs, radio or TV stations that have supported you so far.
You guys are the first legit blog to take my song though and I’m super thankful for that.
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Tell us more about your music career, experience, and future goals.
I started out just producing, around 4-5 years ago. I started writing seriously about a year ago. I’m progressing pretty well. I’ve made a decent amount of songs but I’ve only released 3. I played my first show December 28th of last year that was sick. The coolest thing is the reactions, seeing people listen to something you spent your time and effort making, and them loving it, nothing beats that. For 2018, I have a lot that I want to accomplish, like a LOT, and I’m planning and saving money to make sure I achieve those goals.
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Brief us what inspires you to write, compose and sing.
I’ve been loving music for as long as I can remember. It’s my number 1, the love of my life. I wanted to make music since I was 6-7 years-old but never had the confidence to start. So I guess I get inspired to make music to make my younger self proud. Also my idols and immortality.
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Brief us the top-secret behind making a hit song.
I have no idea. I don’t really know what I’m doing yet haha.
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Tell the kind of advice you will give to an upcoming artist.
Spend your first 10,000 hours making art for yourself first. Have patience. Be smart.
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Discuss at length your music careers, albums, songs, tours, recognition or awards you might have obtained.
A few beats. 3 songs. No albums yet. No tours, just one show. No awards. I’m taking my time.
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Tell us how you write your lyrics, compose, sing and record in the studio.
It varies, ‘feeling’ is very important. I’d rather not say.
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Name the artists you are willing to collaborate with.
Cassius Heights, always. Tyler, the Creator, Frank Ocean, Earl, Donald Glover, Rick Rubin, Mike Dean, Arca, Kanye West, Toro y Moi. Pharell, Viviane Sassen, Keynes Woods and Filet Mignon.
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