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So Steel, tell us a little about yourself, where your from?
“I am from the west side of Fayetteville, North Carolina. People are now just hearing about Fayetteville, or North Carolina in general… there is a lot of untapped potential in NC and we have a lot of acts that are bringing the city and state to the forefront.”
When did you first become interested in music? When did you start rapping? What prompted you to make a career out of rap?
“I been interested in music since the 1 st grade. I remember my first song I ever memorized which was Coolio’s “Gangster’s Paradise.” I used to rap this song in 1 st grade and pawned it off like it was mines (lol) but once I saw what it did, the feeling I got from it, I became interested in writing raps and poems for myself and it just grew from there.”
Why the name Steel?
“My OG Dula gave me the nickname (haha). It came from the movie “Juice”. He would always call me Steel and I was like 6 years old so I didn’t quite grasp it. He told me I reminded him of Steel when he (Steel the character) was always talking about getting with women and cooking in the kitchen haha! And the name just stuck with me. I go by Steelmatic as well as an ode to Nas, one of the Greats.”
When it comes to your lyrics, what inspires you?
“Life inspires me… the ups, the downs… the pleasure, the pain, and everything in between. I know its cliché, but music is therapeutic for the listeners, but think about what it does for the writers of your favorite songs. I have to put my soul in my records.. I was told that pain shared is pain lessened.”
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
“It’s too early to tell man, things that people think are accomplishments, for me, are expected. Im even kill at all times, looking to raise the bar in every facet of life. So it’s too early for a correct answer haha.”
What do you look for in beats you’re selecting?
“Soul!!! The beats have to have soul, not necessarily a sample, but the beat must convey an emotion or spark a feeling. BIG K.R.I.T said it best, “if it don’t touch my soul, then I can listen to it!”
Besides music what other hobbies do you have?
“Hobbies, let’s see, I like to shoot pool, sip cognac and watch Martin haha.. I’m a simple man… and I am a sneakerhead.
What’s one artist you would like to work with and why?
“That’s a tough one….. I would say Marsha Ambrosius produced by Kanye West… that would be dope!!”
Where exactly do you see yourself at 5 years down the road?
“That’s another tough one… at times I can barely see tomorrow haha.. but nah, I just want to be alive, the world is changing, tomorrow isn’t promised, I just want to be there to see it.”
What are your thoughts on how things are going in the music industry right now?
“I see some good, a lot of rappers are more conscientious about signing deals and trying to build and remain independent which empowers the artist vs. the label, so that good. Lyricism is coming back and that another positive.”
Any new projects coming out soon ? & what can we expect from this projects?
“Yes, Im working on a project now entitled “A Day Late and A Dollar Short” with production from Syn, Justyn Waves and 3D. Just expect “Greatness” I feel as if this is my Blueprint, My Ilmatic, My Ready to Die, My Me Against the Word, just all the classics man, this is my Classic!!”
Thank you very much for your time Steel. Anything else you want to add? How can your fans get in contact with you?
“Thanks for having me, it’s appreciated!” Follow me on instagram and twitter: Steel910.
