Monty Machetty is a rapper from Philly, looking to break into the mainstream surface. Monty has been rhyming since the age of 12yrs old – on and off, due to jail time that slowed him down. About one year and a half ago he started taking things more seriously and just recently put out a mixtape called “Its Business Never Personal”. The mixtape is available on three websites – on one of the sites – MixtapeHitz.com the mixtape has had almost 10,000 downloads and still counting. Monty Machetty says he is looking to do collabs with some major artists. In an exclusive interview he told us a little bit about his grind.
How long have you been in the music business and how did you get started in the first place?
Monty Machetty: Since I was like 12 my teacher told me to write a poem and I turned it into a rap and I have never stopped since…
Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?
Monty Machetty: Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Jadakiss, Fabulous and Nas
Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?
Monty Machetty: Drake, Future, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill and yes I wouldn’t mind collabing with any of them.
Have you suffered any ‘resistance’ from within the industry, and if so how have you handled that, and how do you handle criticism and haters in general?
Monty Machetty: Yes I was turned down a couple times trying to get placements for soundtracks of a movie.
What are your thoughts on visual media and Youtube? Do think that video is an appropriate marketing tool for your music, and do you have any videos published for fans to see?
Monty Machetty: Yes I think so hearing it is good but seeing it is actually better only if it makes sense and I’m working on doing a couple videos from my current mixtape.
Which do you ultimately prefer? Entertaining a live audience or creating songs in a studio setting?
Monty Machetty: I like both but if I had to choose it would be creating songs in the studio that’s when I’m most motivated but I can do both don’t get me wrong.
Tell us something about your lyrics and music production on your releases. Which part of these processes do you handle, and which do you outsource generally?
Monty Machetty: I mainly handle the writing and sometimes I choose the beats I want and if I don’t like any, I help create some tracks with ideas.
What is the title of your latest music release and where can fans find it?
Monty Machetty: My latest project is my mixtape “Its Business Never Personal” they can find that on MixtapeHitz.com or Datpiff I have a couple releases on Soundcloud too.
Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre thriving with newcomers?
Monty Machetty: I would have to say just having my own style and lyrical content being able to switch up my flow and not being one dimensional.
If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to be a part of this tough business. Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?
Monty Machetty: It’s a little bit of everything the joy is making music people can feel the anger is lashing out at the ones who doubted you the passion is what I live for the pride is not letting rejection stop you that makes you look soft and I have tough skin.
Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?
Monty Machetty: The exciting part is being able to see what you can do for yourself as an independent artist the most discouraging part is coming out as an independent artist the grind you have to put in just to get noticed.
The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?
Monty Machetty: Being able to take constructive criticism and not listening to people that have more experience than I do in the game. Now I listen.
If someone has never heard your music, which 3 keywords would you personally use to describe your overall sound and style?
Monty Machetty: Different, energetic, and lyrical.
Straight off the top of your head, how would you describe the current state of Hip-hop, R&B and Rap?
Monty Machetty: Watered down and overrated.
As you work your way through your career, which more than any other fires-up your imagination – A Grammy award, Platinum music sales or any other tangible milestone?
Monty Machetty: Grammy
OFFICIAL LINKS: SOUNDCLOUD – FACEBOOK – TWITTER