Mario Hill (aka Rio Suavey), who at times acts like a comical genius, had his sights set on becoming a big-time producer. He began to pursue writing and rapping at the age of 13. His love of music, especially hip hop, grew into an obsession after being influenced by successful artists like 2Pac & Dr. Dre. He started out with a desire to be a famous rapper and eventually developed a passion for being an all-round entertainer. Her he gives us a glimpse into his musical world.
- How long have you been in the music business and how did you get started in the first place?
Rio Suavey: I been in the music business for 12yrs strong, I got started by reading books about the music industry and songwriting also practicing on my delivery & flow as well as performing at talent shows, open mics.
- Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?
Rio Suavey: 2Pac, Dr Dre, Slick Rick, Biggie Smalls, Eazy E, Nas, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson
- Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?
Rio Suavey: I’m listening to Future, Yo gotti, Lil Boosie, Gucci Mane, French Montana, Lil Wayne, The Dream, Usher, Young Dro, T.I, Meek Mill, Chris Brown, Drake, Trey Songz and etc. And yes I would collab with these artists.
- 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?
Rio Suavey: Yes I have, being in a group and working on projects, I handled it by just doing/being me, moving forward but with more creativity and learning from my mistakes far as criticism and haters I just ignore the negativity but at the same time show my haters mad love regardless what they say about me like Meek Mill says “If you ain’t got no haters, you ain’t popping”.
- 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?
Rio Suavey: Yes, visual media and YouTube is a great way to express, show and tell. Also it’s a very appropriate marketing tool. I do have a video, it’s a documentary called “The So Suavey Life of Rio Suavey: Part 1. ” www.YouTube.com/riosuavey1
- Which do you ultimately prefer? Entertaining a live audience or creating songs in a studio setting?
Rio Suavey: Both really but if I had to choose one it would be entertaining a live audience.
- 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?
Rio Suavey: The lyrics and music production to my 1st single which is “Yeen Nun(Like Me)” prod. By Playboi on da Trac is about being original and being yourself ,because there is no one else in the universe that’s like you. My 2nd single which is “Cognac” Prod. By Backpack whatsinthatbagboy is about kicking back with your feet up enjoying your day or night with women, drinking cognac and having drunk s**. The Lyrics I handle mostly, but my music production is handled by my indie label “Peachtree Music Group” who sometimes take care of the hooks as well.
8. What is the title of your latest music release and where can fans find it?
Rio Suavey: Actually I got 2 new music releases which is “Yeen Nun(Like Me)” & “Cognac” and you can find it on YouTube, Soundcloud, Reverbnation, Myspace, and etc.
- Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre thriving with newcomers?
Rio Suavey: My songwriting skills and my brand/clothing line “So Suavey”
- 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?
Rio Suavey: All 5 because of what God got me going through but at some point of time he give you a break and that’s the best time to use all five, just gotta know how to use them.
- Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?
Rio Suavey: I have no weakness they both excite me
- How do you market and manage your music career? Do you have a management team or do you control everything by yourself?
Rio Suavey: I control everything by myself and also Peachtree music group controls my production
- How do you achieve your sound? Do you work from a private recording environment or do you use a commercial sound studio?
Rio Suavey: I’m better working in a private recording environment
- 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?
Rio Suavey: Worry about myself before anything. Basically invest in yourself
- Gives us the names of 3 Top Hip-hop producers you’d love to work with?
Rio Suavey: Dr. Dre, Dj Premier, and RZA
- Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to your career, and indie music in general, or do you think it has only produced a mass of mediocre “copy-and-paste” artists, who flood the web, making it difficult for real talent to emerge?
Rio Suavey: internet and social media websites & indie music is fundamental to my career, I promote I never flood that’s what my fans are for, to do it for me when I promote.
- If someone has never heard your music, which 3 keywords would you personally use to describe your overall sound and style?
Rio Suavey: Smooth, impressive unique type of flow, sound & style
- Straight off the top of your head, how would you describe the current state of Hip-hop, R&B and Rap?
Rio Suavey: Commercial, misogyny for example on the radio, you may hear one or two verses, an R&B singer lacing the track and then a hook that is repeated enough times to take up three minutes or so. But the point is made that creativity in hip-hop has been pushed aside for tracks that incorporate overused samples, have no real messages, and have virtually eliminated the DJ from the music.
- 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?
Rio Suavey: Grammy award, number 1 on all charts on billboard, and yes of course platinum music sales and etc.
- What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?
Rio Suavey: Being a one hit wonder!
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