INF! – Q&A Interview
-Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?
Born and raised in Rochester NY, & I’ve been making music since I was 9 years old.
-What influences you in making Hip Hop?
I’d have to say my life story, my family, close friends, the hardships and day to day life I’ve experienced. It motivates me to create.
–Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
What separates me from others, is the willingness to broaden my skills. To take a more universal approach when needed on making songs, and admitting I’m not perfect, but a force to be reckoned with at the same time.
-Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
Besides my HCM family (JD Riggz, Eastside Easy, KXL, Marshee Blue & Hundoe Luck) I’ve worked with DV Alias Khryst, Big OOH!, G*E*D/T-Weaponz, DJ Tony Touch, DJ Ease.
It’s always been my dream to work with pioneers that paved the way, so from Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, LL Cool J, DMX, Dre, Kendrick, Hopsin, Outkast. I could be here all day lol.
-Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Music from the soul, music that mainstream can’t hold a candle to. Music that the radio stations are afraid of, and refuse to play because folks like us have the passion and drive to change the way the world turns with our music.
-Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production? And who would you like to work with?
I’m influenced by that Classic Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Dj Premier, Pete Rock, just to name a few. Can’t mention them without mentioning Ye, No ID, Q-Tip & Dilla.
Besides myself, JD Riggz & KXL are my go to production. Outside of us three, I’ve worked with COOP, Andrew ‘DrewsThatDude’ Lloyd, Jimmy Dukes, Clyde Strokes, Trox, & Black Metaphor.
As far as who I’d like to work with. All of the influences I mentioned above, and the producers I’ve been working with, would be the craziest album follow up!
-Any current or future projects you are promoting?
HCM IS THE GANG : RELOADED, Animal Awareness, there’s a lot of work coming from the HCM collective.
-Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of ANIMAL CONTROL? Also/ tell us a little bit about the concept and idea behind your Album/Mixtape Cover Art.
We’ve been making a lot of music for the past 3+ years, hours of just coming up with songs and concepts that I was feeling at the time. I was coming off of my late Brother’s passing, and just had so much anger I wanted to let out. A lot of my music originally was reflecting that at the time, and I would just head to JD’s Studio, or KXL’s studio and lose myself at times, record and create what I felt was therapy music for me. As days, months, years passed, I’ve grown and created more music that others could relate too. With JD & Kevs advice I found the way to better my craft to make songs that’s bigger than what I’m going through.
So with the music growth, came the Animal Control concept. My rap name has been INF! Da Beast for so long, and I figured it was time
to drop ‘Da Beast’ off my name. Then my brother Nuke came with the idea to make INF! mean a whole lot more (I’ll Never Fail!)
The album came about to mean two things, the play off of my name, as well as my growth and maturity in dealing with the every day ‘Concrete Jungle’ we deal with. Dealing with our inner beast in a sense. It helps that JD is a genius too.
-Where can we find your music and info?
-Any shout outs?
I’d like to shout out The whole HCM GANG!: JD Riggz, Eastside Easy, KXL, Marshee Blue & Hundoe Luck, my G*E*D family. All Money Ent. Everyone who’s making music from the soul, and not to follow trends.
And a special thanks to UGHHBLOG for the opportunity. I truly appreciate it, and hope to speak with you guys again!
