Q&A With Rising Burlington VT Area Underground Artist Budnick

When did you decide to start making Hip Hop? Who influenced you? How did you get the name Budnick?

I was age ten or maybe eleven when I started making hip hop music. It all began with a talent show I performed for in 6th grade (and obviously my natural love for the music). My friend and I decided to rap “Rosa Parks” together, him reciting Andre’s verse and me performing Big Boi’s. After that, we realized we could do this by ourselves and record our own songs. So we did that. We got a few pieces of equipment, a cheap mic and plugged it into the computer, recording on Sony Acid. We never stopped doing that either, through middle school, high school and even well after, though it became more of a solo thing for me at this point. The alias I used when I was younger was “Stranger” but within the past two years, I switched my artist name to my last name, which is Budnick. A funny story though, back then, I honestly believed I was a rarity being a white rapper. This was in the mid 90’s. Eminem hadn’t emerged yet, and being a naive child, I didn’t think there was anyone else.

What specific area are you from? Who has the local Hip Hop community accepted your music and movement?

I grew up in Burlington, VT, which is the biggest “city” in Vermont, but still far removed from any established hip hop culture. This isn’t to say there is no movement because that would be a lie. It’s just very small. It’s also the city Bernie Sanders is from! Still, growing up I was heavily influenced from traveling a lot to south Florida and NYC, because my dad lived in Hollywood and New York is fairly close to Burlington.

We really enjoyed your new album “Dirty D”. Feel free to breakdown the creative process of the project. (features, production, etc).

Much appreciated. A lot of time went into beat selection and writing. I linked with Statik and a few other producers through friends and started writing as often as I could. Whenever I write an album, I’ve stored up lots of artistic energy, and I just went on a spree with these (and my upcoming project – Salute My Shorts) and wrote like a madman. By the time I had them all done, recording was done in a few different studios, one being in Times Square.

Who are you top 5 MC & Producers?

Without dwelling on it for too long, in this moment, and the answers are subject to change at any given moment, I’d say 1) Tupac 2) Eminem, then Biggie, Nas, and Hov, in no specific order.

Planning on releasing any videos to complement your new album?

Yes, I will be working on at least one visual for the song “Ginger Bread Man” so be on the lookout for that.

What are your plans on getting your music out of your city and let it circulate throughout the nation?

Work ethic. There really is no other way unless you’re banking on going viral, which is rare. Make good music, make dope videos, put on amazing performances. What else can fans ask for?

Are you looking forward in working with other artists near you? Or do you try to keeps collabs at a minimum.

I try to keep collabs to a minimum unless I personally know or respect the other artist and have a vision for us on a song together. If I collaborated with every person who has ever asked me, I would have 500 more songs than I do now, and that kind of over saturation isn’t a good look for any musician. Quality over quantity.

What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?

To me, underground hip hop isn’t necessarily what I’m striving for. I want my music to be heard more than anything, by everyone, and I think that is sort of the opposite of what underground means.

Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.

Right now my social hub is probably my soundcloud. It has links to everything else. www.soundcloud.com/budnick

Plus follow me on instagram : www.instagram.com/budnickofficial
Facebook : www.facebook.com/budnickofficial
Twitter : www.twitter.com/budnickofficial
iTunes : https://exit.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Falbum%2Fdirty-d%2Fid1112785419
Buy my CD here: www.cdbaby.com/cd/budnick1

– Lastly, and shout out? (friends, family, management, etc)

Shout to anyone who’s listening to my music! Keep listening, and get ready for “Salute My Shorts”