Interview With Artist MEM Stackboy

Where are you from?

I'm from Navasota, Tx but currently in College Station, Tx

When did you start making music - and what or who were your early influences?

I started making music back in 2004 but back then i was just writing. I don't think I recorded my first actual song until 2013 and started taking it seriously around 2016 or 17. My biggest influence was Nelly, Zro, B.I.G, 2pac, Lil Keke and Drake.

What skills do you think artists need to be successful?

Have to be business minded, got to be self driven and motivated otherwise you'll get overwhelmed and on top of that you got to be all-in to really start seeing the growth.

How do you stay up to date with the latest music trends?

I listened to what was on the radio, kept my ear to the streets and when ever a new artist emerged I studied to see what it was that the fans liked about their music.

When performing, what techniques do you use to engage the audience?

I've jumped in the mix with the crowd, I gave the mic to a fan to rap part of the song before, before performing I'm out networking so when I hit the stage I have more of their attention. I do what I can to make the experience as personal as possible.

What would you say is the most rewarding part of being an artist?

Being able to have an impact on people's lives whether it's the music, the stories, a certain vibe that helps them make it through whatever they could be dealing with.

How did you spend your lockdown/pandemic time? What did you accomplish before the entertainment world began to open up again?

I did more radio/podcast interviews, a few other artists in the area did our own podcast called "Quarantine Radio Takeover", got more involved with the community helping out and host our own events, studied how the pandemic was changing the industry and kept trying to perfect my craft.

What makes you different from other artists?

I feel my versatility separates me from alot of other artists. Just being able to blend genres and being able to write multiple styles I feel gives me a little more of and edge on other artists.

Last question, when not making music, where can we find you?

I'm usually always doing something pertaining to music whether it's studying, engineering my music or other artists music, developing my brand or I'm doing or planning something for the community, but away from music in general I'm spending with the family.