EJ 'Why U Mad' Video Debut.
by Q Review Staff
We're beyond excited to be part of the video debut for new artist EJ and the video debut for his single 'Why U Mad'.
We've been fortunate to be able to chat with EJ to learn more about his music, direction, inspirations and thoughts on the industry. With a ferocious attack of musical bite on the debut single 'Why U Mad' complete with incredibly luscious visuals, EJ has arrived and has put a definitive stamp on the music world. This is an artist ready to stomp through the industry jungle to let audiences know he means serious business.
Before you dive into the video, learn a little more about this engaging and immensely talented artist.
Everything EJ.
Congratulations on releasing your debut single 'Why U Mad'. What inspired the song and what was the process of writing it?
Thank you for having me. My inspiration for the song came from a close friends situation. I feel like everyone has that friend or is that person who gets confronted about texting/talking to someone who is in a relationship. Its always funny how that party always blames the girl or guy but doesn’t take it out on their significant other. So I kind of took that and ran with it.
Why was this the song that needed to be your debut?
I had 3 songs that were up for being the debut. One is a pop song and the other a mixture or rap and pop. I wanted my debut to be something that grabs attention. I wanted it to be fun and in your face. I wanted to grab all listeners not just one type of demographic.
How long have you been making music? How did you get started?
I started in January. This year I told myself that I was going to “create”. One of my New Years resolutions was to actually release a single and here I am...It sounds like a very short time but it actually felt like a long time. I had 3 songs done that I wanted to release since then, but my issues with being a perfectionist took a toll. I had to make sure everything was right. I wanted to put out quality not quantity.
I've always been musically inclined it wasn’t until this year when I took the initiative.
How would you describe your musical style?
My musical style is strange. I started singing gospel than I ventured into musical theatre and now I’m rapping. I feel like I’m a mixture between pop and rap. I love singing but I also love the energy and cockiness of rap. So I would say Pop Rap or Rap Pop whatever sounds better haha.
'Why U Mad' sits comfortably in the modern style of rap. As an artist how would you like to see your sound evolve? Will you enter into other rap styles or R&B genres?
I would love to see my sound evolve in a way that isn’t traditional. I haven’t seen a rapper turn into a Broadway star. I don’t want limits to my art. I can do it all. I definitely see myself venturing into R&B very soon and other genres.
Describe yourself in 3 words
Assertive, Loyal and Driven
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from Black woman in my life. Black woman are innovative, raw and creative. Black woman are held at this standard that’s so high. It may seem like a bad thing but it makes them so powerful. They have to work so hard and have to be so creative in this industry that they literally create magic. The most copied and the most influential. The black woman.
Who are your musical influences? Which musical artists have been influenced by?
My musical influences ranges from Barbra Streisand to the city girls. I draw inspiration in all corners of music. I love the dramatics as well as the hood. Artists who influenced me are Usher, Tyrese, Busta Rhymes, Frank Ocean, Nicki Minaj and the legend Whitney Houston.
Who are you currently listening to? Who do you have on repeat?
I'm currently listening to Beyonce's Homecoming album. There's an energy that you can feel just by listening to the Instruments, the stomping and roaring. The album I have on repeat is Lizzo’s latest album “Cuz I love you”. I love it. It's so fun and so new. She has a great sound.
We're beyond excited to be part of the video debut for new artist EJ and the video debut for his single 'Why U Mad'.
We've been fortunate to be able to chat with EJ to learn more about his music, direction, inspirations and thoughts on the industry. With a ferocious attack of musical bite on the debut single 'Why U Mad' complete with incredibly luscious visuals, EJ has arrived and has put a definitive stamp on the music world. This is an artist ready to stomp through the industry jungle to let audiences know he means serious business.
Before you dive into the video, learn a little more about this engaging and immensely talented artist.
Everything EJ.
Congratulations on releasing your debut single 'Why U Mad'. What inspired the song and what was the process of writing it?
Thank you for having me. My inspiration for the song came from a close friends situation. I feel like everyone has that friend or is that person who gets confronted about texting/talking to someone who is in a relationship. Its always funny how that party always blames the girl or guy but doesn’t take it out on their significant other. So I kind of took that and ran with it.
Why was this the song that needed to be your debut?
I had 3 songs that were up for being the debut. One is a pop song and the other a mixture or rap and pop. I wanted my debut to be something that grabs attention. I wanted it to be fun and in your face. I wanted to grab all listeners not just one type of demographic.
How long have you been making music? How did you get started?
I started in January. This year I told myself that I was going to “create”. One of my New Years resolutions was to actually release a single and here I am...It sounds like a very short time but it actually felt like a long time. I had 3 songs done that I wanted to release since then, but my issues with being a perfectionist took a toll. I had to make sure everything was right. I wanted to put out quality not quantity.
I've always been musically inclined it wasn’t until this year when I took the initiative.
How would you describe your musical style?
My musical style is strange. I started singing gospel than I ventured into musical theatre and now I’m rapping. I feel like I’m a mixture between pop and rap. I love singing but I also love the energy and cockiness of rap. So I would say Pop Rap or Rap Pop whatever sounds better haha.
'Why U Mad' sits comfortably in the modern style of rap. As an artist how would you like to see your sound evolve? Will you enter into other rap styles or R&B genres?
I would love to see my sound evolve in a way that isn’t traditional. I haven’t seen a rapper turn into a Broadway star. I don’t want limits to my art. I can do it all. I definitely see myself venturing into R&B very soon and other genres.
Describe yourself in 3 words
Assertive, Loyal and Driven
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from Black woman in my life. Black woman are innovative, raw and creative. Black woman are held at this standard that’s so high. It may seem like a bad thing but it makes them so powerful. They have to work so hard and have to be so creative in this industry that they literally create magic. The most copied and the most influential. The black woman.
Who are your musical influences? Which musical artists have been influenced by?
My musical influences ranges from Barbra Streisand to the city girls. I draw inspiration in all corners of music. I love the dramatics as well as the hood. Artists who influenced me are Usher, Tyrese, Busta Rhymes, Frank Ocean, Nicki Minaj and the legend Whitney Houston.
Who are you currently listening to? Who do you have on repeat?
I'm currently listening to Beyonce's Homecoming album. There's an energy that you can feel just by listening to the Instruments, the stomping and roaring. The album I have on repeat is Lizzo’s latest album “Cuz I love you”. I love it. It's so fun and so new. She has a great sound.
What was the first album you ever bought?
The first album I ever bought was Confessions by Usher.
Have you had the opportunity to play live much? If so, what's been your favorite gig?
I haven’t ! I'm hoping to perform at DTLA Pride. Keeping my fingers crossed.
As an LGBTQ artist. what do you find most challenging with your music?
The most thing I find challenging is editing my lyrics. I want to be able to say what I want to say. Be as sexual as I want to be and use pro nouns. One of my homeboys who is straight who really liked my single suggested that I take out the pro nouns and I had to defend why they should be in. I feel like that’s going to be a huge fight in my career.
The queer rap and hip hop community has really been growing lately. Have you found much support from other artists?
I have ! I’ve met some really cool people on twitter like Sev7en Taylor who’s a dope artist. Check him out and Marcus @goawaymarcus who’s a dope producer. (Editor's Note: You can read our interview with Sev7en Taylor here)
Do you feel LGBTQ rap and hip hop are supported in the music industry? By the public?
I feel like the ones who aren’t in your face with their sexuality are. The ones who have to “edit”. That;s something I want to change.
The first album I ever bought was Confessions by Usher.
Have you had the opportunity to play live much? If so, what's been your favorite gig?
I haven’t ! I'm hoping to perform at DTLA Pride. Keeping my fingers crossed.
As an LGBTQ artist. what do you find most challenging with your music?
The most thing I find challenging is editing my lyrics. I want to be able to say what I want to say. Be as sexual as I want to be and use pro nouns. One of my homeboys who is straight who really liked my single suggested that I take out the pro nouns and I had to defend why they should be in. I feel like that’s going to be a huge fight in my career.
The queer rap and hip hop community has really been growing lately. Have you found much support from other artists?
I have ! I’ve met some really cool people on twitter like Sev7en Taylor who’s a dope artist. Check him out and Marcus @goawaymarcus who’s a dope producer. (Editor's Note: You can read our interview with Sev7en Taylor here)
Do you feel LGBTQ rap and hip hop are supported in the music industry? By the public?
I feel like the ones who aren’t in your face with their sexuality are. The ones who have to “edit”. That;s something I want to change.
What’s next for you? What does the next 2 years look like?
Ummm. Idk. I'm hoping to actually focus on my art. Quit my day job and maybe a small tour?
What’s something on your music career “bucket” list?
I want to perform at Billboard ! It's on everyone's bucket list! I feel like that would be major and I would give the theatrics and the looks!
Who is the one artist you would love to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with SAKIMA. His music is so dope ! I remember having his single “Daddy” on repeat in the gym and visualizing what my verse would sound on it.
What's life like when you're not making music?
I'm always keeping busy. Whether I'm acting or thinking of new creative ventures I'm always busy. I'm currently working on writing a pilot that caters to QPOC. I'm also an actor. You can catch me on Shows like Criminal Minds and Tales of Titans.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go and why?
Hmmm I think I would go to Haiti. That's where my roots stem from. That's where my parents are from and I’ve never had the chance to visit. It's definitely a part of me that I want to learn more about.
What’s one last thing you want listeners to know about you?
I want people to know that I work really hard to create quality material. I might not be pushing out songs every week or month, but when I do just know that a lot of thought and work has been put into it. I love y’all for even listening.
Follow EJ on Instagram / Twitter / Spotify
Ummm. Idk. I'm hoping to actually focus on my art. Quit my day job and maybe a small tour?
What’s something on your music career “bucket” list?
I want to perform at Billboard ! It's on everyone's bucket list! I feel like that would be major and I would give the theatrics and the looks!
Who is the one artist you would love to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with SAKIMA. His music is so dope ! I remember having his single “Daddy” on repeat in the gym and visualizing what my verse would sound on it.
What's life like when you're not making music?
I'm always keeping busy. Whether I'm acting or thinking of new creative ventures I'm always busy. I'm currently working on writing a pilot that caters to QPOC. I'm also an actor. You can catch me on Shows like Criminal Minds and Tales of Titans.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go and why?
Hmmm I think I would go to Haiti. That's where my roots stem from. That's where my parents are from and I’ve never had the chance to visit. It's definitely a part of me that I want to learn more about.
What’s one last thing you want listeners to know about you?
I want people to know that I work really hard to create quality material. I might not be pushing out songs every week or month, but when I do just know that a lot of thought and work has been put into it. I love y’all for even listening.
Follow EJ on Instagram / Twitter / Spotify
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