What inspired you to want to become an artist?
I have to be honest and start by saying that this was never my dream. I played around a lot in the locker room before and after football with my teammates and they would ask me to sing and freestyle but it was all in fun. I took it upon my self to do a song with two other guys and that’s how the song “I got a problem” came about. Before I knew it people were coming up to me saying that they had heard it and fans of the song started creating videos for it and tagging me on facebook and instagram. That’s really what made me like it and take it seriously.
How did you feel when you realized that your song had one million views?
It was a “WOW” moment for me and reminded me of the rush that I would get when I played football. I thank God for that because in the same way that people loved to come watch me play now they love to hear me make music. I never thought that I would find something else to love after I got injured because my one true love was football. The success of “I got a problem” has been such a blessing because I always felt that my love for the game was my only way out.
Why do you feel so strongly about being called an artist and not a rapper?
When I played football I played receiver but I wasn’t called a receiver, I was called an athlete because I was blessed to play a lot of other positions. When it comes to music I want to be referred to as an artist and not just a rapper because I can sing and I can rap. I’m blessed to be able to do both.
Are you looking for label representation?
My biggest thing is confidence, I keep grinding, I won’t stop! I know that I can promote myself better than anyone else can. I love being independent. Don’t get me wrong, if a label come to me with the right offer I might be tempted to sign but right now I’m enjoying having sole control over my projects
Talk about your highly anticipated mixtape.
I got a problem is just the beginning. My mixtape “This was never my dream” drops on my birthday July 9, 2016. My mixtape will be about me! My opinion is that when you come out with your first solo project you should make sure that it focuses on you and your talents. I want people to hear me not a mixtape full of collaborations. A lot of people can rap but can you make a song by yourself? I go in the studio and I freestyle all of my songs. I don’t write down any of my lyrics but I’m blessed to be able to remember them and fill in the holes as I record.
Where do you see your brand in the next five years?
Eventually I would love to start my own label and teach other artists how to make it in the industry. I do a lot of work in my community with various charity projects so molding young artists and bringing them up is definitely something I look forward to doing in the future while continuing to build my brand as an artist.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
I have had a lot of people tell me that because I graduated college and I have my criminal justice degree that I should work in my field, but I always tell people don’t let the career make you. Find what you love and when you do that, everything else will fall in place.
For more information, please visit: ttps://www.youtube.com/user/RobertPrimes5
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