Exposed Vocals Interviews MR.716
The 716 native Mr. 716 “Big Miz” has continuously made a heavy impact in the music scene throughout the Western New York region and all over various cities throughout the states. Performing aside heavyweights like Scarface, 50 Cent, Fat Joe, The Eastside Boyz, T.I., Gucci Mane and working with a lineup of new strong producers, Miz is all about family and community due to release the highly anticipated album “NASTY FALLZ”! This motivated young entrepreneur is not just an artist… He’s a businessman first and selling over 5000 mixtape units of his James Bond 007 Edition project in less than six months out the trunk of his car proves that for a local Mr. 716 is definitely on his way to stardom.
Hailing from Niagara Falls, hip hop artist Jermaniel “Big Miz” Harris and known as Mr. 716 has been blazing a trail through the hip hop scene. Mr. 716 “Big Miz” has always taken pride in putting his city in the spotlight and making a name for him along the way. Mr. 716 “Big Miz” has been steadily developing a following across North America, including major hip-hop cities such as NYC and Atlanta, and is quickly establishing himself as a renowned rapper in the hip-hop industry.
| Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
I heard about exposed vocals online in social media and I recieved a direct message that I would be contacted.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Hailing out of Niagara Falls, New York born and raised as Jermainel Harris I was introduced to the art of writing and composing lyrics at age 14 but as a young child I would always perform for family and friends at get togethers and one day at a Brad “Scarface” Jordan concert in Buffalo, New York I was called up on stage by Scarface to perform in the middle of his set out the clear blue, and as he presented me the opportunity to go up on stage I surprising took the invitation and went up on stage and the crowd loved me and everything far as my true career started from that day forward. Scarface and his label mates invited me and my boys I came to the concert with to come kick it and chop it up with him at his hotel after the show and he had his manager give me his business card and we took pics and had bottles of tangeruey gin. However, once the show was finished and we were heading back to our cars a bug riot broke out outside the venue and there was so much chaos we ended up leaving and I never me Face at the hotel. I did start recording a demo and making periodic calls to Rap-A-Lot Records studio line and never got to kick it with Brad directly but J Prince was in the studio on one of my calls to their lab and he says get us a demo. For the next three weeks straight I was all over town trying to get any recordings done I could but of course the laws of average caught up with me iny early street life days and I was sentenced to seven years prison and never got to present my demo to Scarface. During the seven years sentence I would write over 200 songs and when I made it back out I went back into what I love to do and now I’m still an aspiring unsigned writer and entertainer. Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Originally my emcee name from when I first started out was The Lyrical Enforcer With Much More Mentality… Lol… Which was way to long so the crew started calling me THE L.E.Tripple M to try and shorten the name plus my fav candy back then were lemon heads… Well that didn’t last long because out of the blue my boys D-Fizz and Josh AKA “Slayer” they started calling me Jamizzy, then Jamizzo, then just Mizzo, then just plain MIZ, but when I went to prison I got into excercising with my man named Big Clyde aka “FUZZY” from my hometown and a good guy named “GHETTO” from the boogie down Bronx. They were monsters and as I started putting on a little size they started calling me “Big Miz” however,when I returned home to the streets I started applying myself all over the city with the help of a close friend Cortez Waters who introduced me to a producer named “Black” in which his brother is super producer Kidd Kold out of Buffalo, NY who created and produced hit records with artists like DMX, FAITH EVANS, TAMIA, and many other mainstream artists and producers in which I started working with Kid Kold personally and produced records that were in heavy rotation on 93.7 WBLK FM radio. Through working with the staff and DJ personnel at the station I formed great relationships with the Djs and through me grinding and striving to put on for my 716 city they started calling me MR.716 out of the blue and the rest is history. (SEE INTERVIEW AT LINK BELOW) Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Online music sharing is a great platform and it allows you abilities to stretch out your fan base. Yes I give away some free music and I think it’s important at your beginning stage of trying to get your music out there especially if your not linked to the Djs nationwide. Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips? I would tell all upcoming artists to learn the business side of getting into the industry first because them you will have more knowledge on how to push your music. Also definitely learn to promote yourself to the social media. As for looking to get gigs go to every place of business in your city and all surrounding cities and ask club owners, bar owners, promotors and even schools how could you perform free at there venue. I still do this today and I’ve performed onstage and off stage with many signed artists and locals. The main key is you have to want this as a career not a hobby and take everything serious but knowing the business first is key.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Yes I’ve made mistakes performing but I never stop, I always keep going. True performers and entertainers learn to improvise during a performance real quick and have to adjust to all situations if they plan to be a great successful artist.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Yes I’ve done a few tours and one particular incident at the Valleydale Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio a gang riot broke out when Joe Buddens didn’t show up and they destroyed this place so bad. The arena was beautiful too but something with some bloods and crips broke out and it was one of the bloodiest ugliest scenes I ever witnessed. Myself and the three of my companions were scrambling for cover as the police pepper maxed and smoked bombed the entire place.. It was a complete catastrophe.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
I gather my writing inspirations from traveling and also meeting other artists everywhere I go or perform and I establish new relationships and I just take chances on going out on the limb to travel to different cities and hoods and I get familiar with good people and write about my road experiences and things that I’ve been through throughout my life. When I want to talk about pain I reach back into my childhood memories and create as well. I can also use my family as part of my writings as well as create is outing lyrics when I think about my three beautiful children. Books are also a great influence in my writings. Something intimate about myself that I will share this one time is that most of my music I write is in the comfort of bathroom. I can literally sit in the restroom for hours and meditate. Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
I now have a new website in the process of being built because the one j had was a bit dated so I’m working with a new designer that’s going to help me crate some fresh, new, and vibrant. Facebook:Mozzarotti716 Twitter: @MR716BIGMIZ YouTube:MR716ER Instagram:MR716ER Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Well it’s not likely that I record embarrassing songs before but I have featured on a few songs I did not like. I will let the fans pick the most embarrassing song for me. I did do a song called “STOMP” with a young producer named New City Flo and the track was ok but a few people thought I should have not done the track. He has the track anyway I just wanted inspire the young producer by working with him. He’s a good kid though. Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
I definitely would build a state of the art recording facility in my neighborhood to give the young talent a platform to at least record instead of running the street and I would also start a music program and facilitate to at risk youth all over the country during that year off whe still recording. Music is my life I just need a chance to be heard by the right people and or person. I’m a really skilled writer and I need an outlet to use my skills to the best of my ability. No one looks for tent here in the Buffalo/Niagara region and this is an untampered with base flooded with a pool of artists, producers, bands, and musicians and I would love to be one of the reasons why my area gets on the map. Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Yes there is always room to improve and grow. Right now my engineers use Logic Pro and Protools. Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Artist:MR.716 I promote my music everywhere I go and I sell my CDs and sign them hands on at every show or event I host. I also give them away and of course social media. Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Good question. Never really thought about where but u will love to perform with Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Nas, RAKIM, KRS-, Stevie Wonder, BIGGIE SMALLS and of course 2PAC and we would tour Africa, London Japan, Paris, and the UK. The reason why I would perform with them all is because all of these artists are amazing song makers and have some of the best lyrics written I’ve ever heard. Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Right now I’m promoting my new mixtape “STILL HOT WIT IT” hosted by Dj Showtime and I have a leading role in the new movie series called “PURE” where I play the character Shaun. Also I have dates coming for performances at BET spring break and Daytona Beach. Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t making music I guess u would be a in college furthering my education. Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
The first tape I bought was RUN DMC and N.W.A. Straight outta Compton. Two phenomenal classics to me. Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Everything I do is in Gods hands in the name of Jesus. I strive to let The Father give me the necessary guidance I need to see me through all things. With Him everything is possible. I’m very humble about everything I have gained eventhough I haven’t reached the status of a major star but I’m thankful for all I have. Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
This year I will be in a city near you so watch out for MR.716 “BIG MIZ”. GOD BLESS.
Go on my fb page Mozzarotti Harris and see the new “PURE” video for the web movie series dropping soon! Like it share it comment please https://www.dropbox.com/s/9x1oayf9s8f6qcn/popped%20off.mp4?dl=0 New “PURE” video for the upcoming highly anticipated web series |