Exposed Vocals Interviews Foul Fangs
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Foul Fangs:
I am Foul Fangs a Songwriter, Rapper, and Hip-Hop Artist; From Willow Grove, PA a Suburb of North Philly.
Affiliated with A.C.G, E-Syde and D2R ent.
Raised by mostly my mother, grandmother’s and Coaches.
My parents separated at my birth, but when I spent time with each of them they loved music and played a ton of oldies. I began memorizing lyrics to everything. I first was baptized into music with DMX, Ruff Ryders, Jay-z and Eminem, I would play renegade over and over. The Blood of my Blood flesh of my flesh poster was on my door since I was like 10. I used to record the radio shows on cassette tapes. Artist like 50 cent, Pusha-T and the Clipse were the first things I ever spent my own money on. The Lord Willin’ Album was my first purchase. Fast forward a couple of years…
I did a lot of traveling for 7-8 years across the country. During the time that I wrestled competitively I listen to music of every facet. I was bored of where Rap was going so I listened to every thing from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Incubus.
Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, and Jimi Hendrix all have major influences. They were the game changers. I said to myself I will reach that stage and speak to millions!
I tried different instruments I played guitar for a year or so before putting that down. With all the traveling it was easier to write songs and stories. So I put all my energy into that.
Basically I wanted to make the music I wanted to hear. With all the new sounds and ideologies I heard through rock and other things. It was my turn!
My brother Swish Da Gawd and I started spitting at 14 over any and everything for fun. We have a cohesiveness that’s unparalleled. We fed off each others energy and both continue today to pursue it all. Look for E-syde everywhere and Check Swish Da Gawd on soundcloud.
The summer before college I really got a bunch of coaching from two artists that were older brothers to me Codeen & Dubb the Feenom. They were the best around! Codeen a amazing song writer and lyricist and Dubb a punchline machine and gritty and raw spitter. They helped me more than they know it and I want to get back with them on tracks.
My mom gave me Recovery by Eminem that cd, and the song Seduction literally made me want to do this more than ever. That’s when I left for college and I listened to that cd everyday and I began recording on everything I could hear my voice on and from then on it has been a constant thing.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Foul Fangs: I started the name and persona through my love of wolves and predators. I am a very spiritual person and my great-great-grandparents were Native American.
I was infatuated with martial arts, ninjas, and warriors. Dragonball Z, Naruto and different anime.
James is similar to Fangs and I say what’s on my mind, foul things, nasty things, vicious things; it’s warfare with beats and instruments. My words and flow leave a nasty bite. That’s where it started; thus bloomed Foul Fangs or Fangs.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Foul Fangs: I think sharing music online is essential to success. I love it, music, it’s more accessible than ever before which is good and bad. Good in the sense of great artist can immerge with diligent work. Or people who don’t take this craft serious can flood the market. I have given away free music and will continue because I make music to inspire and uplift, the people that need that uplifting don’t have all the money. They can’t support or buy your T-shirts, or tickets to shows. So to continuously be in the streets or airwaves I will do that.
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?
Foul Fangs: Never stop being you, the person God created. People bump into “sleeping giants” (A&R’s, Producers, CEO’s, Songwriters) all the time and if they are constantly being this person they are not. The people who hold these decisions in their hand don’t want to deal with people who can and will be bad business. So stay true, grind and work smart. You have to be your own manager, stylist, representative, accountant anything you can think of to really make head way. You have to be a walking talking business. Make sure you do more each day to take action and build yourself.
Take the time to master your craft get extra dope. Work on your weaknesses and then put all your efforts into exposing your material to the world.
Search for open mic’s and connect with people really make deep connections. Every one wants money fame and women to a degree, but those things will come. Be something of substance and you will go much farther. Educate educate educate I cant stress it enough learn how these people deal and move to avoid bad business.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Foul Fangs: I gather inspiration from everywhere, but mostly when I’m driving or walking is when I come up with stuff. I’ll just start spittin’ stuff and when I come up with something I think is hot I just say it over and over so that I don’t forget it.
I used to sit and meditate in parks and forests when I lived in Pennsylvania. Art of every kind inspires me I’m a very visual person and live limitless so a lot of times tiny unusual details give me the biggest inspiration.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Foul Fangs: Currently I only use Soundcloud and Reverbnation. I have been without a laptop for the last two years. So I’ve mostly been connecting with people in person and making “facetime” with fans and people I meet. You can find me on both at “FoulFangs”. I use Instagram “@mr_fangs” and Twitter @HyingDragon
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Foul Fangs: I would pay my Mother and I School debt right off the top. I would invest into my Music and publishing company. My goal is to find and support other artist and duplicate my successes. At this time I cannot share the name of this label I have not finished with the copyright process. (Get familiar with owning your music and bringing in royalties)
I would travel to Europe and Africa and gather more information and bring forth sounds from parts of the world never heard.
I have many artist in mind already, but I want to invest in an athlete and see someone get through with their dreams and any way I can assist fellow artist and people with drive and tenacity I will!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Foul Fangs: I have just been reading researching and experimenting with marketing and promoting my business.
I think getting parties together and having like-minded people in one room is super effective. I think collaborating with people is most important. Your producer, people who make your artwork, or videographers for your projects; are all good starts. If you are a serious artist, you have got to help promote each other.
So bring different cultures together different vibes and make it work. Spread love and the universe will spread it back!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Foul Fangs: I have a two-part conceptual album coming out. Working on the final mixing and mastering. I have a Series of Ep’s that I will be dropping every 3 weeks once April hits and will carry into the summer! “Flowetry” “WOLF” “Cold Summer” “HAWK” are some titles to look out for in the near future.
Flowetry is a collection of music that I have treated as if am Pablo Picasso. Every word and thought use are artful.
WOLF
Is an ode to Foul Fangs raw style of elevating rap! Lyrics, Flow and Originality.
Cold Summer is the first from a series of EP’s I will drop to the world. The idea behind the series is I can work with any producer and produce top quality material.
I want to contact 5 more people/ Producers from all over the world.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Foul Fangs: I’d be six feet deep in a coffin rolling over and over… lol
But seriously I would be coaching wrestling for my high school, and looking to get a college coaching position. Teaching is my passion and I was a very successful wrestler I am the wrestler with the 3rd most wins in school history and arguably one of the most dominant wrestlers in the area. Wrestling is the backbone of my life and chances are if you know a wrestler he has a lot of respect from the work we put in, or you see how wild wrestlers are!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Foul Fangs: I have very supportive family in the aspect that I could be a trashman or something and they would support that dream… I have a woman who sees the things I want achieve and does what she can to help. Whether that’s give me space to create and think, or model for pictures.
Besides that I never take my mind of my ultimate goal of taking my talents to the next level and creating my record and publishing company. I keep God tied into everything I do and each day I get to make music is truly a blessing. You HAVE to have an end goal and build everyday towards that. Break you dream into bite size pieces and suddenly the burden is lessened and you will get so much more done. Efficiency is key don’t waste time and energy on people who don’t deserve it; a girlfriend, hating frienemies, or bad business. YOU are the main piece and need to get your self in order before the universe meets you half way. If you want to be a recording artist then you need to work like one, start writing at set times, set deadlines, REALLY work. Start studying the greats and what they do on and off the mic. I invest all my spare time into my musical development. Work smarter and you will enjoy the benefits!
Thanks for the interview Huge shouts to ExposeVocals.
Dayvi Jay my main producer, Nate_beatz & Nyck Newz for the huge support in Carolina. Mike Blayz one of the most Veteran producers in the game. And Kurraguz Rayne for the Coaching and opportunities. And love to everyone I mess with thanks for your time!
Fangs out!
Peace Love and Unity