Exposed Vocals Interviews Mankind

Mankind: ayyy what’s going on y’all thanks for the opportunity

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

Mankind: Mankind has been my monicker for a long time. It derived from all of us being apart of mankind and mankind being a part of all of us. That’s my goal for my music and my message, I want it to be able to touch everybody.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 

Mankind: Online music sharing has its pros and cons like anything else. It makes it easy for an artist to spread their message while at the same time making it harder to profit from your art. I give all my music away for free for the time being. What I do is meant to be shared, I want it to be accessible for anyone.

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?

Mankind: Network! Make friends, make as many organic connections as possible. I keep a tight circle but if someone offers me an opportunity I’ll take it. No matter large or small. Just keep it real and the opportunities will find you!

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 

Mankind: Inspiration can come from anything. Mood, emotion, an event, anything really. I always go into the studio with a clean sheet and let what I’m feeling for the day come on to the mic. Sometimes I’ll write that day, sometimes it’ll come off the top of my head. The process of making a song always varies for me it comes down to the vibes of that day and how I’m feeling.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 

Mankind: Mankind and Str8Dope can be found all over. Soundcloud and YouTube are the easiest to find most of what we do. Singles are out on Bancamp. I have a few tracks on ITunes and Spotify you could find as well. All of what I have released however can all be found at soundcloud.com/mankindnj

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

Mankind: Thats easy. I’m building a studio in the middle of nowhere, buying some high quality trees, and making an album.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 

Mankind: Promotion is huge. One of the more important aspects of this game anymore. My management 609Wave LLC is a large part in helping us promote our sound. You gotta go after social media at all angles. I leave myself to focus on the music though. You can’t wrap your head around numbers while trying to make an organic sound.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 

Mankind: Next, well next is a whole lot more from Str8Dope. Str8Dope is our new collective headed by PC our in-house producer and engineer. We have an album in the works produced entirely by ourselves, I’m excited for that. We have tons of shows lined up locally not to mention mixtapes locked and loaded ready to drop. Videos too, safe to say we have a lot in store

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

 

Mankind: I couldn’t even tell you. I’d probably be lost. I sure as hell wouldn’t be happy I know that. I couldn’t imagine going even a day without doing something music related.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 

Mankind: that’s never easy. Just stay focused on your goals and try to find a balance. It’s easier said than done for sure.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

 

Mankind: more music! more shows! new videos! Just stay locked in on this Trenton area hip-hop scene. There’s a lot of talent out here even besides what we’re doing. Much love.