Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Carnage Bodybagg: I was contacted by Exposed Vocals and i took the opportunity because i feel like it would benefit me as an artist to help get my name out there more.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Carnage Bodybagg; I grew up on the west side of Columbus Ohio. We were very poor and at a young age i feel in love with rap music because to me a lot of it related to the struggles i was going through as a teen in poverty. As o got older and started taken an interest in the music i started free-styling a lot on the stoop with friends. around 12 i think i started really thinking about becoming an artist. I got my first start about 2 years later with a group called LDD (low down and dirty). I think i only recorded two tracks with them before our manager was suddenly killed. After that i left the music scene for awhile to really focus on me as a person and father because i started a family and married my beautiful wife Charisma. after a couple years off of music i started getting that itch again after moving to Cleveland Ohio. Ultimately it led to me starting this great solo career i got going now.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Carnage Bodybagg: i came up with my name because i felt i needed something different and something that would describe my talents in one word so i felt like Carnage was a good fit. It wasn’t until about a year later after really pushing my work out that somebody i was letting listen to my songs said “wow your name should have been bodybagg cuzz your killing this” and that hit me like ‘i like that too… that fits” so i added it and added an extra G for flare (lol) and that’s how i became Carnage Bodybagg.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Carnage Bodybagg; I think online music is a great way for not only major artist to reach more of the public and listeners but also a great way for local artist to push more of there own music as well. The opportunities with online music is endless with more listeners taking to different sites to listen to new music everyday. i do release mix tapes for free but i also sell music as of now. charging for verses and cds are means of extra income for my family nobody is going to work for free forever!
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?
Carnage Bodybagg: keep pushing you product no matter what! And don’t change tou for nobody, take criticism but don’t let just anyone tell you your sound or change it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Carnage Bodybagg: never really yet. Hopefully not soon either lol. But if i did i would just stay natural and let the song play on and pick back up somewhere.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Carnage Bodybagg: No touring for me yet but hopefully it will be a blast when i do.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Carnage Bodybagg: i really just let the beat tell me what to write. Any inspiration is good inspiration though. I write alot by myself but i am also known to write with others around also. My usual process is just replay the beat as i go along until i am completely done that way im writng and practicing the verses as well.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Carnage Bodybagg: yes, i use several of them.
Www.reverbnation.com/carnagebodybagg
Www.soundcloud.com
Also i can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Carnage Bodybagg: well, i listen to a lot of R&B believe it or not. Most embarrassing for me would probably be the rocky theme song ( i workout to it).
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Carnage Bodybagg: i would make sure my family were taken care of first, then i would start my own bod time label so i can help more artist as well.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Carnage Bodybagg: upgrades down the road might be the new pro tools software. I’m working with standard equipment now.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Carnage Bodybagg: i promote my music through the people because they are the most important part about maintaining a great fan base. I am not afraid to like a post on facebook or a tweet of one of my songs that was shared by someone. Sometimes i even reshare tweets just to say thank you! Also reverbnation and audiomack are great ways to really get plays.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Carnage Bodybagg: It would definitely without question be with Tupac and in my city for my people. I think that would be great and i think my people and city deserve it and would also love it and talk about it for a while.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Carnage Bodybagg: Currently i am working on my second mixtape to the For Tha Streetz series “For Tha Streetz vol 2” to be realsed later this summer.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Carnage Bodybagg: At home with my Beautiful wife and my two wonderful kids.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Carnage Bodybagg: As far as i can think right now it was Tupac’s all eyez on me double album. I thought it must be great to be so known for your music and to make a living doing what you love to do.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Carnage Bodybagg: Music to me is secondary my family comes first. But thankfully i always find time during thier down time to make music. Plus they support me 100%
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Carnage Bodybagg: a lot of great new music and another mixtape later this summer. And hopefully a lot more great things to come this year as well. And helping Cleveland and the rest of Ohio get on the map more than ever!
