Exposed Vocals Interviews Rock/Hip-hop artist Big Brickz

 

Big Brickz is a Rock/Hip-hop artist and songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. Highly influenced by the pioneers including B.I.G, 2Pac, Jay-Z, Eminem, 50 Cent… he has the ability to capture his audience utilizing very descriptive lyrics to share his story and break down many barriers in his music. The way he relates his personal life experience to his audience is quite rare. He is currently looking to get sign by an independent or major label/management company for production, distribution or publishing deal through his team Us Never Them, better known as U.N.T.

One of his most recent projects includes an official mixtape, “Sleep If You Want”, exclusively released on DatPiff.com. With hundreds of downloads within the first hours of its release, Brickz once again proved his capacity to capture the attention of many industry executives including Bizarre from D-12, A&R at Shady Records and Darryl Crews, A&R Consultant for Beluga Heights Records and VH1’s Love And Hip Hop series, just to name a few. Recently, he joined hip hop giant Wyclef Jean and up and coming super producer Power Surge for their 2016 Haitian Carnival remix released early February.

Big Brickz has something that separates him from many others, and that is his honesty through the music he writes and performs. You will easily be hooked by his story telling capabilities.

 

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 

Brickz: I was born in the Bronx NY. But was raised from a baby in Brooklyn NY. I grew up in Breukelen Projects. Just your normal kid growing up in the projects. I had two inspirations that made me become a rapper which were two people. Eminem and my cousin Angel. One day while we was going to football camp I heard him rap for the first time and I wanted to try it. I must admit at first I sucked Lol but after numerous times and not giving up and continuing to be focused I was able to improve and become the artist I am today.

 

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

 

Brickz: I remember when I played football as  a kid. I was always a big boy and my peers would compare running into with running into a brick wall. So one day I was trying to figure out a name and Brickz just felt right. No drug affiliations just a big man who hits hard.

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

Brickz: Yes I have a sound cloud account (brickz718187). And you can also look me up on YouTube. I feel as a independent artist you have to get your music out to the world by any means necessary. And when you are first starting out networking is very important. That’s why I recently release a mixtape completely free exclusively on DatPiff.com entitled “Sleep If You Want”.

 

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?

Brickz: One thing that I have learned in this business is that money talks. You can have all the talent in the world, but when you try to network everyone only talks about money. From DJ’s, to promoters, to producers and labels everything is about money. Without money and the drive to succeed you will not go anywhere.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

 

Brickz: I remember one time a few years ago performing at club Decade I was doing a show with my former group “The Goon Squad” and I repeated the same bar twice. But the trick is to keep going as if nothing happened. If you don’t let up nobody will recognized that you messed just stay focus and in the zone. Knock on wood have not messed up since that day.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

 

Brickz: We once went on a short tour and was performing at Princeton University. In front of thousands of people and two friends of mines came to show support. There was this one drunk guy in the crowd whom kept throwing things at my friends girlfriend. And after my friend told him numerous times to stop the guy kept on throwing things and my friend ended up punching him and breaking his nose. And when we got off stage we had to running out of the area before we was mobbed by thousands of people. It was crazy because NJ state troopers came all the way to Brooklyn to try to find my friend but was unsuccessful.

 

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

 

Brickz: My inspiration always comes first from the beat. I sit and listen to the beat and let it speak to me. And the words just flow out of me.

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

 

Brickz: Yes it is http://bigbrickz.wix.com/sleep-if-you-want. YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, Facebook, sound cloud, Google. Sites like that.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

 

Brickz: There’s no music on my mp3 player that is embarrassing. Because I only listen to my music, instrumentals, and other independent artist. Such as Product Ave. and my partner in crime Brooklyn ledge.

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

 

Brickz: One I would give my wife and dogs a house that they deserve. I would invest in certain businesses, would schedule all the studio time I would need and donate to different charities such as wounded warriors, and many no kill shelters for animals. Since I am a big animal lovers especially dogs. The rest I would save because nothing is every promised.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

 

Brickz: I am currently recording at BQSTUDIOS with a great engineer Jimmy Swag and his apprentice Chris Hands. They understand my music and it is because he is a great engineer that my music comes out so great. Having a good engineer is very important to an artist.

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

 

Brickz: I find that social media is the number one way to promote my music. As well as doing shows and networking.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

 

Brickz: I would love to perform with Eminem in Madison Square Garden in NY because he has been my hero and one of my inspirations to rap.

 

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

 

Brickz: Yes I’m currently working on part 2 of my sleep if you want mixtape. As well as working on a video for one of my songs called Savior.

 

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

 

Brickz: I would either be playing professional football or professional wrestling as those were my first two passions in life.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

 

Brickz: My first album I ever brought was Colio Gangsters Paradise. I brought because I loved the single Gangsters Paradise.

 

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

 

Brickz: Simple my wife without her I would be so disorganized. As her support has meant the world to me.

 

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

 

Brickz: The release of part 2 Sleep if you want mix tape as well as more music videos. And God willing a new opportunity to write music for the show Empire.