What do 2Pac, Too $hort, Mac Dre, E-40 and even MC Hammer have in common?

What do 2Pac, Too $hort, Mac Dre, E-40 and even MC Hammer have in common?

They’re all internationally known rappers/MC’s out of the Bay Area, Oakland California….

So if you were to combine them all, say 2PAC’s charm, intense lyricism and poetry, with MC Hammers commanding stage presence and bravado, sprinkled with Too $hort’s street mentality, you’d get up and coming artist on the verge, SteveLan.

Steve, like his predecessors has been passionately grinding it out on the underground scene, quietly honing his craft and preparing listeners for his International debut.

Born in Oakland, California to a single mother, Steve was exposed to the unique sounds of the Bay Area at a very young age. To quell the darker side of his environment, violence and drug usage being rampant in his neighborhood, and with only his mother to support him; Steve used music and football to express his frustrations and project his artistry.

Initially, a career as a professional athlete steered Steve in a positive direction. Football took him the farthest by helping him gain a college degree however, becoming a rapper kept persisting at the back of his mind in which he could no longer fight. A stint as a member of a local rap group, E-Team ensued whose first album Smooth Ghetto Jazz helped Lan realize he had a strong knack for writing lyrics. The group didn’t last long, and Steve broke out as a soloist.

Steve often describes his music as “Middle Finger Music,” an artistic statement to anyone and everyone, that he is unique, does not conform, and raps about whatever he feels like without concern for criticism. Steve is passionate about being able to express himself poetically, delivering powerful subliminal messages, while at the same time entertaining his fan base, particularly the ladies.

“I don’t go into the studio to try to sound like anybody else or imitate what anybody else is doing; so, when I say middle finger music, it’s just like, I don’t care what anybody else thinks. I’m not going to let society conform me.”

Steve spent several months putting together his independent mixtape Freight Train. Following its underground popularity and numerous downloads, Freight Train caught the attention of Blaqline Entertainment who quickly signed him to their management roster.

Things began to progress positively under the direction of new management, and Steve soon found himself opening for award winning artists Tyga and YG. This later became a common thread, with Steve’s name continually being billed alongside other big name acts such as DJ Quick, Ray J, Eric Bellinger, Too $hort, and many others.

A visit to Atlanta, GA to attend and perform at the International Music Conference in the fall of 2015, gained Steve further notoriety and recognition impressing music executives, and talent while at the same time building his growing fan base.

Steve feels strongly about his individualism and is adamant that when you listen to his music, you will not be able to compare him to anyone else but himself, bringing a well-needed refresher to the hip-hop genre.

“I bring a unique sound and a unique perspective to this business.” Steve says.  “Just coming from Oakland, and having a well-rounded sound makes me able to be heard on a global level. Everything is authentic. I really eat, sleep, and breathe music; from the moment I wake up. I do this all day every day. A lot of people can’t say that. A lot of people are doing music just because it looks good. But it’s actually what I do. This is a lifestyle. It’s my art and I’m being myself.”

Alongside Blaqline Entertainment, Steve is currently preparing for the release of his first official 10-track EP called #Juskeepwrkn. The EP will be accompanied by brand new visuals and supporting music video directed by Taj TPK who has worked with Mariah Carey, Usher, Jeezy and more.

Interview:

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

I’m from Oakland California. I grew up in Oakland and other surrounding Bay Area cities. I always loved the expression of music and was influenced by those very expressions as a kid. As my talent to put words and ideas together grew I recognized a talent that wasn’t forced and decided to go all in.

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

My name is SteveLan pronounced (Steve-Laahn) an it’s derived from my birth name which is Stevelan. My brah Rojo started calling me SteveLan breaking my name up in two syllables and it jus stuck. So yeah! SteveLan but you can call me Lan for short.

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

I feel online music sharing is a great way for artists such as myself to not only create but touch a wide audience that may never have been reachable. Being an independent artist I have to give some of my music out for free because I want people to listen so that they go tell other people to listen resulting in my fanbase growing.

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?

Believe in Yourself 1st! Never stop Believing! Believing turns into Knowing and once you Know! Make the music and push to every single outlet possible. Get yourself around people that are passionate, people that can get you in situations that will allow you to be heard.

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

Yes I do! Unfortunately I’m human so that does happen time to time but I just keep going as if nothing happened because I figure if I don’t show it the majority of the people won’t know it.

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

No big tours yet but once I do I would be glad to do another interview and tell you all about it!

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

Song inspiration for me can come from an idea or a melody. Sometimes it’s situational where a life situation gives me something to express. Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places sometimes. My writing process usually begins with a melody but other times I may just start rapping an see where I end up. I like to just release everything and then whittle it down to a finished product.

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

Yes I do have a website it is www.stevelan.com feel free to stop by and loan your ears. I also use Reverbnation, DatPiff, Thizzler, Soundcloud as well as other notable online platforms.

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

 I wouldn’t say embarrassing, more like unexpected songs that you may find I would say DRAM song Cha Cha or maybe Post Malone song White Iverson I like that song sonically.

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

Seem like to me if you get a half mill with no way of making that money generate more money then taking a break is the last thing I would do. A vacation for sure but a break Na! Work would just be starting. I would pay any debt and bills and do nothing but record after that. I would invest in the business while also investing in a piece of property.

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

When promoting my music I use social media, online plate forms, walking billboards, CDs, flyers, tshirts etc but the best promotion tool I have is getting out and performing. Being on stage and being able to connect with a audience directly is definitely the best tool I have.

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

If I could perform anywhere with any artist I would perform in Oakland at the Coliseum with 2Pac. Pac was the first artist I really gravitated toward as a kid. His music and his passion spoke to me directly and Oakland loved and still does love Pac, so it to me that would be it.

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

I gotta ep called #JuskeepWrkN dropping very soon. The title is self explanatory so I’m gonna go back in and cook up another mixtape to drop right after the ep and #JuskeepwrkN

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

If I wasn’t making music I would probably be coaching football. Being a former athlete I still have a love a passion for the game so I would be giving back as a coach for sure

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

The first album I bought on my own was the 2pac All Eyes On Me album. I think it dropped in either January or February and I didn’t get it until March after my birthday when I had that bday money to spend on whatever I wanted. I remember telling my mom I wanted to buy the album and she wasn’t with it at all. I begged for a few days non stop and she finally said okay. I gave her my money and she bought it for me.

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

It’s hard but I try to not let myself be so consumed by just the music solely, that way I have a work/life balance. I find the more organized the better off I am so I try to focus on being organized.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

Fans should expect more music, more visuals, more collaborations and more growth as I #JuskeepwrkN