Exclusive Interview and Music Review – Chris M feat. Young Prince – Mazzi

From the start, the track feels like a chorus of almost operatic and quite epic expression. The wall of vocals, the beat, the riffs – that gentle yet captivating glockenspiel type sound that wraps its melody around you – it all builds this immense sound scape that conjures up images of mass crowds gathering or some one time only event. It’s a powerful and rich kind of sound. The rap vocals that follow are rhythmic and quick, the lyrics hit hard, the flow has a lot of strength and ability within it – it sounds like a stream of fairly effortless performances from start to finish.

The sounds and the effects used throughout the track highlight a well thought out and in some ways experimental production; the music is kept interesting. The hook goes around maybe one too many times, which distracts from the verses a little, but it’s a strong hook so it makes sense to have it right there in the spotlight. The verses have strength in themselves, the lyrics fire out so fast that it’s hard to catch them all on the first listen, but the vocal style is compelling enough to bring you back for me – it gets you reaching for that replay option.

There’s a gravelly sort of rawness to the vocals throughout the track, the sort of made to do this sound that convinces and captures your attention as you listen. The first verse hits and the vocal has power and volume to it, plus the effects and the playful nature of the mix and the production make you really want to keep up with it all. You want to hear the whole thing as a complete piece of music. It seems to get faster and faster in some ways as things move along. It’s great, that riff in particular, really holds it all together and gives it that signature sound that makes this that exact track, that one you recognise immediately, and remember for some time afterwards.

By Rebecca Cullen

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Dat Boi Chris M: I was born in a small town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina,  called Rock Hill, South Carolina. It’s about 30 miles away. I moved from South Carolina when I was about 6 years old. When I was about 10 years old a close friend of mine was apart of a singing group and I use to hang with them during rehearsals and ect. It’s a craft that kinda fascinated me. From there I began to write and freestyle. And here we are today.

Dat Boi Chris M:The name Chris M or Dat Boi Chris M actually comes from my middle name which is Chris and the M? Well its actually the letter of my last name turned upside down to symbolize a turning point in my life. I had some rough times growing up. Not all bad but a lot of changes, now that I look at it made me better. A stronger individual that knows a lot about life and how it goes. It prepared me for many of the same obsticles that I continue to face today. And for that that I’m very thankful.

Dat Boi Chris M: Online sharing can be a double edged sword of sorts. It’s beneficial in the aspect that it acts as a great promotional tool for the artist to reach his/her fanbase. It can get you out there a lot faster than the run of the mill street action. But on the other hand when it comes to sales and profit from non mixtape albums then there lies the problem. Bootlegging makes it extremely hard to make your music profitable. Do I give away music? Well of course…. That’s how you get in this industry. It’s give and take. You have to give the fans something so they can make fans for you. You have to give them something from time to time so you stay current and relevant. The fans are your best friend. Treat them as such. Real fans buy albums and spread your name in the streets so you gotta show love back. Thats just mutual respect.

Dat Boi Chris M: Music in itself is not hard. If you possess the talent and will then roll with it. Use your creativity. It requires a lot of focus though, A lot of closed doors or even slammed ones. Disappointments, Heart ache and pain. But utilize those emotions and put it in your music. Trust people can tell when your authentic. They can hear it. Keep pushing and never stop and eventually youll shine so bright radio, executives and ect will be looking for you not you looking for them.

Dat Boi Chris M: LIFE!!!! Seriously. I take what I see, What comes natural. The events I go through the emotions I experience. Sometimes I let my mind run wild and even speak on things those closest to me go through when they don’t know how to express it. My process is awkward, I typically wake up out of my sleep cause something comes to mind or something through my day triggers and idea. It’s honestly never pre planned. When I try to force it, Never Works so I let it come naturally.

Dat Boi Chris M: Currently I’m working on one as we speak it will be DATBOICHRISM.COM. COMING REAL SOON!! lol I use twitter, facebook, instagram, Datpiff, youtube, the usual.

Dat Boi Chris M: I’d invest 1/5 in helping a single mother who was actually trying to better herself because I watch my mother sacrifice a lot for me over the years. The rest I would invest in my craft and my family to make us all more successful. Businesses, Schooling and ect.

Dat Boi Chris M: I meet people, I search the web, I listen to any and everything thats going on around me. Networking is the key. Social Media works well for me but face to face interaction with people I would have to say works the best.

Dat Boi Chris M: I’m Currently working on a mixtape entitled ” Thank You Lord” is a hip hop mixtape I’m investing a lot of effort in. Also in the works is an Album that will be available on Itunes and various other sites called “Grey Skies” which I feel will be something that everyone of all ages can appreciate.

Dat Boi Chris M: Seriously I would be doing IT (Information Technology) I love electronics and computers. I like tinkering with things and figuring out how they work.

Dat Boi Chris M: Honestly, It’s very hard but to keep it simple I live by this moto ” If I can work 8 hours a day for someone else, I can spend another 8 investing time in my future”

Dat Boi Chris M: A whole lot of music I’m just ramping up for the year. Be on the lookout IG: @zse_gmg is where I keep a lot of my friends family and fans informed.