Exclusive Music Review and Interview with Fiyon Da Icon
Englewood, New Jersey – born ladies man, Fiyon Da Icon, comes through strong with this hot single ‘Da Yout’… You can hear a strong relation with regards to how his music is produced to those of Jay-J and Kanye West. This young man has also graced the big screen by appearing on T.V series like ‘Sex And The City’ and movies by Spike Lee. Obviously, Fiyon has a clear career path ahead of him and much success to come.
So let’s get right into it. This track, ‘Da Yout’ Features the amazingly talented Dominigue Gibbs. The track starts off strong with a violent protest, a rally to use the God given strength “in our legs, so we march” “Set fires/ punch’n walls” A clear red line pointed at protecting your own in this violent world. Fiyon goes on to point out how ISIS is on constant media display it’s “like a psychological vice grip’
What really struck a cord with me was how Fiyon goes on to mention in one of his lyrics how the world sees “Mass killings and what we need is mass healings” It seems like some of the greatest leaders of our time like Dr. Martin Luther King, had this very same idea – Dr. King was also quoted in the next lyric and is credited along side Malcom X.
This song continues on to touchbase on so many critical issues we’re facing as a young people getting ready to inherit this earth from the people that created this mess… Global warming, low test scores and this social media craze.. I mean, I laughed to myself when I heard him say “we share just to get a like” This is so true! I feel like people are getting pregnant these days just for Facebook Likes!
This track is truely a great listen and a real eye opener. If you haven’t heard it yet; just click the yellow button below and listen for free. Great work Fiyon, we’re waiting for more tracks like this!
Listen to ‘Fiyon Da Icon Ft. Dominigue Gibbs – Da Yout
By HBdidit – Exposed Vocals Music Reviewer and Breaking News Contributor.
A NYC fashion designer, music lover and lover of life!
Exclusive Interview
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
I was following Randy Morano on Twitter through A&R Lindsey Williams not long before I noticed a tweet he put out Feb 1st about Exposed Vocals looking to do music reviews. I know I had a special song worth reviewing so after I did my research I decided to sign up with you guys.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in Englewood, NJ. My parents are hard working class people who migrated from the West Indies. I grew up watching Michael Jackson and wanted to be an entertainer of some sort. I wrote poetry in high school but always had a love for music. Listening to Eminem, Jay-Z, and The Fugees geared me to try rap. I thought why not write poetry to music and soon after high school I did little talent shows and got positive feedback.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Fiyon is short for spitting “Fire On Tracks.” In college we studied Alexander the Great and I was so inspired by his name and story, I later added Da Icon to my moniker.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
At the end of the day an artist wants to be heard. I have music online for sale and for free downloads. I am a fan of music sharing both as an artist and as a consumer. Trust me, if you’re good enough in something, people will compensate you in one form or another. First focus on the quality of your work and not just the dollars it may potentially bring. But it’s up to the artist to determine what their definition of success is and put their music out as best they can.
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?
Find out local open mic gigs for locations that fit your style or inspiration. I am from New Jersey living in Philadelphia. Before I met artists I looked online and in local newspapers for open mic gigs then I started attending and networking.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
I learned from doing musicals in high school to just keep going! If your mic goes out, or you mess up a routine you practiced 1,000 times don’t look back! I just had a show Jan 21st at 2nd State Lounge on Philly’s famous South Street. About 20 seconds into performing my first song “We In This”, the cord from the microphone fell out! I kept rapping my lines while simultaneously looking for the cord to reattach the mic. It’s on YouTube so there’s a great example of how to handle yourself in those type of situations!
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I currently do not tour but that is a goal of mine. I love performing open mics and showcases and you get to see a lot! I enjoy listening to everyone on stage simply for daring to put themselves out there and show their love for this art form.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Inspiration comes to me through all my 5 senses when I wake and when I dream so I cannot pin point one source. Sometimes I come up with a hook first and then later verses to back it up. Other times I can easily pour out verses from different themes waiting for the perfect sound to capture it later.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
My main page is WWW.FiyonDaIcon.Com. I also have music of course on Youtube, Soundcloud and soon Spotify.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
I won’t say embarrassing but rather random mix of songs in my collection. I have almost every Pac song and Nas and Bone Thugs classics but then in between I have George Benson’s “Give Me The Night”, Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” and Meghan Trainor ‘s”All About That Base.” Music truly has no color and my love for variety comes from my parents listening and exposing me to different genres.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
My Achilles heel you would says is lack of promotion and lack of solid material recorded. I would first save some money, pay off my wife and I’s IVF treatment and then invest in studio time and promotion of my craft. I would spend my days organizing my music catalog and playing my acoustic guitar and keyboard better. I would then take my parents on a special get-away trip as a thank you for all of their sacrifices. Then I would maybe get these student loans off my back lol.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
I pretty much go to studios for their equipment. I do more writing than production though I have dabbed in producing once or twice. In my home I’ve had for years a Casio CTK-571 keyboard I play once in a while. I also have a Roland TR-909 I have been too lazy to hook up to my PC. I read up how Phil Collins and Kanye West used the TR 909 to make some classics so I’m sure I can once I find the time. These recent years have finally allotted me more time and resources for my personal equipment instead of always relying on others which is not a bad thing when you are on the come up or just don’t have the money to buy your own equipment.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
I constantly search online and social media to promote my music. I look up open mic and showcase opportunities in the Tri-State Area. I personally love being out there performing instead of relying on technology to do all of my leg work. What works best for me right now is balancing both online promotions via social media and performing and new and welcoming open mic venues.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
I would love to perform in my parent’s countries Jamaica and Haiti as like a fundraising concert. I want to be an inspiration for them and everyone else that even with humble beginnings, your family legacy can improve with faith, action and perseverance. Alive I would love to perform with Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz or Ace Hood. Dead, I would’ve love to perform with 2Pac, Biggie and John Lennon.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I am still promoting my latest mixtape “7 Ways to Rhyme”. I am working on a joint album with fellow Philly rapper Millz Traxx. I have another mixtape I am working on for the summer and possibly and album. My focus is usually songs first, then try to put them in some sort of list for a mixtape, EP or full length album.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Some say I should do stand up comedy but the thought of forcing myself to organize my random sense of humor annoys me. I did acting as an extra early in my college years but stopped to finish my degree. Perhaps I would do spoken word and professionally sky dive.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
My first album was the cassette to the Ninja Turtles 2 movie soundtrack! My first R &B album was Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down” but my first rap album was The Fugees “The Score”. Brandy and TMNT had songs that painted good all around pictures in my head of life and fantasy. The Fugees let me see life more realistically yet, learn how to retell it through songs that empowered me and made me want to carry on that tradition.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
As best I can. I read an interview with Tamela Mann and her answer was you never truly juggle family and your career you just have to set priorities and take it one day at a time. What’s great is having a family that is on board and supportive of my career and the sacrifices that come with it. Writing down lists, planning and delegating with my wife helps a great deal.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
More exposure for Fiyon Da Icon at a stage near you and more music flooding your playlistsLinks
http://www.Fiyondaicon.com/
http://www.youtube.com/FiyonTV
