Exposed Vocals Interviews TJ2K
Antonne Booth goes by his stage name TJ2K born June 13th 1998 born in Virginia Newport news his story is pretty special something to hear at birth he suffered a stroke that messed up the functioning of the right side of his body doctors said he’d never walk he was in physical therapy from age 3 till the end of his 8th grade year (13 years old) he lost his dad at the age of 2yrs old due to a homicide he was Shot and killed forcing tj to grow up with a father figure in a single parent home he spent his childhood wearing leg and arm braces and being bullied because he walked and ran “funny” so the kids would tease him and give him a hard time.
He needed a way to channel his emotions thus he started rapping its something that came natural to him he explains his struggles growing up in his single party like its 1999 ft members of the group he’s in now to he later moved to Connecticut at a young age and has been putting on for ct every since later down the line he joined a group that he is currently with called “MCK” (Middle class kids) TJ is currently student at Danbury high school along with the rest of the middle class members however TJ’s sound and music is different from the others they all hold a certain sound his sound is almost being stuck in the 90’s with conscious boom bap and gritty hip hop and rap music is his passion and looks forward to a bright future in the rap game watch out for him some of his music and mck’s music is below check it out follow him on Twitter @Tj2k15 Instagram @tj_2_k
Listen to Terror Of rap by TJ2k #np on #SoundCloud
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
TJ2K: i saw a few retweets and followed you guys and then you guys follwed me back and hit me up on my birthday.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
TJ2K: i was born on june 13th 1998 in virgina newport news then i moveed to south carolina when my lil brother was born then i moved to connecticut and i been in ct since 4th grade spme people say my story is something special to hear at birth i suffered from a stroke at birth that messed up the functioning of the right side of my body doctors told my mom i wouldnt be able to walk and was probably going to suffer from mental retardation i was in physical therapy from age 3 to the end of my 8th grade year (age 13) i lost my father at a very young age was two years old he was shot and killed so that forced me to grow up in a single parent home and teaching myself how to become a man due to the fact there was no father figure insite i spent my childhood wearing arm and leg braces and being buillied because i walk and ran “funny” so kids my age and older ones would tease me and give me a hard time because of that. It was tough growing up as the outkast from everyone not being able to do things everyone else could eventually it got to me and i needed a way to channel my emotions so i started rapping well taking it seriously i say that cuz ive been rapping since i was 7 but it was just for fun then it wqas like the only i was good at it became second nature to me. i explain my struggles a bit in my single party like its 1999 ft other (mck) memebers
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
TJ2K: UMMM.. well i actually had a few names (t-flame ,Elonza, flame) but i choose TJ2K because it holds significance the TJ part stands for Twan jr. my family named me that after my father died.. because we both have the same name ( Antonne Booth) and we look just alike.. the “2K” PART represents the year 2000 which was the year my father was killed.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
TJ2K: online music sharing i feel like it helps the artist because thats basically free promotion i feel like no one really buys music anymore anyway but the online sharing willb help generate fans to your shows and tours were you really make the money at i see it as a win win for the artist.Do i give my music away for free? yes because im trying to build my buzz fast and i just turned 17 years old,
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?
TJ2K: My advice for music careers is to stay consistant and dont chase the money chase the dream eventually the money will come but you gotta chase the dream no one will do it for you dreams dont chase themselves work on your dream everday wether its writing a song or a few lyrics learning how to market yourself promoting your music or even just getting a beat work on your dreams .. its also important to do your own thing you know? be yourself you want to show the world who you are not who someone wants you to be dont be scared to be yourself i also feel like its important to try and stay independent because you dont wanna be told when you can or cant drop music or be told how to do your music you wanna have full control over your career because its you not them
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
TJ2K: no not often thats actually rare but if u do i realized no one will realize u messed up unless you tell them you did if u mess up keep going but keep going song
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
TJ2K: i havent toured yet i performed through out new york city and in connecticut infact ive recently performed for the head A&R of Def JAM records
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
TJ2K: my style of rap is boom bap and gritty 90’s so i would listen to nas big l pac biggie pro era joeybadass .. hes a huge inspiration for me along with capital STEEZ may god rest his soul r.i.p STEEZ
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
TJ2K: LMFAOO ummm im lowkey a huge katy perry fan so yea… lol
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
TJ2K: no such thing as a year off i’d use the money to invest in my career
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
TJ2K: i am actually working with ppl in danbury which is were i live at there studios am trynna link everyone together for more unity and find more ppl who produce
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
TJ2K: honestly i bust my ass promoting music i push the links to the music myself sometimes i get suspended off of twitter and facebook lol HELP ME
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
TJ2K: tupac in california because thats my all time favorite.. umm capital STEEZ infront of thewhite house hes another great because he said ” we have to be about our message which is taking over the govement” no better place than the white house to perform at LOL … big l hes a favorite joeybada$$ too umm das efx and wutang clan and dr.dre, hopsin and dizzy wright , the entire pro era
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
TJ2K: dropping a cypher with the entire middle class today (mck) also be on the look for my new single ” DANBURY ZOO” Along with our single ” no dayz off” and our project #SometimeInApril the link to that is below
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
TJ2K: honestly idk .. trynna find away to make music lol
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
TJ2K: my mom bought me illmatic i was like 5 or 6 and i was inlove with that album so amazing the first one i bought myself was smokeout conversations by dizzy wright
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
TJ2K: Being that im young i still have schol to worry about but to me my career comes first… that doesnt mean to just say fuck school nah i do good in school
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
TJ2K: more great conscious music fuck that auto tune abuse stuff man music is a poweful tool and it needs to have a message behind it
