Exposed Vocals Interviews Tru Akil

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

Tru Akil: : I grew up in thomaston, Ga it’s kinda laid back. What made me become an artist is listening and imitating so many artists( ex. 2pac, otis redding, bone thugs, outkast, sam cooke) on the radio, tapes (yes i still remember those), cd’s, and anywhere I could find it online. Then I was introduced to fl studio and Cubase in my 5th grade summer by my some my partnas. 

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

Tru Akil:The “Tru” part of my name just means real. The “akil” part is a name that means intelligent so it means real intelligent. Most of the time people just say Tru. I chose it because that’s the way I want to be remembered.

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

Tru Akil: :Its a blessing and curse in my opinion easier to share your music but sometimes harder to stand out. I do sometimes give away music it just depends but most of the time i try get contact info when i do. I do it because sometimes you never know what it could lead to.

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?

Tru Akil: I would say don’t push your music to someone until you interact with the them like follow them, like a few post, then down the road introduce your music.

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

Tru Akil:  Try to keep it moving and pray know one will notice it. LOL

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

Tru Akil: No never toured but at show with a group i was in some girls in the audience was waving their phone in the air to the song. It was my first time experiencing something like this.

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

Tru Akil: It happens anywhere. I don’t have a process sometimes words come first, sometimes the beat comes with no lyrics, and sometimes they come together.

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

Tru Akil: Yes, TruAkil.net is my website and I use souncloud, twitter, instagram, and facebook, an sometimes snap chat.

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

Tru Akil: Not embarrassing but Phil Collins, Lynyrd Skynyrd  free bird

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

Tru Akil: Chill for a month, then buy some rental property and keep making music

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

Tru Akil:Nothing planned at the moment but im using a NI Maschine, Fl studio, Akai Mpk mini, krk monitors, and Studio one.

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

Tru Akil: Get out the house and go to events in the industry. then connect on social after.

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

Tru Akil: I would have to say with Outkast one time it don’t matter where. They influenced me alot growing up.

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

Tru Akil: I do have a Whole tape i’ve produced and rapped on called Ground Zero.. Im aiming for december to release.

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

Tru Akil: Playing with cars and anything with a motor.

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

Tru Akil: I think the first cd I bought with my money was Twista’s Kamikaze album. It made me experiment more with music and i was amazed at how twista was fast and lyrical at the same time.

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

Tru Akil: I Try to schedule things then try to cut unproductive things out.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

Tru Akil: I cant say just now I’ll be still making music everyday day and taking all opportunities that appear seriously.