Mixtape Majors: Q&A WITH MA$COT! LABOR DAY EDITION! @itsmascot @jboggs222 @mixtapemajors

MIXTAPE MAJORS LABOR DAY EDITION INTERVIEW WITH MA$COT !

Interview conducted by James Boggs for Mixtape Majors.

How did you get your start in the music industry?

Music is my drug, if i didn't have it i'd go crazy. i been writing music and telling people in my school since i was in 7th grade, whether it be playing drums or rapping. so in my head i considered myself already in the music industry. As long as you have some type of fan base to give you the confidence and support in your work then you know your doing something right. Fans, and good writing = Music industry, whether your major or independent.

How old were you when you recorded your first song?

At about 14 i went by the name of "Lil Z" i recorded my first song out of my boy's basement. We had our own little clique called "OneTime" that would get together after school, instead of doing our homework we'd chill and write music. Homework? what is that? nah kidding, i would find someway to get it done even if it was the next morning.

How did you get your stage name "Ma$cot"?

After hopping out the rap game at age 16 i played drums for a band because i didnt want to just stick to one genre of music. It wasnt until i was 20 i finally found myself and decided that rapping is my root, its where i came from, and i feel it in my blood. i only talk about things i've experienced, went through, or seen. Unless its a song for a close friend or family member i'd take their life and put it on paper for them. You will never hear a lie come out of my mouth in a song. With that said, a mascot is used to represent something, a school etc.. so i thought to myself, everything i write down has to do with my own life, and people that live like me or been through certain situations that they'd like to express, but dont have the voice to let it be heard. So if everything i write down represents my life, what words describe that? Mascot. My writings are my mascot which represent me, while i also want to be the voice for the unheard. This is where Ma$cot is born. The dollar sign is because I'm about my business and money.

Who were your musical influences growing up?

Besides jamming out to "The gap band" and "Jimmy Hendrix" with my father as a youngin, here's my long list, Jay-z, Tupac, Fabolous, Blink 182, Slipknot, Memphis Bleek, DMX, Sum 41, Emmure, For the Fallen Dreams, Young Jeezy, The Clipse, Eazy-e, The Game, Dipset and all of G-Unit. My favorite right now are Wiz khalifa, Kid ink, Fabolous, and Pusha-T. Bone Thugs- Crossroads was the first song i really, really liked. i remember bugging my brother to keep playing that track on his tape player. Jay-z - Can i live was also a favorite, even if i didnt know what he was talking about at my age

How many live shows have you done?

Countless, i played all the time in my state of CT, also Providence RI too. However, i took a break until my next mixtape drops which i will have a mixtape release party and perform the whole mixtape. Soon after that i look to get back on the road and perform at every chance i get.

Have you opened up for any major artists?

I've opened for Soul Khan in Trumbull CT

Where are you from?

I'm from Bridgeport, CT but moved to the west of Stratford, CT in 2009. Im in Bridgeport almost everyday of my life though so Bridgeport will never be out of my heart.

Are you currently signed to a label?

I'm currently signed to an independent company, "TruG"

Do you have a Mixtape scheduled to release soon?

October 5th 2013 - "The Final Experiment" will release. The story behind it is, i've made alot of music in my past, whether it be rock, or rap, but it was hard to try and find where my writing is comfortable. But now i've cracked the code and after this mixtape the best of Ma$cot is yet to come, hence the name "The Final Experiment"

Finally,

What advice do you have for up & coming artists trying to get noticed?

You HAVE to apply yourself and GRIND. There's NO simple way around anything in life. Don't wait for anyone to find you, you can't be found if you don't put yourself out there. Imagine yourself in a game course full of thousands..millions..a race to the spotlight, your sitting with the thousands and millions in the dark. They cant see the obstacles in front of them so they're scared to get up and go for it. Little do they know if they just tried they can eventually succeed. YOU should be the one getting up and trying, never be scared of how a situation may seem, push through and there may be an alternative route yet to be discovered that can be the secret hall way to success... those thousands and millions will not make it to succeed. Be the one to get up and get it, dont let anyone hold you back or down you... Learn from your mistakes.. and proceed to the Finish.. Your dream awaits.