Aye Tee

DESCRIBE THE WORST GIG YOU'VE EVER PLAYED: WHAT HAPPENED, AND HOW DID YOU RECOVER?
Played a gig where my mic got cut off multiple times midperformance. I still did the show since I have a loud voice and actually got to perform again with the mics working. I gained a lot of respect after that gig! It was tough, but I got through it!

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO PEOPLE?
My music is like waves crashing on the shore. Sometimes it's calm, sometimes it's hyped up and other times it's a combination of the two. But the MAIN thing is that I'm consistent. Every track, you know what you're going to get from me!

IF YOU COULD BE ANY CHARACTER FROM HISTORY, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Michael Jordan.

NAME A PET PEEVE.
Funny one for you guys: If you fart and don't acknowledge you farted—It's okay, it's natural lol.

NAME A RECENT PERSONAL FOOD TREND.
I've been actually mixing it up lately! I've historically been a picky eater, but I'm trying to expand!

WHAT ARTIST OR BAND ARE YOU A LITTLE EMBARRASSED TO LOVE, AND WHY?
MGMT. Always loved their creativeness and willingness to be different, before that sound caught on!

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE 7?
A professional basketball player or an artist!

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO KEEP PLAYING EVEN THOUGH THE MUSIC INDUSTRY CAN BE SO HARSH?
My family, fellow artists I work with and the fans! They're my WHY and keep me going on a daily basis!

WHAT WAS THE FIRST SONG YOU LEARNED TO PLAY?
As a kid, I taught myself how to play Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On.” Might be an interesting answer coming from an emcee nominee, but it's true lol.

WHAT'S A BIG MUSICAL INSPIRATION THAT WOULD MOST SURPRISE YOUR FANS?
Sade! Literally my favorite R&B singer growing up and was also the first concert I ever went to as a baby!

WHAT'S SOMETHING MOST OF YOUR FRIENDS DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
My friends know pretty much everything about me, but they may not know that I once attempted to mini-gauge my ears. Influenced by Kid Ink. I tried lol. Stopped very shortly after I started though!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE JAM FROM THE '90S?
Ice Cube—“Today Was a Good Day.”

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST/GROUP (OTHER THAN YOURSELF, SMARTYPANTS)?
I can't pick just one. It's not possible. From my brothers and label mates at AtypiCal Records Panda and DJ KeDD-e, to $howtime, Keezy, Guerra, QB, TKstayRokkin, the list goes on. There's so much talent in the city: rappers, singers, producers, bands, pop artists, rock artists. You name it, the city has it, and I support it all!

WHO IS YOUR SECRET STAR CRUSH?
Rihanna, but my girl also likes her, so it's OK lol.

YOU'RE GIVEN A MAGIC WAND. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?
I'd definitely have to say I'd bring back Tupac and Biggie with that magic wand, fact. - SN&R