BLINK™️ is uprising star coming from KY. After recently dropping a project titled “Peace Of Mind” on February 28th, BLINK™️ is looking forward to elevating not only his position in the game but his musical abilities as well. Focusing mostly on Hip-Hop, BLINK™️ however cannot be “put in a box” as he is versatile in delivery as you can hear in a few songs from the EP that project melodic harmonies and undertones. Stay tuned to keep up with BLINK™️ & be the first to hear the new sounds as they come!

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1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?

Growing up in poverty & just understanding that I’m not only person who live & goes through certain things. It made me humble, yet hungry at an early age… I can’t lie and say I knew I was going to do music off top, but I knew that I would work to be my own boss and be able to inspire the masses through action and words regardless if it were with a beat behind me or not. If it wasn’t for my brothers BRXTN & Rye Beezy (R.I.P), I prolly wouldn’t have even pursued music as quickly or at all. They stayed on me telling me it’s something I should do & then I just naturally grew into it… getting better everyday I worked at it. I don’t necessarily have role models per say, but as far as influencers I would say my pops mostly because he showed me how to have a hustle hand early so without it I don’t think my charisma or wits would be as sharp if he didn’t instill that in me… streetwise.

2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?

I’d rather not compare myself. I don’t like the antics or nonsense.. but if I would say what separates me the most outside my voice & how I sound is my innovativeness. Just staying true to who I am and how I operate on a daily basis. Just knowing that everything I speak on, I can stand by as 100% authentic. Bar none. As well as being creative in regards to melodizing and harmonizing vocals & undertones in my music while delivering adequate verses. Working with Saint, or #saintengineering (you can hashtag this just about anywhere & you’ll find out who I’m talking about) has truly helped me elevate my “sound” as well. Sonically, I can genuinely say he’s been a huge part to helping me develop as an artist. I can’t wait to see where we can take this movement to.

3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?

Absolutely. Every song I’ve ever written has came from some sort of influence in my life. Whether it be from shorty who broke my heart when we was kids to losing people you truly love to the system or God called they number… personally I’ve never been the type to wear my heart on my sleeve so I typically just hold things in and deal with it through a blunt or two but when that’s already been done and I’m still feeling a type of way, I’ll just record about it. Seems to calm me down and get that pressure off my chest, at-least for the meantime. But the most difficult thing, I would have to say losing my pops & my dawg Rye Beezy in the same year, less than months apart… But only God can control who stay & who goes so I just throw my prayers up & keep grinding in both they name… make sure everything we started don’t go in vein.

4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?

If I don’t already have a set idea for a song, which is usually in songs that are more heartfelt or I really want to tell a story so it requires critical thinking… then I just listen to the beat, figure out what I want the hook to be, once I have it laced then I’ll usually go line for line or bar for bar until I get a full verse complete. Adding and subtracting anything that I feel is or isn’t hot enough to include in the track. I record at Head First Media with Saint in Louisville, KY.

5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?

Just make sure I put in the work & not be afraid to get out of my comfort zone. You only miss the jumpers you don’t take, it’s a lot of talent out here of course but some don’t have the work ethic to get it done. Most artists, including myself at one point of time, think that opportunity in this game will just fall out the sky just because you release a record… let me tell you, STOP THINKING THAT. You have to put more work in than everybody, everyday because they’re plenty of people out here who can make a hot song but without a hustle hand or business mindset, you’ll never get to the next level. Slippers count, & I cant miss out on a life changing opportunity sitting around hoping things fall into place… I have to go get it by all means & I won’t look back once it all manifest. I personally want to stay independent, just from having close friends who have been in deals and got the bottom end of the stick… I don’t want to put myself in that situation. It would take a extra nice deal for me to sign, & more or less on my terms just for the sake of my creative freedom and sanity. Traditional music isn’t really dead, people just know that there are more options to getting themselves heard and discovered in order to go viral so they’re utilizing these platforms to their advantage. Why sign a deal to a label who wants a certain percentage of your money & creative freedom when you can control everything on your own with a SOLID team behind you? You’d be crazy not to, especially if you & they know you’re hot.

6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?

As of right now, not at all. I mean I could record people with my home setup to make some ends but not from streams. The best advice I can give to someone who is trying to do music is make sure you establish a brand or something to stand on so that people know who you are. Next I would say, don’t be afraid to invest in yourself even if it’s your last… it could very well turn you into superstar overnight with the right content in the right place, at the right time. Last, get a solid team behind you who’s willing to take as many risks as you are for the cause… those are the ones who will hold you down until the wheels fall off… that includes lawyers, managers, producers, etc. Everything else will fall into place as long as you move with a purpose, just don’t let up… period.

7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?

It’s helped in many ways, but it’s also hurt people in many ways. The internet can damn near make or break people in this day in age. But it does give any and everyone in the world the ability to see you at once and tune in to how you live. In that regard, I appreciate it because it genuinely does help many people elevate their business and fanbases all around the world. And these days, you can have someone run your social media for you but to answer the question yes & no. You can be ghost & still get streams and get booked for shows but for the most part, the people like to see who they listen to & engage in their lifestyles. I say you’ll have a better career overall if you just dip & dab to keep people interested & satisfied aesthetically.

8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?

That don’t even make sense to me. The whole goal is to make money & create, I don’t see how that’s even a topic for debate between people & I just plan on telling my story how it has happened and developed… but sometimes you have to be open to different ways to create in this game, instead of being one sided. I feel like being versatile is an extremely good gift because you can’t be put in a box and no one can say they know what to expect from you. I might drop a song one way, then go drop one another way but that don’t mean I sold out… it’s just how that beat make me feel at the time so I went with the feeling instead of forcing something.

9.) What are the positives and negatives of the music industry? What is it about the music industry that makes some artists push forward? What do you think makes some artists quit?

There are definitely more negatives than positives let’s be clear about that. But some positives I would say besides the money, I would say the ability to have a voice & have enough power over the people for them to tune in & be receptive to what you got going on. To believe what you believe or be able to relate in different ways. Also helping inspire or lead others to do & be better… I don’t want to be a role model really but motivation for the next person to get up & be somebody. The Negatives, I could go all day but to be short I would mostly say just the fame that comes with it. From the paparazzi all in your business invading privacy to trolls trying to sabotage your brand and everything you built… it just get hectic. Once you become someone of importance, you also become a target… from friends, families, fans… you name it. Everybody will want a piece of what you have and you have to be willing to stand on 10 at all times to protect yourself & your brand. I would say the thing that hurts artists the most is giving up when it doesn’t jump straight off top… can’t let yourself discouraged. Push forward no matter what people think of you. What helps the most is exactly the opposite, not giving up and continuing to leave a print the industry. Leaving your comfort zone, reaching out to people who are in those inner circles… closed mouths never get fed & it takes a lot of networking to get noticed.

10.) What trends do you see staying or going?

Lame, weirdo shit… all the fuckery must stop immediately.

11.) With so many people online who are expressing their opinions on any and everything under the sun, how do you know when to take something as constructive criticism or when to see it as trolling?

There’s a big difference between the two & I can always tell when someone is being genuine or not. It’s kinda up to you & how you chose to respond because at the end of the day I’m a still be me & do what I need to do to make things happen so regardless of how someone else feels could mean the least to me… unless it’s for the better of me. Now, when people begin to stay adamant of messing with you… then you have to put ya foot down and let people know that you not someone to play with.

12.) If you were to advise an up and coming musician on how to get more fans, what advice would you give them?

Do shows, shake hands, get flyers made, sell merchandise, network, promote on all social media, engage with people, get everybody & they granny to do the same. Word of mouth does go a long way but that digital footprint is a must!

13.) There are multiple ways of attaining fans and building up your fan base, so what are some ways you acquire fans?

Everything I mentioned above, & just trying to keep hot, quality content floating. Good music is undeniable and will last forever no matter what. You just have to make sure it’s not falling on deaf ears & pray that the one’s who appreciate honesty and creativity will find their way to it anyway then sharing with their friends.

14.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Sitting back, being appreciative of all the accomplishments I’m due to receive. Making sure everybody around me eats just as much, and are taking care of business on their own accords as well. I’m not too caught up on Grammy’s or things like that, but if I am ever to be nominated or fortunate to win one I would never take it for granted.