MBK Richy is a songwriter/rapper from Auburn, NY. MBK Richy has been making noise throughout upstate NY since he was 16. Richy dominated the Upstate NY rap battle scene before recently ending that phase to commit fully to music. In march 2017, Richy released his first EP “#Richyseason” which can be found on all streaming platforms. He also released his first music video to his single from that project “That Nigga” out on YouTube. Since then MBK Richy has taken NY by storm and has did 8 shows this last year and headlined 4 of them. He has performed in front of A&Rs from Atlantic records, Rocnation, Universal Records, and more. Just recently MBK Richy is back with his new mixtape “EnRiched” which is out now on all streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, and SoundCloud. His new video for his new single “I Gotta” is also available on YouTube now. Richy remains true to himself by spitting intricate but clever bars while still sounding mainstream and new school.
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/richy315/sets/enriched
YouTube: https://youtu.be/CKcBn7V0eWA
Instagram: mbk_richy
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/richy315/sets/enriched
YouTube: https://youtu.be/CKcBn7V0eWA
Instagram: mbk_richy
Twitter: Iamrichy315
1.) What made you want to get into the music business in the first place? Did anyone influence you to do music? If so, who? Influences? Role Models?
My love for music started when I was a kid. I would perform all the songs on BET and MTV in my living room with a brush microphone. From there I just started freestyling all of the time until people realized and told me that I was actually good. Fast forward a little, my cousin started recording and soon after put me on to recording. After that I got up with my boy/producer Cap-T and we been working ever since. I have a lot of influences man, people like Jadakiss, Jay-Z, Joe Budden, lyricists. I love the rhythm and feel of music but it’s so much better when you can feel what the artist is talking about.
2.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
To stand out in a world full of the talent I plan to work harder and market myself better. Rapping is only half the battle. There are people less talented than me making more money. It’s about marketing yourself and putting in that work when others aren’t.
3.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not?
3.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not?
If I had my choice, I would remain independent because all money comes to me and my team but it’s hard to be independent coming from a small city with a small market such as Upstate NY. There isn’t as many people as in NYC, Philly, or LA which makes it harder to gain a following. Majors get you that following with money.
4.) Do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead? Why or why not?
Yes, I do believe the traditional method of the rap industry is dead and for one reason, the internet. There’s no physical copies, demos, radio anymore. Artists only make small amounts off streams. Nowadays you market yourself via internet and eat off shows and appearances.
5.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?
5.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?
With the internet you can cut the middle man out. You promote yourself, you gain a following, and from there your music online decides if you blow. This format is good because you don’t need labels per say but at the same time it waters down the game because now mumble rap and other alternative versions of rap have a free path to the fans and the actual artists get left out a lot of times.
6.) What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in life and has that had any effect on your path to becoming a musician?
6.) What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in life and has that had any effect on your path to becoming a musician?
The hardest thing I had to endure in life to be a rapper or to make it as one is life itself. In order to really have a push and make it somewhere you need to have money. Promotion, marketing, supplies, studio time, buildings, flyers, videos, all that stuff costs money and the more you spend, the better your chances of making it. When you’re paying rent, a car note, buying food for the house, taking care of kids, etc. it’s hard to dedicate money to the campaign because of regular life stuff.
7.) 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 plan to do to make sure you make music that is true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I mean selling out is in the eye of the beholder. 50 Cent was one of the hardest out and crossed over to more of a commercial feel after the Massacre album. He made MILLIONS. Some people call it selling out, others call it adjusting. I plan on doing a little of both. I plan to use new school beats and flows but I plan to add substance and bars as well. If I had to compare the style to someone it would be kind of a FAB thing. He’s old as hell but he sounds new all the time and has BARS! When I do music I want fans to feel what I’m saying. I’m spitting stuff everyday people can relate to or things that I have been through. I don’t rap about foreigns or Audemars and stuff because I don’t have that stuff. I don’t rap about shooting you in the face or selling packs because I don’t. But you will hear me talk about how I want to be rich because I do or how I might take your shorty because I will and have, ya feel me?
8.) When you do music, what would you like your listeners to get out of your music?
8.) When you do music, what would you like your listeners to get out of your music?
I just want fans to hear the pain and feel the music. Whether it’s a motivational song, hard rap, R&B, etc. Whatever it may be I just want people to feel it through combination of my words and the overall music.