Tha Advocate – Entrepreneur Spirit
Someone has been building their brand day by day!!! Someone has been writing music and recording conscience rhymes even today!! Someone has been linking with legendary rappers on tracks! And someone has been producing a mixtape series already over 30 volumes strong, not to mention an additional 5 RnB mixtape volumes, 2 Spitfire mixtapes and has been knocking out several video interviews with his newly formed DDTV! He put all this under his belt in the last 7 years including a solo album “Designed to be Signed”! No this is not the ill team you imagine doing their thing, this is one man, Tha Advocate!!
Tha Advocate and his brand came together around 98′ when he got his calling, since then there’s been no looking back! Banging track after track! Collabos with ill rappers! Keeping it conscience even during the paper chase and speaking on social issues through his music. Tha Advocate has developed into a one man Entrepreneur, and for that we at Mixtapekings.com Salute.
Lstn/Dwnld Tha Advocate & BallerStatus.coM – Digital Dynasty vol. 35 (Hosted by Black Rob)!!!
Lstn/Dwnld Tha Advocate – Designed to be signed LP Now on Itunes!!!
Tha Advocate recently took the time to let us get to know him and his methodology, here’s what transpired.
1. When did you realize music was your calling?
I’d say in the late 90’s when I was like 13. I used to just have the urge to start writing and performing and over the years it snowballed from there.
2. Did you start producing beats or writing rhymes first?
Writing. Then came producing later on. I kind of fell back from that now, except for my own stuff, because there is only so much time in the day. Plus I really enjoy working with certain producers and making something come to life organically.
3. Which do you find easier than the other?
Writing. Its like a stress relief. Nothing like wanting to get something off your chest and being able to craft your bars to make those thoughts come to life. A prime example was when I dropped “Sometimes”. I had all these things on my mind and it felt good as hell when I got that out and recorded.
4. You created a successful mixtape series titled Digital Dynasty, what was the inspiration behind it?
Aww man … I was sick of getting the run around from corny DJ’s. I also was sick of these copycat mixtapes not doing anything original. I wanted something different. Something that would feature a major host every volume and where it would bridge dope underground rappers with more known acts. Not to mention different volumes featuring an “old school jewel”, a song in the “trash bin”, several exclusives from some of your favorite artists as well as a song series called “The N.E.W.” (where I hand pick different emcees from all over the globe to drop 8 bars and rep their area). I gotta get back to that this year, The N.E.W. Part 13 on the way (laughs)!
Here’s an example —
5. DD has been successful on multiple mixtape platforms including ours, how does it feel getting such good feedback?
It feels good hearing that the work you put in is making waves. It’s a lot of work and when I look back to that first volume in 2008 and where I started with Ballerstatus its pretty remarkable man. It been a great ride. Especially seeing the DDRNB series come to life and the DDTV interviews I’ve done with several major artists. I feel like I’m just getting started!
6. You’ve personally released your 2nd studio album “Designed to be signed”, how much of the album did you produce yourself?
On this particular album, unlike my first, I worked with a lot of Producers I had a good chemisty with. The song “Where I Come From”, which featured Mr. Probz, Stat Quo and Big Lou was something I made with my long time studio buddy, Jeff Burna, from scratch. He plays a lot of instruments and I had this idea in my head and he made it come to life. A lot of other tracks I got from some certain producers I enjoyed and we made a dope outcome. Sinima, J Keyz, C-Boogie, etc. With some tracks we added live drums, bass lines, strings, etc. Somethings were like bare bones when we got it and added all the other elements to it.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/designed-to-be-signed/id842964121
7. Your very socially conscience in your music, do you find it difficult getting your music out overall?
Well .. I really stopped giving a shit a few years ago to be honest (laughs). The days of searching for a “major record deal” or “making it big” are way out of mind. Now I do it because I enioy it, its a hobby to me at this point, but I love getting feedback that my music meant something to someone. I’ve seen the industry go from an Authentic Italian Restaurant to a Olive Garden over the past 10 years and each year it gets worse and worse. It really turned me off and its sad the doper artists are stuck underground. I remember a day when Lost Boyz “Renee” or Mobb Deep “Shook Ones” was in Hiphop’s top 40. Now we are stuck with Milly VanIggy Izalea and mumbling idiots like Young Thug to provide what they consider “popularized hiphop”. All the turmoil in the world as of late should be a platform for Hiphop artists to vent, but they don’t. They are brain dead sheeple. I miss when songs meant something, that’s what Hiphop used to be. If you would have told me in the 90’s that music like 2pac’s Dear Mamma wouldn’t be popular hiphop, that men would be wearing dresses and that labels look down upon artists being “too lyrical” in 2015 I wouldn’t believe it. I’m waiting for someone to pinch me and wake me up from tis nightmare (laughs).
8. Thinking of performing any time soon?
Sure, if an opportunity presents itself and its worth doing I’m there!
9. Whats your overall plan for your music career?
At this point, to keep making music organically and releasing it over the years. Also to keep building the Digital Dynasty, DDTV and Spitfire brands. Not to mention I still love interviewing your favorite artists and asking them whatever I want (laughs).
10. Whats next for Tha Advocate?
Digital Dynasty 34 & 35, another DDRNB Vol 5 this year, another Digital Dynasty album 9last one was in 2010) and more DDTV interviews. Also my music video for “The Lense” is gonna drop off my Designed To Be Signed album and a joint mixtape/album from “SUN OF S.A.M” (a group which consists of me, Jeide Prince and Shawn Blayze). All these projects are on the radar to drop this year. Stay Tuned.