What inspired you to write “Don’t Hurt Me”?
“Don’t Hurt Me” was a futuristic flash or daydream, so to speak, about a girl who was recently met in a nightclub or party environment. That pretty girl you meet and when you meet you have that thought like “we might work well together”. Every man has had that moment at least once in their life and if you haven’t you will. I kind of took that thought and expounded upon it with a twist of comical sexual gestures, and drawing from personal relationship experience. So the song was basically me weighing the pros and cons of that thought. All the things that immediately turn you on and all the things that immediately turn you off. Also dealing with, you know, my “personal baggage”, and dealing with her personal baggage. Everybody has baggage, whether or not they choose to admit it. Everyone has personal baggage from past relationships. That’s the standpoint the female took on the chorus stating “don’t hurt me”, being as though she’s been hurt so many times before. Even with the baggage she and I are carrying she’s still intrigued, and “he”, knows he can get her. So now it’s just a matter of weighing the fact of is it worth it or not. Now, I want you to picture this happening in the mind of the guy as he’s shaking her hand and meeting her for the first time. So this whole song is based upon a hypothetical fantasy within a ten-second introduction that’s slowed down in his head. Except it plays out like a movie for him. So none of the events I was describing actually took place, it’s all just a really vivid daydream. The positive traits though were actually all real. They’re really attributes of my counterpart in my current relationship. So there’s actually real truth in the song, I just took a small pieces and expanded on it. That was the vision that I saw when I heard the beat. So there were multiple inspirations, if that answers it for you.
What’s Attain Media Group all about?
Putting the power back in the artists’ hands. Creating a place where the artists have real creative freedom, which is a major factor when it comes to expressing yourself or the creative process. A lot of major labels put restrictions and guidelines on what the artist creates as far as what actually makes it to the radio due to what sells. 70 percent of what sells today is garbage. More so, putting artists in the position where the ball is in their court. We just help guide them in the direction they want to go. We don’t condone putting out poorly constructed music, but we do feel that it’s the artists’ right to have the ability to create what they want and feel.
What’s your perspective on signing to a major label versus staying independent?
I’m not opposed to signing with major labels, I’m opposed to giving all my musical rights away and being told what I can and can’t do with my music. So if there was a proper deal or an advantageous deal on the table with a major label it would be something I would consider, but it would have to be a worthwhile venture. Major labels get you exposure more quickly in some cases and reduce your workload in some specific areas. Being independent increases your workload multiple areas, but keeps more of the money in your pocket. It’s more of a matter of what works for you.
Any advice for rappers coming up?
Be yourself. Respect yourself. Know your worth. Don’t be scared to fail. Create something that’s unique to you and don’t be afraid to be different. Always find ways to improve your craft or you skill. On the way up don’t try to take everybody with you. Secure yourself, ensure your stability, then if you’d like, then go back and save people. You can’t save them all. You do more damage to yourself attempting to. Stay around people who are motivated like you if not more motivated. Energy travels whether it’s positive or negative. Stay positive and only associate with those who are like-minded. When people with negative attitudes can’t do something, they tend to try to make you believe that you can’t do it as well. Be willing to take constructive criticism. Remember that not everyone is going to like what you create. Take it on the chin and keep moving. The only thing that can stop you is you.