BTN: You recently laid your own version of “Hotline Bling”. What inspired you to do so?
SL: I like to do covers and freestyles when I’m not working on my own songs to keep my skills up. When I heard the song I thought it would be a nice exercise for the next session.
BTN: What’s your approach to monetizing your music in this new digital music industry?
SL: Ultimately, I would like my music to be available in every avenue possible including hard copies, iTunes, Bandcamp, etc. Everyone has different platforms from which they get their music and I will reach them all. That is my goal.
BTN: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from all your time overseas?
SL: Family, self-confidence, and definitely a new rhythm. Overseas family values are much stronger. Every other day one could see cousins, aunts and uncles coming by just to visit without a special holiday or reason to. When I was younger I used to be shy because of my weight and they showed me that my size and my strength were connected, that I shouldn’t be ashamed – in fact I should be proud. The rhythm is a whole level beyond what I knew before being there back in the 90s. That rhythm is one of the reasons my instrumentals can at times have a crisp flavor.
BTN: How do you plan to do 2016 differently?
SL: As before stated, 2015 has been a year of planning, but plans without actions are only dreams and I refuse to stay asleep. 2016 will be a year of high activity. Expect to see Hate Me Now Love Me Later 2 in 2016. That and much more.