6Tusk, is a 21 year old, Lao-American, Tennessee spitter, with promising delivery and bars. 6T produces the majority of his beats, and solely engineers his own tracks. His first approach was based on primarily just the internet alone. Now, he’s actively seeking to network with music blogs, local artists, producers, and any other beneficial souls that can further his career and near him to his dreams. Success.
What is your name? My birth name is Michael Fletcher. My stage name is 6Tusk, derived from my Laotian heritage, the Laos flag has three elephants, displaying six tusks. People call me 6T (sixty) for short.
Where are you from? I’m from Nashville, Tennessee. There’s a big music scene downtown, hence the nickname, Music City.
How long have you been making music? My father and cousins had a studio. I was always intrigued. I guess I started doing my own thing in 7th grade. I started off with a little USB microphone my grandma Brenda bought me. From there, I sought to get a better sound as the years passed.
How many songs /albums have you released to date? I’ve done plenty of songs, but I always take them down. For a while, I was trying to find my own sound, like I’d make a song, then a few weeks, I’d be like, “Why did I do this?” So, all that stuff is history. I’ve never had an album release.
Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it? My latest track is produced by Taz Taylor, named “Last Name, First”. It’s basically just to display my delivery skills and attempt to create a catchy chorus without Autotune singing, which I did for a while. I’m a Hip-Hop advocate. I love the history, and plan on sticking with this sound.
How have you ended up in the music industry? I’ve many many connections, but I haven’t been able to capitalize on it due to the fact that I have bills to pay, so it’s hard to drop everything and travel to do shows. I have to maintain a family 9-5 lifestyle, until I get noticed a bit more. I have to stay comfortable.
What do you think of the Music industry in 2015? I believe artists really stepped their game up. As far as the Hip-Hop scene, I believe artists are coming into 2015 with straight fire. Like, everything that I’ve heard from Kendrick, Drake, to J.Cole, Kanye, Big Sean, and others, have all just been hot. Even the local scene here is booming.
Who do you think is the most influential artist? My most influential artist has to be Fabolous, hands down. mixtape Fab to be exact. His albums are cool, but Loso fans know that mixtape Fab is the true him. His punchlines, beat decisions, delivery, are just unbelievably great. The Soul Tape series is so inspiring.
Who have you collaborated with so far in your career? I’ve only really worked with my brother AxV, who is popping now as well. He’s great. We critique each other, and we’ve came a long way.
Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration? My dream collaboration would be Aaliyah. I was so in love with her, I think she was one of my first crushes. Either her, or Fabolous, but I wouldn’t want to get bodied on my own track, haha, but I think it’d be a great experience.
What was the first album you bought? The first album I ever bought was Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by the great 50 Cent, who also impacted my musical career as well.
What’s your favorite song at the moment? That’s a tough one. I’d probably say that my favorite song right now is “Ion Feel Em” by Memphis’ Yo Gotti ft. Kevin Gates. I like what he says, always.
Who is the most influential artist now, and 10 years ago? I think Drake is the most influential artist as far as creativity, and an all-around powerhouse artist. From each genre that he touches, he leaves a powerful print in the game. I believe 10 years ago, 50 Cent had the best impact on the industry. When he surfaced, everyone wanted to thug it like him. He was the realest in my eyes.
If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw? I actually don’t have any more disks. I lost them in a flood a few years ago. I’d hope that I’d have one more chance to hear J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hill Drive album. That was a tough album. He did it justice.
How do you think you differ from other artists? I believe I have the characteristics of what it takes to make it. I grind hard. I promote myself and don’t give up. I understand what it takes to deliver a good flow and I also understand what it takes to sell a good song. I just need a big breakthrough single.
What is your favorite saying? Hustle for your last name, not your first. You have to put on for your family. Family first, always.
What other hobbies or interests do you have? I enjoy working on cars, and taking pictures. I enjoy good photography. It’s a great way to capture the moment and relive memories, years, and years down the road.
Do you have any tattoos or piercings? I have just my ears pierced, but I have a ton of tattoos. I’m sleeved up, but I have a ways to go. I plan on finishing everything by the end of this year.
Tell us more about your upcoming project? My upcoming project, I expect to have a great lineup of features and astounding beat selection. Something that you can just vibe to even without my vocals, but you know, if you pay attention to my lyrics, you’ll have to replay it a few times, haha.
What’s in the pipeline after this project? Hopefully I can make a name for myself, and have people come to me more often. I already have folks interacting with me daily. It makes me feel good when people enjoy my music.
Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music.
Hopefully I can make a name for myself, and have people come to me more often. I already have folks interacting with me daily. It makes me feel good when people enjoy my music.
Follow on: TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD
