Hip-Hop Recording Artist, Self-Taught Producer, Fashionista, Entrepreneur, Brian C. Is A
Creative Of Many Trades. Born August 27th, 1993 And Raised In The Bedford Stuyvesant
Neighborhood Of Brooklyn, NY, Brian Ignatius Campbell Is A Proud Resident Of His
Neighborhood And Prides Himself In Representing His Borough Through His Music And Through His Sense Of Style.
Where are you from?
I’m born and raised in Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, NY.
How long have you been making music?
I’ve always dipped and dabbed in music as a teen, Writing verses to songs I liked and also poetry. Between age 18 and 19, I learned how to produce and make beats and was doing that until I transitioned to being a full time recording artist by the time I turned 21.
How many songs /albums have you released to date?
Since I’ve began, I’ve released one EP titled “New Swank City” back in 2015. I released my 1st full length project “Coming Of Age” in 2017. And this past August, I released my latest project “IGNATIUS”.
Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?
My latest project “IGNATIUS”, the background of it really stemmed from pain. I channeled a lot of the pain and grief I’ve felt from losing my closet cousin in 2016 and losing my dad the thanksgiving of 2017, I channeled pain of music industry frustrations, struggling day to day and used it all to create what I feel is a meaningful body of work.
Musically, I’ve drawn inspiration from not only hip hop music of the past, but r&b, soul, funk from back in the day as well. Especially since I’ve produced every record myself. There’s a lil bit of everything on there and a song for everyone on this project and I take pride in that.
How have you ended up in the music industry?
Timing is everything. I’ve always looked at certain rappers and artists as super heroes and I always wanted to be in that world in some capacity. I was lucky enough to be around the people I was around with that opened the door for me to enter the industry. Never at first thought it would be as an artist myself but hey, here we are today.
What do you think of the music industry in 2019?
My feelings about the music industry changes day to day. Especially because not only being an musician in the industry, but also being an executive to an independent record label in this industry as well.
I currently have not reached a point where I enjoy the business side of the music industry. And I can also say that a lot the frustrations the industry give me have taken quite a bit from the enjoyment I had making music before.
But I would also love to say that this day and age of music is a whole melting pot of dope and talented artists, especially in hip hop. There’s so much different sounds and variations to the genre, there’s no longer one standard, which I can definitely appreciate. And there’s an artist and a type of sound and song for everyone. The diversity in the genre is real and it’s dope and I respect it heavy.
Who do you think the most influential artist?
Damn, I can’t say exactly who is the most influential artist because it’s such a broad question with many many layers to it. And it all depends on influential in what sense. Influential lyrically? Or sonically? Or business and financially? Or aesthetically, in terms of fashion and style? There’s so much to it.
I could however name some of the artists that have influenced me and still do today. Tupac is probably the biggest influence for me musically. To this day, I hang on to a lot of the words and verses he says and no one spoke from the heart the way he did, unapologetically. Wu-Tang Clan is another huge influence for me. There’s Also Jay-Z & Kanye West. And for today’s artists, there’s J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and A$AP Rocky.
Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?
So far not as much artists. I usually prefer to be solo on my own music and my own projects. But I’ve given a few features to my label mates who I consider brothers Shareiff Worell, King Grizz, and Z.E.L. on their personal projects. I was also featured on C.E.L.L. Beatz’ latest project, he is a really dope and talented artist and producer.
How do you think you differ from other artists?
I think what separates me from a lot of today’s artists is that I carry myself as sort of a last of a dying breed. I’m a throwback, even though I’m 26 years old. I’m a student of the game and I’m always studying and respecting the past eras before me. I don’t have a gimmick. I don’t rely on ad libs, auto tune, fancy sounds and effects to make my music. I speak from the heart and my words are my weapon. And either people are going to love and appreciate my music for what it is or they’re just simply going to skip past it, and that’s okay, I can live with that.
Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?
Tupac is definitely one, rest in peace. J. Cole and A$AP Rocky for sure. Even getting Mary J. Blige or Alicia Keys to sing on any of my records would be a dream. There’s a lot, but let’s leave it with those for now.
What was the first album you bought?
1st album I bought was Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3. Listening to it today, it’s such an underrated album on Hov’s part.
What’s your favourite song at the moment?
Gang Starr & J. Cole – Family & Loyalty. Song dropped literally a couple of weeks ago and it’s easily become my favorite rap record this year.
J. Cole came through with a fire verse as usual. But damn, just hearing Guru’s voice over a DJ Premier beat, even if it’s for one last time felt like a trip back in time to when they were working on songs like “Just To Get A Rep” or “Mass Appeal”.
If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?
If you was to ask me that question like 2-3 years ago, I would be able to answer. But since my dad passed, I took it upon myself to inherit and preserve his very extensive music collection. That meant everything to him so I can’t just give that away. Plus, it’s full of a lot of classics I grew up on and forgot I grew up on like Keith Sweat, New Edition, Bobby Brown albums, Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation Album, Erykah Bash’s first couple of albums, Biggie’s Life After Death, Tupac’s All Eyez On Me, and much more.
What is your favourite saying?
God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. Every time I think of those words, it reminds me to stay solid even through the toughest of times. Nothing in the world I can’t handle.
What other hobbies or interests do you have?
Besides music, I’m heavily into fashion. I’ve dipped and dabbed into modeling the last couple of years, especially this year heavily. I love thrifting and collecting vintage clothes and shoes. And I love going to the gym and working out. I work out at least 4 times a week minimum. Not only fitness of course developed my body physically, but it helped me mentally and emotionally.
Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
Just one left earring piercing. I may get a nose piercing soon. But no tattoos for me. Either than that, it’s all fly clothing and shoes for me.
Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?
My latest project “IGNATIUS” is out now on all major streaming platforms. Including Apple Music, Spotify, & Tidal.
What’s in the pipeline after this project?
Right now, I’m focused on promoting this album and letting it reach as far as it possibly can. I will be touring with artists from my label, Urbaan House Records from the end of October to December. I will be shooting a video to one of my singles off the album “Smoking, Drinking, Overthinking” very soon. I’m also working on a documentary discussing my upbringing and the background behind this album which should release sometime in 2020.
Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music.
Thank you for the opportunity of being featured on this platform. Greatly appreciated.
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