Interview with CeeGramz

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CeeGramz grew up in Camden, NJ and started writing lyrics at a young age. After a few run ins with the law, he joined the army and saw the most modern day warfare. After being honorably discharged,CeeGramz was able to produce for many industry artists. In 2016, he plans to release a mixtape entitled “Burn Before Listening” which will be followed up by his LP, “Corner Store Candy”.

Where are you from?

Camden, New Jersey aka the poorest city in the nation.

How long have you been making music?

I’ve been making music for about four years now as a solo artist.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

I’ve released 2 singles including my latest release, “Scoped You”. I have also released an 1 EP and 2 instrumental mixtapes that I completely produced.

Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?

My latest single, “Scoped You” is based on the popular Periscope app. It’s about meeting a girl on Periscope and falling in love with her.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

I used to hustle but I ended up getting in pretty deep so I ended up joining the army and doing two tours in Iraq. I loved serving my country but I loved music even more. Plus entertainment is in my blood. Whitney Houston, Aaron McGruder (creator of The Boondocks), and Mike Rozier (Heisman Award winner) are my cousins.

What do you think of the music industry in 2016?

I love the present day music industry. There are more opportunities for indie artists such as myself than ever before. It’s still a lot of work but, hard work has definitely paid off for me.

Who do you think the most influential artist?

To be honest, I really don’t have an influential artist. I love all types of music but when it comes to my own, I influence myself.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

I’ve worked with many artists in the music industry but recently I’ve worked with Ne-Yo, Troy Ave, and Skyzoo.

How do you think you differ from other artists?

I just do what I want. That’s the beauty of being an indie artist. I have complete creative control so I don’t have to follow the “industry standard”. So you might hear a song that I use autotune on one day, and a song that I don’t use autotune the next day. My fans never know what to expect from me. They just one thing: I always give them good music.

Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?

my cousin, Whitney Houston. Hands down.

What was the first album you bought?

Enter The Wu-Tang Clan. That album forever changed my life.

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

2 phones by Kevin Gates. FREE KEVIN GATES!

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?

DMX – It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot

What is your favorite saying?

“What’s up with the what’s up”?

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

I love to snowboard, collect guns, and I’m a movie buff. People call me all the time and ask me, “what was that movie called that such and such happened”? And I always get it right. Yeah, I’m THAT guy.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

I’m inked all up and I have my ears pierced.

Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?

My debut album is called Corner Store Candy. It follows me from when my “sisters used to walk me to the corner store”, to the last song on the album called “The Burial” which is about death. I actually tell people to play it at their funeral. I mean, people get married to a universal song, so why can’t they get buried to a universal song? I really had fun making Corner Store Candy from start to finish.

What’s in the pipeline after this project?

After Corner Store Candy I plan on releasing an album called Freshman Year. Freshman Year will be a first in a series of albums. The second will be Sophomore Jinx, then Junior Partner, and finally Senior Status.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music.

You’re welcome and if you’re ever in Camden, New Jersey, stop by and I’ll share a batch of my special, homemade “brownies” with you.

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