Introduction
Can you introduce yourself and provide some background on your journey as a music artist? How did you first become interested in music, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?
I’m LongDead, I’ve been producing music since around 2011. I released my first stuff in early 2017 as LongDead though. I wasn’t using my voice until then. I had been making beats and other stuff for a long time before, but I was so tired of reaching out to rappers and such that I just decided to start doing it myself. Then I had a really bad medical thing that put me in the hospital for a long time, but that’s a whole other story.
Musical Style
Your music has a unique style. How would you describe your musical sound, and are there specific genres or artists that have influenced your musical journey?
I would describe it as rap, but with a twist. It's kind of phonk or southern/Memphis-inspired, but I'm from the Bay Area, so I love that flow. I tend to have a pretty dark sound, so there's always a Three Six Mafia vibe in there.
Inspirations
Who or what serves as your main sources of inspiration when creating music? Are there any particular artists, experiences, or emotions that deeply influence your work?
So many inspirations, but one of my biggest is Lil Ugly Mane, absolutely. Bay Area rap has also been a significant influence, including artists like Andre Nickatina, Too Short, Mista Fab, and Mac Dre. I love witch house from a production standpoint too, so I used to incorporate it more into my beat making and vocal processing.
Songwriting Process
Can you share insights into your songwriting process? Where do you typically find inspiration for your lyrics, and what themes or emotions do you enjoy exploring in your songs?
My process usually starts with a beat, getting a string sample or writing a melody and pitching it down or resampling it. Then I record over it and pitch my voice down. I started pitching my voice down because when I had to mix my own music, I hated having to listen to my voice over and over again. Then I just thought it sounded cool. I get a lot of hate for it, but I really like the result a lot of the time, so whatever.
Career Highlights
Looking back on your music career, what are some of the most memorable moments or achievements that stand out to you?
My music has always been a way to catalogue moments of my life and what I was going through. Whenever I look back, I get to feel those memories. My favorites are probably related to completing my last album, "Chain Link Life."
Collaborations
Collaborations can bring new dimensions to music. Have you had any notable collaborations in your career, and how have they influenced your creative process?
My most recent collaboration with Lor2mg was great; they are awesome to work with. It's just so nice to have fun with someone. I usually hate getting features and working with other people because so many artists have crazy egos or are just difficult to deal with. I have a song with BabyGoyard, which was a bit of a pain, but his verse was dope and it sounded sick, so it's all good. I really want to work with more people and try to always be open to it.
Challenges
Artists often face challenges in their careers. Can you discuss some of the challenges you've encountered in the music industry and how you've navigated them?
Breaking through is hard, especially as an independent artist with a unique sound. It's challenging to get listened to when there are so many artists out there. Often, people tend to stick with what's popular in their preferred genres, making it tough for unique artists to gain recognition.
Future Aspirations
What are your future goals and aspirations as a music artist? Are there any upcoming projects or releases that your fans can look forward to?
I just want to keep making music I like and hope that each new song sounds better than the last. I do this because I love making music. I do hope to get more listeners and people who enjoy it. I'll be putting out more singles for sure, though I'm not sure if I'll compile them into a tape since they are already out as singles.
