Anyone who knows me understands that I respect those who are
out here using their talents to make it in life, so when I saw this guy by the
name of C. Metro constantly promoting himself via Twitter, I couldn't help but
pay attention. He was different from the
other self-promoting rappers who would pop up in your DMs with some generic
pre-written BS saying “Thanks for the follow. Check out my new single “Booty
Meat and Cigarillos” on YouTube.” On top of that, he attended University of
South Carolina – Aiken, a university not too far from my own. So, when he shot me a direct message the
other day asking me to promote for him, I took it as an opportunity to not only
compliment his talent, but ask for an interview since I admired his drive and
ambition. He told me he would be down
for it ASAP and needless to say, I got super excited because I KNEW for a FACT
he was going somewhere, my “successful man senses” were tingling and I have NEVER been wrong *laughs*. As a
matter of fact, three days after our interview, he earned himself a record deal
with State House Records.
Since I am car-less and jobless, I figured the best way to go
about the interview was via Oovoo and after witnessing his easiness on the eyes, charm and humor, I
was beyond happy I was NOT to be in his presence.
The first question I asked him was what his real name was.
The future educator in me just refuses to call people by their nicknames,
shortened names, or in his case, stage name so I thought it only appropriate to
ask. He said, “Leo Jones” and I asked how to spell it since my name is
pronounced ‘Imani’ but spelled ‘Emynee.’ He laughed a little and told me that
he doesn't think that there’s any other way to spell it.
I then asked where he was from, since I know a lot of
artists pull inspiration from where they originate. He said he was born in
Texas, but he has lived in Columbia, SC for the last 15 or 16 and I’m guessing
it would be safe to say that that is where the inspiration for his stage name
comes from.
I listened to his CD, Bars 2 (which I will put up the link
to at the bottom of the post) and was really impressed by it, I did not skip
one song and that is rare for me to do….especially when it comes to rap. I
found that the songs I enjoyed most were “Bed of Roses” and “Once Again” since
they had an R&B tip to them. When I told him this, he smiled a little bit
and told me that he likes R&B as well. He felt as though he was holding
back his lyrical ability though, so he decided to make that CD. On both of the
tracks, a singer by the name of Quez was featured, so naturally I asked how the
two met. He told me that he had known him since the time around his freshman
year of high school but he had passed away. I didn’t want to go into too much
detail because I know how I am when it comes to loved ones passing, so I moved
on to my next question.
With the whole uproar that surrounded Kendrick Lamar’s verse
in one of the songs he was featured in, I thought it would be interesting to
hear his thoughts on the state of the rap game today. Very honestly, the
self-proclaimed genius told me that he couldn’t speak on the game as a whole,
but locally (as in South Carolina) he said that the game is not where it needs
to be. He stated that he doesn’t like collaborating because rappers here do not
work hard and they do not take rapping seriously. I then asked him what separates him from
other artists. Since he clearly stated that he was a hard worker with his
previous question, I asked if it was his work ethic that separated him from the
rest. He said that he was his biggest critic. He said that he doesn’t like
sleeping because he feels as though he’ll be missing out on something. He told
me that he could have an 8AM class but stay up all night perfecting his craft.
I asked who influenced his style and he said that nobody
influenced his style. If he could compare himself to other rappers, it doesn’t
make him an artist. He moved on to telling me that he switches up his style a
lot and that he studies Biggie Smalls’s flow as well as Lil Wayne’s. I could
not help but smile since that mentality, the willingness to not only be a
student to your craft but go further and
become a trailblazer, is what makes the greats, greater.
After dealing with a technical difficulty that had me
running up and down the hallways for another computer (thanks for your patience
by the way), I continued the interview by asking what he felt was the highest
or most successful point in his career this far. He told me that this past
summer as a whole was the highest point. He said that he works by himself,
since he is worrisome about hiring help, but still managed to get shows
everywhere – in Georgia, Columbia, Charleston…basically all over South
Carolina. The second to last question I asked was who he would like to work
with in the future and right off the bat he said Kendrick Lamar, he also said
he would like to work with Future as well, stating “Everything he touches goes;
he just doesn’t rap, he’s smart with it.” He told me that he would never want
to work with anyone like 2Chainz because he raps dumb for someone who graduated
college with a 4.0 GPA.
To close the interview I asked him if he would like to give
any shout outs and they go as follows:
The Dogg Pound in Greenwood, South Carolina – (“Ay, girl
what you know about the Dogg Pound??” ß
He told me to add this lol) He said that these men are like brothers to him and
keep him level headed.
His cousin Carlos Dubois who attends my university, Claflin
University
His cousin Marquis Jones, who is #27 on South Carolina State
University’s football team
Last but not least, his roommate Vincent at USCA
At the end of the interview he told me to tell y’all other
things about him. He said that he is not a dumb rapper. He is on the Dean’s
List and he also enjoys drinking beer. Clearly, he has a great sense of humor.
*laughs*
Anyway, C.Metro also has a mixtape coming out soon which
will probably drop within the next month, but to hold you over I suggest you
check out his CD Bars 2 via this link à
http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/c-metro-bars-2-mixtape.91151.html
You can also follow him on twitter: @cmetrobruh
It was honestly such a great experience to interview this
talented young man and I look forward to what he has in store for us in days to
come!! XOXO
