An Interview with Chicago’s Own ADD-2

Posted by Justin Boland on Oct 18, 2011 | 0 Comments

Add-2 Chicago rapper emcee independent

Starting off the Fall Season here at Audible Hype with a fresh batch of interviews and articles. Since landing in Chicago, I’ve been introduced to tons of hard-working, highly motivated and insanely talented artists. One major standout has been the humble yet relentless Add-2, and I’m honored to be presenting this interview to you. Here, we’re talking shop about the usual suspects: DIY work ethic, career planning, and juggling life obligations as an independent artist on the rise…

Add-2 Live with The Roots (yes really)

AH: What advice do you have for new artists on improving their live show?

Add-2: A couple of things that I believe can help new artist become better live performers is knowing how to perform YOUR music because everyone raps/sings but how you perform your music can set you apart from the millions of people who are on stage with a microphone. One thing that sadly has become overlooked is rehearsing but I think every artist needs to do to become a better performer. Its something that goes a very long way because when you look as if you and your team are on stage winging it, talking over each other or not on the same page the audience can tell. Another thing I would suggest is go see other great performers live (dont youtube it! actually go out and SEE it) and take mental notes on how they control a crowd, how their songs transition, their lighting and the excitement they bring.

Who are your role models, in terms of building and maintaining a music career?

Add-2 My role models for building a career of longevity in hip hop are artists like Common, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, The Roots and 9th Wonder. Those artist showed me that you can establish your core base while still maintaining income all while without having to chase trends to stay current. For example Common showed me that you can explore other options such as poetry, acting or politics. The Roots are arguably the most successful hip hop touring group and showed me that if you have a great stage show you can achieve longevity without the radio or tv. All of these artist are the epitome of what I hope to be.

AH: What are your most essential tools and habits for staying on point and organized?

Add-2: Having motivated and like-minded people around me keeps me sharp. I feel like in order to accomplish something great you have to surround yourself with goal-oriented people who will not only push you to keep going but also will correct you if they see something wrong. As far as habits go I try to write & listen to all sorts of music everyday because it helps to train my mind to stay focused and creative.

Add-2 Chicago hip hop

AH: Has Chicago been a hip hop friendly city in your experience? Are venues mostly open to hip hop in 2011?

Add-2: Hmmmm well theres both a good side and a bad side as it is in every city. Some venues are very open to Hip Hop where as others aren’t unless its a major act. Even though Chicago is a big city the underground and independent scene is still growing but at the same time it has taken alot of steps in the positive direction. Compared to where it was 6 years ago its come a very long way.

AH: Now that you’ve got a number of videos under your belt, how has your approach to planning and preparing for shoots changed?

Add-2: I’ve always been very involved when it comes to conceptualizing, planning, executing and overlooking my videos but with each video shoot and working with different directors there’s new aspects about the process I’ve learned. Pre-planning, scouting locations, organizing schedules, shot lists, writing video treatments as well as confirming peoples participation is essential. I’ve learned the better you prepare the less room you leave open for something going wrong and at a video shoot something will always go wrong but if you are prepared you know how to deal with it without it throwing off your entire shoot.

AH: What works best for you in terms of promoting videos after they’re done?

Add-2: It depends on what type of video it is. I’ve been privileged enough to have two videos played on Mtv networks which has been great exposure as well as alot of support from hip hop sites and blogs and great fans who spread the videos around to their friends and people they think can appreciate the message. I’m a fan of letting things expand on their own naturally cause like they say ‘good music promotes itself’ so if we executed everything right from the song to the video then people will spread the word.

Add-2 Chicago rapper hip hop artist

AH: How much does your background in public speaking motivate your songwriting now?

Add-2: I would say its other way around because I started speaking at public events, at churches or with troubled youth groups because of my music and poetry. But by speaking at those events it completely open my eyes to the power of words, the direct ability to give someone belief in a message and made me more conscious of the power I possess as an artist. A few years ago I spoke at a youth homeless shelter and afterwards a girl came up to me and told me how much the things I wrote meant to her and wanted to keep one of my poems so she can read it to motivate her in times when she felt her lowest. I gave it to her but in return she also gave me one of hers where she shared her pain of being raped by her father, not feeling like anybody cares and being lonely. I keep that poem in my room as my motivation to remember those who are less fortunate and use music as a way to help others.

AH: Who do you think has been essential in helping to grow the Chicago scene in the past 6 years?

Add-2: The independent artists in Chicago. We’re alot more supportive of each other now than how it used to be, work together alot more, we’re alot more respectful to those who came before us who built this scene in Chicago and God willing this will continue to get better. I firmly believe Chicago is the most talented city in the world and once the world sees it I’m sure they’ll agree.

AH: How did you initialy connect with MTV?

Add-2: After one of my projects dropped one of homies at Okayplayer told me that someone at Mtv was a fan and asked if I would like to meet them. I of course said yes and ever since then we’ve built a good bridge between us. Its an honor to be featured on Mtv in any way because I grew up watching Yo! Mtv Raps and all the other countdown shows so to have videos on the network means alot to me.

AH: What are your business goals for the next year?

Add-2: Next year is all about the new project Save Our Souls. More music, more videos, more touring and continuing to elevate musically.

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Music by Justin Boland