Published: September 7, 2009 11:14 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight September 2009 Edition
Floco Torres
Floco Torres
Hip-Hop artist Floco Torres is creating a new flavor into the Hip-Hop industry that many fans will really dig. What make this entertainer a real treat to listen to are his stylish lyrics, smooth flows, and sick beats. With a diversity of many influences such as Hall & Oates, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, ColdPlay, and Radiohead, Floco promises to not be your run of the mill artist. Check out this interview that Floco recently completed with our Webzine about what he feels he is bringing to the music industry. Enjoy!
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
Floco: It's funny to me now because I never wanted to do music although my mom & grandma sort of made me via Church Choir & un-manly instruments like the violin and flute. That started I wanna say as early as like 4 or 5. The trumpet was really cool & drums were ok but I honestly wanted to be a heart surgeon like Charles Drew until like 12 years old.
I was always into writing though which translated to having my own comic book at 9. My mom was really big into theatre and dance which she gave up around the time she got pregnant with me. And my dad was a DJ for a short time in high school. Other than that, I think my love for music just kinda stuck around after I stopped hating it (laughs).
Isaac: What drew you to pick up a mic in the first place?
Floco: Well, from being into writing, Like I am a big fan of writing and reading articles, some books, etc. In middle school and a little of high school, I started really getting into Hip-Hop and writing rhymes for friends mainly because the lifestyle they wanted to portray wasn't really their own. They didn't have the imagination like I did to create it (laughs).
After actually swallowing pride (pause) to keep a couple for myself to see what people thought, I got a lot of encouragement from friends at the time to go with it and try to perfect it.
I didn't take it seriously for myself until about 17-18. Once I did, it seems to be working out (laughs).
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
Floco: Nah, not at all! I still question it sometimes (laughs). I just thought it was something I would grow out of like I do with most girlfriends and little hobbies I pick up (laughs).
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
Floco: There's millions; I like working with everyone honestly. After getting more into bands like ColdPlay & Radiohead, I would say their on top of my list right now to work with as well as learn from.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
Floco: Um….Biggie of course! Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Hall & Oates, Kanye West, Jay-Z, AL K!ng, Alicia Keys, ColdPlay, Radiohead, Charles Hamilton, Eminem, Chester French, Paramore, F.O.B, and Kid Cudi....I mean the list goes on and on really (laughs).
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
Floco: To inspire minds, to be remembered, and to catapult from music to business as smoothly as possible. If I can make up a word for artist/business man, I'll let you know.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
Floco: Just having faith 100% of the time. People try and pretend like they never have doubts and struggles, and success just fell out of nowhere. But the truth is; it's a tough road until your time comes. You're not really guaranteed to get a shot. Everybody has hard times when pursing his or her dreams but just not letting the negativity get to me has probably been the biggest obstacle for me.
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
Floco: Not really man (laughs). Go to school while getting that paper because this is not what you want! (laughs), Nah, I'm playing! I recommend going after your dreams whatever that may be. Grind 100% at pursuing your dreams. And in the end, at least when you lay down the cards if it does not work out, you know you gave it your all no matter the outcome.
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
Floco: I'm not sure. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between advice and people just talking out of the side of their necks. I guess "Believe in yourself 1st" is something good to live by while pursuing your dreams.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
Floco: Hip-Hop! I've grown tired with all the sub genres and crap.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
Floco: All my work from October to July 25th has been my favorite right now. "Young Thunderkats'" project with Young Fame "The Anti Valentines Day Color Is Green" mixtape. "Psycadelphia" my new EP & "Social Collision" with AL K!ng. I'm really happy with my progression through these projects.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Floco: I have a website with both sample songs and demo CD; I'm really on top of my Internet game right now (laughs).
Young thunderkats is on Ttunes right now so I'm all over the Internet world (laughs).
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Floco: I hate giving names because I always miss someone so I thank the universe and everything in it every single day, and the people who have provided that support; they know who they are. And if they don't, THANK YOU ANYWAY! (Laughs!).
Isaac: Any last words?
Floco: Thank you guys so much for giving me this chance and not asking me what my name means in Spanish.
And my name is spelled FLOCO TORRES! (laughs) um yea, Hit me up!
