Published: May 24, 2010 8:09 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight June 2010 Edition
Renzo
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Renzo
Recording artist/Producer Renzo is heating up the Hip-Hop/R&B game with his sensual sensational Latin Flavor that will have the ladies melting and the fellows taking notes. In this exclusive spotlight with our Webzine, Renzo gives our online readers a spicy spotlight that reveals many wonderful things about the multi-talented entertainer. Here is what developed from our online conversation.
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Renzo: I became interested in music when I was 12 years old from listening to my mother clean with Latin music playing in the background to writing down every lyric of my favorite songs and repeating them to instrumentals. That’s when I started to learn about style and delivery of music and presenting them in a professional manner.
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
Renzo: Wow, there are so many artists that influenced me I have to say that the first person was Big Pun. His wordplay and lyrics were unlike anything I ever heard before and the intelligence involved in the way he wrote music was incredible. From there, I realized that it wasn’t just rhyming words, it’s telling a story, with metaphors and substance behind each line. Later on, when Latin music became more main stream with artist such as, Daddy Yankee and Pitbull, they we able to open a new avenue that not many people can fall into with Latin/American Hip-hop and Reggaeton music. That’s when I knew Hip-Hop needed something new from the east coast that was never heard before.
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
Renzo: I would have to say finishing my first album and the blood, sweat, and tears put into every song made the whole project mean so much to me. You start to get a different perspective of music after you see what really goes on behind the scenes and the countless hours in the studios and editing that it takes to make that final project the way you want it to sound.
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
Renzo: At one point, I was working on a song for a group of old friends because I wanted to help them reach the same goal I am striving for. After the completion of the song, I later found out that they took my ideas to record execs and they claimed that it was theirs. It was shocking to see friends I was one close with take advantage of the talent and knowledge that I’ve gained going through overcoming many obstacles in my career. When you surround yourself negative people, they tend to bring you down so now I only associate myself with positive friends and family in my life that will help me reach my goals. It’s hard to find truly genuine people with good intentions in this world so when I do, I make sure to keep them in my circle.
Isaac: WOW! That is such a low blow to have long-time friends do that to you man. You will prevail in the end because you have natural born talents that can never be defeated or die.
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
Renzo: The reaction from my fans, this is the most important to me and the best way to determine what type of music people love. I always listen to my fans because I want to relate to them as much as possible and make them feel the words I am saying are real. Whether it is a sad love song, or a hype party track it all has its time and place for someone at some point.
Isaac: What do you feel it takes to play this type of music that you play?
Renzo: Motivation, determination, and imagination are the biggest things that keep my music moving forward. There is always something new coming out, but you want to be the first to think of it. It’s almost like a race in time to who reaches the next great concept to make a hit song. You have to step outside of the box of what you are normally used to and try new things and new ways of expressing your thoughts to stay ahead of the game.
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
Renzo: When I create something original that has never been done before, it leaves no room for any competition. I always produce all types of music and try to find ways to incorporate hip-hop to new genres, whether it is rock, Latin, house, or pop. If people are dancing and repeating your words you did something right.
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
Renzo: This is the hardest piece of the puzzle. You cannot teach someone a life experience that can only be lived and that is the biggest element of writing music. Whether negative or positive, songwriters put their soul into what they write and believe it or not, there is always someone who is going through the same things.
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
Renzo: It’s not easy for an indie artist trying to make it big and still pay the bills at the same time. You have to really love music to get out of your 9-5 job and go straight to the studio until 3 in the morning and do it all over again the next day. Not everybody is built for this business and if you don’t love what you do then you will never survive.
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
Renzo: An indie artist or band is a group of people or an individual expressing ourselves to an audience that seems intangible. We put our life’s work into our music waiting for someone to hear our original projects and prove that most indie groups have more creativity than mainstream music now. It’s a long road and you have to be willing to work because you will be on your own trying to make an impression in this business, that’s why they call us “Independent”.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music online?
Renzo : All of my pages are being revamped and tons of new music will be up soon:
Renzo: I see myself continuing my hard work; I will still be producing, recording, and doing what I love to do. Whether it is for a major label or an independent label I will be making music no matter where god takes me. This is what I was born to do and I love doing it so there is no question about what my future holds, because no matter where I am it will still involve making music.
