Metafore-Nah Mean

With the support from his Mother, Metafore hit the ground running looking for a break in the music industry. Really understanding and supporting her son’s talent, Metafore’s mother always carried a copy of his demo around with her. Listening to the demo while at work, a coworker passed by and sparked interest in the sound. The coworker heavily involved in music management wanted to meet with the young talent. Metafore, found the inspiration he needed to get his career off the ground. The wheels were set in motion and Metafore would sign with Luckybug Entertainment, his management team. Almost overnight, he's achieved phenomenal buzz. His first mixtape, “Heir to the Throne” (hosted by DJ Envy), blew up in the New York streets.

His first single, "Nah Mean" was produced by Charles Roane and is described as "a club experience, about picking up the ladies." It is currently burning up on radio and is available for download on iTunes and eMusic. The video for “Nah Mean” was shot in Miami and is currently up on Metafore’s myspace page, www.myspace.com/teammetafore, YouTube.com, and Blastro.com. He’ll release “Heir to the Throne II” on July 30th featuring production from The Heatmakers. Look for the EP coming in fall of 2007 titled “Word to Me”.

Defsounds: So everyone and their mother is a rapper now a days, what separates you from the rest?

Yea its true, everybody and they're momma raps now a days, But I think what separates me apart from the rest in one simple word is versatility!! A lot of rappers say that, but for me its different, its like I can touch all audiences with out trying so hard, I guess its just a gift from god!! I haven't gotten much negative feedback about that! There hasn't been anybody of importance saying, "well he can do this, but he can't do that"! And I'm going to try to keep it that way!

Defsounds: I read somewhere that you're bringing a "new twist" to the game...what does that mean..what are you bringing that no one else is?

Yea a new twist meaning that I'm not just one kind of rapper!! Normally when you hear about an up and coming rapper from NY you think Battle rapper, but their song game is garbage, I have both, sorta a new twist! A lot of artist rely on mixtapes to get a buzz out there, I have mixtapes, but I'm also out trying to get shows and make a name that way, No ones really doing that right now, So you can call it sorta a new twist!

Defsounds: Do you rap and produce or just rap for the moment?

At the moment I rap and I produce, but I tend to lean harder toward rapping because simply its what I'm good at!! I have some hot beats, but I know that my nread and butter is the pen, the pad, and the Microphone, but I try to be well rounded!! You'll only move forward with an attitude like that, so I like to have my hands in all aspects of the music!!

Defsounds: What made you go harder at rapping than producing?

Rapping just comes easier to me then producing, I love both, but rapping is what I am truly better at, so I just stuck with that! If it aint broke, don't fix it right!? haha Besides that's what got me where I'm at right now, not my producing!! My rapping got me this far!! That's my thing, producing came after I got tired of rapping on everybody else's beats, and then my attitude kicked in, "I can do that Better", so that's when producing came in! But Rap is me, I am rap, I live, bleed, sweat, eat, sleep, and S*&% rap! haha

Defsounds: Being that you're 18, do you think you'll get the respect of the older more seasoned vets in the game today?

I think it'll be a mixture of love and hate!! A lot of guys that are seasoned have it in they're head that they are what hip hop stands for, Neglecting the fact that most of them started around the same age I started!! But its cool, as long as I'm accepted by some sort of audiences, I can care less what the seasoned vets think!! Out with the old in with the new!

Defsounds: Who do you like in the game right now?

Jay-z, 50, Kanye, Joell Ortiz, wow too many to name! Those are some recognizable names, but as far as artists that may not have main stream success right about now, I got Serious Jones in the ipod, Loaded Lux, Nickel-us F, I like a lot of stuff in the game right now!

Defsounds: Who's track would you skip if it came up on your itunes?

There are a few, but I'm not gonna comment on those, if your in the room when I skip it then you'll know!! Lol, but to each his own right!! Obviously someone liked the music if its on itunes, Just because I'd skip over it doesn't mean the next person will, But I'm not gonna say who, Ya'll tryina get me in trouble!! hahaha

Defsounds: With today's industry trends, where its very difficult to break in a new artist, how do you think you will fair on the charts?

I think its all about timing, and having the right set up, I think as of right now I'm going on the right path, I mean I've had some success so far, so its hard to say how I would fair on the charts as of right now, but I think when the time comes, I'll do well!! Always gotta think positive. If you don't think highly of your craft, then how many other people will think highly of it if you don't!? That's why you gotta have a positive outlook. If a rapper tells you he/she doesn't think he will do well, then this job aint for them, so with that being said, I think I'd do fairly well!

Defsounds: Are you signed?..Any deals on the table?

I'm currently unsigned, however we've met with some labels! A couple of deals on the table, just waiting for that right one! Could've probably been signed, but we (my management team, Luckybug ent) decided to take a different approach, We didn't want to shop to the labels and go around looking for a deal! We wanted to generate a buzz and have the labels come look for us, that way if they are really interested in the project, it will get done. But No, I'm not signed!

Defsounds: Where do you see yourself musically in 5 years?

Musically in 5 years I see myself being a house hold name! I mean in 5 years I'll be 23, and musically the response I'm getting so far is positive feedback! So if I stay on the right path and not change what I've been doing too much, then I think I'll be somewhere at the top, Any up and coming artist that tells you otherwise should drop out of the race, cause I'm trying to be the best!

Defsounds: How can fans of your music get in touch with you?

Fans can get in touch with me on my myspace page, that's myspace.com/teammetafore, and yes I do check the messages! Its not someone from the management team checking them!! I check them personally, but don't just write me something like Hey!! Hahaha, you will get marked as spam ya dig!!! Haha Thanks for your time!

Please take a moment to VOTE FOR the METAFORE Nah Mean Video on MTVu

Metafore Feat. Joell Ortiz: