Traidmarc: My Music Is About My Lifestyle
FOR Australia based musician and entrepreneur, Mcdonald Emiantor better known as Traidmarc, Nigeria is a necessary part of the hip- pop culture.
“The culture in the country is stronger than in most countries apart from the United States,” he said.
The Melbourne- based entertainment executive cum recording artiste explained that his knowledge of hip- hop in Nigeria dates back to the days of the Plantashun Boiz — 2Face, Blackface and Faze.
“I know that Afrobeat is popping in Nigeria and I also know that there are few rappers out there who are doing their thing in terms of the knowledge I have. Shout out to them and shout out to what they are doing right now.
“I had the privilege of meeting with some of the rappers when I came to Nigeria, which was like 13 years ago, and I have been interacting with few people that were in my circle at the time, especially Mode9.”
He, however, stated that the music an artiste makes is a reflection of the kind of music he or she consumes.
“As funny as it may sound, I don’t listen to rap. As an artiste, I filter a lot of stuff that are of outside influences. I stay in my lane and do my own thing, as I am the boss of my lane.
“To be honest, I try not to listen to a whole lot of rappers out there, but when it comes to staying abreast with what is happening in the game, I can tell you that we know what is happening and who is doing what. I cannot remember when last I purchased or downloaded some rappers music just to listen to it,” he revealed.
He continued: “Every now and then, some would pop up in spotify or ichange; if it is hot, I can dig it for a minute, but I am very quick to move away from that as I said. I try not to listen to too many rappers because the last thing you wanted is when you are in the booth recording some of these outside influences ( music) you have listened to start impacting the way you are writing and composing your songs because you are trying to keep up with the trend.
“It is something that happens to every artiste. So, I am mindful of the kind of music I listen to. I am an old soul; I listen to people like Jack Johnson, the Everly Brothers, Gladys Knight. Back in the days I listen to music from the past. I stay away from the current trend. If you pick my music, you can tell that my music is coming from the past.”
Though he grew up with hip- hop back in the days, he also listened to some OGS like Eric B, Arrested Development, Fu schnickens, Heavy D, MC Light, Da Brat, KRS 1.
According to him, the hip- pop genre has since changed with a lot of fusion that has occurred overtime. “I actually don’t listen to the trend any more as it is now turning into trap music. I don’t like the way the younger generations are doing it,” he remarked.