The Come Up: TVMKILLA Interview
Making his first appearance on the IAHHM platform by way of our boy DIRTY WHITE, allow me to introduce yall to the homie TVMKILLA. TVMKILLA is a part of a collective of creatives and artists housed together as “TVMFAM”. Now, these guys are highly organized and determined to make their imprint in the music industry, leaving no man out. We had the chance to catch up with the homie TVMKILLA to talk about various topics such as; HOW TVMFAM was created, Top Rappers in the game, the streaming era, advice for upcoming artists, Drake, Kanye West and more. Tap in our newfound family TVMKILLA by streaming his latest tracks, and reading the full TVMKILLA Interview below.
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TVMKILLA INTERVIEW
WHERE DOES DRAKE RANK IN YOUR BEST OVERALL RAPPER LIST?
Damn why this gotta be the first question? Drake definitely gets #1 in my book overall since his “room for improvement” days. He paved the way for Rappers like myself that like to sing on a track just as much as they can come equipped with bars. He might not have been the 1st to do it. But in the words of the legend himself, “It’s not about who did it 1st, it’s bout who did it right”.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 2030?
- Out of debt, still single, working just as hard as I do now to reach the next level as many pinnacles life blesses me to touch.
FAVORITE HIP HOP GROUP OF ALL TIME?
The Throne. Jay and Ye. 2nd to that would be me and DirtyWhite because the same argument can me made for both. The music speaks for its self.
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START BEING INTERSTED IN SPIRITUALITY?
Not gonna lie, didn’t even know the difference between spirituality and religion. But honestly, 24 two years ago when I first started writing “PREACH” and started studying Dharma.
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU PURSUING YOUR GOALS
My mom is and will always be my #1 supporter in anything I choose to do in life. That motivation got me to where I am today and will continue to push me for the rest of my life.
It’s far as my dad, I don’t even think he knows I’m alive
WHAT PLATFORM ARE YOU USING TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS?
Www.TVMFAM.com is the homepage. Promotion wise is definitely Insta because that’s my biggest following.
WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON KANYE WEST?
He made “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. No matter what he goes through that man will forever be a legend in my book. Ye inspires the brutal honesty I put in my songs. He taught us that as an artist it is your duty to think outside the norm. If you’re holding back on anything you’re not doing your art justice.
HOW MANY ARTISTS or FREELANCERS HAVE YOU COLLABORATED WITH LOCALLY?
Too many to name everyone. But even then not enough. My entire FAM project Vol. 1 and 2 features 18 different artist. Specifically to ensure that no matter where I go my city coming with me.
HOW SERIOUS ARE YOU ABOUT MAKING A LIVING FROM YOUR PASSION ? ARE YOU A STUDENT OF YOUR CRAFT?
I give music my all. I study music every chance I get. I just got done studying sales funnels in order to learn how to understand analytics each level gains me so that I am able to extend my reach to more fans and have more time to cater to the dedicated fans the way they deserve to be catered.
The business side of music is crucial to make it in this industry and if there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that every man is just as lost as the next but I study and learn what’s going to take us to the next level every day. I wish I had that same drive in school. I feel like I study more now than I did then.
Even more importantly I study the industry as a whole. I make sure to stay updated with every wave coming across so I know what’s poppin in the streets, I catch everyone’s interviews and podcasts to take every bit of wisdom anyone has to offer in order to apply it to all of my next steps. You can’t infiltrate an industry you know nothing about.
On top of that I still practice playing music fundamentals. I still do at least 10 minutes of vocal training a day. I still go back to my guitar technique books and practice fundamentals just so that when it’s time for me to perform I’m at my peak.
It shocks me how much everyone wants to get in it but doesn’t focus any time to master their craft. There’s too much to learn in music to ever feel like there’s nothing you can’t improve on.
WHAT IS LACKING IN HIP HOP MUSIC OR MUSIC IN GENERAL THAT YOU THINK CAN CHANGE?
Actual musicians. People who really study sound for a living. They are all surrounding major artists but rarely are they the face. I feel that people have been getting in based on the fame before the talent. And don’t get me wrong there’s been a lot of good business minded artist that got in to be successful in this industry but at what cost to the art?
I exist to bring the focus back to the love of music so that as you journey through the evolution of music you will forever know that nothing has to be suffices in order to be successful.
IN ORDER, RANK YOUR TOP 5 PRODUCERS IN THE GAME RIGHT NOW?
- Lil Edd (My Producer)
- 40
- Kanye
- Troyboi
- Boy-1da
FAVORITE ALBUM OF 2019?
- “Is He Real”? By IDK. It was my first time ever hearing him and I had no idea what to expect. I took one listen from to beginning to end and couldn’t even tell when the songs changed. That album is flawless from start to finish. Features included. Mans hit every style you could want. Production unreal. It’s different, gave me a fresh hope for music. S/o IDK let’s link up.
IN ORDER, RANK YOUR TOP 5 RAPPERS IN THE GAME
- Jay-Z
- Big Sean
- Drake
- DirtyWhite
- Tory Lanez
TOP 5 R&B Artists?
- Jhene Aiko (Bae)
- H.E.R
- PARTYNEXTDOOR
- Teyana Taylor
- Jessie Reyez
TOP 5 SINGERS OF ALL TIME?
Jhene Aiko
Amy Winehouse
Beyoncé
Alina Baraz
H.E.R
DO YOU THINK THE STREAMING ERA IS HURTING OR BENEFITING ARTISTS THESE DAYS?
It’s the evolution of music. Everything has its pros and cons. But i do think it’s a blessing to have the access we do to music now. And due to streaming artist are allowed to bypass major labels and profit from being independent. Like me being an independent artist. I get paid off 10,000 streams the same way someone with a deal would get paid with 100,000 streams.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO ASPIRING ARTISTS FROM YOUR AREA?
Dare to be different. Never be afraid of criticism. And never stop learning. It takes awhile to find out what makes your sound “your sound” but you only learn that through working with a bunch of musicians, finding people in music that push you to better and bring out another side you didn’t even know existed.
Where are you from ?
Born & Raised from the port city, Wilmington, NC
-Do you work on this project alone or is there a team involved ?
With every great musician comes a powerful team. TVM Killa as a whole is comprised of many talented musicians at this point I’m just the orchestrater. People confuse FAM as a record label. It is not nor will it ever be. FAM is an idea that artists can be themselves as a collective, all for the love of music, unifying the efforts. Jon Ward, my best friend, the person who gave me the idea to start recording music, the link to all my relations today, is the co-creator of FAM. He materialized FAM into fruition by making the first ever FAM shirt. Now he is the owner of BasePrint making Artist Merch for the low low and I am proud to say that FAM merch started with Jon and will always be made by Jon. I can’t imagine a progression in this industry without him. Cam Dukez is the only other rapper in FAM. The mans in animal and we’d have an entire album if he didn’t move to Massachusetts about 2 years ago. Thank god while he was here we made enough music together that me and him will be dropping another song together in 2020. Jon linked me up with DJ Young Will who runs my Facebook page, promo. His wife makes the covers. DirtyWhite is my number #1 collaborator and rap counterpart.
He is crucial as fuck to the entire timeline, a lot would not be possible without him. Mad love to Stay Rooted we work side by side on the regular and it’s always love. That’s the idea of FAM, none of this wouldn’t be possible without this family of musicians that work just as hard as me if not harder.
-what is your dream job?
Music
If you were offered a perfect distribution/sponsorship from every major company in america which company would suit you and your brand the most?
- It’d be like the in between of Dreamville and Billion Dollar Baby Ent. I am the blend of both respective groups damn near equally but more important than anything is I put on for NC. It wouldn’t matter which side I was on they both family.
-What is your favorite movie? Favorite actor?
- Moulin Rouge, i’m a hopeless romantic and a penniless guitar player. Favorite Actor? Rachel Bilson – the chick from jumper. We gotta link up one day. My life won’t be complete until I get a chance to sniff the b*tch at least once.
-Tell me some of your biggest and/or most enjoyable moments so far?
My first video “Party Girls” go see that, you can’t be mad in that atmosphere, My 2nd video “Legacy” we had bitches hanging out the window. Shit was wild. Last I would say finishing this album. “PREACH”
-Name 3 things that make you unique as an artist?
“My modesty’s in my honesty” – There’s no barriers between me and the music, shit if anything, you’ll learn more about me through my music than you will by talking to me.
There’s not one genre I can’t body.
Number 3? I’m Killa King Killa
-Where do you see yourself going with this? What are your big plans?
- Like I said the number move is out of debt. A life my family was never able to see. Preferably while we’re still alive. Even if I have to lose the opportunity to relax in order to make sure my family makes it to Bora Bora. I’m game. Let’s go. I want to die as the black great Gatsby. I want to be known for having the best parties every weekend and when I die, preferably in a pool of full of bitches.
-Any projects in the works?
- Yessir, THE ALBUM IS DONE! I can’t explain how good of a feeling that is. Before this album I would always set dates and everything would be rushed. An there’s always something that doesn’t click right and in order to meet deadlines, sacrifices must be made. Not with the Album. Its been 2 years in the making and well worth every second. It’s my first full cohesive project. All the instrumentals are Prod. by DayToDayontheTrack who I linked up through IG. We kicked it off immediately and he was on my ass every month checking in making sure I was keeping the focus. I was still finishing up FAM Vol. 1 and 2 was supposed to follow it so I’m putting PREACH in the background trying to get this all squared away. Then Lil Edd came into the picture and here’s another guy that matches my work ethic and my pace. Significant price tag, but worth every penny. I drive out to link up with him at his studio to record it. He said “I got this U-87 mic over here bruh, its the same mic Drake and Future used for “what a time to be alive”. I’m thinkin its cap until I get there. That microphone is a new world. Me and this man knocked out 4 songs in 2 hours because that’s how fluid that equipment is. After that Lil edd became my predominant engineer once he got on the project, it was the third leg to the tripod. There was no way it wasn’t gonna slap.
- So without further ado… I present to you. The next installment of TVM Killa, “PREACH” The Trapsoul album that teaches the streets about the 7 spiritual laws of success. I started writing this in Miami because, let’s be honest there’s no better place to clear your mind. There I studied each Law in order to understand Dharma as a whole. I thought it was just a book. Read it and done. I was wrong. Dharma is a practice. The only way to truly experience it, is to practice it. While I’m going through the lessons, I get dragged back into the underworld while in Miami because I realize, as much as my soul draws me closer to the wonderful life that the study of Dharma can bring you, I like the dark side. So at a point I realize I needed the light side of the force just as much as the dark side of force to be able to rock this concept. So I structured each song about each individual law in order to make sure you can play this at the club and still gain knowledge of our existence subconsciously…
- So Look out for that. There’s a secret album being released to all my subscribers before the album. So tap in and get that now. Subscribe @ Www.TVMFAM.com I have a single dropping with DirtyWhite near the end of this month to set the tone for 2020. Expect a bunch of features. I’m out here. I’m trying to work with as many people as possible before the price goes up. So if you want to link HMU!
-Whats the best way to get in
contact with you if we need work done?
You can find me @ Www.TVMFAM.com for features/bookings/prices/
tours/merch/ etc. Insta @ TVMFAM if you wanna slide in the DMs. I accept those too. Twiiter @ TVMFAM. Empura on snap if you really f*ck me and wanna see the BTS. But for I AM HIP HOP MAG? You can hit my line whenever for whatever at anytime. I fucks wit ya. Our Affiliates Include Amazon, Target, Fansedge, Distrokid, DTLR/VILLA, Beverly Diamonds, Menlo Club, Walmart, CreativeLive, TopLeftBooking, Fiverr, and Many More.
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