Maz - a rap artist with universal appeal

This week we explore Maz; the man behind the catchy hiphop tunes By Myself and Ngi'l Nigga San.

Streetlamp:  Who are your main musical influences?
Maz:  My musical idols are Will Smith, Ll Cool J and Ludacris. T.I just fell into the picture recently!
 
SL:  Do you write your own songs?
M:  I write my own music from beats to lyrics, but I also believe in giving other people chances – so I got young and up coming producers to work with me on my project.
 
SL:  What is your music about? Is there an underlying message?
M:  I know it’s an overly used cliché but my music is about stuff that I go through on day-to-day basis - that’s why I cannot have people writing for me. I do not believe ghostwriters would write my heart out like I do.
 
SL:  If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?
M:  A place I would love to perform at would be my hometown, Mbabane, SWAZILAND. Since I released my album I haven’t been there to perform – and Lagos Nigeria of course!
 
SL:  What do you do to pay the bills, or does your music earn you enough?
M:  Speaking of bills I think its time I get me a second job. I’m a sound engineer by qualification. I graduated in 2007. I work for BokoneMusic and I pay my bills through them, but I still think a second job would do. Rapping is a hobby more than a job.
 
SL:  What are the biggest obstacles for upcoming bands or artists?
M:  The biggest obstacles for upcoming bands or artist are the lack of backbone. That’s what my grandma used to tell me when I was growing up. She used to say if you don’t stand by your word then you out. So if you’re disciplined and determined, and you know what you want in life and know who your God is…it’s done, you have it all.
 
SL:  What inspires you?
M:  I’m easily inspired…I mean my inspiration comes from good music. If I hear a track and I think damn! I go do mine, period.
 
SL:  "You’ll know you've made it when..."
M:  I will know I have made it the day I see my album get nominated for a Grammy - think big to achieve B.I.G, lol
 
SL:  "It'll be time to pack up the gear for good when..."
M:  Me pack up for good…I don’t see it happening.
 
SL:  "I'll never forget the first time I..."
M:  I’ll never forget the first time I got paid for my music…it was like… whoa! Am I really getting paid for making people dance? It was really exciting!
 
SL:  What are your plans for the future?
M:  The future, the future…okay the future is now and I am making sure that I became more than just a Hip hop icon. I also wanna be this successful business entrepreneur. I’m starting off small with Maz, later ama see, wzup!

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