Today’s featured artist was discovered by NHH staff on Twitter – his song “Fed Up” caught our ears and we reached out to feature him. He has a very unique style and a creative flow. C.R.A.N.E definitely stands out from allot of aspiring artists. Be sure to check out the exclusive interview and song bellow.
What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about your upbringing/experiences as a youth
I am a 23 year old black male. I grew up in Annapolis, Maryland on the East Coast. My mother birthed me on March 31, 1993 at the age of 17. Growing up as a child, we were not the richest. Bouncing from home to home without a stable place to live, I had to put together hand me downs for an outfit. During that era, a lot of African American kids were growing up without a father figure, and I happen to be one of them. Crack Cocaine was what divided my family at home, but at that time I was too young to understand. By the age of 7, I began growing comfortable without having my father around but always receiving the love that I needed from my mother, grandmother, and uncles. Before a father figure, I was just like every other boy hanging around with my older cousins where they schooled me to all different types of music. Sometimes they would joke around and tell me I am a young man with an old soul and I laughed and responded “I guess I’m trapped in the 90s”. I have always been a creative person during my youth which transpired over to now. I could always remember as if it was yesterday, performing for my family dancing to the Temptations as they would record home videos.
At what moment did you know that music was part of your life and what feelings did you have towards making an active impact with your music?
At the age of 18, I was living with my stepfather because I wasn’t getting along with my mother at that time (Tupac – Dear Mama) explains it all. Around that time I was feeling rebellious, I had a plan that I was going to do what I wanted to and how I wanted to no matter the outcome I was ready for whatever. At the time my parents couldn’t quite understand that so there was a lot of head bumping going on. Around this time, I was jobless and had graduated from High school. Really not being the college type, I had to find a path for myself while friends were getting ready to attend college. Depression played a big role during the time of me finding my passion for music. Going through my first breakup with my real first girlfriend, I was introduced to Kid Cudi, the album was called “Man On The Moon”. By the end of the album, I was a new person, I mean I know you hear it all the time people saying they found their true selves but there was no true feeling like this feeling. Here I learned through music you could also help other people with your situations you are going through even though we are all different, we are all the same. The problems we go through are sometimes identical but we just handle them in a different way.
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why?
I can say that most of my music influences come from artists such as; Nas, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Marvin Gaye, Kid Cudi, Scarface, Erykah Badu, Wu-Tang Clan, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. If I had the chance to choose who I wanted to work with, it would have to be either Kid Cudi, Nas, or Erykah Badu. I say this because all three of them are strong positive people. Everyone goes through something, but they all seem to stay strong through these years of being in the entertainment industry. All of them have made a great impact in my life and taught me a lot through only their music. Not having a chance to meet them, but being able to turn on their music and have the feeling that they are right there with me. Nas’s “Illmatic” album changed the world for me in all different ways that I could view it. He taught me to not fear anything but God and that as a black male it would be hard for me to accomplish goals but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to accomplish those goals. His vocabulary was so strong coming from a low class area showed me that great things can come out of anything. Growing up with my mother, Erykah Badu was like the Diana Ross of my era. I could always remember Sunday mornings waking up to the smell of breakfast hearing my mother play “Baduizm”. Erykah Badu hit so hard and stuck with me just because of her ways of singing, you could truly hear her passion through each song she made. With such a soft voice, she would become a powerful activist with a strong mind to help the people and that’s what I’m all about.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
Right now I feel like the mainstream is missing true artist that are in love with the music first and chasing the money and fame second. Those things are fine don’t get me wrong, most people wouldn’t turned them down, but I’m different I’ve learned that when you have a craft and you perfect that craft your earnings will soon come.
Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about?
I just released a new track from artist SchoolBoy Q’s new album “Blank Face” called “Tookie Knows II”. The track is called “Fed Up” which is now available on Soundcloud under C.R.A.N.E Endeavor Supreme. I have decided to start releasing a new single every Friday this will be called “Madd Fridays” here I will be creating my own trend by releasing new projects every week for my fans.
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
Just focused on communicating with new fans, meeting new people, and touching base with everyone who wants to know about C.R.A.N.E and my future plans. I also will be releasing visuals for upcoming “Fed Up” video and looking to hit the venues hard with stage performances then even getting my merch ready to hit the market.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years?
I want to have a set team by this time that are genuinely there to help me with any and everything no matter what. What I mean by that is a loyal strong team riding with me until the very end and all around successful. I don’t have to have the biggest house or the fastest car just stability and have made a name for myself. Maybe even end up on XXL Freshman Cover
If you had one song out of the catalog you have created to show a person what song would it be and why?
I have an unreleased song called “Guapanese” that I’m getting ready to drop. I chose this song because of the topic “Guapanese” it is another word for money. Throughout the song, I go through explaining how it is to have money and not to have money, giving you views from both sides
To the person who had never heard of you what is it about your music and story that you would tell them to entice them to be a supporter?
I’d have to say, you can never really be quite sure on what I’m going to come up with next, I’m not boxed in to a certain type of genre, and trying to always remain that way. I can come up with anything at any time… Just all depending on my feelings, and mindset at that very time.
If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be?
Powerful. Creative. Conscious. Enlightening. Moody
What do you bring to the game that is unique and different?
My style is like no other, I’m a son to the hip/rap game, what I mean by that is … I was created from so many different types of music that you’d probably couldn’t place me in a category with anyone that can match up with me, at this day and age especially. I bring the old and the new, put it together and you have me. C.R.A.N.E
To the aspiring artist who is considering a career as a musician what lessons or advice would you give them to inspire them or to uplift them in the journey?
I would just say, only you know what it is you want in life whether its working at Denny’s or being a athlete, or even a artist. Just do it the best you can, the way you want to, don’t be afraid of mistakes because that’s the way you learn what to do again and what not to do. Can’t be afraid of failing because without taking the chance …you’d never know what a success you could have been
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?
I can be reached on…
Twitter @HeOfficialCRANE
Instagram @HeOfficialCRANE
SnapChat @cranexcomealong
Soundcloud @C.R.A.N.E Endeavor Supreme
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me I’m a regular person just like everyone else!
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
Hey everyone I’d like to thank you all for taking the time out to check out my interview, it means a lot to me I couldn’t ask for anything else. I’d like to give a special shout out to hiphopnow.com for giving me this opportunity, and also a big shout out to Mr. Moe Rock I truly appreciate this, until we meet again stay tuned in with me I have a lot in store for my fans. Looking forward to releasing “Fed Up” (Official Video) during August. So much more to come until then everyone stay safe and grind hard there’s nothing we can’t do.