My name is Demetrie Perry but I go by Murda Gwapacino. I’m founder of one half of FamLifeProductions/Beyond A Failure. I’m from a small town called Henderson A.K.A Gate City located in North Carolina. As a person from the Gate I grew up around a lot of music. It wasn’t until I got older that I started taking a interest in becoming an artist. That is when my cousin Quon’Trell Allen, who goes by Trell Blazer, and I started building our label.
Life in the Gate wasn’t easy, from seeing drugs and violence every other day. To avoid being another target in my city, I turned to music as a way to stay out of the streets as much as possible. Trell and I have been doing music since 2007, in 2014 we really started taking it more seriously. Now as we venture on this journey we hope to be an inspiration to the all youth. Also, to give other artist in the city a chance to showcase their talents.
I really see myself as a hard worker, which one day I pray will turn into CEO position. I plan on making this label bigger than any other. My goal is to get my start to be able to manage other artist and expanding the label. I also want to touch every aspect of the music industry such as: filming, producing, management, engineering, etc. I want to make a huge impact on the industry and not just be all flashy and arrogant. I want to make a difference in Hip-Hop.
Trell Blazer and myself are businessmen and we plan on taking the industry by storm. In the next 2 to 5 years we see each other making this label a multi-billion dollar company. We want to do that by making intelligent decisions and smart investments. We plan on having a lot of endorsements and offers to make the label bigger and better. The goal is to come in the industry with a clear mind, a pure heart and give the people what they want.
So to conclude this Trell Blazer and I are going to make power moves. We are going to shake up the industry and give the people great content. We are going to have the biggest and most profitable label ever and bring numerous amounts of talent to the table. We pray to have the opportunity to put these plays into motion. Once again we thank all our supporters and everyone who made us who we are.
What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about your upbringing/experiences as a youth:
I grew up in the state of North Carolina, in a small town, called Henderson. Being from a small town music became an outlet for me because in the generation I grew up in it was a lot of inappropriate behaviors that would try to drag you in. Music has been apart of my family for a very long time. When I was little with my grandfather had his own gospel group. My grandmother would always walk around our home singing, which pushed my heart toward the love for music. As a child I was always taught to follow my dreams, be true to myself and also treat people with respect. I use those lessons in my music, they are a very big part of the artist I am today. In my soul I know that music has always been meant to for me.
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?
The moment I came to realize that music was a part of my life was at the age of twelve. Music has always been a part of my upbringing. At seventeen was the age that I decided to put that part of my life into perspective. My cousin and I, Quon’Trell, put our creative ideas together and decided to start a small label called FamlifeProductions/Beyond A Failure. My music is one that people in my community and in my situation can turn to and forget about their problems. I’m very blessed that it can have that impact on people, that’s what I strive for. This is why music is so important to me , being able to help people by giving them and extravagant content to vibe to.
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why?
The artist that inspired/influenced me is J Cole. I say Cole not only because he’s from North Carolina, but also because he is a power house and has a magnificent word play. If I had a chance to collaborate with an artist I would say Migos. The reason is because I love their style, it’s very up beat and energetic. They have an amazing flow and again just like J Cole a wonderful word play.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
I believe that the current state of hip hop is it’s all time high. Not only has times changed but it is a lot of new style in the industry now. I like the fact that hip hop today ventures out with so many unique styles.
Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about?
The project I’m most excited about is my mixtape “I Just Signed Myself”, I put my heart and soul in it. I put my all in everything I do, “I Just Signed Myself” is just near and dear to me. During the process of doing this project, I was going through a rough patch in my life. This project just helped me cope a lot. Every song on the project has a different meaning and story behind them.
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
My short term goal is to get my start in the industry. I want to build a platform for an artist in my hometown to be able to voice there music as well. I also want to be able to give my mother the house of her dreams because she is the reason that I’ve made it this far.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years?
My long term goal is to have one of the biggest labels in the industry. I’d like to build houses such as big brother programs in my community to give to younger generation more fundamental options to stay out of the streets.
If you had one song out of the catalogue you have created to show a person what song would it be and why?
The song I would choose would be “Hate to See” on the “ I Just Signed Myself” mixtape, the reason for this would be that it was really written from the heart. I was at a very low point in my life and so many people turned their back against me. Now that I’m doing better and turning my life around the same people who turned on me have their hand out and are trying to return. As the song says “They love you when your down, they hate to see when you winning.” This song was to tell my story and for people who can relate.
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 would tell that I make my music for the struggle and everybody that has been through a struggle. No matter what you been through or maybe even going through my music will put you in a place where you forget about your situation and inspire you to grind and keep your head up. I would tell them that not only is my music for the people but I support those who support me.
If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be?
THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE!
What do you bring to the game that is unique and different?
I bring myself, I’m just a unique individual. I was raised to be myself so if thats not something different then I don’t know what is. As far as the music goes it speaks for itself hands down.
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 tell the to keep grinding and stay focus. I would tell them never let anyone deprive you of your dreams. Always keep God first in all that you do and watch how blessings come your way.
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?
Twitter : _TheRealMurda / BAF_FLP
Facebook: Murda Gwapacino / Trell Olajuwon Allen
Instagram: _Famlifeceo / bafxfamlife
Snapchat: Murda Gwapacino / beyondafailure
Spinrilla: Murda Gwapacino ” I Just Signed Myself “
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
Thank you all for the true love, support and encouragement . I’d like to give all honor to God and I hope to be an inspiration to anyone listening to my music.