It’s always been said that April brings rain, so it’s only right that Carolina All Day brings you just that. An April featured artist that REIGNS over the Carolina Hip Hop scene. Blackstorm sat down with Carolina All Day and blessed us with a look inside the life of a true Carolina hip hop veteran. Check out the interview below.

CAD:You started out DJ’ing at a very young age prior to rapping. 13, right? Tell us how that started and what you’ve learned as you grow up in the industry.

Blackstorm:Well I use to always listen to 98.7 kiss fm in New York all the time and hear funk master flex & red alert scratching and blended different songs, and I was so amazed by that, I decided I wanted to do the exact same thing (true story) lol. And what I learned is u must be dedicated to this game, because it’s not easy at all. Never give and always know the skies is no limit 4real…..

CAD:Your extensive live performances boast an arsenal of major artists such as Ashanti, Musiq, etc. Did you get anything out of those experiences?

Blackstorm:I can say I honestly learned a lot from it, the main thing I learned was no matter what or who you are. You must give it your all when you are out there performing in front of 15 or 20,000 people, because you don’t get chances like that often. And another thing I learned is always be yourself, that’s so important to me.

CAD:What do you feel it takes to be successful in the Music Industry?

Blackstorm:Hard work and dedication is # 1, but like I said before you must be yourself at all times, you also must be business oriented. Because if your business is not right, you will find yourself going nowhere fast…..I also feel having a strong team behind you is important nowadays also, another thing I know that will make you successful in this music industry/business is putting out great music. Not just a hot song or 2.im talking bout official songs……which in my opinion a lot of artist lack (4realllllllll)

CAD:Who are your music influences?

Blackstorm:Man where do I start…lol big daddy kane, slick rick, kool g rap, canibus, nas, biggie, 2pac, big l, big pun, lost boyz (which by the way is my family) r.i.p freaky tah, and of course 50 cent

CAD:We all know the mixtape game is strong throughout the F.A.M.M. Click. Are you working on any commercial projects?

Blackstorm:Yes I’m actually working on my 1st official album, which I’m not too sure what I’m gonna title it, but I’m in the studio going hard with that 4real…..I’m also reading a few scripts for 2 movies as well

CAD:What message do you think your music conveys?

Blackstorm:I would say truthfully, I feel my music stands out so much because of what I speak about. My problem is I’m too damn honest when I write. I like to speak about what I’ve been through, seen or actually am going through now. Being make believe is something I’m bad at(lol)

CAD:What advise can you give the new artists trying to enter the game?

Blackstorm:Stick to your game plan, don’t let anyone alter or change your way or thinking, writing or rapping. Be able to take criticism whether it’s good or bad, don’t have “YES MEN” in ya circle at all, always keep positive people around you, build relationships with other local artist, djs & producers, hit up all the local showcases & open mics, overall create a machine and when you do create it, find a way to operate it and keep it pushing 100%

CAD:What are some long term goals you plan to achieve in the music business?

Blackstorm:I plan on taking my label “F.A.M.M. inc” to another level. I want to be one of the biggest independent labels ever, and believe me I’m going to make that happen sooner than later. I plan on having a marketing & promotional company that deals with other labels & artist



CAD:So, from just reading on your myspace page, is it really as easy as paying $400 to get a hot 16 from BlackStorm?

Blackstorm: (Laughs) yes yes, but don’t think I’m just charging everybody to do a feature because I’m not so any artist wanna collab get at ya boy…..I mainly charge artist that come to me with a budget….

CAD:Do you feel hip hop is dead? (Explain your reasoning either way)

Blackstorm:Not at all do I feel hip hop is dead. I feel it’s suffering from a lack of great music, but I won’t say it’s dead. Man this is a topic of discussion often within my team and I. I feel like this, if hip hop was the way it was when I grew up right now, it would be boring, and I say that because hip hop must evolve it must have different sounds & styles. We can’t be conscience all the damn time, nor can we party all the time, so when u got music like snap & hyphy & crunk, I feel that’s good for hip hop, because that make true mcs such as myself step they game up, because we are so use to lyricism and messages in our raps, when we hear or see everybody having fun or dancing we get upset(lol) that’s why I say to every artist out there make great music and stop complaining about who killed hip hop…..cause if you ask me, I think the people who are always complaining are the ones who make hip hop boring & wack. Because they be the ones putting out that trash music…..

CAD:What do you feel you “bring to the table” that other artists just can’t match up to?

Blackstorm:Realness.im not just a artist who raps, I produce engineer & dj….I also put on a great show for my fans & supporters, which to me is #1.i feel anyone can rap, but it take a true artist to be able to perform & put on a hella great show….

CAD:You’re nominated for the NCUMA 2009 Grind Hard Award. Do you think that appropriately describes your musical drive? (explain)

Blackstorm:Yes I do, but at the end of the day the people determines that you feel me, I just grind hard & continue to stay focus, that’s all I can really say about that. I didn’t to be nominated, but I am so thankful to be nominated…but like I said the people out here see my grind and they know I’m not gonna stop for nothing…4real

CAD:Do you think the internet has influenced music, hip hop to be specific, in a negative or positive way? (explain)

Blackstorm:I would say in a positive way, but there can be some negative things also, but overall the internet is a great thing, especially for hip hop, it allows us to network & meet people, it gives artist a chance to get there music played around the world, you can do so much now adays its unbelievable. I feel the internet has helped a lot of people careers take off. The negative side of it kinda comical to me, because everything negative I've seen actually was funny, whether it’s beef between artist or court cases. It’s all hip hop to me ya know………

CAD:Shout Outs/websites/myspace etc.?

Blackstorm:1st off I must thank the man above for blessing me, I must say shout out to Carolina allday.com for giving me a chance to let the world know a lil bout me. Shout out to the whole “F.A.M.M. CLIQUE” FROM “NY, AZ,LA,NC,GA,SERBIA” ALL OVER, SHOUT OUT TO THE NCUMAS AND THE WHOLE ENTIRE STAFF.I wanna shout out all the Carolina artist out here doing their thing, it’s so many I’m not gonna begin to mention any names, but know this if I fucks with you, you know I’m talking to you……….

Check my myspace page out
www.myspace.com/blackstormda1