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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT—SEVON (Con’t)
Who's at the top of your playlist on your iTunes or radio right now?
My top playlist song/artist is my new music. I write a lot and I stopped listening to most mainstream music outlets years ago
as to not affect my own creativity
How do you feel about being an independent artist?
Being independent has its challenges just like being on a major does. So it’s more about what challenges are you willing to
live with. I prefer not to be controlled if I can help it. So from that stand point I love the independent route.
How has your fan base turned out since you started?
My fan base is still growing. Fans like to see consistency in an artist and when you’re an indie that takes a lot more time to
develop and show.
What are the goals and heights that Sevon wants to reach?
My goal as an artist is to win a Grammy COMPLETELY independent!
Any advice for young people that want to succeed in the hip-hop/rap world?
My advice to up and coming artist is to try every aspect of music. When you do this you find out what
your bad at, and then you find out what your good at. Then you find out what your great at. That’s
your starting point. When you recognize your specific greatness (and you love it) just keep going and
don’t quit, and then don’t quit some more.
What would you change in the music industry if you were a top exec.?
If I was a powerful music exec, I would change how talent was discovered and then I would lobby to
change the diversity of the music played via the major music outlets.
If you weren't Se'von the rapper what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t Se'von the recording artist (not the rapper) I would be even more involved with charities and
public speaking than I already am "my bad playa'..*the recording artist*".
What should people expect from a live show from you?
People can expect passion, big songs and a very much LIVE experience. After I perform I often get
asked where my type of music has been.
How do you feel about originality?
I believe that originality is very much missing in today’s market and in my opinion the major labels are mostly to blame. Be-
cause they seek out a certain style/sound that has already been proven to make money they re-create that image/sound until
it’s played out. Then they do it again with a different image/sound. But the consumers are left with 8 out of 10 new artists
all sounding similar.
What’s next from Se'von?
I am doing a WHOLE lot. From working with kids in Minnesota to writing for other artists (one of them COULD be Keri Hil-
son) recording new music for my solo projects as well as writing music for film and TV...and on this ending note. I have come
to realize it is not about the destination is, it’s most certainly about the journey and I’d like to take fans of passionate music
along with me ...on my journey.