the
experience
Slate
It always amazes me when I see young artists who are on their grind. For as hard as you see some younger artists
working, it’s still not necessarily the norm. Connecting with Slate, we knew it would be an opportunity to spotlight
his upcoming performance showcase, but it turned into a greater cause. Anytime we get the chance, it’s important yes we recognize the hard work that artists are putting into their careers, their passion, and so forth. Slate is
working tirelessly and diligently at building his career; so hard that it’s hard to believe he’s still technically a minor. In just a few short years, he’s built a name in music that is sure to stand the test of time, given the amount of
work he’s out in. I mention his showcase again, primarily because while most artists would wait for someone to
organize such an opportunity for them, he took the time and organized it himself. Just listening to him speak, you
realize immediately just how articulate and well-spoken he is. He’s definitely wise beyond his years, and you’ll
see that in our exclusive. He gives us the rundown on his upcoming showcase, his upcoming EP, and the big announcement he plans to make later this month! We’re excited to present to you: SLATE!
UG Digital Mag: Greetings to you. I appreciate you for your time
today. I know you’ve worked really hard for a few years to get
established. Begin by talking about how you ended up in Atlanta,
given you’re from New York.
commercials, tv shows, voiceovers, and print ads. I’ve done multiple Chuck E Cheese spots. I was on the Electric Company. I’ve
done a lot as an actor. That was more what I was known as. At
first, I was going to continue with that.
Slate: There’s not really much story behind it. I came home from
school one day and my mom said we were moving (laughing). I
didn’t really want to. If it were up to me, I would still be in New
York, but she made the decision.
UG Digital Mag: I think it’s great though. What’s the one thing you
feel that you represent as an artist, considering you’ve made the
transition to music?
UG Digital Mag: I think it turned out to be a good thing though.
There’s so much happening in Atlanta which has proven to be
good for your career. It’s a good thing, and you’ve been blessed
to showcase your talent. How has that transition been, given the
fact you initially did not want to go?
Slate: As an artist, it hasn’t been that bad. I wasn’t really known
as a rapper. In New York, I had just started rapping. I was known
as an actor. As an artist, it wasn’t that much of a transition. It was
more like I was just trying something new. Although I had been
rapping, I just wasn’t doing it for that long. Being here, everything
was new to me. The weather is weird, the slang is weird. It’s like
everyone has accents. I had to learn the same things in school
over again. Eighth grade math here is seventh grade math in
New York. The same thing applied for science. It was difficult to
adjust, but now I’ve been here a long time so it’s much better.
UG Digital Mag: You say you were known as an actor. Had you
acted in a number of things? What types of things had you done?
Slate: I was a child actor, starting at age seven. I’ve been in plays,
Slate: I guess it’s the honesty. I mean, people always ask me
what I rap about. I feel like it’s a weird question because I don’t
rap about just one thing. I don’t pigeonhole myself that way. I rap
about life, whether it’s mine, or that of those around me. I feel
like I represent honesty and transparency. I make sure my music
comes from the heart, no matter what I’m talking about.
UG Digital Mag: Now you have a showcase coming up. As opposed to it being something you are going out for, you’re actually
putting this on yourself. Talk about that.
Slate: This is my first show that I’m doing myself. It’s called the
Even Experience, and It’s coming April 30. It’s a performance
showcase. I’ve been working hard this past two years on my
upcoming project. Aside from that, I have a major announcement
coming up. I wanted a way to present those announcements
along with my new music. When I did my first mixtape two years
ago, I had a listening party while celebrating my birthday. I killed
two birds with one stone then. This year, I really wanted to put on
my first showcase. I’ve grown as my artist, and rather than have
a listening session, I wanted people to come out and vibe with
me, and see me perform. That’s exactly what it is. It’s going to be