Cartier J Perspective on FOCUSED
There was no vision really. The best content always comes when there's no plan and everything goes with the flow. The lyrics to focused was entirely a freestyle. From the hook to the verse. And as far as the video goes, my camera man Paparrazzi mapped out everything. I just wanted something dope and it came out the way it was supposed to.
Music means everything to me! It's a lifestyle really. Music helps me get by in life. It's built relationships for me and opened doors I never would have thought could. I'm built for this and I love it with everything in me.
My name is Cartier J. I'm an songwriter, artist, producer and beat maker. I make music for those who need to escape reality and just vibe out.
With "Focused" I feel like I was at a point in life where I needed to pop off. I come from a city where anything can happen at any moment. I'm getting money, people saying things but not standing on ten, I realized I was dibbling and dabbling with drugs and felt like I need to stop all the B.S and focus on what's really important, which is making sure I handle business, I stay paid and prayed up, focus on my dream and let go of all the negative things from stopping me from getting to where I need to be. That's what this song means to me.
I would need for you to define this question so I know how to answer it. I feel like I know but I do not want to answer incorrectly
When I was 2 years old. I've been involved with music my entire life! But only now did I really start investing in what I do and started taking it more seriously.
Hip Hop and rap. It could really be its own category cause I'm rapping but in a melodic way.
My sounds evolved A LOT!! I was more so focused on the rap aspect of things ( no pun intended ). Not to be funny or anything but literally 3 years ago is when I started making records in a melodic way and I felt like that fit more. I learned new ways on how to structure hooks to catch the viewer's attention, pitch correction, how to piece together catchy ad libs etc. I'm really happy with where I am at with everything and I'm still learning till this day!
I pay attention to everything when I listen to music. All the way down to how the artist is recording their record and the effects they use. I try implementing new ways to grasp what I am hearing and apply to my records in my own way depending on the vibe of the record. It's really like construction. You build as you go. But I pay attention to vibes, ideas of the record down to how the record is written, produced, ETC!
BLXST & Bino Rideaux. My music is heavily based on their vibe so all of us together would go absolutely crazy! Or even a Mustard tour would be dope.
If you want to vibe out and do ya 2 step, bump this shit right here mane
West coast based. 2 step feel good vibes, blow tree with the homies and kick it. Preferably Los Angeles vibes due to my experiences out there. The scenery and my vibe when I'm out there has always been amazing so really I just paint a picture in my own way. As someone who originally is from Sac, I'll always love the south west coast sound because it's what fits me
Bino & Blxst. The energy behind their music is dope and I literally know their music by heart. I'd have hella fun at one of their shows!
It'll have to be "Focused". It's different. I was in a crazy time in my life and the way this song flowed together was perfect. AMEN and I's vibe and energy made it better. When I needed a stem re recorded he had no issue doing it cause we both wanted the record to be perfect. I just feel like I hit another pocket with this one and it not only can be timeless, but very relatable as well.
Donell Jones, Bino Rideaux and Nipsey Hussle. Donell for when I need to listen to r&b and something smooth, Bino Rideaux for when I feel like vibing out and turning up and Nip for when I want to listen to that realness.
This a fire question. My dream show would have to be sold out so where in California or Arizona because I'm from both states. I would love it to be fully packed out phones out so it looks like I'm looking at the stars and when I perform my records every one knows the lyrics to each and every song and their just shouting them back at me. This would completely turn me up. I just want everyone to have a good time and the energy lit.
Blxst. He literally came up doing everything I can do and is just as talented. I can learn a thing or two from him.
Lmao in a bathroom
I just want them to feel good. Be at peace and just vibe out. I make music that turns people up when they're low. Music that'll make you bob ya head n tune out everything.
Someone who's hardworking, talented and passionate about their work. I'm very articulate and I'm a perfectionist so I don't put out just anything. It has to be perfect. I'm also really strategic so it has to go with the flow.
Thru social media or word of mouth. I feel like social media is the new "word of mouth anyways so any one will do. You get your record to someone and they genuinely rock with the record to the point where they have to share it with others means the world to me.
I don't practice. I just go with the flow.
I was at a local artist show and the Dj played my record. There was someone there that started banging while dancing to it and he was telling everyone that it was his shit. So when I got in the middle of the circle and started performing it he went bizzerk! He was super geeked that the song he was fucking with was mine and he was saying it was the dopest shit he heard in years.
Success is when you put yourself in a position that you dream of putting yourself in and accomplishing that. To take care of yourself, your business and family. That's what success means to me.
Just by making the music I love to make and having fun with it. Bringing my ideas to life so others can not only see, but feel me as well.
A big role! You have people that's so infatuated with the type of music an artist makes that it can change their entire life. Especially if they grow up listening to it. That's why as an artist we must watch what we say because people listen.
