~~debbydo~~
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 19959
Location: Hertfordshire
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Interview with Rico Levant (Tru-Fam Records) |
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RICO LEVANT is a Singer/Songwriter/Producer,
He has his own record label called Tru-Fam Records Ltd.
He has also supported Platinum selling R&B singer Joe.
Hi Rico ..
Firstly I would like to thank you for doing this interview for UKEvents.net.
first off tell us a little about yourself and where you are from?
Ok well...I’m a Singer/Songwriter/Producer from a small but talented city called Wolverhampton.
I also run an independent label called Tru-Fam Records which we have 4 artists signed.
Syrona ma’rie – Singer/Songwriter, Angelee – Singer/ Songwriter, Steela - Rapper /Producer, DJ Hillthez – Producer.
Check out www.trufamrecords.co.uk
How long have you been in the music industry?
I’ve been in the music industry (professionally) for 4 years,
but have been performing and making music for over 10 years.
Who inspired you to go into music and influenced you when growing up?
I’d say my mom influenced me to go into music first.
When I was 4 years old, I heard her playing a beat with her hands on the kitchen table whilst waiting for the dinner to cook.
I immediately started mimicking her and started playing a beat on the table too.
It was that very moment I knew I wanted to make music.
My older brother was the one that influenced me growing up though.
He used to make me practice my writing and playing drums at a very young age (which I must thank very much for that).
Who would you like to work with?
I would really like to work with great songwriters like Stevie Wonder, R Kelly, Joe & Craig David.
Great Producers like Timberland, T-Pain, Pharell, Just Blaze. Swiz Beats, Davinche.
Talented artists such as Sway, Busta Rhymes, Mary J Blige, Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Fundmental and many more.
I would also have loved to have worked with legends like Marvin Gaye (R.I.P) and Curtis Redding (R.I.P) & Tupac Shakur (R.I.P).
Have you worked with any big names in urban music?
I have worked with and am currently working with Grammy Award winning U.S Producer Clifford Lee
(Founder of The J.U.S.T.I.C.E League – Mary J Blige, Ludacris, Usher, Jay Holiday, Alisha Keys, Juelz Santana, Young Buck, Lil Wayne).
What dreams do you have for the future?
I have dreams to be successful in what ever I do. You know…
I have many good things I wish to accomplish in the future,
but my first goal is to drastically grow my record label and to expand into song publishing and licensing.
How hard are you finding the music industry?
Well…It has its ups and downs at times,
but, I truly believe that if you believe in yourself and what ever product you have then you just gotta keep things moving.
Speaking from experience, going independent can be hard financially at the beginning, just like any other company,
plus it can be challenging having to adapt to how the business side of music industry is constantly changing.
Being honest, I’d say, the more you promote yourself as a company or artist, the more people are going to be aware of you.
It shows your drive and determination when your name starts popping up everywhere.
It is important to know who your market is and to market to that particular group.
It will become easier the more attention you get. Be sure to have a good team behind you too.
If something clearly doesn’t work, then have a re-think and come better second time around.
I’ll tell you, the perks of being independent are that you get to keep ownership of everything ie.
Copyright, Song lyrics, Imagery ect ect.
You also have a lot more freedom to do things how ever you want.
Plus if profit is earned, you get to keep more of it.
What do you do in your spare time if you have any?
I love to play the Nintendo Wii in my spare time.
I don’t go out clubbing much because I’m mainly in the studio or busy running my label,
but when ever I do, I always make sure I enjoy myself.
I also love to shooting hoops and going to theme parks with my fam.
How would you describe your music?
I’d say highly contagious, a bit of Jodeci mixed with a bit Usher & Omar.
I write songs that most people can relate to.
Love, Life, Happiness, Heart break,
At times sexual, at times serious, at times funny.
Where have you played your gigs and do you have a favourite venue?
Ive played gigs in Birmingham Victoria Square,
Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall, Sweden Malmoe festival and a few more,
But my favourite gig was at Shepards Bush Empire in London.
I was a live supporting act for Platinum selling R&B singer Joe.
The crowd were awesome.
Do you have any last words you would like to add?
Yes!
I would like to say…
Thanks for interviewing me!!!
Much love to everyone at UK Events.
Shout out to Everyone at Tru-Fam Records,
Tru-Fam Records Co-Founder Dezert Rhino, Jess,
Business partners - iFused Media Group, Rock The Beat Ent,
Clifford Lee, N’Chyx, Andrew Webber, Hanifa Queen, Ridla,
Fam – Antony Spencer, Iona, Kye, Trey, Ace, Don, Hench D,
Ne-Ne, Antony Smith, Mom, Aunts and uncles and cousins.
Street Knowledge Ent, Nalija, MR D. Kash, Ben Turner (BBC).
Everyone else I haven’t mentioned thanks for all your support!
Happy New Year!!!
Thank you again Rico for taking the time for letting me interview you,
and UKEvents.net wish you all the best in the future.
We look forward to hearing you on the radio and on TV...
www.ricolevant.com
www.myspace,com/ricolevant
www.trufamrecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/trufamrecords |
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