Daily Archives: December 20, 2010

Firstly thanks for taking time to do this exclusive interview for www.HipHop4Days.com. Let’s start at the beginning. How did you get into making music and when would you say your career started?
Well I wrote my first rap when I was 10 – 11 yrs old, I wrote it for my elementary school play that I was in. it was about Harriet Tubman, but I didn’t start recording until I turned 13-14

From when you started to now, what you consider being your biggest tracks or releases?
Wow, that a good question, I think that might be something I have to ask on a youtube blog or something – I know back in 2008 when I dropped my “Sportobama” mixtape I got a lot of downloads on that probably around 4,700-4,900 downloads but as far as biggest tracks I don’t think, im not sure It could be “Crying Time” or “Where is hip hop going?”

How would you describe the music that you make?
That kind of music I make is honest music, all of my music is inspired by true emotions and experiences that I’ve had in my life, weather it was something funny or something serious I try to bring over that same energy on to the song.

Have you done many collaborations, if so who have you worked with and what was your most memorable experience?
I haven’t done as much as I should but that’s going to change soon,From what the ones I’ve done already the most memorable one that I’ve done was a record that I did with Kevin Little and what made it memorable was just way how it came about, nothing was planned it just happened and the record came out dope.

Hip-Hop is changing all the time. How do you feel about Hip-Hop in 2010, who are you feeling and how is the game treating you?
The artist that I like the most are the artist who are not afraid of taking things to the next level that try to stand out and do things differently so the Eminem’s, Kanye’s and I still listen to what Jay-Z and Nas has to say as well. The game is just showing me that its more easier to get your music heard and as far the supporters they love the new music and videos that I’ve been putting out, so its all good right now.

Tell me about the label you’re with, even if it’s your own label. Tell us who is involved and how many people behind the scenes are helping you?
Well right now I have my own imprint, which is Beneficial Music Group, and I have a support group with me from DJ’s, Graphic Artist, A&R’s and Producers

The music industry is changing from CD’s & Vinyl over to MP3, stores are getting closed and on-line shops are starting up. Do you think CD’s are dead or do you think it depends on the genre & artist?
I believe time is changing and due to technology we will be seeing less Cds and more MP3 albums and plus it is more cost effective to make MP3’s I think eventually Cd’s will phase out just like records and Cassettes did – guess we just have to hold on to the records and Cd collection we have now. haha

So where are you from exactly and have you ever done any local gigs?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and yes I did plenty local gigs too many to remember

Have you done any big gigs or played live with any big artists? If so tell us what is like and what playing live means to you.
I played a few big gigs, I most memorable one was performing at SOB’s – that was memorable for me because I was their with all of the Duck Down Records artist and that record label was one of the reasons why I fell in love with hip hop and wanted to do hip hop, so being on the stage with Buckshot and Smith & Wesson was a honor.

Hip-Hop is sometime viewed as negative music and in the media often gets a raw deal. Do you think that Hip-Hop should be more positive and that artists have a responsibility to the youth?
I do feel that some hip hop could be more positive but at the same time I think that hip hop is used as a tool to show the youth whats happening, hip hop provides the information that you don’t get on the news sometimes, so I think it’s a 50/50 thing. It could get more positive but at the same time you don’t want to try to hide the actually facts of reality, I also feel artist have a responsibility to the youth for how they act outside of the booth and off stage, when your on stage or when you in the booth you can say you were performing and its only entertainment, but when you get caught with drugs and guns there is no excuse for that.

Can I get all the You Tube URL Links to all your music videos please?
Dark Fantasy Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9vrtLfhTU8
I’m Single Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-BLiezScPI
Warning Shot Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTsxhWqXxVE
Chitt Chatting Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOMNHzzZOk0
More Milli Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKU_5vBy4qk
The Burning Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Uah_QQQuY

Can I get all your website links, facebook, myspace, reverb nation, twitter, etc.
www.sportinmusic.com
www.facebook.com/sportinmusic
www.youtube.com/johnsportin
www.twitter.com/johnsportin
www.reverbnation.com/johnsportin

Interview by Stuart Patterson
www.HipHop4Days.com