Don't Faze: RJ Haze

  swag is not the only thing up and comer RJ Haze has to bring to the table, along with his immaculate style, the Cleveland, Ohio native packs a venomous bar flow.

You have an song titled, "Ian Conner", Do you really have swag like Ian Connor? 

[laughs] I'm dead man! But [no] that record is over a year old. I actually was reading a article I came across on him before I got in the studio with the homie KG and recorded that freestyle. So it was fresh in my mind and I ended up saying that line at the Beginning of the song about him and ran with it.

 How do you feel about Ian Connors style? 

His style is on some other shit, I respect it and the culture but I'm not as big on fashion as him so naturally [our] styles wouldn't be similar. I can still dress though don't get me wrong.

Where do you think the direction of Hip-Hop is going today? 

To me Hip-hop today is not as bad as people make it seem. But I will say it is way too crowded in my opinion. Everyone wants to rap now out of the blue, their heart isn't in it. So it's a lot of bad music being put out. Not to mention every RAPPER wants to SING now with auto tune trying to be the next future or something. It's not enough real talent being recognized, people are supporting and making bullshit artist popular and I hate that.

What made you start rapping?

I actually started rapping when I was seven years old believe it or not. My older cousin McCall was into music heavily and had a studio in his basement. He use to put my brother K-Von and I in the booth every time we came over which was very often back then. It was all fun and games back then and I didn't star taking music seriously until high school, but without that I probably wouldn't have even shown a interest in doing music or at least be as developed as I am now without it.

Where do you think your music will take you? 

Truthfully I see my music taking me very far. I know I got something in me that you can't get from anybody else right now. I'm just praying to God and waiting on my opportunity. It's coming though.

How would you describe the sound of your music?

It varies. It depends on what mood I'm in that day really. I don't box myself to a certain sound, that blocks creativity. You can get some mellow in my feelings music from me, or you can get something more upbeat with nice lyrics and punchlines about whatever I feel like talking about music from me. It just depends.

Often times people say a lot can happen in a year, what do you think will happen to you this year, what do you think will happen to you this year with your music? 

Well already my newest song has been getting very popular in such a short period of time. It's bring me a lot of attention from new supporters and I love it. I think it's only up from here. And this year will really help me get at least my toe in the door of where I want to be

On Soundcloud you have three tracks, can people and your fans expect more work from you this year, like a mixtape or an EP?

Definitely dropping a 10 song project later this year sometime after summer. I will be adding a ton of new music to my Soundcloud during the wait though that won't be on the tape.

How do your parents feel about your music? 

My real parents are not in my life, I was raised by my auntie. You'll hear more about that situation though on my [upcoming] project. But my Aunt loves everything I do. She's told me plenty of times she's thinks I can be successful with music.

If you were not in the music scene, what would you be doing right now? 

If I wasn't making music right now, I probably would be wasting my life away like a few people I know who never found there meaning in life. Music is my purpose, I know this. A lot of people don't find theirs and get caught up in the wrong stuff or just make nothing of themselves. That won't happen with me, I know my path.

Would you say that Hip-Hop saved your life? 

Hip-Hop really did save me. All I'm really into is creating music or chilling with positive people. I don't go out to clubs or parties, I don't smoke or drink either. Not shaming the ones who do because some people can turn up then go to class the next day and get good grades, I respect it. But my old friends all got into smoking, drinking, or partying all the time and now that's all they want to do period. They're not progressing in life or doing anything that will get them out of their parents house. These are the same friends I lost because I didn't want to turn up and smoke with them when they started in high school or whenever. They All lack purpose now and damn near all failed out of college the first year. So I'm Glad I took a different road because who knows if I could be one of those people who does those things but can still be focused on their goals [you] know? Hip-hop kept me focus.