About this episode
Summary • Introduction and Background of Participants ◦ Mattsuuii introduces the podcast and welcomes Harry, also known as the Ice King, a 31-year-old artist from Detroit, Michigan. ◦ Iceking, Harry, introduces himself, mentioning his family and friends from Detroit. ◦ Mattsuuii shares his background, detailing his upbringing in a poverty-stricken family with an abusive father and a gambling mother. ◦ Mattsuuii describes the harsh living conditions, including sleeping in a car and dealing with drug-filled environments. • Early Influences and Writing Journey ◦ Matt talks about his early interest in rock music and how he started writing lyrics at six years old. ◦ He shares his experience of being in juvenile hall and how it influenced his transition to hip hop. ◦ Mattsuuii describes his process of studying the dictionary and building a vast vocabulary, which he uses in his lyrics. ◦ He mentions his extensive knowledge of literary devices like analogies, metaphors, and homophones. • First Projects and Record Label ◦ Suuii asks about Harry's first solo project, which he dates back to 2012. ◦ Mattsuuii talks about his record label, Way 2 Guud Entertainment, which he founded in 2013. ◦ He mentions having five artists signed to his label from various countries, including Nigeria and Australia. ◦ Harry discusses his collaboration with producers and the streams he receives from international listeners. • Challenges and Personal Experiences ◦ Iceking shares his experience of being shot multiple times and how it changed his perspective on life. ◦ Mattsuuii talks about his own experiences with violence, including being shot at 13 and becoming a leader in a gang. ◦ They discuss the impact of their past on their current mindset and approach to life and music. ◦ Iceking emphasizes the importance of using one's talent and not wasting it. • Differences Between Rap and Hip Hop ◦ Suuii explains his view on the difference between rap and hip hop, emphasizing the emotional depth and storytelling in hip hop. ◦ Iceking agrees, mentioning that he doesn't rap the same as others and prefers Detroit beats. ◦ They discuss the evolution of their styles and the influence of their environments on their music. ◦ Mattsuuii shares his admiration for Tech N9ne and the concept of constant energy struggles in life. • True Artistry and Business Approach ◦ Suuii defines true artistry as the ability to evoke emotions and tell stories through music. ◦ Iceking talks about his business approach, emphasizing the importance of being an independent artist. ◦ They discuss the challenges of working with major record labels and the benefits of maintaining independence. ◦ Mattsuuii shares his experience as a ghostwriter and the importance of maintaining creative control. • Upcoming Projects and Collaborations ◦ Matt asks about Harry's upcoming projects, and he mentions working on new clothing lines. ◦ Mattsuuii talks about his new shirts and his ongoing work on beats and songs. ◦ They discuss a song with an open verse that Suuiiis challenging other artists to contribute to. ◦ Mattsuuii mentions his upcoming 21-track LP and the importance of meeting deadlines. • Technical Difficulties and Final Thoughts ◦ Mattsuuii and Iceking experience technical difficulties while trying to share music links. ◦ They apologize to the listeners for the inconvenience and express gratitude for their patience. ◦ Mattsuuii shares his experience of running a successful podcast and the importance of investing in oneself. ◦ Ice and Suuii discuss the importance of networking and supporting each other in the music industry.