Let’s break the ice. Who are you? Where are you from? What style of music do you create?
My name is Sofa Brown from Nashville, TN. I was born and raised here, having lived on all sides of the city, and everywhere in between. I specialize in the area of rap that focuses heavily on saying the nicest shit that can be said, the most clever shit anyone could ever think to think. Musically, I side toward sample-based instrumentals, though I have endless influences and can rock on just about any kind of beat. Challenging your comfort zone can create some beautiful things, so I try not to shy away from any ‘style’ without an attempt to put my own twist on it.
How do you feel about the Hip Hop scene in Tennessee? A small sect of you guys have obviously realized unity brings greater things landing a TN Stage at A3C Fest… I can tell you with confidence that moves like this were not happening in indie Mid-TN Hip Hop 5-10-even 15 years ago.
The talent our city possesses in the rap thing is second to none. I believe in a whole mess load of people here. Everybody has something special and unique about their music. I’m proud to have so many peers that are top notch at what they do. It’s inspirational as fuck. A lot of us feed off each other, and push one another to be the greatest artist that they can be. The 5-10 years in front of us will be unforgettable.
In my opinion, Kelly Hite doesn’t get enough shine for the amount of grind she’s been putting in over the years. How has she been shaping and affecting the Nashville Hip Hop scene from your point of view?
You’d be hard pressed to find me any one person who has put in more work in these last few years, for the Nashville rap scene, than Kelly Hite. For one, she’s an incredible artist behind a camera lens, capturing countless memories from damn near every event our scene has had in the past half decade. If you’ve performed in Nashville in that span of time, you have classic photos by Kelly. Classic!!…. But what a lot of people don’t know, is how instrumental she is in shaping the image of many artists. Whether that’s drafting a press release, making album covers, or helping build websites (and that’s just to name a few). Kelly wears multiple hats. Important, necessary hats.
Kelly Hite IS Nashville Hip Hop.
What was the last song you listened to?
TLC – Kick Your Game
Who or what influenced/motivated you to walk this journey known as music? What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced since starting down this path?
The music I grew up with in the 90s was, and still is a huge influence. But, all music is influential. The classic rock that my Mom would play when I was a kid inspires me. Music is beauty. Music heals all. Added with a love I’ve always had for poetry, Rap was the perfect place for me to go. Every verse I write makes me feel as if I serve a purpose. Music is the only thing that’s ever gave me that feeling. And I think a purpose is what we all yearn to posses.
Where do you want to be in 10 years?
I’m a simple kind of guy. The only thing I could ever hope for is my music to help somebody with their day, in whatever way they need. It would mean a lot to be respected by my peers. To be respected as someone who came nice every at bat. The icing on the cake would to be making a living doing what I love. I don’t need much of anything. If I can provide for my loved ones, and keep myself out of a ‘typical’ kind of 9 to 5 job, I’ll be the happiest SOB you know!
What should the audience expect from your performance at the A3C Tennessee Stage on October 11th?
90% of the time that I perform, it’s alongside my cousin Evan Blocker, who produces most of my music. We lace up, hit that stage, and immediately start catching bodies. We feed off of each other extremely well, and keep the energy on a high from begin to fin. I’m not exactly sure what you’ll see from us when we hit that TN stage, but I can promise you’re gonna leave with something that you’ll never forget, jack! ….Stay tuned.
What does this opportunity (A3C TN Stage) mean to you? How do you think it will effect your career from this moment forward?
The opportunity to represent your home state, at the biggest Hip Hop festival in the country, is everything. When I got that call from Money Green, I was on cloud 9. It’s simply an honor to be considered for the first official Tennessee stage in the 10 year history of A3C. We’re bearing the cross that day. It’s almost on some Olympic shit. We’re gonna wear that TN proudly that day, as we get the chance to show not only Atlanta, but every other city, state, or country that will be in attendance, that Tennessee has some damn good music over here.
Where can we connect with you online? Find your music?
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SofaBrown
Instagram: SofaBrown
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofabrown
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sofa-brown
Bandcamp: http://sofabrown.bandcamp.com/
Any last thoughts? Shout outs?
Shout to you guys at Mid TN Music for the time, it’s been a pleasure. Special shout to Kelly Hite and DJ Money Green for the opportunity to represent TN at A3C this year. Shout my aces Evan Blocker and Dough Joe. Loudest shout to anybody that fucks with my music, it means the world.
Be easy.
– Sofa
