"IAR" Interview: Hones-T

Canadian born Hones-T is somewhat of an anomaly.  He's been composing music since his early teens, played in the CFL, and acted on Blue Mountain State. Among all facets, he's first and foremost, a rapper.  As a multi-dimensional person, the evidence of his diversity radiates through his music.  Hones-T combines raw flow, with surprising lyricism, and a gruff voice that resonates from the streets to the clubs.  The most impressive aspect of his repertoire is his flow and delivery.  His styles range from club hits, radio friendly singles, to street anthems.  His delivery is a mix between a melodic artist like Rick Ross and the rapid fire delivery of a T.I.  Hones-T stands out!  His music is more than just a sound, it radiates feeling and evokes emotion, which in and of itself, is a difficult task for an artist.  The influx of new hip-hop artists leaves little room for complacency and he fully understands the hard work and dedication it takes to stay ahead of the pack.  Working with refined artists like Gudda Gudda, Ace Hood, Pries, and others, has tested his abilities and furthered his ambitious approach to writing, and it's paying off.  The transitions from "Be Myself," "No Sleep," "Still No Sleep," to his most current tape "Another Day Another Hustle" have been so progressive and refined, which is an exemplification to his craft.  Hones-T is executing the proper credo for sustainability in hip-hop.  Staying humble, always evolving, and chief among them, releasing dope records.  It's A Rap had a chance to catch up with the Miami spitter and with the recent release of "Another Day Another Hustle" and an uncompromising work ethic, Hones-T is trailblazing a lane for himself and aggrandizing his brand as a formidable entity in the hip-hop world.  As redundant as it sounds, Hones-T is the truth.


IAR: When did you get your start in Hip-Hop?
HT: "I've been doing this music thing since I was 12 years old, doing lil' mixtapes on cassette tapes passing it around to people in my neighborhood, along with performing at a lot of local and school talent shows.  It wasn't till I got released from the Montreal Alouettes (CFL) going into my last contract with the Hamilton Ti-Cats that I started to work on my first project "Be Myself"  in 2010 (Hosted by DJ Whiteowl) which was released on May 27, 2010. But it all really kicked off for me when I got cut from the Hamilton Ti-Cats that summer after the first game and I hooked up with DJ iLL WiLL.  That's when things started to get real concerning my music career.  I was fortunate enough to link up with YMCMB's Gudda Gudda on my first tape with iLL WiLL titled "I'm Just Being Honest" and it's been on since then pretty much."


IAR: What was the concept behind "Another Day Another Hustle?"
HT: "The concept was to capture the feeling of being behind the eight ball and still being able to over come life and some of its unfortunate circumstances.  I wanted to use "Another Day Another Hustle" to motivate people including myself.  After "No Sleep" (Hosted by DJ iLL WiLL & DJ Rockstar) I felt that people needed a more in depth view on how I see what I'm going through to make it and some of the issues that we face as humans that can make things that much harder."


IAR: You played ball in the CFL.  How have you translated that intense work ethic into Hip-Hop?
HT: "It's crazy because of the physical hours and work you have to put in, not to mention all that school work, plus the hours and work you need to put in once you are a pro, so it is pretty intense. To be honest though, I'm happy I was lucky enough to get those opportunities, I think they play to my advantage on the business side in having a understanding of being a product.  As for my work ethic, I've always been a hard worker on and off the field, so my being my own support, promotion and managerial team proves evidence to that with going out and getting all my features, bookings and dropping five mixtapes in the last year and eleven months."


IAR: What's the best project you've been a part of so far?
HT: "I've been featured on a few big Coast 2 Coast mixtapes and I'm suppose to be featured on a few big name projects in the up and coming future.  But as of now my biggest project I've been apart of is my own with "Another Day Another Hustle."


IAR: What was the experience like on the Wake N Bake Tour?
HT: "It was a good experience.  My first real gig.  I was able to fly Gudda Gudda out as a special guest and we performed as well as shot our first video "Can U See Me." It was cool to go on right before Yelawolf and Wiz Khalifa  as well as getting a chance to meet DJ Rockstar who's also from my birth place Montreal, Canada."


IAR: Describe your style and sound.
HT: "Some say I have a southern influence mixed with a lil' East coast flavor and I've been told thousands of times that I give off that Pac feeling.  My music is a bunch of thoughts, feelings and emotions so it's really not a sound I'm going for, it's the feeling."


IAR: After working on Blue Mountain State, are you planning on further pursuing your acting career?
HT: "Getting more involved with the film and TV industry is something that interests me.  Hopefully I can meet some people that can point me in the right direction  in the near future."


IAR: You've worked with Ace Hood, Gudda Gudda, and others, are there any artists you want to work with that you haven't already?
HT: "I've been blessed to meet and work with some of the artist I've collaborated with, especially the homie Gudda Gudda.  He's one of the realest people I've met in the industry and proud to be affiliated with him.  There's a few artist that I really would love to have the opportunity to create music with not in this specific order but Kanye West, both as a musician and a artist impresses me. Chris Brown has crazy talent and I would love to work with some real lyricists like Jadakiss, Big K.R.I.T, MJG, Trick Daddy, Don Trip and Wayne.  But if I had to choose one feature that I can get right now as we speak hands down would be a song with T.I.  I definitely wouldn't waste that opportunity."


IAR: What do you look for when finding producers for a project?
HT: "I spend multiple hours a day just going through beats.  In that sense, I'm like an A&R searching for a sound to bring my artist to life and that just happens to be me at the same time.  I let the music talk to me.  All my songs are done off of impulse, there is no one thing or sound I'm looking for I just have to feel it."


IAR: Who has been influential to you both professionally and personally?
HT: "God!  My mom and my sister honesty played a big roll in helping get me where I needed to be.  I had few good coaches I looked up to that taught me a lot about the game and life."


IAR: Future plans/projects?
HT: "Right now I'm just gonna be shooting a lot of videos for "Another Day Another Hustle" and try to get the music out there. Pretty much in campaign mode.  Gonna' shoot the video with Gudda Gudda for "I Am Ham".  Also got "Sunglasses At Night" & "She Got Me" on the way as well.  Have a few shows and just keep letting it grow from there."


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