www.torchisny.com/

MIL: Music Is Life Magazine is with Maybach Music Group's own Torch, In your own words can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Torch: I go by Torch, Cartel- Head bussa from the Bronx, 1/4 of the infamous Coral City Cartel aka Triple C's, Maybach Music Group's top gun and CEO of Specialyst Entertainment. I'm an entrepreneur—a hustler at it's best. As a writer, producer and rap artist.

MIL: How is your son doing?

Torch: My mini me is doing great. Happy, healthy, and spoiled. [laughing] Thanks for asking.

MIL: How did you actually get the name Torch?

Torch: I got my name from the old heads in my neighborhood when I was a kid. I was that little bad ass that did what ever, ran through and wrecked whatever. So like a fire that "torches", people just started calling me Torch and it stuck.

MIL: How was life like growing up in New York for you?

Torch: My life wasn't any different then those who grew up in a poverty- drug infested environment of the late 80's early 90's. You had two worlds, the hard working two parent and single parent house holds and then you had a world of hustlers and people that lived by any means necessary. But, with the BX being the birth place of hip hop- every one's life had a great soundtrack [laughing]

MIL: How old were you when you knew you wanted to do music?

Torch: I've been rapping since I was about fourteen or fifteen, but I really didn't start taking it serious until Ross dropped "Hustling". Seeing someone that close to me make a hit record sparked something inside of me. I knew I was capable of greatness too. Now, I feel lyrically there aren't too many people on my level.

MIL: Who are your influences in Hip-Hop and why?

Torch: Currently no one. I grew up listening to Pac, Biggie, Nas, Big Daddy Kane and a few others.

MIL: How would you describe your rap style?

Torch: I'd describe my rap style as "Torch-ism" [laughing] Raw, uncut, dropping knowledge, and taking fans and those who hear my music on a journey. I go beyond any perceived genre.

MIL: What inspires u to make music?

Torch: First and foremost my son. Knowing that I can provide for him and he will never have a want or need for anything, makes everything I do worth it. A few years ago I decided why not do what I love, stay out of trouble and make money.... How's it get better than that?

MIL: How much has living in Miami and New York Influenced the type of music you make?

Torch: In two words "Well Prepared" I grew up in the Castle Hill Projects/ Castle Hill area in the Bronx, New York. Google it. And most of my adult life in Miami. It's the things that I experienced in both places that prepare me for the people and situations I encounter while in this industry. So having the ability to be versatile with the music I create no matter where I am will always come natural. Real recognizes real.

MIL: Why do you think storytelling is so important in writing rhymes?

Torch: Story telling is a great way to connect with the masses. Real stories, sad stories, funny stories and so on. Especially as an artist; people support you when they are entertained by you and more important feel a connection to you on some level. Everyone has a story and some times the right song can help motivate, cheer up and in some extreme cases save a life. You never know.

MIL: How important is it to tell your stories of real life situations?

Torch: Very. Cause like I tell people, I aint suppose to be here. Me being where I am today and most important ALIVE is a gift from God. If people can learn from my mistakes, and find hope for their lives based upon my lyrics is a beautiful thing.

MIL: Do you ever worry about your lyrics coming back to haunt you?

Torch: Never, only people that have no validity to their lives and who they really are worry about what they say catching up with them. I'm no saint and I' m not perfect, but my music is a reflection of me, who I was and the man I currently am. It is what it is.

MIL: Can you Tell us about your new single "Bang Yo City"featuring Busta Rhymes?

Torch: Busta Rhymes is like my big brother, and we've been trying to colab for a minute. But we weren't going to create just any old song, it had to be right. When the beat for "Bang Yo City" came to my attention- I knew that was it. It was definitely one of the most memorable experiences in my on going career.

MIL: What has been your biggest accomplishment in your music career so far?

Torch: Honestly, everyday, project and single is better then the last. I don't take any of this sh*t for granted. Each experience and person I meet is great.

MIL: What particular album in your collection can you play that you wish was your debut album?

Torch: If I absolutely have to choose, I'd say "Ski Mask Music Vol. 1." Ski Mask Music really introduced the world to who I am and allowed me to tell my story; especially the track "I ain't suppose to be here". The public feedback to this day is positive, and messages from people that say they can relate to a lot of my experiences. That's important, when people can relate to you- they rock with you for life.

MIL: Can you tell our readers about your New Company Specialyst Entertainment?

Torch: Specialyst Entertainment is one of many businesses I own. SPC Ent. is based in my home town of New York, focusing on music and artist management. Specialyst came about, when I decided to really lay my own foundation on the business side of this music game. Nothing like being the boss [laughing]

MIL: How did you meet Rick Ross?

Torch: In a nut shell, I caught drug case and my mom sent me to live with my sister down in Miami. Of course I still ended up going to jail for it, but it gave me the opportunity to meet the people I'm with now—Rick Ross (who really took me under his wing), Gunplay, [and later] Young Breed. We formed Triple C's. That was about ten years ago. I admit, a lot of people think Ross just signed a New York artist when in fact I was like one of the founding members from the ground up.

MIL: What made you sign with Maybach Music Group?

Torch: I've been Maybach Music since conception, this is family and deeper than rap [laughing].

MIL: What has Triple C's been working on lately?

Torch: We stay grinding on the road and in the studio. "Color Cut Clarity" is our next project and we're really focusing on that.

MIL: Where do you think Hip-Hop is going presently?

Torch: Hip hop currently is a free for all. There's no particular region with the industry on lock; but please don't get confused- hip hop was born in the Bronx, New York [laughing]. But, currently if you have talent or just think you do, with all the social media helping all those who seek "fame" and exposure; any real MC or nursery rhyme reciter can make it.

MIL: Who do you think is your competition?

Torch: I AM MY ONLY COMPETITION! Period.

MIL: What projects are you currently working on?

Torch: I have my hands in everything, I'm in the studio w/ Triple C's working on "Color Cut Clarity", still promoting my latest project "Krash Kourse", working on my solo album "UFO", ghost writing some of your favorite songs. [laughing] yeah you read right, even if your not personally feeling me, your fave artists are singing songs written by my pen. In addition to touring, running two companies Specialyst Entertainment and Amazin Models; sleep is something I dream about. [laughing]

MIL: Where would you like to see your self a year from now?

Torch: Honestly, I feel so blessed just to be where I am. I'm very passionate about the music I create and even more passionate about my life. My art depicts my life so I guess with both everyone will just have to wait and see where it leads. But, I'm still hungry and I don't sleep, so this is going to be one interesting journey.

MIL: How can the fans stay updated on you?

Torch: For all things Torch, check out my website www.torchisny.com, www.twitter.com/torchccc, my twitter fan page www.twitter.com/torchisny and on facebook www.facebook.com/torchccc.

MIL: Music Is Life Magazine would like to thank you for taking a break from recording to do the interview with us today. Good Luck with everything and continued success to you and your team. Do you have any last words for your fans?

Torch: It's been real, thank you for coming and chilling with me for the day. Shout out to Music Is Life Magazine; everyone over at Specialyst Ent., Lou, Maybach Music, my brothers Rick Ross, GunPlay, Young Breed and Mass Pike Miles. Amazin Models and my publicist Arie and everyone over at Leira PR.

For everyone aspiring to make it in the business, educate yourself. It's way more then just laying tracks. Make sure you know what will help you not only become famous, but financially stable. Cause when the lights dim, you want to make sure you and yours are always taken care of. F*ck what ya heard, it's what ya hearing.- Torch.