www.twitter.com/raheemMalik

Mocca: Where are you from? What was life like growing up there?

Raheem: Originally I'm from Motown home to some of the greatest talent America has yet to see and with any major city, this is one that has seen its fair share of ups and downs economically. We're a city that once thrived on the jazzy, soulful, sophisticated creative minds of our people but in my opinion, through horrific episodes of drugs and violence, our beautiful city still has not lived up to its full potential. Growing up there was what made me who I am today, I lived an amazing life as a child, played and had fun Ajust like any other kid, but I also got to see the ugly in this world at a young age. I dealt with things like murder, suicide, rape, etc and have been dealing with them up until this day. Because I grew up happy, but have also experienced alot, I'd say Detroit has made me the loving, caring, respectful, fun, wise, strong and honest man that I am today.

Mocca: Are you an only child? What effect did that have on your creativity?

Raheem: By the grace of the almighty, I am the baby of 13 and I know that is ridiculous, but my father is actually 76 years old and has been married 3 times. So in my immediate family, I have 2 siblings, my older brother and sister. In regards to whether or not having siblings had any influence on my creativity I would say of course. In all of our lives, what we experience from birth to this very moment shapes and molds us into what we are today. When I was a child I was around people who listened to Hip-Hop, Soul, Jazz, R&B and Funk etc. Therefore, those things are engrained so deep in my mind and memory that I can't help but actually feel passionate about them. Our creativity is easily influenced by what we've experience growing up so yea, having siblings and being the baby definitely played a role in that.

Mocca: How would you describe your style?

Raheem: I would say my personal style is like that of a "smooth criminal", I'm a bad boy with a good heart. I like to wear all black, but in that I'll have on a fitted Italian button up with fitted pants, and European loafers.

Mocca: When and where was your first show?

Raheem: My first "show" was in high school, and it was at our annual JROTC inspection where I sang the National Anthem. I made students and teachers cry which blew my mind as well as theirs. It was a show to me because we had rehearsed and rehearsed for weeks then executed the whole inspection well enough to gain back the status we had once before as a military academy. My first official show as Raheem Malik was in Denver, Colorado with another artist by the name of SP Double. It was nerve racking at first as you could imagine, but once I got on stage and heard girls screaming for me and guys rooting me on, I eased into a moment of bliss I had never experienced before.In Depth with Raheem Malik - June 2011

Mocca: How does it feel when you hit the stage?

Raheem: I'm not even going to lie about how I feel when I hit the stage, at first it's hard on my nerves. I constantly beat myself up in my mind and think of the worst situation which is absolutely detrimental to ANY performers mindset. But I've learned a lot about how the mind works and have been learning how to control those negative thoughts. Recently when I hit the stage, I've gone up there with the feeling of sheer excitement, I'm absolutely high on life 10 mins to show time and throughout the performance. Turning out a great performance, the crowd gives me some well deserved love and I pretty much have a "stagegasm". Obviously a "stagegasm" happens when the crowd makes the performer feel so good you feel as if you've just climaxed, even hours after the show I feel so good you'd think I popped 3 E-Pills.

Mocca: What do you want your music to mean to your audience?

Raheem: I want my music to give a meaning that my audience can draw from and take whatever they need from it at that moment in their lives. I want them to get answers to questions they've had, a different point of view they can actually relate to, inspiration, motivation, heightened sense of self, confidence, etc. I want my music to mean to my audience that, okay, Raheem Malik is on, it's time to feel good.

Mocca: Where do you get your inspiration for your material?

Raheem: I get inspired by life, this world is it's own song, movie, or book. Everyday experiences give me the inspiration to make a lot of my music. I'm a single man so right now I am meeting a lot of women in hopes of sharing a sacred relationship with one here in the near future, but it's hard because I'm a recording artist. Most women won't trust me or aren't able to keep up with my schedule, or absolutely hate my schedule because they need more attention, and it has been a struggle to find a teammate because of my occupation. That in itself should be the inspiration for a song because there are a ton of artists out here who can relate, but I've yet to write that one because its still writing itself.

Mocca: How long have you been doing this?

Raheem: I've been creating music since I was a senior in high school and made my first few beats using a demo of Fruity Loops writing verses to them. I took a nice long break from that and no one ever heard any of that material until around my senior year at Albion College. I played a song for my friend guitarist Eddie Fornell and he gave a great response. I had gone a few years without using any beat programs or writing any verses because I was consumed with the fun that is college life but while doing so I joined an accapella group which helped me strengthen my vocals. Professionally I've only been making music for the past 2 years. I'm still a rookie but worthy of starting on varsity.

Mocca: What projects have you worked on in the past?

Raheem: In the past I've worked on a number of projects that got me ready for my own beginning with my first official features on Young X and QT's The World Is Yours/ I Am 218. I was featured on more than half of the project and one of my favorite songs was "I never said I would". After that I featured on a few tracks with producer/songwriter/artist SP Double out of Denver. I graced his project with "Lets Just Work It Out", and also jumped on a joint called "Gangster" with Royce Da 5'9, Terminology, and Kid Vicious.

Mocca: Let's talk about your current projects and future projects.

Raheem: Currently I am in the process of creating a 70's inspired EP with Orlando producer Sucio "Beats" that will encompass soul samples of the 70' and 80's. Also my debut album is in the works and on this project are a few tricks up the ol' sleeve.

Mocca: We Out, tell me about that track. Who wrote and produced it?

Raheem: My debut single "We Out" was written and produced by Ray Lavender, J- Hott, Vipe "Viper" Dixon, Brian Hutcheson, and myself, the track is an absolute club banger! The scene is a beach front high rise condo in South Beach Miami, surrounded by beautiful women and all the players and ballers that were in Miami at the time. After all the fun is done at the jump off, its time to grab ya girls and now "We Out" to the next spot. It's pretty much about having a good time because in reality, isnt that what we all want??

Mocca: What producers are you working with?

Raheem: Right now I've worked locally in Orlando with a few producers, one in particular Elyas Deflyas, who produced a number of tracks on the 'How Bout That' mixtape. Brian Hutcheson CEO of Digital Dollar Productions has been a huge part in the production process. Recently I've jumped back into the world of production and have surprised myself on a joint that you may hear soon. I don't quite call myself a producer but the next time you talk to me I may be able to say that.

Mocca: Are you signed to a label, or looking to sign with a label?

Raheem: I am currently signed to Digital Dollar Productions and are not looking to sign to another label unless the price is suitable for both myself AND my label. I am downright loyal to Digital Dollar Productions and will be until the wheels fall off. If another label comes to the table and can't beat out Digital Dollar's deal of the decade I don't even want to hear the rest of their story.

Mocca: Who are your prospects?

Raheem: Right now I don't have any prospects. I'm focused on branding myself and our company and am not shopping myself around to any of these major labels who are just going to use and abuse me anyway. Already Digital Dollars is on the verge of becoming one of the best new labels the music industry has to offer. Daily the label is bombarded with artist knocking down the door trying to get a deal. So as far as another label looking at me, I'm sure they can tell they're gonna need way more than they can offer to pull me away from Digital Dollar Productions.

Mocca: Who are some artists you want to work with?

Raheem: When I get asked this question my mind twirls in a fashion that's almost incomprehensible. So many people run through my head when I think about who I want to work with. Because my style is so unique and versatile I can get on the track with anyone from the Boss Rick Ross to Rockstar Hustler Kid Rock. I could also hear myself on a track with anyone from Alicia Keys to Lady Gaga. Narrowing it down to just a few is impossible to me I want to be that guy that has honestly worked with EVERYONE WHO IS ANYONE.

Mocca: What separates you from other artists in your genre ?

Raheem: I believe what separates me from other artist is that I am my own genre, I'm not just limited to Hip-Hop, or R&B, or Soul, or Pop. I have the ability to bounce around from genre to genre seamlessly which is the glue that holds all of them together creating what is known as Hip-Pop-Soul and R&B. I believe I stand out not because I have star like qualities or because of my talent, but because of my sincerity at all times and lighthearted character. All of those things combined make me unique and are why I am separate from most other artists.

Mocca: What's your most memorable phone call, compliment, and piece of advise you were given. Who was it from?

Raheem: The most memorable piece of advice I was given was by Dr. Wendy Sutton a licensed psychiatrist, who said, "Why worry about what other people are thinking, you can't change their thoughts, only worry about what you CAN change". That is pretty much a summary of the serenity prayer Brian Hutcheson, CEO of Digital Dollar Productions taught me. Hearing it from two different perspectives helped it really sink in and is true to my life and everyone else's if you think about it.

Mocca: In the world of R&B, who do you think left the greatest mark, and who do you think will carry the torch?

Raheem: I believe the greatest mark left on the R&B world was left by a few people in my opinion, I feel as though R-Kelly has been a major influence on the culture. Of course he was influenced heavily by the Isely Brothers and many of the R&B Soul artist before him, so to say who left the greatest mark in the R&B world is an unachievable task for me. I believe the torch has been passed on to Usher, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, T-Pain , Alica Keys, Rihanna, etc and will be passed on to me someday soon. Once I have a full grip on it, I'll never let the flame die and will carry it until its time to pass it to yet another worthy individual.

Mocca: I wish you much success. Keep us updated on your progress. Another Great Interview. I'm out.

Smooches, Mocca @MoccaStyles