Who is R.Fusion and what is the significance behind your stage alias?
You may think “is this some kind of science theory?”.. Not at all “Fusion” in science terms means “the act or procedure of liquefying or melting by the application of heat” So I put a twist on it by adding I liquefy or melt competition with the heat I bring which is my music. R. is my initial for my first name so R.Fusion comes together that way which I also had the nickname since I was 12 because I always came with energy.
When you sit down to make a song, what is your creative process like?
For me to really get into a creative process, I cant have any distractions, I work better on a empty stomach or maybe some berries on the side to eat, either helps me focus and plus I love moving around in the studio so I can get the feeling like I’m on stage because it brings out the words I want the crowd to bounce to. This may not work for everyone but it works for me.
When recording, do you focus on trying to come up with the best universal song you can create or are you more concerned with getting the song’s message across or writing the most lyrical bars?
I try to implement my message across as possible because I feel if you have a good message, it will go universal because your going to have that demographic that feels where your coming from. I don’t focus on how lyrical I can be, the great emcees of the past and present were not all that lyrical but got respect because they spoke a message that reached out for example, Tupac you can say was poetic and spit relevance, didn’t use many metaphors or punchlines and Biggie spit about the hood as well and his life experience but his words was simple. The more harder people try to be lyrical it takes away your creative process because your not letting it come with a natural-flow.
What does it mean to you be an artist from St. Paul Minnesota?
As a Hip-Hop artist, It means you have a standard you have to follow which is be yourself, pay no mind to critics, work as hard as the next man or even harder because everyone wants the same goal to get signed. St.Paul, Minnesota is very low key, local talent really isn’t supported unless your backed by a big company it seems like and a lot of artists want to be heard up here but they either have no connects or don’t know really how to move forward after the studio. So this means to me, I can’t fall in that loop, i have to study, I have to network, I have to do what I gotta do by any means to put my city on the map if others give up because they hit a road block.
Your tone and flow is pretty distinctive when you rap, is that something you purposely do to your voice or does that come naturally?
(Laughs) I come from a family of strong voice men, my uncles and great uncles all have deep distinctive voices. I use to sing in the church choir from 10-15 years old as a alto, then my voice started cracking and they moved me to tenor, the older I got I guess my vocal chords grew with me (Laughs).
You just released your 2nd Nature mixtape a few months ago, what was your thought process like going into that project?
I wanted to give my fans a great project, also letting the nay sayers know that I’m not stopping, what I do is 2nd nature to me, which in terms I cant help but do what I love to do best, like when Chris Paul dribbles the ball and crosses defenders at the top of the key, thats 2nd nature to him because he has been doing it for so long its in his system. Music is 2nd nature to me
How long did it take you to complete 2nd Nature and did anyone work closely with you to help?
2nd Nature was in my stash, I have a lot of unreleased material….a lot, so I figures I let loose a little something before I start a album process. Didn’t really work with anyone, still on my solo tip for the time being letting people hear me for me.
What are your studio essentials? Do you need anything to get you in the right mood to work?
Juice or water,or berries. I like being alone with just me and the engineer so I can get creative with no distractions. Weed is not for everyone, I never tried getting high before a session, I know a lot of people copy Lil Wayne or wiz for example but for me I do what worked for me in the beginning.
What is your motivation for wanting to pursue a professional career in music when theirs so much competition from artists everywhere?
My daughter and Ludacris, because I want my daughter to be well off and not have to want for anything, I spoil her big time and music is my passion but I’m also a CEO of my own label, so I plan on venturing into all different avenues than just music, maybe more than Ludacris has (Laughs).
Are you currently working on any upcoming music or project? If so, what are the details?
Yes I’m working on my last mixtape project before a album that you should look out for in December-January time. I have a dope DJ and and I may add a feature or two to hype it up. Stay tuned.
What does Hip Hop and the culture mean to you and what do you hope to contribute to all of it with your music?
It means I’m part of a movement, I’m part of legacy built and passed down from the vets who started this, it also means to me to be a leader and yourself and not get caught up in the fame and fortune but to give back and stay positive and I know I can contribute growth in hearts that thought they couldn’t make it, I set myself as a example.
Name one thing that fans would never guess about R.Fusion?
That I wasted $3,000 bringing on management two years ago, the person literally
told me lies and ran with my money. Lesson learned…don’t trust everyone who says they are in the industry and could get you places, do your homework on these snakes.
