15 Questions with TreaZon
October 8, 2008 · Print This Article
Fresh here, and i recently got to ask TreaZon 15 quick questions, to get a glimpse into the mind from the kid from Cleavland. With two mixtapes under his belt, one, Breathe Life on ‘Em hosted by Mick Boogie and two, Re-Introduction hosted by Cannon, i figured id better catch him now while he has the time.
15 Questions With TreaZon:
TCJ: So, Who are you? Introduce yourself to the people who dont know:
TreaZon: I go by the name of TreaZon. I’m 18 years of age(gonna be 19 in Nov.) and from Cleveland, Ohio. I’m labeled as a “conscious” rapper by most. I’d basically describe myself as a young man trying to make a living with his art.
TCJ: Shakespeare posed the question in Romeo and Juliet “what’s in a name?…” Why the name TreaZon?:
TreaZon: Well, my uncle came up with the name for me when I was about 14 years old. I was going by the name of Ace at that time, and he realized before I did that a name like that is very cliche and overused. Back then, my music was very political and I had a lot of talk about government so he decided I should use TreaZon. I liked the name and its stuck with me ever since.
TCJ: How has growing up in Cleveland affected your music?:
TreaZon: Its definitely been a gift and a curse. Its a gift simply because not a lot of hip-hop is coming out of Cleveland these days(although, I will say more and more has been coming up lately). That gives me an advantage because I can be one of the only artists coming up out of here and it gives me less competition out of my own city. Its a curse, though, because Cleveland is one of those cities that doesn’t support each other. Just to be frank, Cleveland rapper’s don’t support one another. Its a sad thing when you see the hate within the music scene. I believe if we banded together, we could make a much bigger impact on the hip-hop world. 
Honestly, I don’t see that happening very soon.
TCJ: Was or has it been easy gaining support from the people in your area?
TreaZon: It was definitely easy in some aspects. People around here don’t rap on the same topics I do, its more of the “mainstream” type of hip-hop, so when they see someone like myself, its fresh. Of course, there are haters and whatever, but that goes with any city you live in. I remember when I used to go to these battles they have every year called City Xpressionz, people would be amazed at how good I was at such a young age. I lost to this guy Suave Gotti two years in a row, he’s like a veteran out here. However, the fact that I could even keep up with him and beat the others in the tournament had people opening their eyes to me. Cleveland focuses more on mainstream hip-hop, but theres a cult following of underground hip-hop as well.
TCJ: Why rap? what made you want to pick up a pen and pad, and later on a mic?
TreaZon: Rap has always been something I was deeply into. It’s always been my favorite genre of music. I used to rap as a kid, but never anything serious, more so as a joke. As I grew older, my uncle started sending me more and more classic albums to broaden my horizons. He knew I was going to rap, so he figured I need to get my history up. I never took it serious, though. One day he sent Nas’ Illmatic to me, and it honestly changed my life. I remember listening to it and just being blown away. It made me into the artist I am today. I started listening to more and more Nas and other artists like Lupe Fiasco, Blu, Digable Planets, etc., and decided this is what I’m destined for. My skills increased over the years, and the rest is history.
TCJ: Who were some of you influences and why?
TreaZon: My biggest influence is Nas, definitely. I think if it wasn’t for his music, I’d be a totally different artist. Lupe Fiasco is a big influence to me, I think he’s the best spitting right now. Theres a giant list, I’ll just name Eminem, Drake, Digable Planets, Blu, AZ, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and much more. I’d be answering this question all day if I didn’t end it here, haha.
TCJ: For the love if it? or for the money?
TreaZon: Definitely for the love of it. I love the art form and everything about hip-hop. But don’t get me wrong, if its going to help me pay my bills, I’m not mad, either.
TCJ: They say that lyrics dont sell records. Do you agree? and if so how do you plan on succeeding (being a lyracist) in a game repleat with dumbed down lyrics and the same old sound?
TreaZon: I agree, lyrics don’t sell records, at least not anymore. The game has changed so much since I was growing up, its become a whole different field, almost. Nowadays, the artist is what sells the records. You have to marketable. Swag, style, appeal, all of these are key components to whats going to sell these days. Look at Lupe for example, Superstar is FAR from a dumbed down song. Yet, he went gold with The Cool. Its about style nowadays, you don’t have to 100 percent sell out to sell records, its about finding the right formula. Me, personally, I try to be versatile. I try to give the audience what they wanna hear. One track may be a story joint, then I’ll switch into something commercialized, then maybe a super lyrical track. Its about versatility, and the marketability of the artist.
TCJ: Everyone has a message, regardless of if its meant, what is your message?
TreaZon: I have too many, haha. I wouldn’t really say I have one paticular message, I kind of live for the moment when it comes to music. If Sean Bell’s shooting is the main topic right now, thats what I’m going to write about. I try to have a message with every project I do, however.
TCJ: Growning up in the HipHop era, do you find any influence, or inspiration any other genre?
TreaZon: I’m real old school, so I have a huge influence from throwback R&B music. I enjoy all of R&B from like the 60’s to the early 90’s. I can really get into any music as long as its ill. I’ve found myself getting into a lot of weird music, some Japanese stuff from animes and all kind of stuff like that. Of course, hip-hop is my main thing but I can get into just about anything. I’ve been influenced by all genres at least once.
TCJ: Find inspiration in any other aspects of life?
TreaZon: Absolutely. I’m a abysmal kind of guy, I can find inspiration by just looking up at the sky sometimes. You can really see it in my music, too. I get inspired by life in itself, I can’t just sit down and write something for the hell of it. I need something to inspire me, something that makes me feel..indifferent. Its a weird thing, but I can get influence by all the elements of life.
TCJ: Being that you grew up fast, and had a hard life as a youth, when the money starts rolling in, whats the first thing you’re gonna buy/do?
TreaZon: Haha, good question. I’m not really a heavy spender like that, but I’m looking forward to spending a lot of money on my family. I think they deserve it like crazy. I wanna just have the money to get by, I don’t really need a fancy house or any of that. I wouldn’t mind it, though, haha. Me and my manager Mint will probably invest into some long term things such as real estate and other ventures. It’ll be a great thing.
TCJ: What can we expect from TreaZon in the near future?
TreaZon: If things go how I want them to, you can definitely get my mixtape The Re-Introduction hosted by DJ 
Don Cannon on Oct. 14th. After that, I’m working on a EP with my man Fate L and 2FR(boomboxunion.com) called The Link To The Future, so definitely look out for that. Me and Mint are looking to get DJ Drama to host my next mixtape which we’re looking to get out here by the beginning of ‘09. We’re grinding! You can catch me on my man D-Man’s(myspace.com/dmansmusicpage) mixtape Diction coming in Nov, and you can catch me featured on Nero’s(myspace.com/nerolovesyou) compilation The Roses Of War also in Nov. Theres some other things that aren’t 100 percent worked out yet but I have a lot instore. People are going to see a lot of me in the next few months.
TCJ: If you had it your way, how would your career go? From start to finish, what do you want to see happen? (you gotta visualize what you want, have to see what you want and make it happen)
TreaZon: Well, for starters, I’d like to sign a good record deal. I think thats every artist’s dream at first, and its been mine forever. I want my first album to be a classic, something that really opens eyes. I can’t wait to go on some tours with all my people, do some projects with my partners in crime and live the life. I’m not really looking to do anything spectacular, I can live with having a career parallel to Lupe Fiasco’s or even a underground artist who’s making it happen for himself. In the end, I just need enough capitol to get by and enough fans to keep me motivated. Its all about the music, as long as I can make it, I’m good.
TCJ: Any last words?
TreaZon: Big shout out to the whole 45, you know who you are. Mint, we doin’ it! Lets get it crackin’ for ‘09. Shouts to the whole Genzu Nation. Threatz, what up? Big shout to T Slack, I appreciate your help fam. To anyone reading this, definitely look out for The Re-Introduction on October 14th, and look out for The Link To Past EP. Cleveland, STAND UP! 45 ’til infinity.
Thats my bay bay!