Interview By: Erin Gooden

Kickdoe Ent./Bungalo Records/Universal Music Group Distribution recording artist 2 Piece, has burst on the scene as an emerging artist in 2011. Hailing from the Lone Star State of Texas, 2 Piece has released timeless mixtape projects and catchy singles to feed his fan base. In 2011, 2 Piece will release his first full length studio album project titled “The Missing Piece”. 2 Piece’s “The Missing Piece” album is one of the most anticipated independent album projects in this decade.

Tell Us About What Projects you have going on right now.

The projects we have goin on right now consist of 4 Mixtapes right now, the first one is called “Brick Money” and it has done pretty good with over 100,000 Listens. The second mixtape is called “The SouthWest Takeover” and it was bootlegged on the west coast. The third Mixtape is called “The Masterpiece” and it is out right now. We just finished up my fourth mixtape project called “Frozen Features” that is hosted By Dj Infamous, Dj Benz, and DJ Scrill that has just been released on the internet and in the streets. My full length album project “The Missing Piece” is scheduled for release in February of 2011.

So,Why music? Why is music what you chose to do?

It was mainly to get out there and give other people hope and influence other people. Especially people who come from smaller populated areas. Just to let them know that any dream or talent that they feel they are good at they can succeed at it.

How long have you been in the music game?

I have been in the actual music game taking it serious, about seven years. But I have been rapping about ten years.

A lot of the artists nowadays are driven by visions of video girls, getting money, big gold chains and rims. What drives 2 Piece?

What really drive me is being able to take care of myself and my family. I’m not into the chains and the cars. It would be nice for me to be able to afford to get those things. They are not at the top of my priority list though. Being able to take care of my family down to my kid’s, kids, kids drives me. The women and the chains eventually get old after time.

Now, 2 Piece that name is kind of different. How did you get that name, are we talking a leg, and a thigh or what?

The name 2 Piece is based on my style. I guess you could relate it to a leg and a thigh because in the south one of the most popular dishes is chicken. And I am a dirty south rapper and I got 2 pieces that come with my meal. You will get a little bit of me both rapping and singing.

Without calling anyone out, unless you want to. There are a lot of rappers who have made it big without paying their dues. Does that ever frustrate you?

I can’t really say who has paid their dues and who hasn’t. All I know is they are normally the cats that pop up on the TV screen. I will say it does ruffle my feathers to see artists that are exploited and promoted and pushed into the forefront. That not only the world knows and they know themselves that that will be the only hot track they ever make or produce in their life. That is frustrating when you are an artist who consistently tries to put his biggest effort forward when it comes to doing music.

Tell us a little bit about Robert Malone, before you became “2 Piece”.

Oh Man, that guy right there is still around but he is a more calm type of dude. He was definitely a little more shy. 2 Piece kind of brought the shyness out of him and he ran with it. Rob Malone is more laid back, family oriented, laugh and joke type of person.

You Have spent a lot of time overseas. How do you think that has influenced your music?
I think it has influenced my music in many ways. One main reason is when you are around people with different cultures it make you appreciate what you take for granted in America.

What would you say is the biggest challenge of being in the music game?

Longevity is the biggest challenge. If you want to be a legend in the game you have to have longevity. Anybody can make a hot song, and it takes the right person to hear it but once you get in how long can you last.

We heard from some of your female friends that you are a ladies man. Would you say that’s true?

I would say so in a sense, I’m a charming kind of guy its not my fault I was born this way. Of course I love the ladies. A lot of ladies have been an influence in my life and have given me game on a lot of things. I don’t have a choice but to be a ladies man that’s what I gravitate to.

Where do you see 2 Piece 5 years from now?

I see 2 Piece on a yacht in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, puffin a blunt the size of a skateboard arena.

So when you cash that first big royalty check, what are you doing with it?

The first thing I’m going to do is get my credit right. Laughs, the first thing I’m going to do is invest it. I don’t believe in putting all your eggs in one basket. When I get that big royalty check I will get my debts in order and venture off into other things that will be productive.

Who would you consider your major influences in music. Who made you what you are as an artist?

My main influence has been my family. Seeing my family go through the things they go through on a daily basis gives me the determination to do what I need to do as a man. Musical influences range from Al Green, DeAngelo, Erykah Badu,Pimp C,Bun B,Z-Ro and all the Texas artists. Method Man, Redman, Jay-Z, Nas and the whole music game as a whole. You will hear it in my music too.

Upon listening to your music fans are going to find out you are a true lyricist. What stories are you trying to tell?

My story and everybody’s story who may not have the ability to put their story to a beat like I can. To give the people something to listen to that will help them get through their issues and problems. And to give someone the confidence to go and say something to a female or whatever the case may be.

Being an artist you are creating and putting part of yourself out there for everyone. What do you want your fans to take from the 2 Piece experience?

I want them to take away an experience they have never felt before. I want to be the one that they mention in random conversations as an artist that went hard on everything he did.

After seeing you perform, I am impressed with your stage presence. How do you bring that energy each time when you perform?

Your guess is as good as mine. A lot of times when I perform I’m on the road for a long time. I jump out of my vehicle, and hit the stage and perform. I leave and I’m back on the road again. I guess I would have to say I get my energy from the crowd. The energy they give helps me keep going.

The “Missing Piece” is scheduled for release soon. Of all the songs what are a couple of your favorites from the album?

I would say all of them. No, one of my favorites is “Turn Ya Sexy On”, because I have never been really known for making party tracks for the ladies and that was my first one and it came out great. Another one would be “For A Living” because that’s a track with real relevance for anybody from your average Joe to your big weight mover. To me that’s a track that anyone can relate to no matter what position you are in or what hustle you are doing to take care of your bills.

You mentioned “Turn Ya Sexy On”. What was your inspiration for that single?

My inspiration for that song was beautiful women. I have been all over the world to place like Amsterdam, Thailand, Dubai, Germany. Even down south and places like Miami there are beautiful women everywhere and that’s what inspired that song.

If you could collaborate with any artist dead or alive, who would it be and why?

One of them would be Mary J. Blige. I would love to have her sing on a hook for me. I have always liked her music and she is a legend and her legacy is going to go on and on. Another artist would be Drake. His buzz is so huge right now that if we made a track together it would be a crazy hit. I think that with both of our creativity and the fact that neither of us sound like anyone out there it would be a great collaboration.

You have already had some hot collaborations can you tell us about those.

I did a track with Supastaar. He did the “Halle Berry” track with Hurricane Chris. Shouts to him I appreciate him jumping on the album. Another one is Chalie Boy who is someone that I grew up listening to and that meant a lot to me for us to be on the same track together and it came out fire. I also have Shire’ who is on IMG/Universal on the third single from the album called “Connection”. She has a beautiful voice as well. I have Fat B(Formerly of DSR) who is on a track called “I’m on Point” that is a real hot track also. It’s definitely going to be a big album so go get it on Itunes in February of 2011 and you can pre-order it January of 2011.

Just off the top of your head tell the fans anything that you want them to know.

I want my fans to know that I’m looking to give them what they want. From good shows to good advice I plan on getting real personal with my fans. I want them to know that I am a human being just like they are. And I will never put myself on a pedestal and forget where I came from.

Any Shout outs and let the people know where they can find you.

Shout out to Dj Scrill and everybody who contributed to “The Missing Piece” album. Like Kri$ Blingle,Drum Majors ATL,J Keyz,Mr. Cle and all the producers on the album. I apologize if I forgot anyone. Shouts to all the artists who are featured on the album as well. To the whole Kickdoe Entertainment family, Mrs. Scrill its been a great ride and we gone keep rolling. You can find me on twitter.com/2Piece_Tx and myspace.com/2piecekde

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