OnTheSceneNY: It is impressive that someone your age marks NWA as an influence – what was it about their music and presence that made you gravitate to their movement and impact on the culture?
Stephon Rene: Their freedom to speak their mind. They expressed frustration, aggression and recklessness that I can only describe as freedom. In my music, I will never pretend to be something or someone I’m not. Being yourself as an artist isn’t a right, it’s a luxury many fail to hold onto. You can hear aggression, frustration, and recklessness absorbed into my music as well. Being who I am or showing how I feel regardless of any opposition is what many have stated they respect about me as well. It was NWA that showed me you don’t need to mold yourself into what society wants you to be, to become successful.
OnTheSceneNY: Many consider Kanye West to be one of the legendary musical minds; what is an element from his genius that you have incorporated into your brand?
Stephon Rene: I like that you say “element” because I want to first say that no one can recreate Kanye West’s artistic or musical abilities. I love how he thought outside the box with his music. He always has vocals of some kind all throughout his music. I utilize vocals in many different ways as verses, hooks, and ambient sounds to add to the mood and emotion of my music. Though I don’t constantly do so, I use ambient vocals or harmonies to add to an energetic progression within my hooks. I also appreciate his dedication. Like when he had his mouth wired shut, yet still recording a whole song “Through the Wire”. I try to model myself with this level of commitment as well. Though I was losing my voice for my birthday bash, I still performed for over an hour. Though crushing the left side of my body in a work accident. I still traveled a half a mile through slippery territory in the woods with crutches to get to a photo shoot location. This was only a day after leaving the hospital. The way I see it, if you want something bad enough, nothing can stop you.
OnTheSceneNY: What are your sentiments as you think back on being adopted and how life took a turn for the better?
Stephon Rene: I am seriously blessed. When I was adopted, I was malnourished, had a tape worm in my stomach, and was close to my end. I was blessed to be adopted into an amazing and rightfully strict family. I grew up being taught the mentality that If you want something in this world, you must earn it. This still helps me on a day to day basis to achieve what many believe to be impossible. Now I want to become a successful artist, inspire others to follow their dreams and to establish a system to better assist third world countries in helping themselves. Every day I carry a weight on my shoulders. The weight of the deaths of my orphan brothers and sisters. If I was so close to death as an orphan, I can’t pretend like all the others who weren’t adopted, survived poverty. Every one of them had unlimited potential. They could have been doctors saving lives, or scientists that made a great discovery. They could have found the cure for cancer. They could have found god. They never got the chance to live an extraordinary life. Since I did, I find it to be my responsibility to do everything in my power to make a difference. I pride myself with this responsibility, be it healthy or not, I use this to give me the strength to wake up every morning. The strength to do everything in my power to get a step closer to my goals.