FAME: How A Regular Kid From Brooklyn Turned Hip-Hop Recording Artist

Alexander Liang | July 6, 2011 | 0 Comments

Born and raised in East Brooklyn, New York, FAME isn’t your typical hip-hop recording artist. Raised by a single mother, he was born Devon Cecilio Joseph. As a child he grew up singing and rapping, a unique combination of talents in his neighborhood. Impressed by his knack for music, people would constantly encourage him throughout his childhood and say, “You’re going to be famous one day.” It was from this support that his stage name, FAME emerged into the spotlight.

Besides the catchy parallel metaphors and rhyme schemes, FAME records and performs most of his own composed hooks and choruses. Drawing upon a variety of influences from Jay Z and R. Kelly to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sublime, FAME creates a sound that is his own.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE IMAGES FROM THE PHOTO SHOOT.

We got the chance to sit down and chat with the 20-year-old recording artist to ask him about his upcoming debut mix-tape “The Hybrid Season” and the inspiration behind his music. Check out the video and read the interview below:

KENTON: When you were growing up, who was your favorite entertainer?
FAME: My favorite entertainer was Usher. I just loved his style and performance. He is such a great entertainer.

KENTON: And who are your favorite artists nowadays?
FAME: I’m really just a fan of good music, especially the underdogs. I love to see real talent come up and succeed.

KENTON: You grew up singing and rapping, but how did you get into music as a professional career?
FAME: I got into hip-hop just growing up in Brooklyn. You were surrounded by it in the neighborhood and couldn’t help but get into it. I joined the Boys Choir at the Choir Academy of Harlem. There, I was given the opportunity to have proper voice lessons and training. We got to travel and perform a lot and I expanded a lot musically.

KENTON: Do you play any instruments besides singing?
FAME: No, but I am learning the drums right now.

KENTON: Where do you find inspiration for your music?
FAME: Watching other musicians and underdogs rise up. I see myself as a life-long student, constantly learning from everyone around me.

KENTON: Can you tell us a bit about what the songs on your debut mix-tape are about?
FAME: The songs on the mix-tape are about my experiences from being a regular kid to becoming a recording artist. The mix-tape starts off talking about my first time flying to California, fresh off the plane in Hollywood.

KENTON: Since this is a fashion magazine, we have to ask you: what is your favorite item in your closet?
FAME: Definitely my watch. I saved up for quite a while for it and kept it in the closet until one day special to wear it. I see it as somewhat of a milestone purchase that I am proud of.

“The Hybrid Season” is now available, click here to download.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE IMAGES FROM THE PHOTO SHOOT.