24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.

Kevin Kartier: Well, I’m Kevin Kartier of the Aviator Gang (AvG), a 22 year-old emcee from Biloxi, MS (Katrinaville).

24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what inspired you?

Kevin Kartier: Well, I first got into music like everyone else, as a fan. When I was younger I got into listening to older No Limit & Cash Money like back in ‘97, ‘98, ‘99 & being younger, I got into what the older kids around me were listening to. It only grew from there & around when I was 12 is when I wrote my first song. Ever since then, I haven’t looked back.

24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?

Kevin Kartier: To be honest, and I don’t mean any disrespect, but outside of a few dudes trying to do their thing, there really wasn’t a local Hip-Hop scene when I was growing up & honestly, there still isn’t. There are people here that wanna do music like anywhere else, but it’s just individuals competing against each other as opposed to coming together & really creating a true, viable music scene.

24: What makes you Unique as a artist and different from other rappers out now?

Kevin Kartier: Well, first of all, I’m from a relatively unique place when we talk about Hip-Hop on a national scale. Mississippi is one of the last places, especially in the South, that hasn’t really had a run yet. I mean up until recently, David Banner was the only person anyone could name from Mississippi within the realm of Hip-Hop. Now recently the seeds have been planted for that to change but we’re still getting there. Second, is my point of view. No matter what the track is, I’m going to tell you how I see it or what I think of whatever the subject is. I feel like that’s the only way you can keep creating is by staying true to who you are. That leads me to the third point, which is my sound. I’m always looking to push the boundaries where I can & try to do new or different things cause if you’re doing what everyone else does, how does that make you different?

24: Tell us about what you are working on.

Kevin Kartier: Well we just dropped my free album “The Mile High Club” which features CyHi the Prynce, Killa Kyleon, LAWS & production from DJ Burn One, Supa Villain & more. We just put it out & we’ve been getting great feedback so far & I just can’t say enough how thankful I am for everyone’s support & opinions. Good or bad, it shows that you’re paying attention & you cared enough to share your opinion. But y’all check that out wherever you get your music, cause we’re trying to put “The Mile High Club” there. But after that I think I’m gonna start working on this EP idea I got. It’s not officially official yet but I’m thinking Burn One & I are gonna link up for the EP. The working title is “Twist. Burn. Repeat.” so yall look out for that too.

24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work
with in the future?

Kevin Kartier: I’ve worked with DJ Burn One, who always brings something dope to the table production wise. Then we got Supa Villain, who’s actually from the city right next to where I’m from, who got is name out by doing tracks for Rich Boy & others & we linked up for some pretty dope tracks too. Then we got my dude Skinny D who’s been producing for me since I was like 16. I really wanna work with a lot of producers, almost too many to name but some favorites are Just Blaze, DJ Khalil, Kanye West & Big K.R.I.T. to name a few.

24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?

Kevin Kartier: Yeah, the feedback for “The Mile High Club” has been very positive and I again just want to thank everyone for their continued support in my ever-changing journey into the music industry.

24: In today’s free download age, what do you need that you don’t to make yourself a household name?

To make yourself a household name now, you gotta stand out & have a brand or an ideal or something that your fans can buy into & want to attach themselves to. People like feeling like they’re apart of something bigger than themselves so if you’re doing something dope, people are gonna eventually realize it & the goal is to grow the movement from there.

24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene

Kevin Kartier: It’s definitely at a crossroads now when you look back at the past couple of years. Hip Hop is only now getting to be in its 30’s & if you look at other forms of music, whenever there are younger kids that come up & put a twist on what’s already there, some of the older heads are always like “This isn’t what our music is…. Our music is this or that…” but in reality, it is still music. It may not directly sound exactly like what they did in the past, but if it did, the younger dudes would be considered biting, which when I was growing up, was the worst thing you could do. Just straight bite someone & give them no credit. I just think now, Hip Hop is big enough that we can have a wide variety of music within Hip Hop & its just something new; just some growing pains for Hip Hop but nothing serious. We’re gonna just keep evolving & growing.

24: Outside of the music what else are you currently working on

Kevin Kartier: Really, my focus has been on getting my career on track, to be honest. You don’t grow & succeed without putting forth effort.

24: Where do you see yourself going in 2011 and how do you plan to
separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?

Kevin Kartier: I see myself staying on this road to success I’m trying to pave. For couple years, people haven’t wanted to let me do me so I just decided to create my own lane. Now its up to me to stay on track & accomplish my goals that are within reach.

24: How can fans go about contacting you?

Kevin Kartier: Hit me on twitter @KevinKartier or send inquires to Kartierbeats@Gmail.com

24: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?

Kevin Kartier: Yeah, big shoutout to 24HourHipHop for showing love, shoutout Serm, Obese, my dude TV, the whole AvG, Shake, DJ Burn One, Supa Villain, Killa Kyleon, LAWS, CyHi, Richie Gatti, Goose, Skinny D, & everyone else that’s helped me get where I am thus far & where I’m going in the future. AvG: Who Flyer, None High. Y’all check out “The Mile High Club” out now & just keep your eyes open for the future.

Download the Mixtape:
The Mile High Club