24hourhiphop.com got a chance to interview recording artist Mel Casimir . Mel Casimir  tells us about his life growing up along with his musical influences. Mel Casimir  also tells us about when he began making music and, also talks to us about past, current , and future projects. Lastly, we get to check out his latest mixtape and music video. Check out the interview below and let us know what you think about our Next In Line!

 

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

Mel Casimir:  I go by the name Mel Casimir

24HHH: How did you come up with your Producer/Artist name? Tell us about it.

Mel Casimir: I came up wit Mel Casimir from my middle name “Mel” and “Casimir” from my understanding and research basically means ” Announcing Peace” coming into a new situation.

24HHH:  Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?

Mel Casimir: I’m originally from queens NY but my family moved to Ga when I was 9yrs old. Most of my memories come from growing up in GA. I jus remember moving a lot and never really feeling at home anywhere because I was always coming into a new situation.

24HHH: Who were you raised by? Tell us your family situation. Got any brothers, sisters, or any siblings? Tell us about your childhood, and how it impacted your music?

Mel Casimir: I grew up with both my parents until I was 13. My parents split up and my mom moved us from Lithonia, Ga to Gwinnett, Ga. After my parents split I pretty much had to look up to my older brother and his friends. My dad did the best he could for us with what he was given, especially being that he never really knew his dad. Me and my brother took care of my lil sister while my moms was gone at work. The split up took a toll on all of us. I remember my mom working two jobs to make sure that we had a roof over our head and clothes on our backs. My brother leaned more on support from the streets during those times and I pretty much did my best to keep it together. I did my best to keep from putting a bad look on my moms face. Different situations growing up definitely impacted me as an artist.

24HHH:  What age did you start making music?

Mel Casimir: I started writing music young maybe around 11 or 12. I jus use to play around with it because I saw my uncle doing it. I would say my uncle is definitely a big reason I got started. I mean at the time I was young and didn’t know what I was doing but me mimicking him definitely stuck in the back of my head. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I truly began to pursue music. I remember walking into one of my friends dorms rooms and he had all his equipment hooked up and everything and I was just amazed at the whole process. He produced music so it was definitely a door for me to get started. From that moment I just began focusing on making good music that I would want to hear.

24HHH:  What artists/producers do you work with? Or rubbed shoulders with?

Mel Casimir: I work with a lot of up and coming producers. I like to work with dope producers who are still on the come up. Ive been working a lot lately with a kid named Niko. His production jus goes so well with the style of music I want to make along with stamp that I want to leave on my legacy.

24HHH:  What else you got coming out? New Album? or Mixtape/EP?

Mel Casimir: Im actually working on a project right now called “Junkies” junkies meaning being addicted to what you love to do. Whatever it is you want to do in life do it to the fullest. Im probably gonna drop it sometime around august.

24HHH:  Tell us about your newest single “Keys To Life”, how did you come up with that, share us the story?

Mel Casimir: “Keys to Life” is a song I chose to run with first. For me its the perfect introduction song to kind of describe me in a short time. Its produced by Niko which is sampled from a song off Sampha’s EP called “Indecision”.

Check out Mel Casimir – Keys To Life (Official Video)

24HHH:  Any new travel plans, what you got going on?

Mel Casimir: I eventually want to go on a college tour, I think that would be pretty dope. I got a show coming up in Macon, Ga on the 29th of this month but I want to try and book a lot of venues this year to get my name out there.

24HHH:  What is the biggest thing to happen in your career?

Mel Casimir: The biggest thing in my career has happened yet lol or at least I haven’t felt like I’ve had that moment yet.

24HHH:  Where can people find you? 

Mel Casimir: You can find me on Instagram: Mel_Casimir_ and twitter: Mel_Casimir . You can also find me on soundcloud or Junkmel.com

24HHH: Where do you see yourself going in 2014 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?

Mel Casimir: In 2014 I plan on jus trying to establish myself, I put a lot of work into my music and honestly I jus want to get it to peoples ears. I know I have a different sound and different message that people can relate to. I took a lot of time to myself to get back to staying true to myself in the music. I was at a point where I felt I was making music to please everybody else and I needed to take a step back to get back to making music that I felt good about.

24HHH:  Any last words or shout outs?

Mel Casimir: S/O to anybody who supports me and anybody who gives me an opportunity.