1) Hello George “TraGiC” Doman (T-2-Tha-R’Uh), we met on myspace. Tell ushow you got into Hip-Hop?
1a.) Tupac Shakur was my biggest influence, he inspired me to stand up and use
my lyrical talent to my advantage and use my disability as a drive instead of negative force in my life.
2) You were born… Please give us details about your
family and coming to America.
2b.) My grandparents, my mother, and her siblings fled from Iraq due to the leadership of Saddam Hussian. They knew America was a nation of promise and wanted a better life and future for our family. I was born in Chicago, I was born with Cerebral Palsy, a birth defect that causes me to walk awkwardly, but I never let my disability get to me. I used it as my Gift & not my Curse! That’s what “TraGiC” stands for They’ll Realize A Gift Isn’t Cursed! Every time I touch the stage, microphone, or recording booth They’ll Realize A Gift Isn’t Cursed bro, trust me, they will!!!
3) You call yourself “The King of Handicap-Hop
Explain”;
3c.) Back in 2005, I was chosen as a Top 30 Finalist in my Region of Northern California for “X’Zibit’s Hip-Hop SuperSta Contest”, I beat at least 300 artist for that title and a chance to get a recording contract with Sony. So the term “King” comes from me being the “Regional King” in my local area of California. And because skeptics use to tell me; “why do you Rap/Write about your legs? Why? So I said, “Man I do Hip-Hop, Naw bro, I’m a HandiCap-Hop Star! TraGiC AKA T-2-Tha-R’Uh; HandiCap-Hop Star’Uh!!! HaHa!!!”
4) You met Michael Bivins of New Edition.
Tell us what he told you?
4d.) During a taping of MTV’s “Making The Band 4″ Chicago auditions Michael Bivins was quoted on saying; “Now that’s the way you raise the bar for Making The Band!!”.
Because I did raise the bar, I stood on my “weak” legs and rocked that audition even though I knew “Making The Band 4″ was not looking for any MC’s I still gave it 100%. And when Mr. Bivins stood up to compliment my efforts, I felt God was using him to send a message to me, trying to tell me not to give up on my dreams. It was one of my favorite moments from my past, I’ll never forget that! How could an MC “raise the bar” for an R&B audition? (laughing)
5) Do you think the Hip-Hop industry ready for
disabled artists?
5e.) Why not? We had Ray Charles, we have Stevie Wonder, and Kane (Ying Yang Twins). But man, these damn A&R’s and Record Labels don’t take risk anymore. It seems they’re just shopping around for the next “Ring Tone Rapper” instead of the next Biggie or 2pac. Biggie said it himself “Fat, Black, Ugly as ever, However I say couchie down to the socks”. Notorious BIG had that swagger and confidence that is now missing in Hip-Hop. In my opinion, there’s a lot of cool “rappers” who got an “ok” flow, but lately there’s not any true MC’s with that story line, that just captures fans to fall in love with your music and real character.
6) What’s your thoughts about the “Hyphy Movement”?
6f.) No disrespect towards The “Hyphy” movement it was pretty much a great thing for west coast Rap artist, especially in the Bay Area. I like the music, the energy, & the style but I don’t agree with them using derogatory remarks towards the disabled community. Although I think they’re doing it in a no harm comedic way it still annoys me a little bit. I’m a fan of Mac Dre, Mistah FAB, & various Bay Area MC’s but I feel like the words “Retard”, “Yellow Bus”, and wearing “chin strap” helmets at shows hits too close to home to the disabled community. Sure, I can poke fun of my disability and laugh at it but I’m not going to make racial remarks towards another race to create some laughs and generate a fan base. I love Hyphy but I just wish the Hyphy artist would embrace disabled artist and let US; the ones who have rode the “special buses/yellow buses” speak on it. We can make those “remarks” about disabilities because it makes more sense. Hyphy Hip-Hop is great to listen too but I just wish they can unite with disabled Rap artist and let us put our own twist and down play those remarks.
7) You’ve entered the contest to be on a soundtrack
but something happen. Do you think contest is a good
way to get notice? Tell us your success with music contest.
7g.) On Myspace I recently signed up for this contest to be featured in the “Step Up 2: The Streets” soundtrack. I was selected as a finalist of top five Rap artists for the “Step Up 2″ soundtrack but due to my research I believe the contest was rigged. Although I felt it was rigged it still was a great opportunity to get some exposure. I’ve been a finalist in 3 different contest; beating over 500 artist in each contest. I’ve accomplished a lot of things in my music career due to music contest, such as winning a chance to feature in the official God of War 2 soundtrack, broadcasted my song on XM Radio (XM 67 The City), received radio plays on the local radio station on 104.7 FM (Hot 104.7 KHUB), & became a semi-finalist on Xzibit’s 2005 Hip Hop Superstar Contest. So yes, do whatever you can, talk to A&R’s, enter music contest, whatever it takes to get one step closer to accomplishing your goals.
8.) Have you seen Hip-Hop Magazines interview disabled
artists?
8h.) Yes, but very rarely, because like I said the Music Industry is scared to promote “disabled” artist in any field of entertainment. Because I believe they don’t feel being “different” sells. But weather your short, fat, skinny, ugly, disabled, if you’re truly talented, it will speak for itself. The entertainment industry has allowed stars to shine that have been under the same circumstances as me; Ray Charles & Stevie Wonder strived for the opportunity to achieve great advances in popular music and like them, I plan on accomplishing ambitious strides. Blind or not blind, Ray Charles & Stevie Wonder inspired many artist because they created heartfelt music. Music is a universal language, it has no preference it speaks to anyone who listens.
9.) What is your next project?
9i.) I’m currently working on my next EP & Mix-tape hosted by: Dj Vlad “The Butcher” (Created one of the best selling Mix-Tape’s “Tupac: Rap Phenomenon”). And I just want to continue to make contacts & create great music.
10.) Give us some insight on the songs Monster and
Industry Epidemic.
10j.) “Monster” & “Industry Epidemic”, are songs I created to address societies views on the disabled community. “Monster” is a song I wrote that attacks society’s view on me as a “disabled rap artist” calling me a “monster” because of my disability. I was inspired by 50 cent’s “How to Rob” & created “Industry Epidemic”, to show case my “robbery” in the industry. Much like 50 cent I created a song robbing certain artist, but in “my robbery” I put the “disabled shoe on the other foot” and proceeded to rap about how and why the music industry doesn’t allow certain artist like me to tell my story through songs and receive great promotion and recognition through an established recording company.
11) From your fist album to your second album,
Reintroduction, it sound like you grew a lot.
11k.) Of coerce I did, as great artist do, you always grow from album to album because every album has different experiences, feelings, & delivery. Working on albums is like “looking at a photo album”, in each photo you look different, much like in each “bar” you write you sound different. “Gift I Cherish” was my first real album but I felt like on that album I wasn’t as confident as I am now. My “swagger”, lyrical style, and song writing abilities was more polished on my latest album “The Reintroduction”. I felt “The Reintroduction” was creatively better then any album I have worked on and that’s a good sign because I keep getting better.
12.) Do you battle?
12l.) No, but I respect battle rappers because I love “punch lines”. But I rather work on crafting my song writing abilities so that when I do get my chance I’ll be able to create timeless songs not just “punch lines”.
13.) Is Hip-Hop dead?
13m.) No, but its silenced, it seems the job of an A&R has reduced itself into finding what’s already been told & sold through countless records rather then listening to a dope ass demo tape they got in the mail. A&R’s are no longer looking “carefully” for the “next big thing” they’re just signing off “So & so, who knows so & so”. Sure, this business is about “who you know” but come on; did Dr. Dre know Eminem? No! but he put him on Aftermath because he has talent with longevity. It seems after 2001 & Napster Hip-Hop took a turn for the worse, caring more about teeny bop ring tones then timeless classics.
14.) If you had ten minutes with Russell Simmons what
would you say and do?
14n.) I would spit my best verse, then I would explain where I’m coming from and what I’ve accomplished in my career. I would say; “Mr. Simmons I rock my “Adidas” with a crippled swagger”. You created Def Jam because you wanted hip-hop to reach the heights, and it’s done so but allow me to introduce a different storyline to the soundtrack of Hip-Hop music today. Me & Mr. Simmons would probably have a great discussion about hip-hip and he would get to hear my point of view as an underground artist in 2008.
15.) Why have the Ying Yang Twins made it and not you
or other disabled hip-hop artists?
15o.) No Disrespect towards The Ying Yang Twins they make great club music, they know how to intensify the club go’ers but I’ve noticed they’re record label has silenced them from speaking more about they’re disabilities. Maybe they don’t want too? Maybe they don’t have the lyrical ability to approach and speak on it public ally? Or maybe they’re label doesn’t want too market them in such a manner because they feel it won’t bring any revenue? Either way I respect they’re attempt on addressing it on a song called “F#%k The Ying Yang Twins”, from they’re previous album. But as far as why have they made it? And not me or any other disabled artist have? It might be because they knew the right person at the right time. In my opinion, you could be the greatest artist of all time, but if some idiot A&R doesn’t see it in you, then chances are you got to wait till another A&R or anyone in the music business will.
Who is your favorite hip-hop artist? What is Hip-Hop missing now a days?
16p.) Tupac Shakur…. But right now I like T.I., Eminem, 50 Cent, Game, Jay-Z, Nas, Lupe’ Fiasco, Kanye’ West, Common, Talib, Tech N9ne & many more from the westcoast in the 1990’s era. I love what Jay-Z’s doing right now with his latest album “American Gangster”, that album was an all around good album. I think out of everyone right now Jay-Z’s the most consistent. But it’s whatever your feeling, everyone has they’re own preference on what they want too listen too. I feel like the 1990’s to early 2000’s was probably the last era of real good artist to get signed in the music industry. Lately, it’s just been about the “lets play it safe” and go with what sells, but what’s funny is if you play something enough on radio & TV you’ll brainwash fans into buying it. There’s not enough content anymore in today’s music scene. Its all about club bangers now in Hip-Hop, it’s not like the R&B scene where the artist talk about feelings, like Usher with his album “Confessions”. There’s barely any new MC’s taking risks and just letting they’re true feelings come out on a record, everyone’s playing it safe.
When you perform are people shock?
17q.) Yea, they love seeing a “HandiCap-Hop Star”, haha…I think people feel you as long as you stay honest in your art. They dig it! That’s hip-hop man, in its truest form, you got an MC with trials & tribulations just rocking the crowd with his or her energy and talent. It’s intimate…just you, your art, and the crowd!
18.) Every disabled hip-hop artists have a whack story
about producers. Do you have a story?
18r.) Yea, beat-makers charge too damn much, they don’t understand that they need us (MC’s) as much as we need them. It’s easier for a producer to sell beats for a $100 each then it is for an MC to charge $100 for a verse. I don’t mind paying, but now a days everyone thinks they’re the next Scott Storch, and they think they can charge an arm and a leg for an 8 bar looped over an over again. Man, you know how hard it is to write a “hit” single? My words and delivery matter as much as the music does. If Lil Wayne doesn’t write a great song he’s more too blame then the producer/beat-maker. Sure, the beat does matter, but it’s the overall song that captures your attention. Producers need to stay more humble and help out artist in need of a “hot” beat, and compromise with each other on prices.
19.) If you get signed how would you promote other
disabled artists?
19s.) I would promote them on my site, myspace, mix-tapes, talk about them in articles. Maybe start my own agency to help find them a home with a record label. I would address them instead of ignoring the underground artist.
20.) What do you think about Krip-Hop Project?
20t.) I love it, it’s a chance for the disabled music community to join together on one project to preach about our lives. And a chance for us too see the driven force we have in Hip-Hop if we stand together. But I can’t wait till we (the disabled artist) get a say-so in the field of entertainment.
21.) How can people get in touch with you?
21u.) www.TraGiCMuSiC.com
www.CdBaby.com/TraGiC2 (Entire 2006 Album)
22.) Any last words?
22v.) The entertainment industry has allowed stars to shine that have been under the same circumstances as me; Ray Charles & Stevie Wonder strived for the opportunity to achieve great advances in popular music and like them, I plan on accomplishing ambitious strides. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, a birth defect that causes me to walk awkwardly with tremendous struggles. Ironically, this disability has given me the strength to create music and start a dream of my own. Hip-Hop gave me a reason to seek a gift within my “curse” and allowed me to believe that God may have took away any chance of me walking normal, however instead, gave me a gift to write and record songs. And I believe that with music, I can do great things!
They’ll Realize A Gift Isn’t Cursed! George “TraGiC” Doman AKA T-2-Tha-R’Uh; HandiCap-Hop Star’Uh!!!
Stay Hungry & Humble… If you believe in God… Any thing is possible! God Bless!!!
Tags: George Tragic Doman, Krip Hop, Leroy Moore
