M3X2 – Champagne Shower

Why did you start making music?

When I came to college, it was actually to play hockey. To make a long story short, I suffered my fifth concussion shortly into my freshman year and my hockey days were over. I had to find something that I loved and I was truly passionate about, something nobody was going to “make” me do. I always found an escape in music and I found I had a skill and an opportunity to tell people my own story through my music.

Who was your inspiration?

Machine Gun Kelly. Being from Cleveland I’ve watched a lot of exceptional musical talent grow up and get recognized. From Bone Thugs to Kid Cudi, Cleveland has always been full of unique musical talent. I connected to MGK in a different way though, his movement is a lot deeper than just the music. I would go as far as to call myself an MGK fanatic, I take a lot of pride in being a longtime supporter of his and one of the early members of his cult-type fanbase known as EST (Everyone Stands Together). I definitely have times where I echo his style of rap, but as a whole I try to stray away from that and have my own style and my own recognizable flow.

At first, it was difficult to try and convince them that this was what I wanted to do. I mean, I’m a white, hockey playing, middle-class, 3.5 GPA kid. Not exactly what you call “fitting the mold” of a rapper. I had to convince them, my mom especially, that rap didn’t have to be something so negative, it can be a way to tell stories and express your life in words. Of course the content of my music was bothersome at first, but both of my parents are now so proud that I pursue my dreams and they have actually grown to enjoy my music for what it is.

Definitely. I am still just as passionate about it today as I was on day 1. There are days where I get down and lose my motivation, but I always wake up the next day and think about music. Sometimes it can be difficult, I often feel like I’m all alone doing this and I’ve been let down by a lot of people on this road so far, but it helps to teach you who’s really going to show up for you and who’s all talk. This industry can make it tough to decipher between people who want to help you and people who want to use you to help themselves. I just always have to keep in mind that no matter what other people do around me, I have to keep my focus and work towards my goals.

Nope, no rivals. I mean, I guess maybe I technically have one but I don’t see him as much of a rival, maybe he sees me as one. This kid RIP I worked with a lot last year, he has a lot of animosity towards me and my music. I’m not really sure why, I appreciate the help the kid gave me and I know I wouldn’t be where I am musically if he hadn’t taken me in and showed me the ropes. Yes, I graduated to making better and more professional sounding music at a real studio instead of his closet, but that doesn’t take away what the kid did for me. He takes every chance he gets to say some negative shit about M3, oh well, maybe someday he’ll quit the hatin’.

Damn, this is NOT an easy question. I have to have Eminem’s “Curtain Call” up there because it’s got all the classics on there, but it’s more of a greatest hits collection than an album. “Lace Up” was MGK’s debut album and I hate to keep goin’ with the same person but this LP was so under-appreciated. K crossed genres and had songs ranging from “Demons” to “All We Have”. If you haven’t given “Lace Up” a listen yet you’re slacking, get on it.

I’m assuming this is my favorite hip-hop song, and it’s a toss up. I really love music that’s lyrical, but not necessarily in the form of punchlines, but rather it’s deep and it makes you think. “End of the Road” is my favorite MGK song, and has kept me going at some of my lowest points. Also, “Blessed” by Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar is high on the list. If you haven’t heard it, you need to give it a listen. It takes a new look at the life of a gangster from a perspective you’ve probably never acknowledged, I know I hadn’t. Deep music.

I really haven’t performed too many places yet, my career is still pretty young but there is one place I really love here in Fort Myers. It’s called the Manna Reading Center. It’s a low-key warehouse type venue but it’s always a good time. They’ve got all sorts of eclectic things on the walls and shit, it’s a very unique place to take in a concert.

Nope. Not yet. The work never stops though…

Where are you from?

Cleveland, Ohio. And very proud of it. Your hometown makes you the person you are, I’ve never understood how people could turn their backs on the place that raised them. I moved away to try and find bigger opportunities for myself and my life, but I would never utter a bad word about the CLE. I will love it until the day I die.

I do, but it has to be the right fit. There are a lot, and I mean A LOT of people who want to rap nowadays. If you’re gonna be working with someone, you need to know their style and make sure that they have the same intentions as you do. I wouldn’t collab with someone who just makes music for fun, I’m serious about my music. I’ll always fool around and have some fun spitting a couple bars with some buddies, but I’m not going to waste my time or money to work with you if you’re not serious.

Damn, what a weird question. I’m not mainstream, not even close. I’m not that big at this point in time, but I can’t imagine that I will like being mainstream. I’m different, a very independent thinker who does my own thing. I’m not sure I’ll ever stop doing my own thing, even if the masses latch on to my music and my style.

I don’t read music magazines. I’ve never been super in touch with stuff like that, I’m more of a sports fan. I guess if I’m reading one it’s gotta be XXL.

It was a fun hobby in high school but I didn’t get serious about it until I arrived at FGCU. It’s been almost two years now that I’ve been really into it.

Never, and nobody ever will. If I hit a day where the motivation isn’t coming from inside of me anymore, then I think it’s time to call it quits.

Will you ever retire?

Tough question to answer but it kinda goes back to my last response. I don’t foresee it happening any time soon, but if my passion for it ever goes away, I’d have to believe I would hang it up and say “I’m done”.

Not at this point in my career. I’m gonna focus on getting heard first then we’ll talk about that other bullshit.

Indifferent. I’d be lying if I told you I paid for all my music. But I will say, if there’s someone in particular that you like and support, BUY THEIR SHIT!! Support isn’t just talking about an artist, help them continue to make the music that you love by purchasing their stuff whenever it’s made available to you.