LY R I C S
NVC: Has there been a definite moment when you said “it’s music or nothing?” IC: Currently … as in right now. The only thing I put above music is Life and the Almighty. When I say life I mean on a wider scale; I mean the people in my life. The Almighty comes first, then life, then music. Music is the soundtrack of my life. Music is what has brought me to the forefront so that people can know me. Music has helped me to travel worldwide and experience new cultures; it has kept me away from crime and violence, and it made me become a mentor for the less fortunate youths. It’s done a lot for me. My life is music.
96 L3 MAGAZINE | MARCH 2014
NVC: You and DJ Frass … you’re like the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of Basketball. Tell us about your history! IC: (He laughs) Frass can’t be Michael … his belly is expanding and getting big! But seriously, that is a great way to put it because Frass understands me; I can run jokes with him, I can cuss him, I can be an artist and I can be a person. Some people, operate where you go to the studio, you record your song, and you leave – straight just like that. Frass is a person where I can record a song, we’re almost finished, and he hears something that he doesn’t like, and I have to record the song, or that part again. There are times where I’ll record a whole song, and if he doesn’t like it, it won’t go out. He pushes me and he motivates me because he wants the best for me and for the music. 90% of our day is work and more work which is a good thing. NVC: Another person who speaks very highly of you is Bobby Clarke from Irie Jam Radio / Irie Jam Media Group! IC: For real! Bobby Clarke has been a mentor for me! I don’t classify myself as just an artist, I classify myself as being an avenue and messenger. This avenue is needed in life. If I was just being solely an artist, I would create music for just money and bling and girls and all the things that music comes with. I make sacrifices and compromise so that things can properly come through, and Bobby sees that as a business man. He sees the passion and the goal as to where I want to bring the brand I-Octane, and he understands that and encourages that. Talking to him is like getting a lesson in school! There is more to music that recording and singing, there is a business and he is a master where that is concerned. NVC: Your performances are always high energy and engage every member of your audience. Can you see your fans faces when you’re on stage?! IC: No not really! When I’m on stage, I can’t tell you what is occurring in the crowd because I am so in a different zone.