Gage Connor Clarke (born September 8th, 1995) or, better known by his stage name(s), Clarky (a/k/a ClarkyArtist) is an English, independent, musical artist and lead member of the independent band ‘Calls Of Alysm’!!!
He is also the C.E.O of the Music & Entertainment Companies: TunnelVisionTV, AnotherLabelLTD & Laid-BackStudios where he works as a graphic designer, photographer, studio engineer & technician, music producer, director, videographer, editor, writer and more!!!
We caught up with Clarky to find out more about him and his thoughts on the state of Hip-Hop!!!
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When did you first get into Hip-Hop?
I’ve always had a passion for all genres of music, and I’m influenced by everything in life, but consider Hip-Hop to be my favourite genre. I’ve been Listening to Hip-Hop since birth, as my 2 (much) older brothers were heavily into Hip-Hop as well.
I developed a huge passion for music at a very young age and began writing lyrics as soon as I was capable of writing; But didn’t progress into actual rapping until Age 8, -Where I began writing & recording music at ‘Connections Studios’ (Grays, Essex)
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What inspired you to start making music?
I was already big on the culture and music, so it was already heavily influencing my life. But some of my other inspirations included the situations life brought, along with the emotions, and thoughts that I had inside me too. Music was there as an outlet to help me talk about (and even to understand) all of those things. Music allowed me to express myself in a way I was never able to before.
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What do you think of the current state of Hip-Hop?
I think the current state of Hip-Hop is awful. I think we’re living in a time where nobody that listens to Hip-Hop even pays attention to the lyrics or skill. and for me, that’s the biggest issue.
Hip-Hop (At Least the Hip-Hop being pushed on TV & Radio) consists of artists that have put 0% effort into making their music. Every song sounds exactly the same.
and nobody even rhymes anymore! Plus nobody’s making sense!
What’s it come to when you can’t even pinpoint a subject/concept for the song you’re listening to?!
The reason being that EVERY verse is just random, inconsistent gibberish-filled statements & each of their lines is irrelevant to their next line?
As Eminem once said, “Nobody cares about the syllables anymore. If you want to make a record, you need a hot beat & a catchy hook”. It’s fucked.
I’d understand if the labels/mainstream wanted to put trash music out there but can’t they at LEAST Pay the TALENTED Artists with actual SKILL to be the ones to write the trash songs that they want to play on the Radio?
Stop Making Stupid people Rich & Famous.
The Independent Hip-Hop Scene & Underground Hip-Hop Scene, however, is THRIVING with AMAZING Artists!!! THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE NEED IN HIP-HOP.
If there’s a ‘Lil’ ‘Kid’ ‘$’ or any of that BS in their rap name, Then you can Guarantee I won’t be listening to their ‘SHIT’.”
Where we are in music now is that, good or shit, artists are able to make music in there bedrooms and top charts and win Grammy’s! It’s a gift and a curse really!!!
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Who’s your favourite MC/Artist of all time?
HIP-HOP US:
Rittz (Strange Music)
Tech N9ne (Strange Music)
Krizz Kaliko
MayDay! (Strange Music)
CesCru (Strange Music)
Hopsin
HIP-HOP UK:
Proverbz
Monk
Akala
Lowkey
Mic Righteous (Mic Reckless)
NON-HIP-HOP US:
Blink-182
Twenty-One Pilots
Grandson
NON-HIP-HOP UK:
The King Blues
Frank Turner
Arctic Monkeys
The 1975
Ben Howard
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Who’s your favourite out now?
HIP-HOP US:
Rittz (Strange Music)
Tech N9ne (Strange Music)
Krizz Kaliko
MayDay! (Strange Music)
CesCru (Strange Music)
Hopsin
Snow Tha Product
Jarren Benton
Joyner Lucas
RA The Rugged Man
Lil Dicky
HIP-HOP UK:
Lowkey
Akala
Proverbz
Monk
NON-HIP-HOP US:
Blink 182
Twenty-One Pilots
Grandson
NON-HIP-HOP UK:
The King Blues
Arctic Monkeys
The 1975
Ben Howard
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Do you have any forthcoming projects dropping this year?
My next album is due to Be Released in May 2020, via HRSUnderground, and will be available on all major streaming platforms (iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, GooglePlayMusic)
It’s titled ‘PSYCHEDELIA’ and each song explores the different voices/personalities/thoughts of various mind states as well as the different voices/personalities/thoughts of various mental health conditions.
Follwing the album I’ll also be releasing my debut EP, on HRSUnderground, titled
‘UNDERGROUND INFLUENCE’ later this year.
I’ll also be featured heavily on other HRSUnderground releases, this year, including the follow-up to there ‘Hidden Underground – VOL 1 & 2’ albums and the ‘HRS X A.C Productions’ Album.
https://music.hrsunderground.com/album/hidden-underground – (VOL. 1)
https://music.hrsunderground.com/album/hidden-underground-vol-2 – (VOL. 2)
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Where do you see yourself, musically, in 5 years time?
Where I’d like to see myself, musically, in 5 Years time…. signed to a record label or making it ‘major’, but independently. As long as music is paying the bills and I’m doing what I love then I’d be happy!
Where I realistically see myself, musically, in 5 Years time… continuing to write, record and release my own music independently but with an extra 5 years worth of experience, skills gained, more contacts, music made, more fans and hopefully a bigger buzz around my name!!
Check out links here for more information on Clarky –
www.ClarkyArtist.com
www.Facebook.com/Clarky.Official.Fan.Page
www.Youtube.com/ClarkyArtist
www.Youtube.com/ClarkyTelevision
www.Youtube.com/ClarkyMusic
www.Twitter.com/ClarkyArtist
www.ReverbNation.com/ClarkyArtist
www.RapGenius.com/ClarkyArtist
www.SoundCloud.com/ClarkyArtist
www.SoundCloud.com/ClarkyArtist2011-2012
Free Downloads & Free Streams of Clarky’s Other Albums & Mixtapes here @
http://www.datpiff.com/profile/CLARKYartist/mixtapes
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