check out his myspace page
www.myspace.com/samcuddy

 

Creating a huge name for himself in the Midwest Mixtape scene, and developing a major presence on myspace, Sam Cuddy has stopped at nothing to help put his state of Ohio on top of the rap game. Underground Rap Scene caught up with Sam Cuddy to ask him some questions about his hustle:

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Before we start, I want to thank you for doing the interview.

First of all, what is it like coming up in Dayton and trying to make it in the Rap game? Could you touch on the advantages and disadvantages of trying to make it in Ohio’s rap scene?  Also, what’s your favorite part about being from Ohio?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Real Talk, Its real tough comin’ out the Midwest period, and it’s definitely got its advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that the Midwest in general has never really had a HUGE place in hip hop so I think that the consumers are really unfamiliar with the sound & swag of the Midwest. I mean you got cats like Bone Thugs, Bow Wow, Kanye, Twista, Nelly, & Em, and they all held it down for the Midwest, But their was just never a huge Midwest movement like Hip Hop has had on the East Coast, West Coast, & in the South. The biggest advantage of being from the middle of the map is that the Midwest market is basically an untapped region, so when we do finally get the Midwest popped off like it’s suppose to be, We gonna have a lot of money comin’ to us. The best part about being from Ohio is that I’m literally watchin’ the music scene in Ohio bubble up. Hip Hop in Ohio is really bout to blow!   

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you explain your journey in the rap game to this point, and how you got involved with Rob-n-Hood Records, FBM magazine, and DJ Joey Fingaz?

 

Sam Cuddy:

I started rappin’ about 6 years ago; it was on the humble, you know the ciphers at parties and all that! About 3 years ago I recorded for the first time; my homeboy was recording a mixtape and asked me to give him a sixteen for it! I think the day I left the studio I went home and started workin’ on my mixtape! I picked up on everything real quick and started sellin’ my discs around the city. Within probably a year, I had a lot of indie’s gettin’ at me! I chose Rob N’ Hood because they had the hottest movement! From there it was easy because I got my first real exposure, I don’t mean to brag because I’m a humble dude, but I was hot, people started comin’ at me with opportunities & work!

 

Underground Rap Scene:

I know you’ve been working on some major mixtapes, rapping on different artist’s tracks ranging from Shareefa to Juelz Santana. Could you share some of your experiences working in the mixtape game?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Yeah, the mixtape game is cool, it’s an opportunity to gain exposure, and I mean cats get major deals off mixtapes, not a lot but some do! I like workin’ on mixtapes because I like remaking other artist’s tracks & adding my flavor to ‘em. I don’t put all my energy into mixtapes because I’m not relying on mixtapes to take me to the top. It’s just a tool that I use to keep my name buzzin’, I enjoy working on original tracks a lot more, I’m sittin’ on well over a hundred original tracks! 

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you name a DJ or artist who helped you out on your way to the top of the rap game, if any, and explain how they helped you?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Every DJ who has ever blessed me with the opportunity to get on one of their mixtapes. I been featured on probably about 100 different mixtapes but some of the Dj’s who bless me on the regular are DJ Jukebox, Rob N Hood, Chuck T,  Joey Fingaz, Kool Kid, Coolbreeze, Remy Red, P Day Dollas, Cutlass Supreme & DJ On Point.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

What are you currently working on, and when you aren’t busy in the studio how are you spending your time? What are you doing for fun?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Right now I’m workin’ on a new mixtape called 8 Ball Rollin’. It’s my first solo mixtape since signing to the hood and the tape is crazy! It’ll be droppin’ late March, early April. We just finished up our Rob N’ Hood mixtape its called “The Resume”, that’s super hot too, it’s a label collab, Dj Chuck T put the tape together & hosted it for us. That’s dropping in the next couple days & if you cop that your gonna hear all exclusive tracks from Sani G, Reddi Rocc, & myself. When I’m not in the studio or doing music, it’s a real rare thing so most of the time I’m just chillin’, but when we feel like ballin’ we might hit the ‘burg and stunt on some big wheels or when we get the urge we in the club poppin’ bottles with fam!

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Who would you say is your biggest influence?

 

Sam Cuddy:

My family in general, whether by blood or not, it’s the people who give a shit about me! That’s all I got, shoot that’s all anybody’s got!

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Who are you listening to when you aren’t playing your own tracks?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Jay Z, Lil Wayne, TI….I’m a lyrical cat so basically if you spitten that hot shit, that real shit…. I’m listenin’.!  

 

Underground Rap Scene:

When do you expect to release your next album or mixtape, and what is your favorite track that you’ve recorded for the album or mixtape so far?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Since I already plugged you on the mixtapes, I can use to this question to plug the album. Were finishing up the Rob N Hood album right now, it’s a label compilation featuring Sani G, Reddi Rocc & myself. When we set the release date for it your definitely going to hear about it, were expecting to sound scan at least 20-30 thousand independently! My Favorite track on it is probably a track I did with Sani G & Reddi Rocc, it’s called “I Could Buy Dat”.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you touch on what you’ve learned from going on tour to promote your music and performing with other up-and-coming, as well as established artists?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Yeah, I know this isn’t for everybody, you have to be 120% committed, this is the toughest business in the world, that’s why the reward is so great.

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Finally, do you have any words to share with up and coming artists who are looking to get their names heard?

 

Sam Cuddy:

Yeah definitely, I love being able to give my knowledge of the game back to other artists. I don’t know everything about the music industry but I been hands on with it & studying it for 4 years now. A lot of up and coming artists contact me and want to know the trick to getting exposure. To them I would say there is no trick, as an artist you have to grind on your own and put your name out there by yourself until you get other people believing in what your doing. Then you have to find someone who has a lot of money AND who is willing to invest it into you or you gotta have a lot of money and be willing to invest in yourself. No matter what road you choose you gotta have a major grind, lots of money, and an understanding of the music business. There are two major rules I follow, “when preparation meets opportunity, it equals success,” and “the music business is a marathon not a sprint.” Before I get out of here, I want to thank Underground Rap Scene for the interview and make sure you check me out at myspace.com/samcuddy. Catch me!

 

Underground Rap Scene:

Thank you for your time.