SR: What do you feel is your personal style?
CHANES: My personal style is outside of the box. I'm versatile. I don't pigeon hole myself into making one type of record. When you hear a track from me it may be relationships, family, money, women, struggling, having fun, politics, etc. I am an emcee.

SR: What are the messages you want to put out to your audience?
CHANES: Positivity is definitely where I'm taking my music. To uplift people and give them a different perspective on the things that may affect everyday.

SR: What do you feel symbolically represents you?
CHANES: I think I'm symbolically represented by a chameleon actually because I change up my style with every song. Besides most people say when they hear me, they never expect me come out and rap like how I do. So there is an air of mystery to me I guess.

SR: Do you feel like you have competition? if so, describe your competition
CHANES: As far as competition, I feel like I'm the best at what I do. I can only speak for myself and be the best I can be. But at the end of the day, I do make music for the people. Therefore, I have to keep my audience in mind. I am inspired by some of the artists out there. Most of them are marketable emcees who have taking this genre to the next level and who have taken their careers to the next level by diving into other realms like clothing, development of artists, etc.

SR: What makes you the one of the "best"? What makes you different from others like you?
CHANES: I make songs. My sixteens can be songs because even those have content. I'm trying to create timeless music as opposed to disposable music.

SR: What are your professional goals?
CHANES: As far professional goals I want to take my indie label-HaloHood Ent to the next level by signing artists and developing them. I also want to start a clothing line for toddlers. I also want to get into acting and writing for artists as well.

SR: What are your personal goals?
CHANES: As far as personal goals, I want to be able to take care of my family by doing something I love. Music is my passion. Its where I belong. Its natural for me. I don't try, I just do.

SR: How do they tie in together?
CHANES: Well they tie into each other because once my professional goals come to surface I will be able to create a better life for those around me and myself. I really want to help people who are in need in whatever way I can.

SR: How strong is reputation a factor?
CHANES: I think it definitely plays a factor in this industry because those who are good at what they do are successful. So I definitely want to be considered one of the guys you go to for inspirational music as well as for a hot song.

SR: What do you feel your audience wants?
CHANES: I think the audience wants honesty. They want to be able to relate to the artist as if they are your next door neighbor. They want to get personal with you.

SR: What do you feel are the advantages and disadvantages of being an artist?
CHANES: I feel like the advantages are endless for an artist because the world becomes your window. You get to travel, take care of your family, and provide for those in need. As far as the disadvantages I think those would be lack of privacy, but that come with the profession.

SR: What "words" do you want people to associate with you?
CHANES: Originality, creativeness, and diversity.

SR: What spaces or environment do you find best to create in?
CHANES: My best space to write oddly enough is while I'm on the go. I jot doe ideas and even whole songs in my sidekick actually. Peace and quiet is usually where I transfer my actual songs into  a marble notebook.

SR: How did you discover these spaces and how do they fit into your routine?
CHANES: Well they fit into my routine because I'm usually on the train or being active and that keeps me motivated. People, places, and things often trigger me to write. Its routine I make a song or two every day!

SR: What are your thoughts on targeting international audiences?
CHANES: I actually got emails from deejays in Germany, Japan, Canada, and Poland in regards to my music over the past few months. I definitely believe there is a market for music in these places. I actually traveled overseas before and my music was really received well. So international opportunities, I'm all for. I actually believe they embrace the music more than people in the states.

SR: Based on experiences, what are your feelings on mentorship in the community/industry?
CHANES: I believe mentorship is a very big part of growing this ever changing industry we call music. Networking is also an integral part. I don't and wouldn't mind sharing the knowledge I have because "each one teach one" is a motto I live by. I learned a lot by listening and observing professionals in the business. I believe you must first be a student before you can actually teach.

SR: How do you feel you and artists/creatives like you fit in to our social and cultural fabric?
CHANES: I fit into the social and the cultural fabric of society because I am the voice of the common people. I'm not rich nor poor but I represent the  middle class in society. Besides I write about things you think about and may have been afraid to say. As far as my culture, I represent those that think outside of the box. Those who don't use conventional methods to get things done. Those who look for new ways to do things. I am the future that has not forgotten about the past. Therefore my music is a culmination of what was done before and what hasn't been done yet.