Meet Da Brat’s First Artist, Chicago Emcee, Cornbread
With an unusual, yet superior swag and an ability to stay positive, despite his harsh and very real neighborhood surroundings, Cornbread, née Alexander Gonzalez, has managed to separate himself from other emcees with his attitude, outlook and music. It should come as no surprise to anyone that this 21 year-old recording artist is determined, motivated to keep completing new records, and blessing his fans, all while elevating himself.
Cosigned by legendary female emcee, Da Brat, Cornbread continues to grow him brand. He’s already released a number of singles including “Be Jordan,” “Rokkit” and “I Came Up”, which features his mentor, Da Brat. He’s also appeared on Rickey Smiley For Real, the TV One reality show.
We caught up with Cornbread to talk music, working with Da Brat and much more. Read the interview and get familiar with the emcee.
Parlé Mag: Tell me about your whole inception into music, when did you first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for you?
Cornbread: Me, my brother and cousin didn’t have anything to do, so we started writing and making up rhymes in my mother’s basement. My friend, Chaley, had his own studio, so I started recording there.
Parlé Mag: Now your are a native of Chicago, IL, correct? So growing up in ‘Chiraq,’ who did you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Cornbread: Yes, I was born and raised in Chicago. HUMBOLT PARK to K-TOWN and FERDINAND AVERS. First off, I’m not going with that name “Chiraq.” The name got a lot of innocent people killed. I live in Chicago and positive people have been doing their thing for a minute. Kanye West, Chance The Rapper and Jeremih among others.
Parlé Mag: At what point in time, specifically, did you opt to pursue music on a professional level?
Cornbread: I starred in the #1 reality TV show called ‘ReAwakening‘ in Chicago. That’s actually how I got my name. I used to slow dance for the ladies and never cared what anybody thought or said about me. As long as I was entertaining and putting smiles on kid’s faces, I just did me. The music came naturally.
Parlé Mag: That being said, how do you classify your overall sound and/or style?
Cornbread: My sound is real. I’m not trying to be or sound like anybody. On the dressing side, I can literally throw anything on and make it look good.
Parlé Mag: Where does your moniker originally derive from?
Cornbread: I needed a catchy name that everybody would love to say. Me and the director of ‘ReAwakening‘ came up with Cornbread.
Parlé Mag: Your song, “Be Jordan” — Tell me about this particular track? How did it come to fruition?
Cornbread: My boy, Dilla, had the idea and we got together to work on it. It basically means everybody wants to be Jordan, but you can just be you and be great.
Parlé Mag: You’ve gotten a major endorsement by being co-signed by the one and only Da Brat. What particular string of events led up to this unification?
Cornbread: She watched my videos for “Rokkit” and liked the movement I had going on. Brat hit me up on Instagram and flew me out to Atlanta. The rest was history.
Parlé Mag: What do you feel you bring to the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?
Cornbread: What makes me different from other performers is my sex appeal. I have eye contact with females in the crowd, a lot of energy, and my own moves.
Parlé Mag: Have you encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?
Cornbread: I got shot on my birthday in 2014 while shooting a music video. That’s one of the worst things that happened in my life.
Parlé Mag: What do you want people to get from your music?
Cornbread: Positive vibes only. I want everyone to listen to my music and feel where I’m coming from.
Parlé Mag: If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Cornbread: Michael Jackson was the biggest performer in the music industry. Everybody looked up to him. He’s legendary and that’s where I’m headed.
Parlé Mag: If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Cornbread: I would love to perform at the United Center or Soldier Field. They are the biggest venues in Chicago where I’m from.
Parlé Mag: Name one track of yours that you think defines you and why?
Cornbread: “I Came Up.” That song is really my introduction to the big leagues. It features Da Brat… that’s major!
Watch the visual for “I Came Up” Below:
Parlé Mag: In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?
Cornbread: My loyalty, how hard I work and how real I am. I present myself as a businessman.
Parlé Mag: Do you have any other outside/additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Cornbread: Albums, tours, mixtapes, and collaborations. I want to do movies and TV shows. Anything I can get my hands on.
Parlé Mag: On a more serious note, would it be fair to say that you are happy with the current state of Hip-Hop?
Cornbread: I don’t like it because rappers say anything nowadays. I’m trying to have people really listen to me, instead of turning up all the time. I’m going to bring that real music back.
Parlé Mag: To date, what has been your biggest career moment, at least thus far anyway?
Cornbread: Signing with Da Brat and filming the Rickey Smiley For Real show on TV One.
Parlé Mag: Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Cornbread: Being successful and enjoying life with my family.
Parlé Mag: As for the immediate, what’s next for Cornbread?
Cornbread: A whole lot of music and videos. Shows are getting booked everyday Joe.
Parlé Mag: Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
Cornbread: “Be Jordan,” “I Came Up,” and “Rokkit” are available for download as we speak. Check out my video entitled “Come Wit It,” produced by OJF.
Parlé Mag: Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?
Cornbread: Stay tuned. We about to tweek!
Stay Connect with Cornbread on social media:
Instagram
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