It’s time for another Featured Artist! At SongCast, we’re always looking for new ways to help promote YOUR music. Check out this week’s Featured Artist interview with River Mauldin.

What’s your first musical memory?
The first time I ever took my music seriously a competition in a mall was held for somebody to rap in front of a camera and the winner would get a scholarship. Me and my friend didn’t win, but he beatboxed and I rapped as others watched. That is when I decided what I wanted to do.

What artist inspires you?
I have always liked T.I., I listened to him growing up. His album Urban Legend was one of the first cd’s I bought with my own money. Hopsin and Funk Volume also broke the ice for me showing that you can come from nothing to something with the right attitude and effort to be successful.

What’s your latest track or album?
I’m currently putting together a mixtape with fellow Delusional Productions rappers, also featuring many that I have met along the way in my music career. My newest song that will be posted on iTunes shortly is “Love Is Just Like Poison (Prod. By Spence Mills)

What song or album do you HATE?
Lil waynes music after 2008 is pretty much the biggest hate for a musician I have alongside Nicki Minaj. They have ghost writers, and sometimes produce music I wonder why people listen to. It just goes to show, when you already have money you can make people like anything. Because this world is filled with followers, not leaders and revolutionaries.

What’s a song or album everyone should be listening to right now?
Kid Ink’s new album, I’m in love with it. His delivery, and voice are unmatched. I also believe that the rappers Cory Gunz, Macklemore, Jay Rock, and Kendrick Lamar deserve attention for their music.

What profession would you choose if you couldn’t choose music?
Well, I’m in the Army right now. Rap is more of a side passion, I love helping my country and it’s people. So even if I were to get famous, I would still be here.

Tell us more about your local scene.
I live in Sault Ste. Marie, MI when not in the Army. It was a good town quickly on the decline. Drugs and violence are starting to appear more and more in the area. But it’s my home and I love it. There are many loyal fans I have there, and that population is growing. The only place I could perform in town has banned me though so I don’t get to put it down for my city. I have to go out and find other gigs.

What aspect drew you to the particular genre of music that you now perform/write?

I could relate, my life was a struggle for money while I had a drug problem and a crime problem. It has always been my favorite type of music, Pac and Wu Tang were always on my radio as a kid.

Share one personal event in your life that greatly influenced a song/album that you have created during your musical career.
One of my latest songs was dedicated to a close friend of mine who killed himself on Christmas. James Hoffman was a big piece of my life. A great friend. He always supported my music and listened to it, he knew some of my lyrics better then I did. When he passed away, I knew that he would be proud if I made something of my music. So I’m doing this for him and me now.

A big thanks to River Mauldin for speaking with us this week!  Check him out on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

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