The Song

Introducing C.I.T.Y.

Creative. Intelligent. Talented. Youngmind. (C.I.T.Y) was born David Paul Baptiste, Jr. on September 6, 1988, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He first discovered his musical talent at the age of 10, which flowed deep in his bloodline. C.I.T.Y was influenced by his Great Grandfather Louis Barbarian and Great Uncle Paul Barbarian who were both considered “Founders” in the jazz music movement during the 1940s. C.I.T.Y.’s musical bloodline links him to musical icons such as Darren Brazley, Stanley Clarke and Chris Severin.

Tell me a little about how you got your start in rap?

Around the age of 8 my cousin Gregory Baptiste came to me one day overly excited about this new talent he discovered and introduced me to rap. I think that ignited something because by me being the oldest boy in my family I looked to my older cousin like a big brother. After that I would write songs and freestyle secretly to myself. Rapping was my secret passion around the age of 16. My junior year in high school is where I realized that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. I had to build the confidence to take my art and deliver it to others after that it was on my ambition would not let me stop.

What artists influence you?

I Love every genre of music and art, I’m influenced by 2pac shakur, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Eryka Badu, Nirvada, Nas, Jay Z, Soulja Slim, Jimi Hendrix, Eminem, Big L, Talib Kwali, Most Def, Kayne West, Jean-Michel Basquiat aka (SAMO) and Common just to name a few but the list could go on.

You have worked with big artists in the game, tell us who you worked with and how it is to work with artists already in the place you are working hard to get to.

I have had the chance to hit the stage with a few like Talib Kwali, Twista, Chip Da Ripper, and Kendrick Lamar every one of these performances was a great learning experience giving me the chance to blessed the same stage and influence the same audience. The feeling is UNEXPLAINABLE I have to thank Hawk Enterprise and Score More Shows for those opportunities. If you want to find motivation watch some of your favorite artist perform Live there’s nothing like it!!

What inspires you the most to create?

Life inspires me the most! Inspiration should never be limited; it can come at any given time, so I keep my note-book close. The world is a beautiful place it’s full of creation I see different things everyday that are the inspiration for my songs. For instance this interview this opportunity this moment is being documented in my mind and potentially could be mentioned in my next song. I don’t know where the words come from, but they just come. There’s a lot of things that need to be brought to the for front of the world,  a lot of things that mainstream ideology ignores, but I want to show the world that poverty, murder, crime, etc does exist and is very real and tangible.

Earlier this week you released a new song “The Child of Kony”, Tell me about its creation process?

 The Creation Process For The child Of Kony2012 happened like it was meant to be. I received the instrumental which is a crazy sick instrumental produced by the homie Y.Influence. The next morning I woke up and watch the video kony2012. The subject of children at war was something that I’ve been intrigued by since Kanye dropped Blood diamonds so I’ve wanted to write something about this subject for a long time. It just never came together like this. This time it just felt right;I felt it in my stomach.  My aim was to place the listener into the shoes of the child and make them able to relate and feel somewhat or the pain being felt. I just wanted to use my God-given gift to contribute to the history that is being made.

You are currently enrolled at Texas Southern University, what role does education play in the influence of your music.

I feel as though education plays an important role in life in general.  Having a degree to fall back on is an excellent boost in confidence but nothing can top building your network and meeting amazing people who are all aiming for the same goals you are. People have to understand the real purpose of college is about meeting new people, people who are going somewhere in life one day and building that relationship with them where you always have someone to call. I have friends all over the globe and they support my vision as well as I do theirs #RealDealNation

Additionally do you think it is important for people in the music industry to hold a degree in something?

College isn’t for everyone but do not be fooled many of your favorite rappers have degrees.

Finally, If you wanted people to know one thing about you or take one thing from your music what would it be?

Be yourself; don’t ever let someone else determine who you are! You can’t be scared to be different! When your able to love and express your true self then that’s the all around definition of being real! Never be scared to innovate…

Follow me on twitter @citychronicles for more information go to http://www.chroniclesofcity.blogspot.com

realdealnations.com coming soon.

S/O to everyone out there innovating ( SamO )