ADDing something new 2 Hip-Hop!

Add-2 has managed to introduce his fresh brand of hip hop mixed with jazz and live instrumentation to the public which has been easily embraced by people of all walks of life. Citing influences from not only hip hop legends such as Nas and Jay-Z but also prolific artist such as John Coltrane, John Mayer and Terence Blanchard explains his ability to dive head first into different subject matters ranging from the upbeat good vibes (Get Down, This Ain't Funny and Declaration) down to the heart felt touching songs (How Can I, Break It Down and Walk With Me) all while effortlessly taking you on a lyrical high.

Add-2 has gained respect from both mainstream and underground artist, poets, DJ's and A&R's such as Marsha Ambrosius (Floetry), Teedra Moses (TVT), Nalege (of Kidz In The Hall), Dj Mike Love, Dj Envy, Red Storm (Def Poet), Dan Sully (Def Poet) and featured on HipHopDX.com as apart of their DXNext Artist spotlight. This Chicago bred emcee & radio show host shows no signs of slowing down on introducing the rest of the world to his music for "everyday people".

HipHopInformant: What made you get involved with Hip-hop?

Add-2: I got involved with Hip Hop thanks to my cousins and my friends, it was still being looked at as a fad but they showed me groups like Kris Kross and Naughty By Nature and from then on I was hooked. I was born in the mid 80's and raised in the 90's so we're like the 1st generation raised in Hip Hop and a lot of kids my age are a part of Hip Hop in some form or fashion.

HipHopInformant: How long have you been involved with Hip-Hop?

Add-2: I've always been into the Hip Hop culture ever since I was little. I never really seen myself rapping until about Jr high school when my friend told me to rap. Everyday he would tell me to freestyle, so we would rap on the bus, at the lunch table, in the gym, mall, the car and everywhere else in between. I started getting better and people was constantly encouraging me to pursue it.

HipHopInformant: Are there any artists that influence you?

Add-2: One of my biggest influences is Stevie Wonder, he amazes me. He writes very poetic and layered meaning you can always find something new in it. A lot of the work he's done for himself and other people is considered classic and timeless. One day I hope to be the rap Stevie Wonder haha. I listen to Lupe, Kanye, Common, Bone, Jay-Z, Nas, John Coltrane and too many others to name. I'm starting to get into George Winston who did all the Charlie Brown cartoon songs too, homey was a genius.

HipHopInformant: Is there a message to your music?

Add-2: Yes, I believe that if you are given the opportunity to talk to the people you should give them something that will help them better themselves. Even though I know a lot of artists don’t want to be looked at as role models I think we all, including everyday people, have to be just that. The message I want my listeners to gain from Add-2 is to never let your location determine become your limitation; strive for as much as you can while you're living and to start trying to live better. All this senseless killing has to stop.

HipHopInformant: What do you find most enjoyable about performing?

Add-2: Interacting with the fans cause its just as much fun for me as it is for them, especially when I travel. It’s amazing to see different places and party with different people. I love to have fun and entertain and once I step on that stage its like this indescribable feeling that I get and anyone who's an entertainer will tell you that its a beautiful feeling.

HipHopInformant: What is your view on the Hip-Hop industry at the moment? Do you think that Hip-Hop is becoming more commercial?

Add-2: Hip Hop has become a market, at first it wasn’t because mainstream America didn't know how to market it nor did it want to. Now that they see there's a lot of money to make from it, they've embraced it. There's a good and bad side to it because I don't care for some the formulated garbage they have been releasing lately but I think it’s good that we are in a position where a company will even back us. A lot of our rap fore-fathers fought for us to get the type contracts we're capable of getting but its up to us to do our homework and take advantage of this system cause we have more tools.

HipHopInformant: Do you think that Hip-Hop has the same impact as it did when say, Public Enemy were in their prime?

Add-2: It has to be because it has people throwing rolls of money in the air for the sake of looking fly and that’s one of the dumbest things ever associated with Hip Hop. The impact can be just as effective but at this point and time no one who's in the higher ranking wants to say anything worthwhile. I feel the people mind state has changed since then, we're too focused on ourselves to even think about the welfare of others.

HipHopInformant: How did the name Add-2 come about?

Add-2: It came from my initials A-D-D and I was the 2nd child, my father always told me whatever you have don't take anything away from it, just Add to it. I took that as my own personal model for my own growth.

HipHopInformant: What does the future hold for Add-2?

Add-2: A lot bigger things in the works so definitely stayed tuned. I'm finishing up a mixtape entitled 'Tale Of Two's City Vol.2', then I'm working on an EP with Slot-A called 'Project 94' and two more projects following those two. Go to www.myspace.com/add2 for updates.

www.myspace.com/add2