I recently got the opportunity to catch up with one of the most underrated Chicago rappers, Cassius Tae, for a quick Q&A. Take a few minutes below to get familiar with the rising emcee, then check out his music here.
EM: Before we dive into the questions, give our readers that may not be familiar with you a brief introduction.
CT: Yo wassup guys. My name is Cassius Tae and I’m 21 years old from Chicago, IL. As of right now I’m a Senior attending Central Michigan University studying to receive my degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts (BCA). I basically chose this major to be able to learn how to become an audio engineer. Although I have my own personal engineer at school, we just finessed the BCA program to be able to record for free.
EM: What/who inspired you to become an emcee?
CT: Since I was young hip hop has always been heavily rooted in my life. My mother is like a hip hop junky. I remember riding around and her CDs of choice being Pac, NWA, and Jay-Z. But she had just about every hip hop album to have come out in the 90s and early 2000’s. My father was in to music heavy too. Him and his guys would be Djing in the South Shore neighborhoods at 16. I even remember him telling me stories about how he would go downtown and break dance on the street. So hip hop culture has always been apart of my up bringing. And from there I developed my own liking for artists like Pac who is my biggest inspiration and is the reason why I wanted to become a rapper.
EM: What was the first piece of music that you ever bought?
CT: The first piece of music I bought was J. Cole’s The Sideline Story. That was my sophomore year in Highschool so I was late on the purchasing music thing because my mom bought everything! Like our house is full of CD racks. Although I was late in buying music I for sure can remember the first album I asked her to buy me. It was Late Registration. I feel like without that album my outcome as a artist would have been totally different because it was such musically impressive rap album. Like from start to finish. And it made me a better writer I’ve always wanted me own “Heard ‘Em Say,” or even something like “Hey Mama” and “Crack Music.” I remember watching MTV jams only to see the “Diamonds” and “Gold Digger” videos when they were the Jam of the Week. I don’t know but that album just sounded like pure gold to me.CT: Man top 5??? That’s a good question.
EM: All excellent projects, this question kind of goes hand & hand. But who is in your top five favorite ever list?
CT: I’d say my top 5 reflects my top 5 favorite albums. And this is no particular order as well.
CT: Man that’s a good question.
CT: For the remainder of the year the plan is to put my stamp in the Chicago hip hop scene. I have a lot dope material that is going to allow me to finish the year out strong. I promise these next releases are going to land me on somebody’s “Artist To Watch In 2017” list. It’s very important right now that I get on that list and secure any form of notoriety from these publications. Because Publications are the taste makers and if they say something is good then the people will believe in it as well.