Interview with A. Woods

A. Woods won Artist of the Month for October 2008, I caught up and interviewed him. Here's what he had to say...

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from, and anything else?
A. woods. 22 years old from MN.

MUSIC

Where did you get the name A. Woods, what does it mean?
Long story short, I wanted something that was more like a real name, so if I did anything outside of music I could just carry the name over. My real first name starts with A, and Woods was just kind of catchy.

How long have you been rapping? What first got you interested?
When I was 14. A friend I met then was rapping, and it looked easy so I figured I could do it. And I did and I just got into it from there. A couple years later I began producing more and I’ve kind of stuck to that.

What’s your inspiration?
Whatever I’m going through. Life. I think it’s important, especially in this kind of music, to be true to who your are, where you’ve been and what you’ve done. So I try to roll with that.

When did you decide you wanted to take your music seriously?
I would have to say from the beginning. I always had it in the back of my mind, and I’ve always wanted to entertain people, musically, or acting or writing or whatever, since I can remember.

Have you ever performed live?
No. Like I said I’ve been more into the production these past 6 or so years. I write songs on the side.

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?
I want to make good music. I’d like to use it as a doorway to money. From there, hopefully make lots of money and use it to do something good.

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution teamwork behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?
It’s basically just me. I’ve done some work with a management company and another producer around the area, and there’s some connections there, but nothing has really happened from it yet so I’m still working hard at it.

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
Surprising people when the find out that I rap and produce, and how good I am at.

Have you ever made any contact with big time people in the industry and do you keep in contact with them?
I’ve met a couple people that are signed to labels and have the connections but nothing to brag about. My motto is until it’s right in front of me, it’s not worth bragging about.

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas? If you remember.
I couldn’t honestly say, it was a LONG time ago. More than likely I was looking for acapellas.

Has this forum helped you at all in your musical journey?
I would say it’s at LEAST doubled my sample collection and can account for a majority of my acapella and instrumental collection. A lot of good feedback from people here too, and I’ve worked with some talented people.

What made you post your music online?
So people would tell me how great I am??? Naw, I’m not really sure.

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as an underground artist?
Yeah a bit. A lot less walking around and chasing people to get them to listen.

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
I’m always working on new remixes. Maybe an album in the future. Who knows, ideas just pop up out of no where.

10 years from now where do you want to be?
Entertaining people. And creating new things. Vague, but that’s my answer.

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
Everyone at crazypellas, my man Soopa (hold it down til 2012), um Sony ACID…

Finally, thanks for taking the time to do this interview!

You can check A. Woods work in the Audio, Homemade Beats and Graphics forums on CP.