Buzzin Interview W/@kwanlee

Tell us about you and your movement

When you Google Kwan Lee, you will see me first. That is because I have built a brand in media, as well as music. Most people know me for Kwan Lee TV, but a lot of my peers recognize me as an artist and producer as well. When you hear Kwan Lee you think the guy with the camera, or that guy that can rap off the top of his head effortlessly. Other than that, I also am a part of the BYC Promo team with Mz. Lala & Mz. Real, and we are known for having one of the biggest promotion websites in the NYC area reaching as far as Japan as well as even reaching out the Middle East with viewers checking in every day.

When did you start to develop your artistry?

I always played around with being an artist. I am a producer first, so I always found myself helping artists finish songs. Then I actually sat down and started taking the beats that were collecting dust and making songs out of them. And that is how it started. As far as helping perfect it, being in the studio with my big brother Elus for so many years I learned how to freestyle off of the top of my head.

Who are some of your musical influences?

I have a lot of musical influences, but to sum it all up I would have to say the 80’s and early 90’s. From New Wave to Italo-Disco to Freestyle to Funk to Pop. From Rick James to LL Cool J, they are all inspiration. As far as producing music, I would have to say Rick James, Prince, Larry Levan, DJ Premier, Large Professor, Dr. Dre, Marley Marl, and Kanye West. As far as rap, I would have to say my biggest influences are: Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Nas, Kanye West, Ice Cube, Raekwon, and Grand Daddy IU. My mom is a big music lover, so I grew up on a lot of classic records. I still have a lot of tapes and records in the basement of my mom’s house.

What current projects are you working on?

I am working on a few projects. I want to release my mix tape 3rd Times A Charm on 11-11-11 as well as release an EP and a mix tape during the summer. The mix tape will be called Don’t Bench Me and will release 8-3-11.

How are you planning to ‘Get Your Buzz Up’?

By developing a brand where I can stay relevant in music period. Not just rapping or producing. Through media and artist development as well. I want to be a staple in music like Russel Simmons and Rick Rubin are, eventually even having the potential to become a legendary giant like Jimmy Iovine, Quincy Jones, or Clive Davis. I want my name to be a must-mention when it comes to the history of music. I want Kwan Lee to be a household name.

Where can we find you online?
http://www.kwanlee.net
http://www.kwanleetv.com
http://www.youtube.com/kwanleemusic
http://www.facebook.com/kwanleemusic
Tweets by KwanLee
http://www.youtube.com/kwanleesworld
Email: [email protected]

Any shout outs or Plugs?

I would like to shout out everyone who believed in me since day one,especially my grandmother because at one time for a long time she was the only one who believed. I would like to shout out my family over at BYC Promo for being a great team, my big brothers Darq & Elus for helping me move forward with everything I do, my girlfriend for bearing with me a lot of nights when I am out grinding or in the house working, DJ Instynctz for being one of the DJ’s for breaking my records here in NY, and my Proof-Of-Life/Final Level family out west for showing me love heavy! I would also like to shout out J Hatch for giving me this interview. I appreciate it.