“Buzz’N” iNterview With @MedicinalMuSicK

With summertime slowly coming to a close, the following individual is still heating up the St. Louis music scene. With a previously released mixtape, “Medicinal MuSick”, still in rotation and it’s lead single, “Mama Won’t Approve” remaining potent and receiving continued blog support, the Missouri triple threat also has another interesting trait about him; he is a reconstructive/ plastic surgeon! With talks of an upcoming collab effort with platinum producer DJ Pain 1, rising artist MDMC is poised to set precedence with his own unique flavor of Hip Hop. GYBU had the opportunity to interview MDMC in this edition of our “Buzz’N” iNterview series.

Salutations MDMC, it’s a pleasure having you join us for the interview sir. Your stage name stands for Medical Doctor MC, pretty straightforward moniker. Not only are you a surgeon but your music is of high quality! I’m sure people are wondering about your story just as much as I am. Could you explain a little bit about your background and how you came to pursue music seriously?

It started with playing saxophone in elementary school. After class I’d hear my brother rapping with his high school crew outside my mom’s apartment doing ciphers and battle-rapping. I picked up on that and started writing and decided to put my life story into music. The story being, you can hustle smart and still pursue your passions, like I have done in becoming a surgeon and still dedicating my time to music.

You talk alot about your everyday scenarios in your lyrics. Your most current release, “Mama Won’t Approve”, is a prime example of that. You open up about family woes that stem for your passion to pursue music and the peer pressure you were subjected to. I could only imagine the stress you were under in those times. The beauty behind this record is that even after going thru all of it, you came out on top and are now reaping the benefits. It’s never easy sharing your story. Why did you choose to be so personal on this record for?

These days there’s a lot pressure from parents to become something, often at the sacrifice of what makes us who we are and what we love. Finding the balance between doing what you want and what your family wants can be very stressful. I wanted to be a doctor since I was 5 but my family would never have approved of music as a “real career”. I got personal with this track because I went through a tough time trying to get my family to understand that I was still going to finish my medical career even though they didn’t approve of the music, the one outlet that gave me the most peace of mind in the challenging times of my training to be a Plastic Surgeon.

So what exactly is it you do for a living in the medical field MDMC? How do you find the time to juggle both job titles: doctor & emcee?

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which includes anything from cosmetic Botox and breast augmentations, to craniofacial procedures to fix cleft lips and palates and burn care. I also tutor part time for kids in elementary school up to college. It’s tough finding the time for music because patients lives come first, but whenever I get even a couple free hours off, I get in the studio and drop what’s been on my mind. No matter how busy you are, if you love something, you’ll make time for it.

While thumbing thru your audio catalog, I came across a crazy track of yours titled “Doctor Hip Hop” that has an equally insane beat. I especially enjoy the way you blend in medical terms in your rhymes. In a way, it sums up who you are in real life and exhibits your lyrical abilities. Who is responsible for the production of this one and when writing, what type of thought process does your mind go into?

This is by a group called Crop Creamers. It’s one of my favorite tracks and lyrically it does tie in medicine a lot.. There isn’t a set formula when I write. Typically, different beats evoke different thoughts and of course my mood and recent events in life play into it. I let the beat run on repeat and get the hook down first, then the verses. Sometimes I’ll have a song written with no music and I’ll just find a beat that fits it.

“Doctor Hip Hop” also ended up being the intro track to your recently released debut mixtape, “Medicinal MuSick”. Once again, sneaking in medical terms. (Laughs) What all went into the creation of the project? There’s alot of solid records on their for only being a mixtape!

Alot of long nights in the studio after surgery cases and money spent trying to get the sound good. Quality is everything and if it doesn’t sound good, no one cares if you can rap! Most importantly, my personal experience and experiences of others went into it. For me, this project was more than songs: it’s my life.

Another standout cut from the mixtape is “Educated Gangster”. Though this particular song is more tailored for radio, it’s follows the same suit as “Mama Don’t Approve”. Many people have a hard time sharing their story and being honest about what they’ve been thru, let alone being able to put it on wax for anyone to hear! How are you able to do such a thing?

It’s hard for a lot of people to be honest about their experiences. But I find expressing hardships through my music solidifies me getting past them. Being judged is the least of my concern. It’s going to happen no matter what, so you might as well keep it real.

So it’s been about five months now since “Medicinal MuSick” was released. Now, it’s been said that you are working on a collab effort with platinum producer DJ Pain 1. First off is this true MDMC? Secondly, what can we expect from the project?

For sure! Opportunity is definitely about timing. I did a show at South by Southwest in Austin and afterwards met DJ Pain 1 and now we’re doing a collab EP. Yall can expect fire on all levels: Pain’s beats are crack and my lyrics are like they always are: “dope lines, no I.V.”

You’re from St.Louis,Missouri. What’s the Hip Hop scene like out that way. People hear St. Louis and automatically think Nelly & Chingy. Besides yourself, what other artists out that way would you consider strong artists?

Originally I’m from Houston, Texas but I moved to St.Louis for work and the Hip Hop scene is very different. There’s a dominant trap and gangsta rap influence here, with cyphers and battles being very common on the underground level. I’ve met some talented artists including DreP100beats, a producer I met in one of the hospitals I work at. Matthew Sawicki and Carter McKee at Suburban Pro Studios dope too.

To stay updated on all things MDMC and for new releases, where can the good folks find you online?

I have a website with all content: MedicinalMusick.com.

I’m also on all social media including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @medicinalmusick . You can follow me for music or general medical tips cause I talk about both on my sites.

Wow, you drop medical tips too? That’s what’s up! Well bro, it’s been awesome getting to know you more and gaining insight behind your music. Before we bring things to a close, would you like to give some shouts or any last thoughts?

Shout out to my brother, my mom, my supportive friends, the producers who spent countless hours with me in the studio perfecting the track, Suburban Pro Studios, DJ Pain 1, The Chemist, DreP100 Beats, Mr. GetYourBuzzUp and Omerta Bookings and Cory Lampkin photography for being dedicated to making big things happen.

Never judge a book by it’s cover as evident in MDMC’s case. With razor precision, the St. Louis artist aims to excel whether it’s behind the scapel or behind the mic. GYBU would once again like to give thanks to the Good Doctor for joining us for this edition in our “Buzz’N” iNterview series. Make sure to keep in tune with MDMC via his social media outlets.

Interview by: @blitzb_60505