Cy Harp

"Cy Harp's Music a gritty tale of life in young America"

Quincy Taylor- AnR of Koch(E1) and Shady Records - Quincy Taylor

"It's a raw style. Cy Harp's music sets him alone from other styles or sounding the same. He definetly doesn't souind like anyone else"

Jay Fresh, radio personality of Cleveland's 107.9 - Dj Jay Fresh

SMM: How long have you been doing music ?
Cy Harp: Aww man, i believe it started when i heard my older brother
rapping. I was trying to be like him. I seen him writing, so i was writing.
i was about 7 years old.

SMM: What makes you the the Most Relatable?
Cy Harp: The fact that i speak about things actually happening and
lifetime experiences i know majority of guys or girls have went through.
Ill speak about being broke, majority of ppl are broke. Ill speak about a
time when i got done real quick sexually with a girl lol. I know a lot of
guys had that happen whether they will admit it or not.

SMM: Whats your goal in the music Industry?
Cy Harp: My goal is to make people realize doing good things arent bad.
i know that sounds stupid, but take the TI incident for example... He
had to go through something negative just to show people in a TV show
that its cool to give back to community. I believe people should
broadcast that anyways, the only backlash is people saying that your not
doing it from the heart since your telling people. If thats the only
backlash i get, i can take that because i know i am. Being sucessful in
the industry is the goal because the bigger i am, the more i will be able
to drive home the point.

SMM: In the Industry right now, who are you most compariable to?
Cy Harp: NOBODY... Im sorry to say that, because i know thats how fans
maybe able to check you according to who they like. But honestly i dont
feel like its anyone. If you do feel as if i sound like someone after
reading this interview and checking out my music, please let me know

SMM: Who are you Top 5 Artist of All Time?
Cy Harp: It would have to be Tupac, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, early
Jay-Z (ending at blueprint) and my brother!

SMM: Name one thing you love about the music game and one thing that
you hate about the music game!!
Cy Harp: One thing i love about the music game is being able to share
your experiences with the world. You can learn alot through someone
elses story, especially if they were honest about the situation.
One thing i hate about the music game is the fact that alot of artist talk
alot of pros and no cons. Everybody's selling drugs, then its a display
with a fancy car alot of money jewels and girls (which is cool). But you
dont often hear he con side of actually getting caught, or being
paranoid when you riding with some dope in your car. Not being able to
sleep, and possibly being able to die at any second. All pros no cons isnt
good on any level. Its like telling someone how good sex is all the time
without mentioning a std. then when that person get the std that you
were preaching how good sex is too, your nowhere to be found. i hate
that!

SMM: What do you want to leave the game with, when its all said and
done?
Cy Harp: I want to leave the game with a great sense of
accomplishment. Being able to motivate people in the right way. Im not
going to tell an individual what not to do, but tell someone whats going
to happen when you do it. People feeling as if i affected there life in a
positive way would be enough for me.

SMM: With 2009 well under way, what are your Top 5 momments so far?
Cy Harp: Performing in Vegas, South Beach, & New York. Consider that
one. Watching my little brother in the 9th grade dunk for the first time,
i thought that was funny. Hanging out with my other brother who is
here right now before he leaves for Turkey 2 years(ARMY). Just to let
yall know i have 8 brothers. Heard some kids arguing over the fact if im
Cy-Harp or not, after i said i was they asked for a autograph lol. Last but
not least recording some great records.

SMM: What is the inspiration behind the new single " What Up"?
Cy Harp: It just clicked honestly with the beat. I knew i had to make a
mainstream type of hook, what better than a greeting? Then i felt i can
put lyrics with meaning on it to make it really universal.

SMM: Any Last minute shout outs?
Cy Harp: Shout out to all my family, All Honesty, ITW, Brook D,
C.H.A.D... and everybody that supports me!

- Star Music Media

"Cy Harp is doing things that all you other artist should be doing,plus he is cool as hell. Artist,take note of a rising star!!!"

Shadyville's Own Dj G Spot - DaEntourageDj's.com

Bash At the Bay Weekend 2009

By Michael Hayes
Minister of Culture

FRIDAY

T.J., Hutch and D.J. Big Lou The Mayor held it down at Hot Peppers for the Jackie O party so downtown Toledo had it poppin.

Then heading to the northwest side of town to Twisted Lizard, the Ohio Hip Hop Awards Showcase went ham n cheeze! (thats my new ish, goin ham is so six months ago …).

Notable artists from all over the state took the stage as D.J. Lyte N Rod held it down on the 1’s and 2’s. One of the performances I caught was Cy Harp, and his posters were all over the place. Any label with a budget and manpower to do a product drop near the tens of thousands range, this was the weekend to do it.

- Thetruthtoledo.com

Name: Cy Harp (The most relatable artist)
City: Massillon, Oh
Skill: Helping individuals commit to doing something with their life. I rap on the side!
Years in the game: Not in the game yet… Still broke and trying to make something of myself. Ask me that same question next year so I can say a few months.
Website(s): Myspace
Twitter
Youtube
Press Kit

Essince: You started music at such a young age. Did you ever do anything besides MC or did you always want to rhyme?

Cy Harp: I always wanted to rhyme. Just walking in the footsteps of my older brother, that’s all I wanted to be. Luckily, he was doing something positive then, or we wouldn’t be doing this interview right now.

Essince: I understand you also won the 50 Mics show in South Beach. Can you tell me a little about that? How’d you hear about it?

Cy Harp: Being honest, I was definitely the best talent there. But I truly think that didn’t matter. I believe they picked me so I could win the trip to New York. Then once I showed up to New York it was marketed it like, “We got artists from everywhere coming here, so you artists out there should be apart of this.” [The] reason I feel that way is that they had me doing drops with no relevance to anything. It’s all good though, it was a solid look. I don’t even remember how I heard about it truly, I think they hit me up on Myspace.

E: I know you sponsor a high school basketball team. Can you elaborate on that? Did you play at all? Or any other sports?

CH: Yea, I sponsor the warm up gear. The last, like, 5 years there all the best athletes on the hoop squad was like my little brothers. I really helped them with their game so in return they talked to the coach about wearing my shirts and stuff while they warm up. Kind of like a shout out to me. Yea, I played on the basketball team. Massillon Tiger ‘04 hoop squad. Ask anybody about me that we played, I probably lit ‘em up. hahaha

E: Haha. Real talk, I think I remember seeing you play. But, what is your ultimate goal with music?

CH: Being remembered forever for the things I brought to the game!

E: What’s the scene like in Massillon? Is there much of a market for hip hop or do you think you’d need to expand out to bigger cities Toledo, Akron, or Cleveland?

CH: Honestly there isn’t much of a scene in Massillon. It’s only 28 thousand people total hahaha. I’m making it a scene now. Before me you may have never mentioned Massillon. Yes I think I need to expand out to the bigger cities, but I would do that regardless. Even if I lived in a city like Cleveland my whole life. It’s beyond the Ohio cities though, I’m thinking internationally.

E: What do you expect from this year’s Ohio Hip Hop Awards? Both personally and as an event?

CH: I don’t expect nothing from the Ohio Hip Hop Awards personally. My roots won’t allow it, I don’t expect nothing from my momma on the personal side. But as an event, I expect it to be very nice… It will display the underground talent that we have in Ohio.

Essince: Do you have any additional comments or shout outs?

Cy Harp: Just want to say thank you to you first off for even taking the time out to give me this interview. I show love to Ladies of All Honesty, Grady, Brook D, C.H.A.D, Grizz, Double Take Photography, all family & friends, and everybody that supports and don’t support me. I got love for everyone. On an ender, I just want to say to everybody… IF YOU’RE COMFORTABLE BEING YOURSELF, YOU’RE ALL HONESTY!

Look out for Cy at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards this year along with a lot of what Ohio has to offer the game September 18-20. - Ohio Hip Hop Awards

The Massillon-based rapper called Cy-Harp likes to describe his music as “relatable.”

“It’s not standard hip-hop. I call it soulful,” he says. He lists as his influences Marvin Gaye, Tupac Shakur and his brother, Michael Massey (“he was a musician before his incarceration”).

“I grew up in bad circumstances, but I overcame everything,” he says. “I talk about the things people face on a daily basis — spending late nights studying for a test, getting cut from a basketball team. It’s definitely positive.”

Cyrus Harper — Cy-Harp’s full name — is a 23-year-old Washington High School alumnus who is about to graduate from Cleveland State University with a marketing degree. “Having a low budget makes you more creative than other people,” he says about marketing himself.

A top basketball player during high school, Harper was once keen on a basketball career, “but out of two equal loves, I ended up choosing rapping in the end.”

As Cy-Harp, he has a new 13-song mixtape CD titled “A Closer Look.” To celebrate its release, there will be an all-ages party and concert Oct. 10 from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at Oak Knoll Park at 618 Sixth St. in Massillon.

Cy-Harp will perform along with Brook D & Big Money, Dez the Reason, Mr. 44, Niccotine, L Minds and Dre Day. The $5 admission charge includes a copy of Cy-Harp’s new CD.

“I’ll have some of the best Ohio performers with me,” he says. A music video for his song “What Up” will be shot during the party.

This past summer, Cy-Harp was part of an Ohio Hip-Hop Awards club tour that included shows in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Akron. “The crowd responded very positively, better than for any of the other artists by a mile,” he says, adding, “I have girls that come along with me who help with promotions. They’re very interactive with the crowd.”

To sample Cy-Harp’s music, visit www.reverbnation.com/cyharp
- Canton Repository Newspaper

LINK

http://allhiphop.com/stories/multimedia__music/archive/2009/09/11/21933953.aspx - ALLHIPHOP.COM

LINK

http://www.yoraps.com/audios1.php?subaction=showfull&id=1246462018&archive=&start_from=&ucat=13& - YORAPS.COM

Cy Harp makes music from the heart and soul. He takes his own personal and life experiences and turns them into music that many can relate to when listening to his songs. With a smooth style and great lyrical flow, this soulful entertainer is creating a new type of Rap music that fans are enjoying. In this spotlight with our Webzine, Cy Harp talks about his personal life and his passion for making music. Enjoy!

Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?

Cy Harp: I cannot even remember how old I was when I first discover music. Dad said I was made off of Marvin Gaye and the back seat of a car (ha-ha) so I guess then. My musical background is full of poetry writing, from my grandma, all the way down. My older brother (the reason I started rapping) also did music before the incarceration.

Isaac: What drew you to pick up a mic in the first place?

Cy Harp: My older brother was the reason I picked up a pen, pad and a microphone. I remember being about 7 seeing him leave for shows. Seeing him with his clothing and posters, and just wanting to be like him. The incarceration for murder hurt but helped me carry out mine and his passion.

Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?

Cy Harp: Yes and no. This is going to sound stereotypical, but I figured I was either going to rap or be in the NBA. Basketball died out when my only choice was to go overseas, didn't want to do that. Those were like good looking identical twins to me, and one moved away.

Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?

Cy Harp: Not really, but if I could create my dream song by rewinding time, I would feature Tupac and put Marvin Gaye on the hook. That would be super soulful.

Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?

Cy Harp: I like Tupac and Marvin Gaye obviously… Young Jay-Z, 50 cent and a lot of artist I can relate too. I like artist that I feel are doing what they are rapping about. Don't like contradictory rap.

Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?

Cy Harp: My ultimate goal with my music career is to be remembered forever. Not just for the actual music, but everything I brought to the table. Cy Harp made people feel comfortable being themselves will be the legacy.

Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?

Cy Harp: A huge obstacle has been the balance of college and music. Sometimes I will have a test a Monday morning, and have a late Sunday show. That can be exhausting at times. Another one I would say is developing a budget. Anybody in any form a business knows that's tough.

Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?

Cy Harp: Being honest, I wouldn't necessarily recommend anything from anybody. I feel you should do what's in your heart, shouldn't even matter what I say at all. I know that's the way I am. Only thing I would say is if you want to be in this field… having a lot of confidence in yourself because it's definitely going to get tested.

Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.

Cy Harp: Who you know determines where you will be, and what you know will determine how long you will be there.

Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?

Cy Harp: I like to consider my music soulful/rap. I mixture of my heart and outlook on life mixed with the rap elements.

Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?

Cy Harp: I would say the All Honesty pre album I put out a few months back. I really like that because a lot of those records were meant to be on the actual album, so I wrote them in a very deep manner. I wound up putting those songs on the mix tape because it was tough to get some of the samples cleared.

Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

Cy Harp: Yes, they can check out cyharp.blogspot.com… sonicbids.com/cyharp… youtube.com/cyharp… facebook.com/cyharp. Pretty much all websites /cyharp they can also message me personally at cyharp@gmail.com and I'll keep them updated with new songs and pictures.

Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

Cy Harp: Yes… my brothers, mom, dad all the family in general. All the fans and friends that have been beside me throughout everything I have been though also.

Isaac: Any last words?

Cy Harp: First off I want to say thank you for giving me the interview in the first place. I want to say what up to the Ladies of All Honesty (my promo team), C.H.A.D, Brook-D and everybody that supports me - Issac