Emcee Rich Quick representing South Jersey joins us today for another exciting sit down on WIB Meets. He shares some pretty fascinating details about his come up, his heroes and some more.

Sit back relax and check out what he had to say.

 For the benefit of anyone who’s been living in an underground bunker for the past several years…who on earth are you?

My name is Rich Quick, I’m a South Jersey Hip-Hop artist working primarily out of Philly. Since I released my first mixtape, I’m With The DJ, in 2012, I’ve had the opportunity to work and perform with many of my idols both inside and outside of my local Hip-Hop scene. I’ve just been enjoying the ride, as I prepare to release my next mixtape project, The Everywhere Man, my first European release with UK DJ, DJ Tricksta.

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How did you get started in music, and what drives you to continue?

Music is one of those things that’s always been a part of me. I was one of those kids who was always interested in his parents record collections and always making mixtapes and then eventually writing and recording music.

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Do you remember the first recording/song you ever made?

There have been many ‘firsts’ in my life, when referring to songs I’ve written…I remember in the 2nd grade when I recorded my very first rap song on a tape recorder. Then again, in 6th grade when I recorded a much more mature song on makeshift recording set-up in my sisters bedroom. And then finally, the songs recorded when my best friend and I ventured our way to a crude semi-professional studio where we begun work on our first ‘real’ album my sophomore year of high school. It’s been a very long journey, but that experience has helped me to become a polished studio artist.

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If a movie about your life in music was to be made, what interesting/strange moments and stories would you share to make the movie cool?

There has been so many! I think the most important moments were the ones that shaped me as an artist early on, in the street with my original rap group Rag Tag. Those days were no joke. And we were young and looking for respect by any means. We took rap so seriously. It was nothing for a cypher or rap battle to end in violence then. I remember once getting a gun pulled on me during a battle and reconsidering my whole career. Good times and bad, those were the days that truly turned me into the hungry and fearless emcee I believe myself to be.

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Are there any other interesting facts about you that hardly anyone else knows?

The longer I’m in this business, the fewer and fewer ‘secrets’ I can honestly keep. The more exposure I get, the more music I put out, the more interviews I do; the less there is to learn about me! I think the interesting fact about me is the extent of my artistry.  I love to create things, and not just Hip-Hop music. I love the piano. I love sketching and painting.  Sculpting and scrapbooking. I love writing…stories and poetry and letters. I feel that in the end, the countless hours I’ve spent creating these things will last several lifetimes. I won’t be here forever, but I can create things that will surely outlive me and hopefully inspire future generations.

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What is the greatest thing about working in the music industry? And what would you change if you had the opportunity?

The greatest and most important part of the music industry to me is the fans. They’re the single reason I’ve kept doing this all these years. Hearing from people who appreciate you as an artist is a great feeling. Hearing that you can change their day, their state of mind, or even their entire life. That’s powerful, you know? Few people can actually experience that sort of power and responsibility. It’s often the greatest feeling.  It’s what make this all worth while. Sadly, all of the mess that you go through as an artist working in the business can really turn you off to the industry as a whole. It’s the politics. It’s the business. As an artist, sometimes you are compromising your art in order to be more business minded…and inevitably further your reach. I wish I could change that. I wish I wasn’t expected as an artist to sacrifice my craft in order to be successful.

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Looking back, what have been the most important moments in your life so far?

I think the most important for me has been linking up with my management Ccelli and Jodie of Exponent Entertainment. Those folks changed my whole life. Taught me how to bring my career from being a hometown-hero to being known in countries all around the world. That’s incredible to think about!  And I owe it all to them.

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What have been the biggest highlights?

I really am blessed to have such an interesting life. There’s so many highlights. Of course, the release of my mixtape I’m with the DJ, was huge for me. I had no idea that was going to be received so well. It opened the door for me to do so many things. It lead me to work with STRESS the Whiteboy, who then linked me with such greats as Rakaa Iriscience (Dilated Peoples) and Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Honestly, my entire career has been one long highlight reel. I really am proud of what I’ve accomplished.

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What has been your biggest challenge…and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge, overall, has just been learning that I can’t please every one. I’m not always going to make everyone happy. I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever overcome per say, but I’ve gotten a lot better. I try my hardest to make everyone happy, but when I fall short, I understand that I’ve done my best.

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Who are your heroes? Why do they rock your world?

I have a few.  But the perfect example for me is Philly OG, Jakk Frost. He has legendary career that goes back a long time. He’s featured on my EP Sad Songz,but has been known to work with the likes of Vinnie Paz, DJ Premiere, Freeway, Smif-N-Wessun and more. He’s my hero because firstly, his co-sign is important to me…and he gave it to me early on. He respects the craft and culture at the same time being a smart business man. This is a guy that can get on any stage in any city because he has everyone’s respect. But with Jakk Frost, my respect for him goes far beyond his clout.  He’s very true to his faith, and so am I. He’s very family oriented, and so am I. And he works so hard to maintain his brand, and anyone who knows me will tell you that I do too. Jakk Frost is my hero and I’ve learned a lot over the years by watching him move.

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Who have been the coolest, most memorable people you’ve met along the way, and how did they make an impact on your life?

Peedi Crakk, I met him when I was working in the mall at 16. Being a young emcee, I couldn’t resist not spitting a verse for him. Turned out he was doing an all-ages show around my way that week and he invited me to come chill with him and his crew and invited me up on stage! That was the coolest thing anyone had ever done for me. I’ll never forget that. Of course now as an adult working in Philly Hip-Hop, I know Peedi, and have had the opportunity to thank him. Still one of the coolest dudes in the scene!

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When you’re sitting on the porch age 97 what would you like to look back on and smile having achieved?

All of it. Who knows if I’ll make 97? Lord knows, I rip and run with the best of them. But I’ve had such an amazing life and some really awesome experiences. I’ve invested my whole life in Hip-Hop. I remember all of the highs and lows. But when I look at these pictures on my wall, and these articles in my scrapbook, I smile. Even when I was at my worst, I was at my best. And most importantly, I did it all with some really great folks who I share in these memories with. I can look back at all of it and smile.

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What has been your most memorable or inspirational gig and why?

Dude, I’ve rocked some hella live stages! Warped Tour, the TLA in Philadelphia, countless packed houses rocking alongside legends in this game…but my favorite was a show called Garden Variety in Trenton, NJ. It was the most raw show I’d ever been to. It looked like something out of a movie. Graffiti and beer and candles and freestyle cyphers! Amazing. The crowd was spectacular and they loved the same type of Hip-Hop that I do. At the time, Trenton was as far North as I had been and that show turned me on to so many dope Jersey artists I had no idea about! Some of whom became great friends and collaborators. So shouts out to my mans Custodian and Kasso for allowing me to be a part of those shows. They were great.

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What has been your strangest celebrity encounter?

Oh jeez. Let’s just say, a certain someone, that every one knows, did a certain something in my presence that one would find very unusual…take from that what you may!

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 Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?

I wonder if John Lennon likes Taco’s…basically because, I like tacos….a lot.  And it’s hard to ‘imagine’ someone not liking them. But if there was anyone who’d be a jerk about it, it’d probably be John! So I’d try my luck with Lennon and tacos.

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What are the greatest songs, albums, books, movies, TV shows, websites you’ve ever come across?

“Rock Bottom” by Eminem, 2Pac’s Makaveli LP, Catcher in the Rye, Do the Right Thing, Carnivale and DJBooth.net.

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Name 5 songs (yours excluded) that we would expect to find on your iPod or Music Player

  • Milton – “Everybody Knows”
  • Voss – “Mr. Freeze”
  • Skrewtape – “Acid, Pot and Pills”
  • Visitor 10 – “Cell10”
  • Vas – “Food”

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What special-hero type skills are you blessed with?

Customer Service. I’m the best around. In fact, I hold customer service reps to the same standards I would hold myself to. So if they’re slacking, trust I’ll tell them about it.

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Where can everyone reading this interview keep up with your adventures?

You can follow me on all social networks @RichMFNQuick or like my Facebook fan page: www.Facebook.com/RichMFNQuick and there is a bunch of content on my website www.RichMFNQuick.com that gets updated quite often.

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Any final thoughts?

I’m just a man. Love me. I hope these answers give you all a little more insight on my life. And maybe you’ll take something with you.

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