Artist Spotlight: Interview with Texas Recording #Artist Z.I.G. discuss his hot new single “I’m Bruce Lee”
Give us some background info as to who you are.
Brandon Carl Dugas aka Zig or Z.I.G. (F.C.F.) | Z.any I.ntelligent G.enius | (Fruit City Faculty/Fruit City Family)
Born: Jennings, La. March 8, 1982 | Raised: Orange “Fruit City”, Tx | I love to entertain whether through music, dance, comedy/humor, etc. or a mixture.
Where did you get the name Z.I.G from?
My very close friend and “brother” Robert Armstrong from New York nicknamed me “Zig”, and the later more frequently used, “Z.I.G.”, when we were young and it stuck with me. While I’ve heard at least one or two explanations, only he knows exactly why he chose to call me that. Even though at first I didn’t like it, I gradually became fond of the name and used it to my advantage as I began to pick up rapping/emceeing in a Hip-Hop lifestyle. “Zig/Z.I.G.” also just so happens to sound like a very “Notorious” late, great rapper, and I came up with the acronym “Z.any I.ntelligent G.enius”
Who is your target market?
I’ve come to find that my target market primarily seems to be males age 18-45 but welcome any and all listeners/audiences
What is your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition) and what sets you apart from other Hip Hop artists?
I believe the main thing that sets me apart from most other Hip-Hop artists is my serious and heart-felt, if not soul-based drive for it, as well as an impeccable freestyle ability. I mean I can definitely write down my lyrics, but I’ve been told on several occasions that when it comes to freestyle, I have a natural talent and God-given gift which basically lets me “flow” freely in music.
What single or project are you currently pushing?
I am currently pushing the Z.I.G. – I’m Bruce Lee single as well as the official “Teaser / Trailer” music video for promo until the full length video drops, as well as my spot on the front cover of RUME Magazine, Inc. and inside cover story as one complete project.
What is the philosophy by which you live by?
The philosophy by which I live is simply to enjoy life to the fullest, live and let live, and more specifically Christianity, The Absolute Truth, and The General, Basic Law of Attraction
Which artists have inspired you?
Many artists have inspired me but to name a handful, I’d have to say Dr. Dre, Lil’ Keke, Big L, Notorious B.I.G., Bone Thugs, and more locally, Mike P, J-Child, Yung Pooda, Young Clint, A.S.B. and others.
Who does your production?
I’ve worked with various producers and/or their works such as DJ Retarded, VashElite, The ScreamMaker, CHill, etc. and still more engineers such as Chawky Dude, VashElite, and K-$hellz along with various artists like Sylent Atlantis and Mankyne also.
What is your opinion of the current state of the music industry?
I believe the music industry to be a “dirty yet fair game”. I think it is and basically will be what the artist makes of it though. In my opinion, if you put in hard work, dedication, a strong faith/belief in what your doing as well as positivity, you will get all of that back and then some. Basically, keep God first and He will show you the way past all the “dirt” and “foul players”.
If you can change one thing about the music industry what would it be and why?
I don’t think I’d change anything about the music industry. It is what it is, and I love it. Most likely though, I’d take the “evil” or “trickery/fakery” out of it and replace it with “Realness” and “Truth” but I guess I’d do that for basically all aspects of life if I could. But then again without the former, how would we truly appreciate the latter?
Are there any singers that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
I would like to collaborate with as many local artists as possible as well as Lil’ Keke, Drake, Lil’ Wayne, Eminem, Kanye West, Rakim, Bubba Sparxxx, Carl Thomas, and many others
What producer would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Producers I would like to collaborate with include Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, and A1Music aka AMG among others
What is your favorite movie and favorite book?
My favorite book is “The Bible” basically because of its endless possibilities of interpretations and insightful lessons, and my favorite movie just may have to be “The Wizard of Oz”, although I’ve seen a lot of other great ones.
What are some major misconceptions that you think people have of you?
I think a major misconception people may have of me is that I’m conceited, ignorant/stupid, or mean. I mean I can be any or all of those things, but for the most part, I definitely am not. Just take the chance and get to know me. You might actually like me.
What is your favorite part of your live show? How has it evolved?
My favorite part of my live show is engaging and speaking directly to the audience while totally and completely feeling and delivering my lyrics to them. I feel as if God, my family, myself and they as the listener definitely deserve at least that. My performance at shows has evolved in that I am less nervous or jittery before and during the performance itself
What is your LP going to be like?
I would like to think my LP is going to be honest with certain stretches of the truth, original while slightly familiar and heavily sampled, and real to the streets and my roots, and at the same time understandable and acceptable to basically everyone, everywhere.
What is your website?
My websites are: www.zigakazig.tk & www.facebook.com/zigakazig … Follow me on twitter: @ZIG_FCF
Any final words for the people.
World, I hope you’re ready to know, love and hate Mr. Z.I.G. .
