Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing an amazing rapper, songwriter, and producer who I interviewed before on Black Talent TV Radio and this talented individual is Troy Patterson, Jr.! Straight out of Houston, TX, Troy officially started his musical journey after spending four years in the U.S. Navy and there is no stopping him. From working with Grammy award winning producers to creating phenomenal music, Troy is definitely on his way to musical stardom!

Check out my interview with Troy where he reveals with artists he would like to write and/or produce a song for, what fans can expect from his mixtape, what’s next for him, and more below.

-Growing up, did you always want to pursue a career in music?

No, not at all, man. I never even thought about making music. (Lol) I just grew up always hearing music and just loving it. Music was just a way for me to have peace in my own little way. Never knew I could make music though. I didn’t even record my first song until I was 23 years old. (Lol)

-Who are your musical inspirations?

I’d have to say D’Angelo, Musiq Soulchild, Nas, Erykah Badu…Neo Soul music as a whole, Andre 3000 and last but not least Tupac!

-Which artist(s) would you love to collaborate with? Why?

I’d love to collaborate with D’Angelo, I just believe he is a real musician and truly makes music for the love of it and not for just comes with being a successful musician. I have a lot of respect for his ability to make timeless music!

-On top of being a rapper, you are also a songwriter & producer. Which artist would you love to write and/or produce a song for? Why?

If I could produce a song for Nas or Drake, that would be monumental. I admire their work and their lyricism. They are just two really dope Emcees to me! 

-How did it feel to win the Akademia Music Award for BEST SONG for your song “1990’z” in 2013?

It was a blessing from God. I just believe it was God’s way of showing me that I could make a song that people really liked. It showed me that I could produce a hit as well as be writer and rapper on the song simultaneously. All in all it opened my eyes to the possibilities and took the limits off of me mentally. 

-What can fans of yours expect from your debut mixtape illAngelo?

Man some soulful music. Some thought provoking music…something to bang in your trunk as well. Man just an all around versatile piece of art. I had a lot to say, sometimes vulgar things sometimes uplifting things but you’ll be able to hear that it all came from my heart and in the end that’s what matters most you know. I’m just being a human being and I believe people will relate to that you know.

-Out of all your songs, which one is your favorite that you’ve recorded? Why?

Probably a tie between “Gone” and “One Night Stand” Gone was a song I wrote out a sense of hope man. I was just fed up with making excuses and letting lit beat me up you know. (Lol) It was my statement and proclamation of hope when there appeared to be no reason for hope at the time. “One Night Stand” because it was just a true life story that I wrote not thinking it would actually come together like it did…I believe in telling a story not matter what type of beat I’m writing on and this song was my first successful attempt at telling a great true life story in a unique and catchy way. I still don’t know how God helps me come up with this stuff man lol I just know God has blessed me with a gift and I am grateful to him for it because I never would have know it you know. God is the man, I’m telling ya! It’s all him! 

-One of my favorite songs from you is “Fly.” What was the inspiration behind the song?

Man the inspiration for that song was the fact that I was attending church in GA and I noticed that when I first walked into the church that some of the people were judging me based off of my tattoos and appearance rather than focusing on my soul trying to get closer to God. I believe church is a hospital for those who need God’s healing and it bothers me that sometimes the one place you should go to be loved on and loved unconditionally is the same place you can be judged the hardest. To me, that’s not right so I wrote about my experience with it hoping to shed some light on the situation for both sides…those who want to go to church and those who are already in the church. I wrote it to bring both sides together and let go of the foolishness.

-What advice would you give to someone who wants to seriously pursue a career in music?

Keep God first at all times and believe in yourself even when you have no idea how God is going to do it. You can anything thru Christ Jesus…..anything. See it through and know that it’s a process but it’ll be worth it in the end for sure!

-What is NEXT for Troy Patterson Jr?

I got a show in less than two weeks, man. Starting to do paid shows all over Houston now, gonna drop the illAngelo project and shoot the first music video for it within the next month or so. Also, (I’m) dropping the first single “Ring My Phone” off the project within two weeks. I’m excited and shout out to everyone who supports me including you guys. Ya’ll are definitely appreciated. God bless every ear that hears what I have to say. 

FOLLOW Troy Patterson, Jr. on Twitter, FOLLOW him on Instagram, VISIT his SoundCloud page, and VIEW his YouTube page.