Chances are that if you’ve been the slightest bit hip to what’s been brewing in the underground rap scene, you’ve heard of Tommy Ice. While steadily releasing music on his Soundcloud over the past year, Tommy Ice has solidified himself as not just a talented but also reliable musician keeping fans both satisfied and yearning for more without skimping on quality.
The Atlanta-based artist has positioned himself as a standout amongst the city’s abundance of budding, multifaceted artists. Tommy Ice’s latest single “Bentley Truck” reaching a little over two minutes, showcases Tommy’s diversity is a lyricist as he touches on both his personal life and musical career.
Although there’s not that much information out there regarding Tommy Ice and how he got his start, he sheds some light on his mysterious persona below.
How did you initially get into making music and how long have you been doing it?
I first got into making music in 2015. I was just discovering Yung Lean, Pouya etc. I had seen their music videos and I was like “Damn this is fye.” My friend at the time, Dante Mugen, had this beat pad called the “Maschine MKII.” I would hang out with him after school watching him create, and all of the colors and live sounds he was making just blew my mind. I ended up buying one and that’s how I first got into music production.
Tell me about where you grew up and how that reflects in your sound.
I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. There isn’t really any music culture out there so it had me on the internet searching for new music constantly. I used to listen to a new mixtape everyday before I got into making music.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
I feel like I’m a diverse artist, so I would describe it as “trap” but you’d really have to listen to figure it out.
What artists do you look up to?
Definitely my brother Kevin Kazi. Other people I look up to are Yung Gravy, 6 Dogs, Lil Skies… I’ve watched them all blow up from just having a couple thousand plays on Soundcloud, to sold out shows. It’s very inspiring.
What’s the “1100” mean on your Instagram handle?
“1100” is my street number, it doesn’t really mean too much. Tommy Ice was already taken.
What’s your writing process like ?
My writing process usually starts with the verse, and then I make the hook around that.
What inspired your song “Dangerous”?
“Dangerous” was inspired by drugs and this girl I know. The chorus goes “Black cards with them white pills that’s just dangerous she pull up on me in them black heels that’s just dangerous.” “Black cards” (my CashApp card), “white pills” (percocets, xanax etc.) “then she pull up on me” (this girl I was fucking with had these black heels, I jus love ‘em).
Can you describe the process of working with Kevin Kazi on the tape?
It’s pretty funny, usually we’ll smoke some gas, just be kicking it for hours until we realize we’re not doing shit. Then we’ll tweet that we need beats, [and] check the emails. I’ll make a hook he’ll make a verse or the other way around, we’ll both mix it until we feel like it’s straight, and then it’s done. Our process is pretty fast we actually made Tommy Kazi in a week, and Tommy Kazi 2 in two nights.
Who else do you think is making fire right music now but not getting their credit?
How does Atlanta influence your sound and how do you see yourself in that space?
I wouldn’t say Atlanta influences my sound, but there’s a lot of talented artists and producers that I look forward to working with from the city like Wheezy, Lil Baby, that whole wave.
What producers have you been fucking with heavy?
Blacky Tom, Yung Castor definitely, s3r4ph, jakkyboi, 4evr, speakerbangerz, Kevin Kazi, Minesweepa, Prettyboyron.
What’s the last album you had on repeat?
Tommy Kazi 1
Where do you see your music career in 10 years?
I see myself as a certified engineer in pro tools, a label A&R, if not having my own label, and definitely a platinum producer.
What song of yours best describes where you’re at in life right now?
Definitely “Mistakes.” “I’ve made mistakes in my past but, ion let ‘em hurt, made mistakes for the bag but, that was just the past tho.” I’m sure everyone can relate to that for obvious reasons. It’s good to leave things in the past and I’m excited for my future that’s what it’s all about.
You can follow Tommy on Instagram, Twitter and Soundcloud.