SirReal Put's in Work on Latest Single "Automatic"

 

Embark on a journey into the narrative of SirREal, a 42-year old independent recording artist from Nanaimo, BC, Canada, whose musical odyssey serves as both therapy and outreach. Delving into themes of mental health and resilience, their music resonates globally, offering solace and connection. From navigating the challenges of independence to memorable performances opening for renowned acts like Method Man and Redman, this artist's career is defined by perseverance and passion. With upcoming tours in BC and Europe and the imminent release of their album "Elixir," we're excited to see what SirReal has to offer the rap game.

Where are you from? Tell us about where you're from and what cities, neighborhoods, or regions helped shape who we're speaking with today.

"Nanaimo, BC Canada"

Origin Story: Can you share your journey as an independent recording artist? How did you get started in the music industry, and what inspired you to pursue a career as a musician?

"I got started by writing when I was young as a means of therapy for myself. My brother taking his life by suicide inspired me to try and help others by talking about mental health in my music."

Creative Process: Walk us through your creative process when producing new music. How do you come up with ideas for songs, and what tools or techniques do you find most helpful in your songwriting and recording?

"I listen to instrumentals that have feeling. Once I find one that resonates with me then I come up with a concept or idea that I want to talk about. I write the hook first and then the verse that correlates with the concept."

Artistic Influences: Who are your biggest artistic influences, and how have they shaped your musical style? Are there any specific artists or genres that have had a significant impact on your work?

"Eminem, Tupac, NF, Classified. They showed me that I could rap and I didn’t know about NF until halfway through my career but he showed me that people do relate even to sad songs that deal with mental health."

Challenges in Independence: Being an independent artist comes with its own set of challenges. Can you share some of the obstacles you've faced in the industry and how you've overcome them?

"Lots of pitfalls including spending money where it didn't need to be spent. I once took my whole band on tour and it cost me over $5000 and wasn’t worth it in the end lol"

DIY Approach: Independent artists often have a hands-on, do-it-yourself approach. What aspects of your music career do you handle independently, and how do you balance the creative and business sides of being an artist?

"I handle most things myself. I recently got a team together and it has helped a lot but for 17 years did it all myself. To be honest it's been tough to be creative at times when I am focused on the business side of things and social media content creation."

Favorite Project: Of all the projects you've worked on so far, which one holds a special place in your heart, and why? Can you share any memorable experiences or challenges you encountered during its creation?

"Probably the most memorable would be working with Gift Of Gab from Blackalicious. He asked me to collaborate on a song, and I ended up flying out to Oakland to shoot the video with him, it was an amazing experience. He showed us his new album and showed us around his hometown. Seven days after I released the video, he passed away sadly."

Connection with Audience: How do you connect with your audience, both online and offline? Are there specific strategies or platforms you find most effective in building and maintaining a fan base?

"I connect with my audience through TikTok, live streaming online through all social media platforms through my website, and through meeting people, at shows. TikTok has been the strongest platform for me to meet people from all over the world."

Adaptation to Technology: The music industry is constantly evolving with technological advancements. How do you stay updated on industry trends, and how has technology influenced the way you create and share your music?

"Mostly just being able to record in my own home and utilize social media to promote myself."

Performance Highlights: What have been some of the most memorable moments in your live performances or virtual shows? Any particular show or event that stands out in your mind?

"I have opened for a ton of really big artists, including Method Man and Redman, TI Nelly, shaggy, TLC, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Tech N9ne. Opening for Shaggy in front of 10,000 people was amazing."

Collaborations: Have you collaborated with other artists or musicians, and if so, how have these collaborations enriched your creative process? Is there anyone you dream of working with in the future?

"I collaborate with a lot of artists most recently I did a song with an artist named Londynn B from Atlanta and she finished in the top five on the Rhythm and Flow Netflix rap show. I really want to work with Chali 2na from Jurassic 5."

Message in Your Music: Many artists embed messages or themes in their music. What messages or themes do you try to convey through your songs, and why are they important to you?

"My music is all about making people feel less alone. I have always used Music as my therapy, and I can only hope that people relate to it and find solace in the words."

Future Plans: What can your fans expect from you in the coming months or years? Are there any exciting projects, collaborations, or goals you are working towards as an independent recording artist?

"I’m about to start a BC tour then right after that I do a European tour. In April I go to Las Vegas where I’m nominated for a cheer choice award for positive social media content. Before I go on my European tour, I will be releasing. My new album called Elixir."

FOLLOW SirReal on SOCIAL MEDIA