Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Potter, an artist whose journey in the music industry has been as diverse as his musical styles. From humble beginnings in Colombia to becoming a versatile DIY artist, Potter's story is one of determination and passion. In this interview, he shares his insights on the challenges he's faced, his personal milestones, and how he adapts to the ever-evolving music landscape. Join us as we explore the world of Potter, a rising artist with a passionate and versatile sound.
HipHopEargasm: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the music industry?
Potter: When I was around 7, we were in the country of Colombia at the time. Missing American culture, I would visit local street vendors and buy burned CDs that had Eminem, 50, and more on them ever since I've been in love with rap as a whole.
A few years later, I developed a talent for writing. I'd write poetry in college, and gradually, that transitioned to rap music.
HipHopEargasm: What inspired you to pursue a music career?
Potter: I never needed inspiration to do music. I just cannot see myself doing anything else and living a happy life.
HipHopEargasm: How would you describe your musical style and the genre you primarily identify with?
Potter: I don't like the idea of being constrained to just one genre, so I started taking a different approach. Each album will have a different sound. This current project, 'A SHOT IN THE DARK,' is primarily boom-bap-type shit. The next project will be more synths or R&B. It just depends on how I feel at the time.
HipHopEargasm: How did your journey in the music industry begin? Can you share a brief overview of your musical background?
Potter: I suppose my journey truly started in 6th grade. I was assigned the saxophone, but I remember being so mad I wasn't on percussion. So, out of anger, I would go to the cafeteria and just make beats with a pen.
HipHopEargasm: What or who inspired you to become an artist, and when did you decide to pursue music seriously?
Potter: The moment I decided I wanted to do music was when my homie Ray passed. He was the only one I trusted to hear my poems. So, making music is a testament to him. I decided to do this around college.
HipHopEargasm: Can you describe some of the challenges you've faced as an up-and-coming artist in the music industry?
Potter: The biggest challenge, I feel, is taming your ego. Sometimes, as an artist, you feel like your work isn't getting the recognition it deserves, but that tunnel vision prevents you from feeling gratitude. I'm no exception to that feeling. Aside from that, the learning curve is so great if you're a DIY artist like myself. I do all my own recording, engineering, producing (sometimes), editing, marketing, etc.
HipHopEargasm: What has been your most significant achievement or milestone in your music career so far?
Potter: So far, the most significant milestone is 'A Shot in the Dark,' hitting over 10,000 streams in its first two weeks. Prior to this project, I was an absolute nobody, so I'm really proud of this body of work.
HipHopEargasm: How would you describe your musical style or genre, and what sets you apart from other artists in the same category?
Potter: Versatile. I literally make R&B, boom bap, rap/hip-hop, alternative, and rock. It just depends on what's grabbing my attention at the time.
I keep hearing that I have my own sound, so perhaps that will set me apart.
HipHopEargasm: How do you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, especially as an up-and-coming artist?
Potter: I am a literal workaholic. What that means is that I watch music marketing videos practically every single day. I've also integrated AI to help me with planning.
HipHopEargasm: What role has technology played in shaping your music and career?
Potter: I engineer on my Mac, so I'd say technology has been integral to my music. I've also been using AI literally nonstop for the last year to help me with email campaigns, social media planning, etc.
HipHopEargasm: How do you measure success as an artist, and what goals are you currently working toward?
Potter: Milestones! I'm all about measuring success by setting milestones and then hitting them. It started with 100 followers, then 1000, then 5000, then 10,000, etc. It is easy to get lost in the clouds, so those figures keep me grounded.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey in the industry?
Learn and practice every single day. Obsess over this music shit because if you have a combination of drive and talent, the sky is the limit
HipHopEargasm: How do you decide which songs make it onto an album or EP, and what are your criteria for selecting tracks?
Potter: Because I have such a wide array of different genres, I have to separate them into genres first. Then I will focus on groups of 10–20 songs for five people. And as a collective, we pick out what goes on the album.
HipHopEargasm: Outside of music, do you have any other passions or hobbies that influence your work?
Potter: Just a typical nerd outside of music. I'm huge on One Piece right now, but I'm also crazy about sneakers and video games. I buy pretty much every hot sneaker release, and until recently, I was playing every major AAA video game. Shout out Hideteka Miyazaki
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