Westleaf Staff
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop talent. Today's guest is Six Thirteen straight outta Patterson, New Jersey. Six Thirteen has won talent shows, performed in city fairs, and was previously signed to an independent label at the age of 22. Now, a fully independent artist, Six Thirteen is leading the way to building his legacy on his terms while continuing to be influenced by the community and the culture behind the music he creates. The Patterson MC is making moves in his city so we had to tap in with him. Checkout the interview below!
Westleaf Staff: What's up Six? Your sound is dope. When did you start making music?
Six Thirteen: My journey into music started early into my childhood, I started off by doing small local shows for events in my town, school talent shows, anything to be heard and show everyone around me I had what it took to be a music artist.
Westleaf Staff: Real! That's dedication. Salute to you. So how did your early life shape your interest in music?
Six Thirteen: Having a rough childhood, along with a dysfunctional family there was no room for emotion, or peace, but every chance I got to put headphones in and zone out to my favorite artist was my escape that I fell in love with.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope. What city do you represent?
Six Thirteen: Paterson, New Jersey.
Westleaf Staff: Shoutout to Jersey! Y'all have some talent. So how did you create your stage name?
Six Thirteen: I get this question a lot and to simply put it, Six Thirteen is the month and day I was born.
Westleaf Staff: Ha! That's cool. Your name is straight to the point. So who is your biggest Musical influence?
Six Thirteen: Besides listening to legends like Usher, Avant, Mario, Ne-Yo the two major influences even today with my music are Drake and Chris brown.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! Those are legends! What's been the defining moment in your music career thus far?
Six Thirteen: Goodness there are so many moments I can remember in my music career;.I’d say any chance I can give back to my community or another person and be able to do so, in my opinion, is such a defining moment of success to me. I’ve given toys to children’s hospitals on Christmas, I’ve fed the homeless in my neighborhood, there are moments not only in music but in my life that I’ll never forget, and I appreciate the privilege of being able to do these things.
Westleaf Staff: That's real bro! You're setting a great example! So what does music mean to you?
Six Thirteen: Music is my therapy, it’s something that I can create while entering a safe place mentally for myself. It’s been my escape from reality and a place where I’m free to sing about how I feel when I’m feeling it.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! Where do you see your music career going over the next few years?
Six Thirteen: My goal isn’t to be famous; my goal is to be heard. I’d like my music to reach people who can use my art to escape and be considered a form of therapy for them like my musical influences have done for me.
Westleaf Staff: You can do it. Music is healing. So what makes you a unique artist?
Six Thirteen: I’m not afraid to be different in the sense of what I write and record for my audience, my music doesn’t sound like every rapper or singer you hear today. I’m open to all genres. I love experimenting with music. Knowing that my words touch people and are relatable is the plus side of creating my art.
Westleaf Staff: That's super insightful. Before we go, describe music in three words.
Six Thirteen: Therapeutic, Life Enhancing, Soulful.
Follow Six Thirteen: https://linktr.ee/its6thirteen
