We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Apollo Clone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Apollo , appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

After high school I was really depressed and lonely, being so far away from home (I went to college in Montana, kind of the middle of nowhere.) That’s when I started really getting into Rap & Hip Hop. It inspired me. I would get high and journal my feelings into creative rhymes because I’ve always excelled at writing. Writing quickly turned into free-styling, and shortly after, I bought Pro Tools and taught myself to compose.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Making music gave me the freedom to express myself, Carte Blanche and the more I learned, the more attached I became and passionate about turning it into something bigger than a hobby. I don’t remember the first song I made, but I’m sure it wasn’t good. I probably had bars and conscious lyrics, but the composition was amateur as hell. The flow was probably all over the place, and I was still finding my voice.

Kid Cudi would have to be the prototypical artist who inspired me to create. His stoner, loner persona brought a somber yet earnest motivation to me. And I had never heard production quite like it. It was music that an alternative rock or electronic band would make. And then he would be rapping over it. But it worked. The sound was unprecedented in Rap but just so refreshing and captivating. When I was getting into Hip Hop, Kid Cudi was playing in every single dorm room on campus. He was on everyone’s iPod lol. Around the same time, I was really getting into B.O.B. too. Aside from that, you can say Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, and Kanye. I’m sure there are more, but this was a while ago, I don’t remember.

Then a few years later, I was OBSESSED with Childish Gambino. And now for the past year or so it’s been the sad-rap, lo-fi, emo stuff- namely Lil Peep. In the artists that inspire me as well as the music I create, it’s never been limited to one genre. I dropped out of college entering my third year to move to Los Angeles in pursuit of a career in the music/film industry. When no one took me or my sound seriously, I continued to write over the instrumentals I created. I enjoyed the freedom of being able to write about whatever thoughts were trapped in my head and portraying them onto my own compositions. My music became a journal. When I wasn’t working, I spent my time auditioning for film and television during the day and doing open mics at night. Even after a couple of good acting gigs, I was assured that music was more of a passion to me. I then moved to Atlanta to network and market my album “Pills Kill Genius.”

I’ve been at this for years now. In the beginning, it could have been a fad. It could have been a hobby. It could have been just something to try and soon abandon once the improbable reality of becoming an influential icon in the rap scene set in. I never stopped believing. This journey has been tantalizing. But it has taken me all over and showed me new people, experiences, and emotions. There has been lots of sadness. There have been many times when I asked if this was worth fighting so hard for. An insurmountable sum of blood, sweat, tears, time and money has been poured into this mission. Alas, all these trials and tribulations have been converted to stories and messages in my music… things to write about. If somebody feels like the world doesn’t believe in them, I have a song for that. If someone has lived out of their car while trying to make it in a new city, I have a song for that. If someone has turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the loneliness, only to watch those artificial companions release more demons over time, I have a song for that. If there’s someone out there that would give up the security of living near family, or the compassion from a partner that loves them but doesn’t support their journey, or even the safety of a corporate, salary paying position… if there’s someone that would give up on all of that before giving up on their dreams… come hear my message.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the biggest mental struggles was getting over the notion that the world didn’t believe in me. If I could take back all of the time, I spent feeling sorry for myself, who knows how much further along the road I would be. Of course, living out of my car while trying to make it in Los Angeles has to be near the top of the list. I was just so unprepared. Turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with the loneliness, then watching those artificial companions release more demons over time, that was hell. But I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at, and have that substance to chronicle in my music if I didn’t go through all of that and emerge in one piece. I also gave up the security of living near family, and relationships with people who loved me but didn’t support my journey. I even neglected the safety net of a salary, corporate position in the pursuit of making it as a musician. I think when you go through all of that, there’s not much more that scares you. Now I have the knowledge that I won’t give up this crazy dream, despite the elements and harsh odds.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I also want to create a legacy of inspiration for younger rappers who feel lost amidst the chaos in their lives. I can give them a voice to follow; a message to sooth their uneasiness. I want to make a living off what I love doing: creating content, namely music.

Contact Info:

• Website: apolloclone.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/apolloclone
• Facebook: facebook.com/apollocloneofficial
• Twitter: twitter.com/apollo_clone
• Youtube: youtube.com/apolloclone