We were lucky to catch up with Ciph Boogie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ciph thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

The first time I ever went to Los Angeles was in 2007 when I attended the ASCAP EXPO music conference. I was incredibly excited for various reasons. Firstly, it was my first time flying on a plane after overcoming my fear of flying. Secondly, I felt I was making significant strides in my music career by traveling across the country to connect with artists and prominent music executives.

Before the trip, while I was in New York, I had a subscription to Billboard Magazine, which kept me updated on everything happening in the music industry and introduced me to the movers and shakers. In one particular issue, I read about a music executive named Jon Platt, widely known as Big Jon, who was the Vice President of EMI Music Publishing at the time. The article mentioned that Big Jon gave opportunities to upcoming songwriters who were new to the industry by signing them to publishing deals. Imagine my excitement when I found out that he would be attending that year’s ASCAP EXPO conference.

Fast forward to the expo, and here’s a funny story. I was sitting in a panel, listening to one of the speakers. I was also glancing at the programming from the Expo and realized that the panel with Big Jon had already started and was already 25 minutes in! Without thinking, I jumped up and exclaimed, “Oh shit!” while the current panelist was speaking. I made a beeline for the door and ran up two flights of stairs to get to the floor where the panel featuring Big Jon was taking place. Fortunately, I managed to get inside.

During the panel, Big Jon and the other panelists opened the floor for questions from the audience. I eagerly raised my hand and directed my question to Big Jon. I don’t remember the exact wording, but I referenced the Billboard article, mentioned his work with upcoming songwriters, and he responded with something along the lines of, “You’ve made an investment in yourself by coming all the way out here to this conference. Give me your music after the panel, and I’ll give you my contact info.” I was ecstatic, to say the least. The woman sitting next to me leaned in and said, “Good for you! You got him to listen to your music!”

After giving Big Jon the mixtape CD I had at the time, called the Quiet Storm Mixtape, which contained a combination of remixes I made of popular songs and some of my original music, he provided me with his contact information through his business card. I flew back home to New York, and as soon as I arrived, I sent an email to Big Jon. A few days later, he responded, informing me that he would listen to my CD and copied his assistant on the email. Big Jon asked for a few days to listen and mentioned that his assistant would follow up with me.

However, a whole week passed, and I didn’t hear anything from the assistant. I panicked and didn’t know what was happening or why there hadn’t been any contact. I decided to call the EMI Music Publishing office and managed to reach Big Jon’s assistant. In just a few short sentences, the assistant told me, “There’s nothing new here. We’re going to pass, but thanks for your interest.” Those words devastated me. I felt defeated, deflated, and, above all, like a huge failure. I fell into a depressed mindset and essentially gave up on pursuing a music career.

Then I had a conversation with my mentor, Etcetera Carter (his name will come up frequently in my story). I discussed everything that had happened with EMI and how I felt about it all. Etcetera abruptly interrupted me and said, “Knock it off and get back to work.” It was direct and blunt, but exactly what I needed to hear.

I remembered that during my networking in LA at the ASCAP EXPO, I received various beats from producers. I realized I needed to change my approach, so instead of creating mixtapes, I shifted my focus to writing songs for an album. It took me about a year and a half to compose all the songs I believed were solid and good enough for an album. In 2008, I released an album called Black Mamba (no relation to Kobe, may he rest in peace). Two years later, a song I wrote for the album, “Rush,” was picked up by Red Bull for their F1 Racing car series.

Anyone who has followed my career since then has witnessed the accomplishments I have achieved. So even though I considered the experience a failure at the time, I’m grateful that I didn’t give up.

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

What I’m most proud of is my unwavering dedication to creating exceptional songs. Music flows in my veins, and it permeates every aspect of my life. Whether I’m partying at day parties, losing myself in the rhythm of regular night parties, or simply immersing myself in melodies within the comfort of my apartment, music is my passion. I find immense joy in dissecting vocal performances and reveling in the creative process of bringing a song to life.

To my fans, I want to convey that my music is a labor of love. Every song is crafted with meticulous attention and overflowing passion. I pour my heart and soul into each composition because I want my fans to experience a sense of empowerment and upliftment when they listen to my music. I aspire to inspire, provide solace during difficult times, and infuse positivity into their lives, even if it’s just for a fleeting moment. As an artist, I am committed to infusing my work with boundless positive energy, and this is a commitment that will endure throughout my career.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me creating art can be a powerful outlet for processing and channeling emotions. It provides a means to release pent-up feelings, find solace, and gain a sense of emotional release or healing. It allows artists like myself to explore the depths of their own psyche and connect with others who may relate to their experiences.

Creating something original and witnessing its completion for me brings a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Artists who are truly passionate about what they do, experience satisfaction in seeing their vision come to life and knowing that they have contributed something unique to the world. This sense of fulfillment can fuel passion and motivate them to continue pushing their creative boundaries.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Man, this is a great question! There are so many things that I believe non-creatives might struggle to understand. Let me start by saying that our journey as creatives is anything but conventional. We see the world through a different lens, and sometimes it might seem like we’re in our little world or lost in our thoughts (laughs). But you know what? That’s what allows us to think outside the box, tap into our creative energy, and stay true to our art. It’s what sets us apart and helps us bring something unique to the table.

Now, I don’t want to generalize and say that all non-creatives struggle to understand us. There are some non-creatives, especially those in relationships with creatives, who just “get it.” They understand our quirks and idiosyncrasies, and they find a way to make it work in their special way.

Here’s something I want to share with you that I’ve never talked about publicly before, yet it carries significance. It’s about support, a lifeline in the music industry. I receive an overwhelming amount of love on social media, an outpouring that humbles me every time I share my new music, interviews, and all the creative concoctions I passionately craft.

But the echo of this support doesn’t always resonate in the corridors of live performances. The Live music business is a labyrinth, intricate and challenging, a puzzle that I wholeheartedly embrace each time I step onto that stage. That’s why, when you come to a Ciph Boogie show, I pour every ounce of my heart and soul into the performance. I leave it all on the stage because my dedication to my supporters is unwavering, unyielding, and boundless.

For those unfamiliar with my music, I extend an invitation to tap into the vibe I create on stage. It’s a unique concoction of raw passion, uplifting vibes, and positive energy that infuses life into my words and rhythms. It’s not just about the music, it’s about the message, the connection, and the shared experience of life in all its intensity.

Now, let me clarify—I am deeply grateful for my core group of supporters who consistently show up to my live shows. They know who they are, and I have nothing but gratitude towards them for their unwavering support. Still, when it comes to cultivating a massive live audience, it’s critical for more people to experience the shows.

I’m not just talking about myself but about artists in general. The goal here is to make everyone, especially those who are not directly involved in the creative process, understand the importance of this live support. Without it, an artist’s growth simply can’t happen. That’s the reality, and it’s crucial we all recognize it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ciphboogie24.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciphboogie24/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciphboogie24/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciph-boogie-979a7483/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ciphboogie24
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ciphboogie

Image Credits
Gavin Bansky Rose Mercado Ciph Boogie