We were lucky to catch up with Erik The Terror Big 7 recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Erik The Terror thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
Erik first began to make real money from his music once he began engineering not only himself but other artist for studio time & producing. Once his hit self engineered single “Her House” went viral & received over 2.7million streams. His other songs like “aVlone” & recent single ‘Missed Call” has ten of thousands of steams. From this he was able to profit around $800. In addition to quarterly payment from the streams, With Erik’s recent success he also been able to make money hosting his own shows & receives radio & performance streaming royalties from BMI. He also makes cover arts & has recently began video editing.
Erik The Terror, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Erik The Terror aka #Big7 or Sir Drenched is a rapper/producer/engineer from Winston-Salem, NC who has been rapping his whole life, writing his first rap as early as 8 years old. Finding inspiration early in life from his brother Fredi Ruger (singer & producer) & his mother, Mama E. After Meeting his manager @DatDudeChris, a former underground houseparty DJ in 2018, Erik released his mixtape 777 on soundcloud. This prompted Dat Dude Chris to sign him to Dat Dude Records. In 2020, during the pandemic, Erik released his first EP under Dat Dude Records named ” Play Times Over”, With hit singles “Her House” & “Fxck It” E amassed over 2 million streams over all major platforms in just over 2 years. This buzz has allows him to start his own label “GMB Ent” where Erik signed his former college roommate “Fat Jared” Go check out Fat Jared new singles “Pocket” & “Lunatic” on all major streaming platforms. Also be on the look out for Jaybo Grevt, ZeFlo & B Woo. In 2022 Erik dropped his first full length album “7” under Dat Dude Record. Big7 has been approached by multiple labels but remains independent. A few things Erik is most proud of him remaining close to his family, being able to build a team & being able to help others pursue their dream & his work ethic that has allowed him to have the success he has had,
Check him our on socials @ETheTerror on Tik Tok & Twitter | @E_TheTerror on IG | @DatDudeRecords
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Create more cost efficient portals or platforms to get useful information on the industry you are pursuing a dream in. We have plans to use different avenues to share this info in the entertainment industry, Also SUPPORT BLACK CREATORS & BUSINESSES.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing able to express yourself thru music & make a fire song while inspiring the youth to do the same. People send us music daily to review, engineer, produce or just rock to. We are actively looking for new talent to support. We always want to pour into the youth & inspire growth. We look at creating music as a form of therapy as a way to express your thoughts & many agree with that. We mainly look to inspire while healing mental health.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.datduderecords.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/e_theterror?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erik.autry?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/etheterror?s=21&t=iZR1S95NM_fKSLKleEhGpQ
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/datduderecords
Image Credits
We would like to dedicate this publication to our close friend Javar “Makk” Smith. His family has a GoFund Me with a 3K goal. We would like to use this recognition to support & help their family. I have added the link below. https://gofund.me/b4f5bcb3 Check Erik our on socials @ETheTerror on Tik Tok & Twitter | @E_TheTerror on IG | @DatDudeRecords over all platforms including Youtube.