We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Syd Strickland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Syd below.

Syd, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

I definitely feel like Me, My work, and My Vision have been misunderstood and especially mischaracterized. As a hip hop lover, I grew up listening to artists like Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell, Nas, and Eminem. This era of Rap is very different, it’s not so much about story telling, it’s more singy, and my style is more Bars and flow. I don’t follow the trends of the industry and the everyday listener doesn’t appreciate the fine art of penmanship and individuality. I have had a person tell me to basically switch my style to fit their idea of what My music should be and it really offended me. I really push the issue on stand up hip hop flows and having a message with each song. I took the opportunity to learn and adapt to the times, but the creator in me was upset that anyone would try to tell me how to do My job!

Syd, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For anyone that hasn’t heard of Me, IM$YD, I started making beats before rapping. I am going on 32 years of age and I began when I was 17 making beats and putting them on YouTube.

I have been writing, recording and producing my own albums since 2017. I am most proud of my latest series of “Vicious” projects. “The Color, Vicious”, “Love, Is Vicious”, “The Life, Of Vicious” are all tributes to the origins of my music when I was putting mixtapes on Datpiff in hopes to be heard. These projects are essential to my career and campaign because they are my most creative, personal pieces of music. From production to concepts and lyrics, these projects are my most prized possessions.

I think my choice of music and my subject matter is what sets me apart from others. I don’t fake it. I’m human, I’m flawed, I’m very open with my emotions and thoughts on my records and I’m not bragging about how everything is going right for me. I love winning and I want my Words to make people want to win!

I want my fans and followers to know that I am a Creative in every sense. I design my clothes, I produce my music, I engineer my music, I design my album covers, I produce for other artists of all genres, I have traveled this country spreading my name and it’s still only the beginning.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I began putting my beats on YouTube and using them for skits that I would make with my friends. After that I read a book on how to be an entrepreneur in the 2010s and it talked about releasing content everyday on any platform possible always promoting yourself. I adapted that philosophy and started posting pictures, clips, previews, whatever I could to gain new followers and supporters. And more importantly the real supporters, the core, not the bandwagon when you made it fans. I have always connected with like-minded individuals that see the true vision in my work and believe in my talents and me as a person. I would advise anyone starting out to post your work as far as you can on any platform that will allow it. And to be creative in your approach! I love finding new ways to release a project or promote a new product!

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

My mission is to take this talent, this experience, this passion I have and use it to the fullest. I want the world to know that I was here and I loved this with all of my being. It literally gets me out of bed knowing I have to make a certain beat, or record a certain verse. I know that I was made to do what I’m doing and I’m glad I figured it out!

Contact Info:

• Website: Thegreatveezup.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thegreatveezup?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: Facebook.com/thegreatveezup
• Twitter: Twitter.com/imsyd_
• Youtube: YouTube.com/gmoneycoa