IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What city and state are you from?
II STEP: I’m from Lenoir, NC. Lenoir is a small city where pursuing a hip-hop career definitely makes you a pioneer.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What is your music background?
II STEP: Both of my parents were DJ’s. Music was constantly around. I’ve been an eye-catching writer since 7th grade. I began focusing on creative writing in 2005, and started writing music in 2009, taking it more serious in 2012 when people said it seemed “destined for success”.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What are your songs about?
II STEP: My songs are about a variety of topics, all coming from experience and imagination. I write about social-consciousness, self-consciousness, insecurities, confidence, relationships (friends, family, and intimate), and much more. I include and also induce feeling and emotion through a synthesis of wordplay, language, and delivery.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What is your favorite song to perform and why?
II STEP: My favorite song to perform thus far has been I(Eye) Ball. I had as much fun making this track as I did performing it. It’s a very catchy concept and hook, simple enough for the strange ears to it to be able to participate in the call and return towards the end of the song. This song puts good vibes in the air..
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What has surprised you the most in the pursuit of a career in music?
II STEP: I would have to say that what has been most surprising to me are the many misconceptions people can have about those who are pursuing a career in music, or are already involved in a music career. People can expect things to be, or happen, a certain way. Pride, disrespect, disloyalty, and impatience can prove to destroy opportunity for people.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What are your musical influences?
II STEP: Of course Tupac and Biggie, No Limit, Cash Money, Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Eightball, TI, Gucci Mane, Outkast, Young Jeezy, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, 36 Mafia, Michael Jackson, Sublime, R Kelly, Do or Die, Ludacris, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Ice Cube, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Pitbull, J Cole, Drake, Kanye West, Jay Z, and many others. I’ve been influenced by a variety of artists.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: How would you describe your music to people?
II STEP: I would say that my music is that breath of fresh air that you long for when you don’t like the smell of something. It’s easy to listen to and become a part of. It’ll make you think and feel.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What makes you stand out from other artists?
II STEP: What makes me different from other artists makes me the same. What makes me the same is that I’m different. Everyone, including pronounced artists, has their own story to tell. I’m hungry for knowledge. I stand out with my own unique way of blending my style and character on a variety of songs, topics, genres, etc. I stand out because fitting in was never comfortable. I stand out because I know I’m not a perfect human being, but I am a perfect ant. Soon, my anthill will show!!
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What would you like to see changed in today’s music industry?
II STEP: I would like to see the unity and natural business networking return that created the greatest Progress in the music industry, for all genres. I would like to see/make more contemporary, quality music that familiar and strange listeners are willing to add to their music collection. I would like to see more appreciation for music, the artists, the people behind the scenes, and definitely for the fans.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What are some upcoming projects that you are currently working on?
II STEP: I’m working on a couple singles, one called “Chiefin’ On Them Speakers”, another unnamed single as a present to music fans everywhere, and planning my next CD. The name of it will be released at the right time. There are also video ideas beginning to brew.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
II STEP: One of my career goals is to look back and be able to appreciate the work put in, the relationships created, and the success of everyone who was part of something historic. I want to be a part of a revitalization of the relationship between the fan and their music. I want to be part of a consistent product, brand, and quality that propels not only the music industry to new heights, but the entertainment industry as a whole. While they are lofty ambitions, I believe they can be accomplished. I see myself appreciating that continuing to pan out in 10 years.
IAA INDUSTRY NEWS: How can your fans access your music and contact you?
II STEP: My most recent CD “Voices” can be found on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Music, CD Baby, and more. I have more music at reverbnation.com/iistepadd
Youtube: MrIIStep
Twitter: IIStepDaBaby
Instagram: IIStep
Facebook: II Step
TO BE FEATURED ON IAA INDUSTRY NEWS
CONTACT US AT INFO@INDUSTRYALLACCESS.COM
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @IAAINDUSTRYNEWS
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @INDUSTRYALLACCESS
Love your music! So unique and talented!! Keep up the great work! Sexy too! 😉
Love everything about your music! You are extremely talented and super sexy! ♡♡♡
Kudos to Industry All Access for discovering II Step!!
Woohoo
Great progress. Can’t wait to see more!
Can’t wait for more!!
Respect
You’re awesome Step! !!!!!!!!
LIGHTNING ROD!!⚡⚡
Progress…
Good job Step!!!
I really enjoy listening to your music!
Good music!
(sigh of relief) Someone with their head on right..OH NOOO!! LOL..Thank God
Love the music…
So proud of you! Great job! Looking forward to new tune!
PROGRESS
Proud of your accomplishments!! Great job! Good luck in the future, I know you will go far!
?????
Go I I Step!! Progress!
Well wishes and hope you receive the industry support that you deserve. Looks like a rare one here. Great article
??
HOT!!!!
A GOOD different…much needed change from the different that is BAD
Salute
Congratulations to you…so proud…Salute
Yes!!!! More!!!!
Awesome
Go ahead Big Dawg
Thank goodness!!! Can’t wait to see and hear more!!!
Great music and awesome person! Very humble!
Wow! I found some of this dudes music a few months back. So interesting and deserving!
More, more, more!!!
Good feature. Can’t wait for more!!
Great stuff!
The truth!
II Step!!!!
One of the best, if not THE best read on IAA.com Great find!!
Trendsetter!
Long term big things expected!!!
#1 Draft choice!
Gotta feel this interview. I’m looking forward to what II Step brings to the table.
Yea Billy, I wonder why labels haven’t found this guy already. I can see II Step going far..
Hot!!!!
Nice
IIstep…..#ALMOSTTHERE
Way to go iistep!!!! Great music….always listening to it!!!
May God bless your journey
Stay positive. ..keep your faith in god ..all things are possible
Congrats stay positive….hard work is paying off…motivation
Keep up the work
On one Cat Daddy..!!!
I love your music, it’s epic. Great job II Step!
Way to go Step! Great music and interview. You are doing great things!
Excellent article!
Hell yeah Get it man.
Such a deserving artist..
YES!
One SEXY mother..??
Love it dude
Love it! I can’t wait to see more of your journey!
How awesome! Good to see something fresh.
Keep on bumpin!
Do the damn thang son!
Grind and it’ll happen for you II Step. You have the total package. Don’t worry about a single “hater”
Go get it
O yea….IISTEP in the building grinding #PROGRESSION
Love your music. PLEASE don’t stop!
I have one of the first CDs IIStep put out, and I dig his music. Go big IIStep….way to go
Humble talent. Such a “unicorn” anymore. Great find..
Never stop!!
Nice to see this..
This is a truly refreshing interview. This dude should definitely become a heavyweight!
Worth my time. I’ll be waiting and looking for more..
OK!
Somebody that’s REAL!!
My boy II Step got talent. Pprogress: my dude progresses on a higher level everyday! Keep goin bro.
Nice article, good music. Proud of you.
Getting It Done 🙂
You got this, kept up the hard work.
So proud of you and don’t let nobody try to stop what you trying to achieve. Keep doing what God layed on your heart to do and he truly blessed you with amazing talent and that’s music.Keep that positive attitude and mind.keep pushing hard you got this.This is something you love doing and I wish you nothing but success.
Awesome music, You have major talent, We are pulling for you!
Go Step!!!
This is who the industry needs
Keep doing your thing my dude. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you????
Keep grinding FAM
Progress in the making!!!
I love II Step
#progress
?
???
Get it!!!??✨
Yeeaaaa
Good stuff
Legit
Good looks, talent, and character. A true recipe for success!
His music is so real and fresh.
Looking forward to more!
Love the music
Don’t stop for ANYTHING..PLEASE!! #Progress
Dope music homie..hope you go far
Congrats from Florida so exciting!
Do it to it..
Love your music, handsome!! 😉
Great job dude!
#Progress. Keep grindin!
Keep it coming. Great stuff!
Excellent stuff here
PROGRESS
I love the music and the interview is a great read. Can’t wait for more!!
Way to go Step!
My dawg
The Golden Child!
Never settle!!!
Such a talented and humble artist. Doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes..?
Voices..hardest song I’ve heard in a while. Delivery is on point and shit is soon real..Salute
Keep having fun! It’s evident! ??
Gimme 3 Wishes..THAT”S MY SHIT!!!! II Step deserves a well-oiled machine behind him..
You the man!
Okkk
That’s my dogg!!!
Can’t wait to see and hear more!! 🙂
Great music! #sexy
#Progress
So fly!! 😉
Top Notch Talent..Make it happen!
Keep up the hard work! It’s paying off!
Excellent music!
Ayeee
wassup II Step
Dope Music Fam
dab on um bruh.
Ayee
Somebody at IAA is on their job!! What a discovery!
You are quite simply the best new thang smoking..
Keep working hard and stay humble and grateful. You deserve the best the entertainment industry has to offer..
Awesome talent and character!
Talk about somebody who stands out from the crowd! Dude doesn’t even have to try. On top of that, HE CAN RAP! Someone better grab this prospect and GET THAT MONEY!
Legit
A-1
Nice stuff,many compliments from Italy.
This guy is awesome!!
Hell yeah
Great artest!
Awesome music! Awesome man! Keep on doing what you are doing!
Consistency means Progress
A+++++++
Get’em boy!
Has a great sound, love the beats and his vocals are silky smooth. Definitely going places! Get’em Step!
Go all the way step.
Love the music.
Keep God First everything fall into place just at the right time .
Go step, i need be in the music videos when you get famous.
Proud of you man. Can’t wait to see what you do next
keep up the good work fam, putting us on the map fo sho
My boy Step putting in that work…keep grinding fam never quit
steppin up! Keep up the good work. You got our support 100%%%!
Step keep up the great work!
Step my dude proud of u fam. U made it this far. I remember in school we talked about making it but u made it. Keep it up much love and respect
Pure talent! Excited for things to come!
Goodluck! I know you will succeed in everything that you set your mind to. God bless you!
There is only one way to go, and that’s UP! Keep ELEVATING
Great artist! Happy for your #progress & your little family ? Y’all r adorable!!
Love your music keep up the hard work you can do anything you put your mind to.
Keep up the good work. Awesome stuff!
I knew Step had a lot of potential when i heard him freestyle when we were younger; but now when I hear Step, I know he is full of raw talent!
Stay focused bruh! Never turn back
Congratulations Step! Thanks for shining a POSITIVE light on our hometown!
Very talented!! Awesome music would love to hear more!!
Very talented! Sending much support your way!
killing em
awesome???
Hell Yeah!
Lenoir, NC
DaMN Right, hommie.
Good luck with your music bro
You are talented llStep…Progress
Keep up the great work and keep inspiring our youth to be creative, unique, and themselves! We need more positive role models in today’s world!
I’m proud of you bro keep making what they want to hear
Proud of you my brother I mean that. Keep pushin wit that fire
You got this fam
Great Article! Always interesting to get to know the story behind the man and the music!
#Progress
Nice, keep it up!
So good to see this!
Keep up the good work!!
Drops nothin but that fire! #hometown #homeboy
Represent LA!! 🙂
Bout time ya got some coverage. #progress #keepitreal
respect.
got a good vibe to it.
Good job.keep it up!
With your talents anything is possible. Know you bout to change the game! Super proud:)
Hometown (LA) all day. Keep up the good work.
Woooo! This is awesome!
You got this! #progress
Man keep chasing the dream bro
J.Moore
Great music!
Always a fan!
Keep your eyes on the prize, you’ve got this!
Step by step, day by day. Keep it up Step!
Belllllssss I told ya man from rides in the S10
Awesome!! running toward to your dream
Gotta make it bra. Gotta get lenoir rappers on dah map.
Now that’s real music! Keep on doing what you are doing!
Proud of you brother! Blessings on your journey ahead!!
Congratulations’s man !! You deserve it !! You’ve always been real and kept it humble ! Keep doing positive things. And God Bless .
I really am so proud of you… You’ve worked very hard for this…. Congratulations
Super talented!
Great progress. Can’t wait to see more!
? great job
Keeping an eye on you
Can’t wait to see more!
✔ ✔ ✔ certified ?
Glad to see one of my friends from high school doing well and enjoying life.
So proud of you! 🙂
keep up the good work repping NC!!
Good Job!
Love the talent!
Keep doing what you do! 🙂
Handsome and talented!! 😉
Nice work bro!! Can’t wait to see more!
An amazing person and artist. 😉
Ashley laws ^
♡♡♡
Hot stuff!
☆ Status!
Love the music ? ??
Love the music! #Progress
Music for the soul!
☆♡☆♡☆♡☆ Go II Step!
#love ♡♡♡
🙂 The best!
Bomb diggity..
Good luck good wishes!
Love this guy!
Best around!
Keep this going!
Your music is dope
Keep it bumpin
i like it
keep juggin
dont let the haters get to you 2 step
Great artist! Great inspiration from the hometown
A real artist and Grand success in the making..
Youse!
This looks like the beginning of something BIG!! Can’t wait to see what happens!!
Love your music. Can’t wait for what you have in store!
!!!!!
#talented
you are talented
The TRUTH!!
Ya boi II STEP!!!! Keep droppin’ that FIRE my nigga!!!
Somebody better grab II Step while he is still available!!..That is, if somebody can make something work. This guys has success written all over him!!
This guy is independent?!?!?! Hoping he finds success in this bs industry. II Step has awesome music. Help him get exposure!!!!!!!