Exclusive Interview With I.T. Official

We had the chance to Interview With I.T. Official – Better Called “Infinite T”. He is An Independent Explosive Hip-Hop Artist From New Jersey – A Name To Watch Out.

Questions:-

1. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I’ve been writing poetry since I was 10 years old. I’ve always had a love for language arts, and when I read my poems out loud they had a rhythm.

I.T. Official: I started turning my poems into raps, then adding beats, and over time I fell in love with song composition and recording. I used to record over my favorite rapper’s instrumentals, record remix versions with my own lyrics, and sell them out of my locker in middle school. I’ve been recording music independently for about 16 years, and now I co-run the recording studio I always dreamed of being in.

2. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

I.T. Official: I used to know Capital STEEZ. My cousin met him at the barbershop in Brooklyn and was giving him feedback on some raps, and my cousin said we were a lot alike and should collaborate. So we linked up at my cousins crib and traded raps, eventually we recorded a song or two. One of my favorites was a remix we did on Pokerface. I still listen back to it sometimes, but it’s hard. He was really a nice guy Jamal, Jay STEEZ, soon to be known as Capital STEEZ.

We were both in our late teens. I stopped coming to New York as much because I was going to school in New Jersey. I stopped hearing from him but I saw he was making moves with Pro Era. I was happy to see someone I actually knew on the rise. Felt like I would see him at the top. Then I remember being at the mall with my cousin on Christmas Eve in Brooklyn years later when we heard the news that STEEZ was dead. Now he’s a hip-hop legend and he’s celebrated every year on July 7th.

3. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

 

I.T. Official: Funniest mistake was not getting paid for my performances. I’m embarrassed to even admit that it took me years to find out I could have been paid for my first song, performing at my first venue ever. I learned that in business, we’re each responsible for knowing and claiming what we’re entitled to.

4. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I.T. Official: I recently released a project called Survival Kit, a hip-hop mental health project that I’ve been excited to share with my fans.

I also recently got my song China Bulls placed on NBA2K21 soundtrack.
I’ll be releasing a bunch of fun music for the summertime that will be sure to make people want to dance, hit the beach, and feel good.

5. Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

 

I.T. Official: One of the most interesting people I worked with was a singer named Rell, one of the early stars from Rocafella Records. I saved up some money and asked my parents and family if they would chip in. I paid him a fair price to do a few songs with me, but at that time it was more money than I had ever paid anyone in the music business. So I was nervous.

After the deal was set, I sent him the song via email, but he didn’t listen to it. I was shook, I thought maybe he doesn’t like the beat. Or maybe he’s not going to do it. I booked the session regardless, and thankfully he showed up on point.

He seemed cool enough, so I asked him if he heard the song. He said no, but he’s about to. I thought to myself “how is he going to write all his parts on the spot? We’re going to be here all day!”

He assured me he would have it ready by the time I recorded my verse. I admit I didn’t believe him at first. I had rehearsed my verse many times so I planned to be done quickly. 20 minutes later I walk out of the vocal booth, finished, and Rell says he’s ready for his part.

He goes in the booth and his first recording is something like “hmmm… uhhhh….. hmmm” I looked at my cousin, nervous, and I can tell he’s cracking up inside because he knows I’m thinking… “IS THAT THE HOOK?”

But he assures me to trust Rell and to see what it sounds like when it’s done. Turns out, that hmmm became a beautiful harmony, and the lead vocals came later.  He structured this entire multilayered masterpiece in his head, on the spot.

The song came out dope! In the end, I learned a lot about music and gained a lot of personal respect for Rell. He’s a true professional.

6. Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

 

I.T. Official: Find a TEAM! BUILD that team. Music is about collaboration. Even if you make music by yourself, you want other people to listen to it right? Surround yourself with people who have a passion for the things that help you and vice versa. Create win-win relationships and there will be enough to keep each of you driving forward. AND KEEPING GOD IN MY LIFE!

7. You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

 

I.T. Official: I think the music industry and technology are both constantly changing and finding ways to expand new opportunities. I think there are more opportunities than ever for musicians of all levels, and we c an all find our place.

8. Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

 

I.T. Official: I pray every day. It’s something simple everyone can do. Take a moment to say out loud or in your head how thankful you are for your life. If you don’t feel thankful, prayer is the opportunity to stop and find something or someone to be thankful for. Finally, pray for the people you are around. Take a few seconds to genuinely wish them happiness, good health and success in the things that really matter to them. After I pray for someone, it reminds me I’m really on their team, no matter how much we may or may not get along sometimes. That gives me a refreshed spirit to deal with things powerfully.

9. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

 

I.T. Official:

One – people are going to do what they want to do, no matter what. So just make sure you are too.

Two – people are going to have good and bad opinions about your music, no matter what. So do what you believe in.

Three – the world is a meritocracy. So make yourself useful and find a useful situation.

Four – get receipts or a paper trail for EVERYTHING!

Five – never lose your spirit, that’s what people listen to music for.

10. Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

 

I.T. Official: “Even the blind squirrel gets a nut every once in a while.” My grandfather used to say that when he was alive. He said it to my Dad one time when they were golfing, right after my Dad finally sunk a major putt after playing poorly all day.

It was really funny, but it’s true. And for me, it’s comforting. In the music industry you have to have this irrational believe in yourself, this blind faith in taking the next step. Sometimes it feels like all the other squirrels already got their nut, and I’m still searching. But I’ma get mine, God got me!

11. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I.T. Official: I owe a lot to both of my parents, especially my Mom. She’s backed me up in every way in my music career, and she still does to this day. But I owe a special thanks to my older cousin Danny. He’s been a music mentor and career coach for me since I was probably 12 years old.

I learned a lot about the industry, the history, and the rising artists of my generation because of him. He was always honest in telling me when he liked or didn’t like my raps, and helped me get better.

He would come to my studio sessions and make sure I was giving it my best. He’s always passing my music along and networking new opportunities for me, and I appreciate that.

 

12. You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

 

I.T. Official: I would start a movement of service in the music industry where local artists can become certified and employed as “peacemakers” and be paid to perform different types of healing art in public settings and businesses.

13. We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

I.T. Official: It would be really cool to have lunch with Steve Stoute. I distribute with his company United Masters and I think he’s brilliant for developing this platform in the way he has. It has gotten me some of the coolest opportunities of my career like the NBA2K21 soundtrack.

14 How can our readers follow you online?

 

I.T. Official:

Website: www.itofficialchannel.com

Instagram @itofficial

Facebook.com/itofficialchannel