Tell us about yourself?
All I ever wanted was to be remembered for doing something positive and great in the world. As a kid, my sister and I wasn’t privileged to have finer things because my mom divorced my father after being in an abusive relationship. We stayed in brook valley apartments on exit 4 in Charlotte, NC; we moved from Tampa Bay, Florida.
My mother moved with her job because she felt she wanted to be in a better environment. One day my mom car radio had got stolen, so every time we would ride somewhere, I would always rock back and forth, my mom would ask what are you doing? And I told her I’m listening to music. She said, “but no music is on.” I said, “I made it in my head.” From there, I knew my gift was born.
Growing up, I would get high just so I can hear the beautiful melodies that would come in my head like a thief in the night when my high came down; it would forever be lost. Sometimes they would come back sometimes it wouldn’t. Over time I eventually found words to put to the melodies that would pop in my head. Before you knew it, I had access to studios.
A friend of mine would commit breaking and entering an in different neighbourhoods; one day, he brought me a laptop and told me I could use it to make beats. It was over after that. From being a solo artist to being a producer to being in a rock group called addict sound.
It all formed Tracey Fever when I was in prison that’s when my beat name came to me “Ihearabeat”. Recently a close friend of mine Kevin Williams (aka Kizzle baby) created my most famous tag without even trying, “I’m with fever, and this s*** is hot by the way”.
My cousin Robert Shaw always stuck by me and always told me, “You always working with people trying to create their story, you have a story too, cousin!”
What is your songwriting process?
For me, I start with the melody, if it shakes my heart, then the words will flow with it. After that, I create the drums when I figure out my rhyming pattern. What’s so funny is when I drink I do the total opposite, I’ll start with the drums then the melody, and then start writing all the things that come to my mind.
Tell us about your latest release?
‘Dark Diarie’ is basically my past from the depressions, the drugs, the relationships, pretty much my trials that I felt like I couldn’t overcome. It takes you on a dark adventure that even when you see the sadness, you’ll know that all along it was still a little light left in me, so I didn’t go completely dark.
‘Dark Diarie’ is in a genre of what my friend Kevin Williams and I consider Trap and Roll. It consists of hip hop rock and pop elements mixed with indie. Listening to ‘Dark Diarie’ can pretty give you an example of the average person with a dream that struggles to find his life and purpose. I was told I was labelled as an underdog once, I see it now.
What message do you think your music conveys to your fans?
Keep going, and don’t stop! We all do and say things that were not proud of, but we’re only human. Honestly, we all want more, and some people may see it as greed. What it all boils down to we all just want something before our time to say “Hey, I actually did that, and I will be remembered for it.”
Who are your musical influences?
Growing up I followed Jayz, Juvenile, Styles P, Lil Wayne, Owl City, Fall Out Boy, Lumineers, Of Monster and Men, OutKast, Ben E King, Boots Collins, Curtis Mayfield, like the list goes on and on.
My biggest influences are Kanye West but more Kid Cudi. ‘Persist of Happiness’ came out, and I told my self finally I found someone who feels like I do.
Who are your non-musical influences?
Honestly, I can’t say, I don’t care what genre it is, if it resonates then it resonates.
What’s the best gig that you have ever played?
When I was in the rock group addict sound owned by Haitham Enany, he booked us at one of the biggest venues in Charlotte Amos on South End. It was amazing, from the stage to the whole setting like the vibe was amazing.
What is your funniest gig moment?
I brought my daughters with me to a show, and they were my biggest fans, I love them so much. I only wish my son was there at the time because he looks up to me a lot and at the time he wasn’t around, but he is now, so that’s what only matters.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles for bands/artists today?
I feel like the grind is the biggest obstacle because you really have to be out here not only for people to know you but always to be active. Always be active like the one day you sit, and chill is when you can miss out on something.
What advice would you give to other bands/artists starting out?
If you can see it with your third eye, then do it!
What are your hopes for the next two years?
To be remembered!
FV Music Blog August 2020
Facebook: @IhearabeatProductions
Instagram: @traceyfever
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