Check our interview with talented group ARTARI
Hi guys, please tell us a little about you?
TaiMarie: Hey! I’m Tai Marie, I grew up in Los Angeles California, and later relocated to Dallas Tx. I’m 19 years old, and growing up music has always been a big thing in my household. I fell in love with it, and music is something that I plan on doing for the rest of my life!
Ramond: I’m Ramond, a hip-hop artist from Denver, CO
DJ Zenas: I am a DJ, producer, and artist hailing from Denver. Simply put, music is, has been, and always will be a major part of my life.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
TaiMarie: I’d like to think of myself as Creative, Goofy, and just a lil bit shy.
Ramond: Deep, Dope and Different
DJ Zenas: Purposeful. Complex. Blessed.
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
TaiMarie: Definitely my parents, they’ve always been such a great support system for me, and I admire them with all my heart!
Ramond: I would have to say my pops. He taught me a lot growing up and we look at the world in a similar way.
DJ Zenas: Easily my mother. She has been the biggest role model in my life. She has sacrificed so much for me over the years, has always led by example, and ultimately raised me to become the man I am today.
How did you get started in the business?
TaiMarie: My dad has been in the music industry way before I was brought into the world, and so it’s something I’ve always been around. I think around age 7 I started showing immense interest, and then 16 is when I was really like “Yeah this is what I’m doing for the rest of my life.”
DJ Zenas: My first major segway into the business was through DJ’ing. It started in college as a hobby but soon became addicted.
Did you go to music school?
TaiMarie: I didn’t actually, although I did attend to some music classes outside of school.
Ramond: No. But I went to Colorado State University for something totally different.
DJ Zenas: I did not, and do not regret not having went either. College was an life-changing, unforgettable experience for me.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
TaiMarie: 80’s, Alternative, and R&B.
Ramond: Melodic, Soulful, Thought Provoking.
DJ Zenas: Diverse. Radio. Fun.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
TaiMarie: Lauryn Hill has to definitely be one of the most inspiring female role as far as music to me. I remember one morning (I was probably 11 or 12 at the time) I was straightening up the house, sweeping the floors, and I had my headphones on playing music, and all the sudden “I Used To Love Him” came on, and I just stopped everything and immediately started dancing, and had it on repeat the whole entire day. She definitely motivated me to make music. Of course I’ve heard her music before sometime in my childhood, but in this moment I just really stopped to appreciate and admire it. Sometimes you don’t hear it until you hear it.
Ramond: Life. I’m constantly inspired and reinspired by things happening in my life every day. I’m constantly learning and growing and it reflects in my music. That’s the beauty in making music. I can go back to older songs I did and not only hear my old music but hear a younger me. It’s a crazy feeling to actually hear your growth between old and new music. Not only as an artist, but as a person.
DJ Zenas: I have many influences, including Michael Jackson, T-Pain, Kanye West, Timbaland, and more. I began making music because it was a process that I enjoyed. Turning an idea into a song was always something I admired.
Do you ever get nervous?
TaiMarie: Of course, performing in general is something that definitely makes me very nervous, but it’s part of the game so I’ll just have to get over it.
Ramond: Definitely. Probably more than I should but I’ve learned that nervous can be a good thing. If you’re not nervous, you’re not ready.
DJ Zenas: Sometimes, but all nervousness goes away once the music starts playing.
What is your next goal as a musician?
TaiMarie: To really get my name out there!
Ramond: Expand the brand and connect more to people that relate to the message.
DJ Zenas: To make music a lifestyle.
Do you have a tour coming up or where we can see you performing?
TaiMarie: Tour is definitely something that will happen in the future! No dates are set yet, but keep a look-out!
Ramond: Details soon.
DJ Zenas: Not at the moment. However, we are working on it so stay tuned!
Now tell us about your hit “Complicated (feat. TaiMarie & Ramond)?”
TaiMarie: Complicated is a smooth R&B joint that we (ARTARI) all wanted to create in providing something relatable to all listeners. It was our first song that we all collaborated on together. We hit it off super well the first day and went straight into the creation of the song.
Ramond: We came up with the beat and concept the first day we met. The chemistry between us all was just synergetic. The song is about two people making their relationship more complicated than it needs to be.
DJ Zenas: “Complicated” is the sum of our first encounter together. This was the first time meeting for some of us, and getting together in the same room was really the only goal. However, when you have that much creativity and talent at your disposal, it is hard to ignore what we all were destined to do, make music. And we did just that. It was such a collaborative effort between everyone involved. The song has character, purpose, and catchiness, which is more than we could have imagined. We are thrilled about how it turned out.
How was working with 2X Grammy Award winner Jon-John Robinson & DJ Zenas?
TaiMarie: My pops, Jon-John and Zenas work super well together, they’re both incredibly talented producers and when the two of them come together it’s insane.
Ramond: Me and DJ Zenas have been working together for close to a decade so the chemistry was already there. It was both of our first times meeting Jon John and that just took our creativity to the next level. It felt like being a good player and getting introduced to a great veteran coach.
What we can expect of ARTARI in 2019?
TaiMarie: Lots and lots of heat.
Ramond: A lot. We should have new music coming in the very near future.
DJ Zenas: Much more content.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
TaiMarie: This changes by the week, but right now I would say it’s definitely “Heard You Say It” by Devin Tracy.
Ramond: Somewhere between 90’s R&B and “Aint No Fun” by Snoop Dogg.
DJ Zenas: “Oh Sheila” by Ready for the World. These youngins don’t know anything about that!
Name one your strengths?
TaiMarie: I have the BADDEST resting face.
Ramond: Recognizing my weaknesses.
DJ Zenas: Being a team player. I always want what’s best for everyone and want to see everyone succeed.
What is your own definition of happiness?
TaiMarie: Being completely satisfied with where you are now, and excited for where you’ll be.
Ramond: Maintaining a life you love in all areas.
DJ Zenas: Happiness for me is the ability to be comfortable with the person you see in the mirror, never taking anything or anyone for granted, and leaving a positive impact on those you encounter.
Any loves other than music?
TaiMarie: I LOVE me some guitar, art, and sports.
Ramond: I’m a big sports fan.
DJ Zenas: Absolutely. Food and travel.
Any exciting news you want to share with us?
TaiMarie: Some new heat from myself and some new heat from ARTARI is coming to you realllll soon!!
Ramond: Just Stay Tuned.
DJ Zenas: There’s much more of ARTARI coming in the near future.
How’s a typical day in your life?
TaiMarie: Either sleeping, listening to music, making music, chilling with friends or playing guitar.
Ramond: Honestly pretty basic right now. I work, knock out some business, work on music and sleep; Repeat.
DJ Zenas: Work, music, and working out.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
TaiMarie: Family time, whether it’s out and about or just chilling at the house.
Ramond: Good vibes, good People and good music.
DJ Zenas: Productive by day, lazy by night.
What is your favorite healthy food?
TaiMarie: Probably a nice green smoothie.
Ramond: Broccoli or Asparagus.
DJ Zenas: Anything home cooked.
And your favorite cheat food?
TaiMarie: Banana cream pie.
Ramond: I got a sweet tooth man. Fresh chocolate chip cookies or cinnamon rolls are gonna get me every time.
DJ Zenas: Chicken wings.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
TaiMarie: If we can text better than we can actually communicate face to face, it’s a no-go.
Ramond: Being on a date with someone that thinks she’s better than everyone else.
DJ Zenas: No sense of humor.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
TaiMarie: Marvin Gaye hands down. Why? Because that is one fly and brilliant man.
Ramond: Living: Jay Z; Dead: Nipsey Hussle.
DJ Zenas: The Rock. He has always been one of my biggest inspirations.
Do you support any charities?
TaiMarie: I’m currently supporting and providing to some charities that are trying to appoint recognition and help towards the terrible things happening in Sudan currently.
Ramond: Not a specific charity right now but I help when I can.
DJ Zenas: Not actively.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
TaiMarie: Being 10x better than where I am now, and living my best life.
Ramond: A better version of myself. An established music artist and business-man.
DJ Zenas: Living the life I had always dreamed of, making music, traveling, and retiring my mother.
How would you describe your fashion style?
TaiMarie: Put 70’s, 80’s and 90’s together with a dash of Tai, and that’s what I’d call my fashion style.
Ramond: Somewhere between a college student and a cool uncle.
DJ Zenas: Casually dapper.
What do you think of Social Media?
TaiMarie: I think it has some great and bad benefits.
Ramond: It has it’s pros and cons. But I think it created the most connected, but disconnected society we’ve ever seen.
DJ Zenas: It’s connected us in more ways than ever before while having disconnected us in those very same ways.
Where we can follow you?
TaiMarie: Instagram! Which is @taiimariee
Ramond: @ramondofficial on Instagram and Twitter.
DJ Zenas: Anywhere and everywhere, @djzenasofficial.
Quote:
TaiMarie: “Love the life you live, live the life you love.” -Bob Marley
Ramond: “It takes courage to grow up to be who you really are”.
DJ Zenas: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
Song:
TaiMarie: “Tell Him” Lauryn Hill
Ramond: “Liberation” – Outkast
DJ Zenas: Too many to name just one.
Movie:
TaiMarie: “The Neverending Story”
Ramond: “The Temptations”
DJ Zenas: “A Goofy Movie”
Travel Destination:
TaiMarie: Barcelona
Ramond: Best place I’ve been was Dominican Republic.
DJ Zenas: San Diego
Sports Team:
TaiMarie: GO LA RAMS
Ramond: Denver Broncos/Denver Nuggets.
DJ Zenas: Indianapolis Colts
Photo Credit: John Hampton Jr.
Cover art: TaiMarie.
