by: E. Erin Gannie

Steve Stone, a talented individual from Missouri, is not just an artist-- he is a musician. One thing you won’t forget about Stevie Stone is his voice and his delivery of the stories he gives in his music. He will definitely make sure you “feel” him with his flow. He comes with more than just the average swagger, he’s got his own lingo. Stevie has had music surrounding him his entire life with a musically-enriched family. He began playing drums and piano when he was about ten years old. Although he thought he was destined to play basketball (scholarship and all), the fates had other plans for him. He did a show and caught the music bug; he’s been on his grind every since.

Stevie has eight years of knowledge, hard work, and experience under his belt now. Hard work paid off because Stevie Stone is currently signed to Ruthless Records. On his upcoming album he is bringing raw lyrics and well-orchestrated tracks. And just to let you know that Stevie Stone is about his business, the first album is getting ready to drop, and he already working on his second (co-producing, playing instruments). As he would say: “I’m all in”. Stevie Stone is definitely ready to show the world what he is all about.

Crunk: Tell me what influences you musically.

SS: Well, music is in my family. When I was growing up, my pops would play the piano. My mom played the piano and the organ. My sisters and my brother sing. So the influence was right in my house. My mother listened to a lot of blues music. My brother and sister listened to hip hop. So growing up (especially when I was young) the “boom and the clap” really drove me. It was the beat that really caught my attention. I also play instruments. I have been playing the drums since I was like ten years old. As far as artists that I really loved growing up, it was Geto Boyz (that was my first cd), Busta Rhymes, and Tupac. I got a lot of inspiration from him just his concepts and how he looked into something. He wasn’t just rapping to be rapping; you can tell that he meant what he was saying about whatever he was going through at that time in his life. It’s a lot of people; my list is very,very long. I listened to E-40, Yukmouth, etc.

Crunk: If you could put a label on it; what would you say your type of flow is?

SS: My sound is definitely crunk and melodic. It’s like crunk and bluesy, you will get a little bit of both. You will get that "hypeness", that high energy.

Crunk: Was it difficult for you to get your foot in the door?

SS: I played sports growing up, I was into basketball. I actually had a scholarship to go play ball. So I understood that the work that you put in is what you will get out. The harder you work, the further along you will be. It’s just like a basketball team-- if you want that starting spot, you have to bust your ass for it. It was right after high school when I got into it, so I was already in that mode. I was conditioned to get in, be a sponge, listen, learn, and work hard. I knew it would be hard, and wouldn’t happen overnight but I always knew that if I put my heart and soul and get lost in my music that one day I would be where I am today.

Crunk: How did you get on the Ruthless Records roster?

SS: I was actually (in 2006) offered to come down to Atlanta to do a showcase. They wanted me to come down and perform and I did that. They had these gift bags for everybody that was part of the convention. You know the gift bags had CD’s of all the other artists that were in the convention and Tamika White was down there. She actually ran into one of my production company members that I was with and they started talking. He was like “who was you feeling out there”? She was like “I am feeling the guy name Stevie Stone”. And he was like “That’s my artist”. That’s how it started. I met her while I was there. I had my first mixtape Himmi Hyme Volume One in the bag. She let me know that she liked my lingo. (I got this lingo called Himmi Hyme and she liked it). She liked my original songs and that was the kick-start right there. She ended up coming down to St. Louise to watch me perform. But it started in Atlanta (with me linking up with Ruthless).

Crunk: Explain this lingo of yours “Himmi Hyme”.

SS: Himmi Hyme is just really a reaction. It’s an expression; it could be a person, place or thing. For example, if we talking and I ask you “how are you doing?” You say “Himmi” (which means “Good”); I am going to reply by saying ‘Hyme” (which means ‘I feel you”). So it’s like a call and response thing. It came about from when I was in high school, I used to say it as a joke like “Himmi Hyme” and everybody used to laugh. So in my music, I was saying it at the beginning of my songs and it was catchy and people were remembering that. My boys was like ‘you should put a meaning to that, because that your own little saying”. So instead of boxing it in and giving it a specific meaning and that’s how I was expressing myself at that time. That’s what it is an expression, but it’s also a call and response. So when I say “Himmi”, if you feel me, you are going to say “Hyme”.

Crunk: You have an album out correct?

SS: Yes, the album is out now. In stores as of October 13th. It’s my debut album called New Kid Comin.

Crunk: Tell us about New Kid Comin.

SS: I call it New Kid Comin because even though I have been in the game for the last seven years, I learned that every ladder that you climb, there is another ladder to climb. Since I have gotten signed, it’s a whole different ladder to climb. I am a rookie in this (at this level). So I am just acknowledging that in saying that I am a kid because I am still learning the industry. Now what the album is going to bring is definitely versatility. It’s diverse so it will be something for everybody on the album. It’s across the board, you might hear one song and think I am this type of artist, and then on the next song I will put you in a whole different mind frame. I like to say I orchestrate tracks. I let the music dictate what I will do to it. The beat is the pulse; the beat actually gives me my words. I don’t force it, the beat tells me what to do. That’s what will be displayed on New Kid Comin. I am telling you everything that I have been going through from all aspects (from the club, to the streets, to relationships, etc). As far as feature on the album; I have the Tech N9ne, George Clinton (with a remake of “Ready or Not” called Red Wine), Spaide Ripper.

Crunk: What is “your joint” on your album?

SS: Probably Red Wine with George Clinton just because of how it came about. When I did the record, it was my first time sipping on red wine. I didn’t even like wine before I drank it. As soon as I drank it; I started writing the song. I did the song after that record and the chief engineer that recorded the song; his girlfriend’s brother was apart of George Clinton’s management team. He ended up giving it to his brother-in-law and was like “let George listen to this”. George Clinton loved it and offered to get on it. So it was definitely a blessing. I used to say “man it would be crazy if George would hop on this song”. Then when he offered and we did it, it turned out beautiful. It was a well orchestrated track.

Crunk: Which track would you say is definitely letting people know who Stevie Stone is?

SS: I would say the whole album. But when I did Wait A Minute--that song right there was really telling what I was feeling at that point and time. It was like “wait a minute”. The message on that record is that I had to wait seven years to get to this point, now it’s my time to shine. If you listen to the hook you will hear me say “never later I am gone to do it now, seven years comin and I done walk some miles”. I’m saying “I am here now. I don’t have to wait no more”. I’ve been working, and grindin, putting in footwork, and paying my dues for seven years. Now I am finally going to get my chance to shine.
Then you have a joint called “I Ain’t Playin Around”. That’s just my mentality in the game.

On every single track I mean everything that I am saying. “Me” I am all over that album because I am giving you every aspect. I have a joint called “Hatin”. That’s really about what comes along with fame and fortune. You know when your name is getting well known and people hate on you for no reason at all, just because they want to be in that space that you in. They feel like they should be there rather than you. I touch on that because everybody will have someone hate on them at one point in time. I was just explaining that if you hatin; you wasting your time. I meant every word that I said; I’m telling you a story, actually venting on circumstances that have happened in my life from outsiders to so-called friends. It’s not a diss record, it’s a venting record.

Crunk: How is life now versus before you were signed?

SS: I am busier, more focused and I have grown more as a man. I have gotten smarter as a business man (in the industry). One thing that I have learned now as opposed to then is that back then I was just an artist. Now I am more of a business man. It’s “the music business” but for real it should be “the business music” because business is what rules it. Your etiquette has to be up for this. You have to be sharp and keen to what is going on. I’m all in; I have definitely grown as an artist and a business man. I have been “feet first” for eight years now. I have had my ups and down, trials and tribulations, but you learn. What don’t kill you only makes you stronger, so you learn from your mistakes.

Crunk: Throughout all of that, what’s that key piece that will stick with you?

SS: The dedication. The dedication and drive for the music. The harder you work, is what you are going to get out. It may not come when you want it. It may take a little while before people really realize, but if you keep shoving it down their throat they will. It’s about your footwork (out shaking hands and kissing babies). One thing that I have learned about your promotion game is that nobody can promote you better than you can promote yourself.

Crunk: What is it about Stevie Stone that stands out?

SS: From what I hear it’s my voice definitely and my swagger. The way I approach the track and how I say what I am saying on the track. This is what people tell me.

Crunk: What are your views on music?

SS: Music today is not like it used to be. Back then when people did records it had meaning to it. The concepts of records are different. What was selling back then and what was a concept back then is not the same thing selling today. I was groomed on what was sold back then, even though I am still in my 20s, that’s what I grew up listening to. I think concepts are different.

Crunk: Have you been out doing a lot of performances or touring?

SS: I definitely have been out performing. I have been doing big shows from Snoop Dogg, to Bone Thugs, to Tech N9ne, etc. Right now I am on my promo tour. I’m on the Low Rider Magazine Tour. I stay doing shows, everything. That’s what it’s all about, getting out here and touching these people. I just got my high school tour.

Crunk: What has the touring experience been like for you?

SS: An eye opener. It opens your mind musically. One thing I be “peepin” everywhere I go is that they have their own slang, their own type of music, and vibe. Going to different clubs in different cities, I get to see how they rock. We as artists are here to cater to the people and consumers.

Crunk: What’s the biggest crowd at a venue that you have performed to?

SS: The Low-Rider Magazine Tour. It was like about 10-15 thousand plus.

Crunk: Did you ever think about what you future would be if you had gone on with your basketball scholarship?

SS: I think about it but I don’t regret the move I made. I feel that everything happens for a reason. I’m here and I’m still at it; it doesn’t matter how my mama raised me; I knew that whatever I do, I would go all the way.

Crunk: Your family wasn’t concerned about you going a different road?

SS: No. My mom was like “I knew it”. She just cried and said ‘I knew it”. She sees my drive and she knows my heart. Whatever I am in, I’m in it; quitting is not an option. My family never had doubts; they have always been real supportive. Every show I was doing my family was coming and they liked the music.

Crunk: What words of wisdom would you pass on?

SS: It’s a quote I remember. I got into a little trouble in school and was called to the principles office and he said to me “Time is so important. You have a certain amount of time in your life to get what you want accomplished. When that time is up, you can’t go back, so seize your moment.” Know what you want to do and go after it, seize your moment, and don’t waste time. Time is too precious. It’s helped me so much in my life to realize that just because you don’t see the rewards, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening.