Cullen The Great was born in San Jose, California but moved to Arizona just ten days after he was born. He is one of the two founding members of the notorious Arizona rap group, The Lavish Crew. He spent most of his time behind the boards, mixing and recording all of the groups early projects, including their hit song, "Coupe." After gaining a better understanding of musical composition he started producing beats, under the pseudonym itsKGbaby, for artists such as Tall Tree, T OG., and 3rdOcean. Spending a lot of his free time managing the group, he's developed an understanding for the music business and how the industry runs, inspiring him to make better opportunities for not only himself but the artists around him. He and the Lavish Crew started putting together concerts and events giving these artists the chance to show their city what they got. After being featured in The Gilbert Sun News, the groups concerts transformed from a bunch of random kids rapping to a staple in the local music scene for up-and-coming artists. After years behind the boards Cullen The Great has now started making his own music, dropping his debut single "Fairy Tale Life" back in March. Most recently he has paired with the incredibly talented Lexi Spitzer for their popular collaboration, "Control." With plenty of knowledge and experience, Cullen The Great is at the head of the up and coming Arizona rap scene.
Music is everything to me. It is the only thing in the entire world that every human can agree, they can't live without. You hear music everywhere and you listen to music no matter how you're feeling. Music is the language that speaks words we can't express in person and impacts the lives of millions of people everyday. No matter where you go or what you do, music is there with you.
Just like every other musician in the world I want to make a living doing what I love, making music. But if I'm being honest, the thing I want most in this world is a platinum plaque with my name and song on it.
I would change the hate that the world has for one another. I hate the preconceived notions about everyone in the world and I just want people to appreciate and recognize each other for their differences and take pride in learning about someone else's culture. A judgment free world would be the most ideal
I think its a song by Tesla called What You Give. When I was younger my parents would drop us off at a before school day care kind of thing and my dad would play the same Tesla CD every morning. I think What You Give was the first song on the CD so we would literally listen to that EVERYDAY before school
Right now I'm really digging Russ and NF. Their music is just so real and so raw, but when I was starting out making music it was Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, and Drake who I couldn't get enough of.
Passion. The love I have for making music is infatuating enough for me to spend every waking second of my free time writing, record, and pursuing a career in music.
I want to spread the message of positivity. This life is too short and too damn beautiful to be hating one another, I want to show people that through music you can unite even the bitterest of enemies.
I feel electrified. I am beyond anxious up until the moment my song drops but once I hear my music and I'm doing my thing its like the world around me slows up, the crowd disappears, and its just me and the vibes.
The musicians reality nowadays is a DIY based mainframe. Anyone who has done any sort of research, gotten any form of formal education in the music industry, or has been around the scene long enough to realize that there is so much more to gain in the independent lifestyle. It's too easy to be a musician nowadays so the only thing that is going to separate up and coming musicians from others is their ability and know how of every aspect of the industry, and at that point you're making more money than you would if you signed you're life away to a label.
So far I think it's a very unique and fun way for musicians to interact.
Having an idea for this killer track but not being able to execute the vision you're looking for perfectly. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to lay down some Chris Brown vocals on a track then when you play back the recording you get a very humbling realization that maybe the track you're making isn't the best representation of you're talents
I try to as much as possible. With everything going on in the world right now I obviously can't show up in a literal sense to shows and events, but I show my love by downloading the song, sending snaps of me bumping their tunes, giving some hype on social media, etc.
An incredible education in social marketing. In todays times everything is heard about through social media, whether it be one outlet or another, social media is running the lives of consumers. If you know how to better promote yourself on the platforms that people are spending the most time on, you're more likely to get your music heard by a larger audience.
3rdOcean, Jegus, and Nella!