Exclusive WWS Magazine Interview http://wwsmag.com/updates/west-haven-blast-thats-how-you-feel/ Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today. I was born in Long Beach, California; grew up as a child in Lynwood,California; and I was raised in Compton, California. I’ve gotten this far by grinding, nonstop. I used to sell my CDs on the block and all that. The more I learned, the more I applied myself, and will continue to. Support from heads in the game as well. Shout out to DJ Beanz for her support and for mixing and hosting my debut mixtape Decepticon Megatron, available for download on thatcrack.com and icecreamtapes.com. Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone. The song I am promoting, That’s How You Feel?, is the first single off of my new digital album, New Money. It’s a club banger type joint, with the video coming on YouTube. Like with all of the music I put out, I produced it. Request it on your local radio station. Get in their heads (lol)! Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry? One of the hardest challenges I’ve had to face in the industry is radio politics. Being a totally independent artist, without the backing of the majors, you have to find ways to work around the odds. Meeting the right people is imperative. I believe that once I am at a certain level in the streets, that won’t be such a determining factor. What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back? After being groomed as a producer for Loud Records in 1997 at the age of 16, by then the A&R for Xzibit as well as many other artists, Shane Mooney, my personal life spiraled out of control. Life in a broken home led to me being homeless. Homelessness led to selling crack, robbing, gang banging, and in and out of the county jail. It took me years to make up for lost time and to come to terms with the ills of this world. What are some things artists need to be careful of? Complacency. This game is like the crack coc*ine block, everybody’s hustling they’re product. Stay on your grind! Nothing beats self promotion. Game don’t wait for anyone. A lot of artists are dead before they start simply because they lack the knowledge of how much effort goes into this, or any career, and some simply lack in the effort department. Talent is awesome. But hard work defeats talent every time. What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself? Grind. Be creative. Use resources. Promote yourself. Don’t expect for success to fall out of the sky. Stay hungry. What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music? Giving out free music. It keeps your name out there. Hearing your name buzz in the streets a whole coast away. That’s what’s up. Where can people visit you? Everywhere! @WestHavenBlast https://twitter.com/westhavenblast ALSO OF INTEREST Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westhavenblast West Haven Blast on MTV! http://www.mtv.com/artists/west-haven-blast