Upcoming 100: How long have you been in the music industry and has music always been a part of your life?
Aaleyacis Kobana: I have been a part of the industry for 20 years. Music has always been a part of my life; my mother tells me I use to crawl over to the stereo, pull myself up and start dancing; I guess it’s in my soul.
Upcoming 100: Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “music is what I want to do”?
Aaleyacis Kobana: I did a freestyle rap fooling around with some friends and it came out kind of nice, so I continued and evolved into an artist and producer.
Upcoming 100: What inspires you (or your music)?
Aaleyacis Kobana: Opportunity and creativity; the opportunity to create, the many various things that life allows us to create
Upcoming 100: Who’s on your iTunes playlist?’
Aaleyacis Kobana: Parliament Funkadelic.
Upcoming 100: The project you are currently promoting, how did the idea for it come about?
Aaleyacis Kobana: My desire to do a solo project and also do a project that reflects my age group.
Upcoming 100: There are thousands of artists trying to do what you are doing, what do you think gives you an advantage to break into mainstream America?
Aaleyacis Kobana: Quality material and an undying work ethic… We are an entertainment studio, music, film, and books; we won’t stop!
Upcoming 100: I’ve heard your latest music and it’s amazing! I can definitely tell your sound has evolved over the past few years from previous songs we’ve heard from you online. What are your thoughts on the evolution of an artist and the evolution of music today?
Aaleyacis Kobana: An artist, a creative, should continue to evolve. There are many lives to be lived and people living them, at some point we all live similar circumstances; we can learn and pass it on, or just think upon it, and write about it, in a song.
Upcoming 100: Do you have other passions in life? Do you believe passion is an essential part of success?
Aaleyacis Kobana: I love learning and knowing. I am continuing to cultivate my passion for giving more to help all. Passion and success can and do work together, but I do not believe that passion is essential to all success. Some work and creativity is derived from the passion for a paycheck, and will only know success when that end is met; an artist, a creative has many successes daily.
Upcoming 100: With your current success and working with a renowned PR firm such as Starlight PR, What advice would you give to someone just starting out in his or her career who doesn't even have a studio to record but would love to do what you are doing now?
Aaleyacis Kobana: Whatever you don’t have, learn how to get it, learn how to use it, learn how to do it yourself. When you accomplish goals, move on to the next level. When you get a finished product, hit up Starlight PR, tell ‘em Kobana sent ya!!!
Upcoming 100: Where can potential fans find out more about you?
Aaleyacis Kobana: I’m at Plushrecords.com and holler in at chat on social media.
