Interview with Call Me Karizma

Call Me Karizma is a hip-hop artist who hails from Minnesota.  His music is inspiring and is a constant reminder that we are never alone in the world.  The numerous components to his tracks, whether it be lyrics or backing beats, portray this longing to find one’s place in the world.  The composition and juxtaposition utilized in his writing process create an emotional impact that leaves the listener wanting more.  The aftertaste of Call Me Karizma’s music leads the listener to think and is an incentive to always come back to listen to more.  It was a pleasure speaking to Riz about his musical influences as well as learning about him as a person.  Definitely check out the full interview, and don’t forget to buy tickets to tour!  Click this link for tickets!

Thank you so much for speaking with us today, we really appreciate it!  Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a fun fact about you? 
Hi, I’m Call Me Karizma and a fun fact about me is ever since I was five years old, I was in wrestling and to this day it is still one of my favorite sports of all time.
 
What music are you currently listening to?
The album I am playing the most right now is Eminem’s new album, MUSIC TO BE MURDERƎD BY.  He’s my favorite artist of all time and this is one of my favorite projects he has put out since like 2003.  I’ve also been listening to my music a lot since I am working on a project and I’m trying to see what works together.
 
What is your favorite album in your personal collection?
For sure, Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem, 2000.  The greatest hip-hop album of all time. 
 
So, I’m going to tell you a little story, I was playing your music in my dorm room—and my roommate and I have very different tastes in music, she loved your song “Serotonin.”  It’s actually in her running playlist.
That’s amazing!  It’s just kinda weird that some songs—like it’s in her running playlist, and the song’s kinda depressing and you wouldn’t expect that.  It’s just weird that some people put songs in different playlists or listen to it for different reasons.  It’s pretty cool because I didn’t make it for anyone to like… work out to.
  
Speaking of “Serotonin,” what was the message behind the song?
Anxiety and stuff.  I was…you see these memes of people posting like “low serotonin” and it’s not a joke.  And then I see things on Instagram and Twitter where people are like “searching for my serotonin” and using my song; it’s funny but, it’s a song about dealing with my anxiety.

What is your favorite lyric that you’ve ever written?
The song, I don’t even know if it’s up online anymore—it’s from 2014 or 2015.  It’s called “Coolest Kid” and it was like, I’m the coolest kid because I’m myself.  The lyric from it is “It’s okay to be sad but it isn’t okay to give up.”  I have it tattooed on my body and I can’t tell you how many of my fans have it tattooed as well.  It’s okay to be emotional, it’s okay to be sad, it’s okay to have a bad day; it’s not okay to give up.  Tomorrow will come regardless so I think it’s important to keep pushing on.  I think that’s a huge message people should take into consideration as well.
 
What is your writing process like?
Lately, I’ve been trying to switch it up.  9 out of 10 times, I’ll start with just guitar, like a four-bar loop, and write an entire song to it.  I usually start with the chorus to try to figure out the main idea of the song.  And then I keep it playing until I write the entire song.  I’ll produce it out after that.  I usually write the entire song before I add drums or bass.  I love the feeling of writing on the guitar.  If you could write a good song on just the piano or just the acoustic guitar then you can produce it out to make it sound like you want.  I think some songs, if you strip it all back and it’s still a good song, then you have something special.
 
Can you please describe your sound for us in three words?
Raw, honest, and blunt.

You’re going to be going on tour soon, can you tell us a little bit about tour?
It’s been a while since I’ve toured myself as a headline tour in the US.  2017 was my last legit headline tour, where I wasn’t opening for someone.  I put out a lot of music last year, and it did well.  I took some time off, made some changes in my life, went back home to Minnesota—I got out of LA and it felt great, I needed it for myself.  I’m excited to finally get back on the road, tickets are selling, and people are showing up to these shows, two and a half/three years later.  It’s amazing to finally be back and doing it.
 
What’s the local scene like in Minnesota?
There are different scenes here; like you’re either in or you’re out.  If you’re in, they love you forever.  We have an amazing music scene here.  They get behind you!
 
What’s your favorite state that you’ve been to?
I like New York City, but I’ve never got to explore anywhere else in New York; I’ve heard it’s beautiful with trees…more so upstate New York.  I would love to actually go there.  California’s a cool state, but I would never live there.  I like the Pacific Northwest, in the summer because it’s not too hot and it’s beautiful and you can go by the ocean.  I think I’ll always live in Minnesota.  I guess I would say my state is my favorite because it’s where I feel welcome and home. 
 
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
My biggest challenge, it sounds so cliché, is myself.  I went on my first tour when I was 19 and I made everything about trying to be a rock star.  I left college, I was on the road playing in front of hundreds of people and opening up for big artists.  That’s not who I am anymore, and I’ve had to live with the ramifications of that.  I started to see how it effected my family and my girlfriend—it’s not just about making music anymore, it’s about being a better person. 
 
We have some spitfire questions prepared so say the first thing that comes to mind!
Favorite color?
Blue
If you could go anyplace in the world where would you go?
Tokyo
If you could collaborate with anyone dead or alive who would it be?
Kurt Cobain
Top 3 Songs for a road trip?
“Who Knew” by Eminem
“Makes Sense” by Skizzy Mars
And some country song
Favorite TV Show?
The Office

Goals for 2020?
My goal is to continue bettering myself because the better you are as a person the better you can be for other people.  Music goals are to continue growing slowly but surely.  As long as you keep growing forward and up, it doesn’t matter how fast it is.

What is one thing you would like to tell your fans?
You are special and unique in your own way and you should continue being yourself.  That’s the only way you’re going to have real friends and real progress is if you’re yourself.   
 
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Check out his music here