International Maverick Talks About His Upcoming Album, His New Video "Sore Loser" and being a Jack Of All Trades

International Maverick is not one of your no frill rappers looking to drop a corny gimmick to gain attention.  The hardworking lyricist doesn't believe in making excuses and allow his music to speak for itself.  IMAV who is now living in the City of Angels, took time to speak with me about his new video, "Sore Loser" and what was the message behind the track, his thoughts on pay to perform, being a jack of all trades and more.


Sincere: Can you tell the world where you’re from and how long have you been rapping?

International Maverick: Peace bro and thanks again for the opportunity. I was born and raised in Chicago and I’ve been rapping since I was about 14. I didn’t start taking it really serious until I started producing my own music which was around the age of 24.

Sincere: Who were your musical influences growing up?

International Maverick: I was influenced by a variety of music growing up, my mom played a lot of 80’s R&B like Sade, Atlantic Starr, Frankie Beverly and Maze to name a few. I also have Southern roots, I spent a lot of summers in the south with my aunt and uncle which was a church going gospel household, but I didn’t really relate to at the time. As I’ve gotten older I’ve grown to appreciate it. By the time I was a teenager it was all about Twista, Nas, AZ, Tupac, Biggie, Jay-Z and Do or Die...only the classics.

Sincere: You started the year off with your first video “Sore Loser.” Can you give us a quick synopsis on what the track is about?

International Maverick: Well, Sore Loser is a track that basically tells the story of a person who’s pretty much willing to do almost everything most people aren’t in order to reach his or her goals. It also is a little more aggressive than most music that I have released in the past. These days I’m a lot more comfortable talking that SHIT than I have been in the past because I want to touch on a side of me most people don’t know, which is I’m a BIG shit talker. Most records I have released prior to this one I held back my aggression, but that IMAV is in retirement...I’m talking my shit these days and moving forward.

Sincere: Are you in the process of working on another album? If so, have you come up with a title and will you have any guest features?

International Maverick: Yes, right now I’m in the beginning stages of a 7 track mixtape that I wanna release sometime this summer. The working title is ‘’C’est la vie’’ which means “That’s life” in French. As for for features I’m not to sure as of yet.

Sincere: You’re an artist, producer, publicist, and manager which basically makes you a “jack of all trades”. Do you find yourself being overwhelmed creating music and handling the business affairs at the same time? 

International Maverick: Honestly, at times it does feel a bit overwhelming but at the same time this is my dream, vision, and passion so the feeling of being overwhelmed usually doesn’t last long. This is what I signed up for therefore, I never complain. My motto is ‘’Execute by any means necessary,” but the long term plan is to hire the RIGHT people to manage certain things for my brand that way I can just focus on the music. In regards to being an independent artist you have to be a “jack of all trades” in order to cut cost by doing and learning things on your own.

Sincere: There are a lot of indie artist who are not business savvy and they are being exploited by so called industry experts. One big example is the infamous pay to perform scam. What would be your advice to upcoming artist to spot out charlatans who are trying to take advantage of them? 

International Maverick: My advice to them would be to do a few of the pay to play joints just to get the feeling of what it’s like to be on stage in front of people. It also helps with your stage presence, crowd control, and vocal projection…”proper preparation prevents poor performance.” I did a lot of pay to play but I kept in mind why I was doing it and I used it as a learning curve. However, there comes a point where as an artist you have to decide when it’s time to level up from the bullshit showcases that really don’t benefit you monetarily.

Sincere: Work Nowitzki and Mother Goddess have been directing your videos for a long time. How long have you been working with them?

International Maverick: Forever... their family, they really want to see me WIN.

Sincere: If the opportunity presents itself, would you sign with a major label?

International Maverick: Absolutely, but the paperwork would have to make sense that way both parties get what they want out of the deal.

Sincere: What is the meaning of success and how do you apply it in the music industry?

International Maverick: For me success is the ability to wake up every morning and do what you love for a living while providing for your family. 

Sincere: If you had the opportunity to work with one artist, who would it be?

International Maverick: Tough question, Nas is my favorite artist but since I also produce I would have to say Kanye.  Kanye raps and produces as well I would love to see his creative process of making a beat, writing the verse, and then recording it.

Sincere: Black Thought vs Redman in a rhyme battle. Who would you pick to win?

International Maverick: I would have to go with Redman bro. I listened to more Reggie Noble than the Roots/Black thought when I was coming up.

Sincere: Thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview with me. Do you have any final shout outs and where can the fans follow you on social media?

International Maverick: I’d like to shout you guys out bro I really appreciate the consistent love and support you guys have been showing me for a few years now. My people can find me on IG @internationalmaverick and twitter @_imav.

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