Executive Voice
A CANDID INTERVIEW WITH RISING MUSIC COLLECTIVE : UNREHEARSED MUSIC GROUP
Today we had the opportunity to sit down with music group UMG and discuss their ambitions for this year and take a look at their creative process.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM ORIGINALLY?
Eduardo Zuniga, aka 3DWon, was born in El Paso, Texas, then moved to Tucson, Arizona, at a young age. 3DWon has lived in Tucson, Arizona majority of his life. OddSmoke, who is A Rap Duo featuring: Daniel Grijalva, aka D-Smoke, and Luis Vasquez, aka OddBall, aka Yung OB, both were born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Leonard Cortez, aka Odran, is originally from Mexicali, Baja, California. Born and raised, then moved and has lived in Casa Grande, Arizona, since the age of fourteen. Unrehearsed Music Group was born in Tucson, Arizona, in the year 2014 by D-Smoke and 3DWon.
WHEN DID THE IDEA TO BE AN ARTIST BEGIN?
For D-Smoke, 3DWon, and OddBall, the age the idea sparked in their young heads was between ages fourteen and fifteen. OddBall, aka Yung OB, started writing poetry in middle school. The Trio (D-Smoke, 3DWon, OddBall aka Yung OB) discovered New albums then, Classic Legendary Now, that would change their take on music forever. These were: 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me Disc 2, Dr. Dre’s 2001, Eminem’s MMLP. Artists like Mac Dre, Thizz Nation, SPM, MC Magic, MB Ridas, and many more Inspired the youth in Eduardo and Daniel to begin the inner workings of Young Legends. These discoveries lead to the grand idea of becoming a Hip-Hop artist, even though none of them had a clue how to start.
OddBall kept it under wraps until age nineteen, when he recorded his first song. 3DWon and D-Smoke met in High School, through mutual connections, grew close and would record with family and friends on homemade studio tracks. 3DWon and D-Smoke became family and started the idea of owning their products; furthermore, the growth expanded from that point on. D-Smoke met OddBall at a Call Center, C3 to be exact. Everything fell into place, and in 2014-2015 Unrehearsed Music Group was formed! Odran began as an artist dedicating his songs to serenade his girlfriend. Odran was born with a very creative mind, which leads to his desire to motivate and make listeners relate to him through personality and passion as his music delivers.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON TO DATE?
For Unrehearsed Music Group to ask about which project is our favourite is almost unfair. It is like asking parents which child of theirs is their favourite. Yet when the artists think about it individually, D-Smoke and 3DWon chose Demented Philosophy Part 1, featured on the upcoming album due out next year, 2022. OddBall feels Estamos Dominando is his favourite simply because the verse he has written and delivered is powerful, to state the ”message as proud.” Odran has no favourite project. Every track that Odran puts out keeps getting better and more enjoyable. Odran says every song he makes is “like his babies, and I can’t pick a favourite.”
CAN YOU ROUGHLY OUTLINE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS – FROM THE BEGINNING OF AN IDEA FOR A PROJECT OR A COLLABORATION TO THE POINT OF COMPLETION?
Unrehearsed Music Group has no formula to their madness. UMG usually follow their hearts with the idea of a song, then look for a beat that matches; the ideas flow and go from there. UMG sticks to their name, and they love making music off the cuff, true to the Art of Freestyle. Odran’s process starts with a simple beat, then during the creative process, ends up rearranging and creating a different vibe that applies to the nature of the project.
HOW IS THE REALITY OF BEING AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST COMPARED TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF IT?
For D-Smoke, 3DWon, and OddBall, being an independent entity in the Rap Game is extremely difficult. To remain consistent and stay relevant is a challenge in itself. From finances to support the dream and to elevate past your most recent project is always the goal. UMG is at a point in their game that they will have no problem finding a home as they remain on the path. For Odran, it does not get any better than being your own boss. To be able to write, produce, mix, and master for oneself is an incredible skill set. Obtaining money from doing something you love and enjoy is another blessing.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES YOU FACE WHEN STARTING NEW PROJECTS?
UMG deals with writer’s block, finding concepts for tracks, and finding the time during this pandemic to keep things moving and consistent. UMG overcomes roadblocks all the time. “We are used to every form of Adversity!” D-Smoke said, explaining. “We have an Album dropping in 2022. We are going after it. No Excuses. We Are There.” Unrehearsed Music Group is a group of individuals who have found the key! For Odran choosing the correct instrumental and audience is key per project. Aiming for Demographics, overcome everything in the path to Grow and Succeed.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY CALM WHEN A PROJECT IS NOT GOING AS PLANNED?
Family is The Key. Unrehearsed Music Group is trying to portray that we cannot change who we are. UMG will always do the very best work. Group meetings, brainstorming, if we try with a song and cannot come up with common ground on the project, we will make the necessary changes to fix the problems. Also, we plan recreational breaks that give us a fresh mind. For Odran, it is finding Inspiration to make the music he does. Take a break when necessary, enjoy the creation process and make some real vibes. Additionally, getting motivated and talking to other artists are part of the collaboration process. Odran still surprises himself with what he has been able to accomplish!
DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT, TIPS OR ADVICE FOR SOMEONE LOOKING TO START THEIR MUSIC CAREER AND GET INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
“Invest in yourself in the beginning stages, and never stop, for anything because it will get you to where you want to be earlier in life,” 3DWon stated. D-Smoke replied, “UNMG is Growing, not only with the uniqueness of sound, but the quality of everything is what matters.” UMG also believes overcoming the exit of your comfort zone will aid in accomplishing much more when it comes to marketing and gaining the right connections. Odran stated that investing in your craft is what should be a priority. Investing in the proper professional equipment as well as remaining original and networking is what keeps things connected.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
For Unrehearsed Music Group, it is the Blessing of being printed in newspapers and magazines. Major shout out to Arizona Daily Star (Cathalena E Burch) and Tucson Lifestyle (Scott Barker) for featuring us in your publications and helping us become one of the most recognized Hip-Hop groups in Tucson, Arizona! Odran is proud to be here, still making music after fifteen years in the game! We all feel that we can contribute music that holds meaning again because we are saying something. Every Song Holds a Very Powerful Message. It is just up to YOU, the Fans and Listeners of Real Music, To Discover the Message.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
We tend always to be working; Unrehearsed Music Group takes time to be with family always. However, UMG is constantly texting back and forth over everything. They have a group effort of keeping professionals out of personal life. Odran is continually working 24/7, creating a new beat, recording an artist, or even a simple graphic design!
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
Social Media Links
Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/unrehearsed-music-group-86bb11209
Twitter
https://twitter.com/OfficialUNMG?s=09
Instagram
https://instagram.com/officialunmg?utm_medium=copy_link
AppleMusic
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/unrehearsed-music-group/1525837999?ls
Unrehearsed Music Group from Tucson, Arizona, is an Independent Record Label owned and operated by D-Smoke, OddBall, and 3DWon.
