Josh Baze Blazing A Trail From Brooklyn To Hollywood

Fire Starter: Josh Baze
The name Josh Baze may not ring any bells. He's not attached to any big-time artists or an underground movement, nor does he have the backing of a major label. But in spite of his low profile, the Brooklyn-born MC is gearing up for the release of the Hype Williams-directed video for his first official single, "We Made It."

The collabo with Hype puts Baze in good company, as Williams has directed debut videos for Missy Elliott, the Wu-Tang Clan and Busta Rhymes, among others. And while only time will tell if Baze will be one day be mentioned in the same breath as those stars, he sure hopes so. The 21-year-old told Mixtape Daily he started rapping in his teens and always had a passion for the mic.

"I started off on the desks in my elementary school. I started getting into the studio around 16. After I learned how to do a track, and I just laid down my first 16, it was a wrap," Baze said. "My dad was a DJ, so just having him around and watching music get built inside of my house, it was a blessing, because I got to learn so much, man."

Baze (rhymes with haze) grew up listening to and idolizing fellow Brooklyn MCs the Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z because of their ability to lyrically depict their neighborhoods and day-to-day struggles. He hopes to do the same on his debut EP, which is aptly titled The EP and slated to drop in September.

"The EP is basically 21 years of my life. It's basically about stories of relationships, ex-girlfriends, family members; the good, the bad, the ugly, whatever," Baze explained. "I just really want to give people a journey of where I came from, which is Brooklyn all the way to Hollywood."

Baze linked up with Hype after the rapper's manager, Griffin Guess, played the famed director some of his music, piquing Williams' interest.

"I grew up watching this guy direct and make dreams, so it was really inspiring just to have him shoot my first video. It's a blessing to have a hip-hop pioneer direct my first video, and he's so cool and humble," Baze said. "It's not even just as a director but as a real friend, and just building that relationship conquered a lot."

Baze promised the album will feature some unique sounds, which isn't surprising considering he's working with acts like Jamie Foxx and deadmau5.

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