Today we had an exclusive chance to interview Arktic:
What is your legal name, age, and hometown?
My name is Donovan Patterson, I’m 20 years old, and I was born and raised in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
How did you come up with a stage name?
My original producer name was D.COLE, but as time went on, I started doing more serious songs like “Lexus” by WilliamGold and needed a name that wasn’t so close to J.Cole. So I came up with Arktic, because I’m a really chill person. So, I felt like it fit my energy. I don’t really have some crazy story about my name, it just fits me.
What would you say inspired you to make Black Tape, Vol. 1?
The inspiration for the Black Tape was me knowing I was sitting on so much music and it was time to just let the world hear my production and voice again. The color black represents the more broken and numb feelings that my generation goes through every day.
Talk me through your creative process for Black Tape, Vol. 1.
For the EP, I was just coming off my creation block and wanted to get all the thoughts out my head before it happened again. So I started producing the two tracks and once the beats were finished, I went to the studio in my basement and started laying my vocals out. Then with the help of Lil Cam, who blessed the “Respect” track you hear on the tape, it came together. Lil Cam is my First Cousin and we just started creating music with each other last year. The recordings were all finished within a month or two. Then I engineered and mastered the tracks and sent the songs to my team and the label.
What kind of music should fans expect from this EP and music moving forward from you?
This EP is one out of three being released this year that follow my moods and who I am as a person. I think you will just have to listen and find out. I still don’t know how to explain my music, so I just let it speak for itself.
Was there anything that you learned during the process of making this EP?
After making this EP I learned that I’m ready to keep making music until I gain a large following and make a lasting impact in the music industry.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I really want to Collaborate with more and more independent artists, because I’d rather make it to the top with talented artists than chasing placements. I want to make a new sound, not follow one that has been run through by everybody. But if I have to pick one it would be Roddy Ricch. His cadence and vocal range is insane.
What are you focusing your time on now?
My focus right now is to keep creating new music that will set me apart from everyone and hopefully release a new album by the summer or fall of this year.
Who influenced you most through out your career?
My biggest influence has to be Lil Uzi Vert, Juice WRLD, and Travis Scott. They all have heavy rock influences that I really like as a musician.
What are you focusing on with your career in 2021?
In 2021, I’m focusing on building a heavy fan base and improving my writing, production, and engineering. I can’t stay still and will always be improving my craft.
Natalia is a Rap and Hip Hop enthusiast. After graduating from The New School of New York’s Public Relations Program and taking a course in Journalism at Michigan State University, she decided to dedicate her life to the music publishing business and to the discovery of new talent. She helps new artists gain exposure to the masses via online marketing and publications.
