We sat down and asked “SAEED” a few question’s for his fan’s to get a deeper look at his upbringing.
Q: What city are you from?
SAEED: I’m from Richmond, California the Bay Area raised me and it’s always been a part of my sound and my perspective on life.
Q: When did you start making music?
SAEED : I started making music seriously in high school, but really fell in love with it in college. That’s when I began to take it from just writing and freestyling with the homies to actually recording and shaping songs. But I really took it extremely serious in 2015 when I moved from Ohio where I graduated from my HBCU Central State University in 2012 and took my talents to LA where I currently reside.
Q: Tell us about your childhood?
SAEED : My upbringing was decent growing up in a single parent household with just my mom because my father was absent due to the streets and various prison stints so at times it was rough not having the proper roles models around. Growing up moving around a lot in Richmond, I was exposed to a lot early, both the good and the bad. I had run-ins with the law young trying to be someone I wasn’t but it shaped me to be the person I was meant to be, but those lessons shaped me and pushed me to want more for myself. My mom moved me to Hercules in high school which is a small suburb about 10 minutes away from Richmond so I was fortunate enough to experience another side of childhood that opened my eyes to a different atmosphere and a outlet I alway had music, sports, and creativity as outlets though, and that’s what kept me grounded and focused on turning my pain into purpose.
Q: What artist did you grow up listening to that inspired your sound?
SAEED : I grew up listening to a lot of Bay legends like Messy Marv, Jacka & The Mob Figas, Johnny Ca$h, Mac Dre, E-40, and Keak Da Sneak, but also artists like Tupac, Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Stylez P, State Property and Nas who really made me appreciate storytelling and lyricism. Later on, Nipsey Hussle had a huge impact on me not just musically, but on the business and entrepreneurial side too.
Q: Where did you first start recording music? And where were the hang out spots growing up?
SAEED : Man, the hangout spot was wherever the my patnas were, we were young kids impressionable by the wrong things. I ended up a lot of places I had no business was being but God was able to guide me through a lot of situations and pull me out of the wrong environments. I truly loved sports as a youth though so football was what really came first for me. As for recording, at first it was really my patna at the time “Fame” and sometimes my boy “Alanos” home studios that got me started in the later part of 10th grade. But I had always been freestyling at lunch since like 8th grade. Later, I locked in at a few Bay Area studios like my boy “Blitz” in Berkeley, and as my career grew, I got to record in spots all over from Oakland to Atlanta, and even overseas when I traveled to places like Japan and London.
Q: Who are some Artist you wanna shout out that you worked with?
SAEED : I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of talented artists. Opening up for artist like Rich Homie Quan, Suga Free, Killer Mike and Larry June gave me the platforms to showcase my talents. Being the only Bay Area artist on Nipsey Hussle’s Mailbox Money tour was a big moment for me, and I’ve also collaborated with dope artists locally and internationally from London all the way to Tanzania, Switzerland, Germany to Costa Rica. Every collab added something to my journey.
Q: If you could explain your sound how would you?
SAEED : I’d say my sound is motivational and real it’s street but inspirational. I like to give you the hustle, the pain, and the celebration all in one. It’s hip-hop rooted in truth, with vibes that can make you think, move, and feel something all at the same time.
Q: What is your most recent release?
SAEED: My most recent release is my single “Money Come / Right Or Wrong” off my project #All4Siah5.
Q: Do you have anything coming up?
SAEED : I’ve also been building my athleisure brand Live From Paradise and tying that lifestyle into my music. Coming up, fans should be on the lookout for my new EP “Playaz Club EP,” which drops 10/17, and more visuals I’ve got planned I’ve been working on expanding the creative side with music, film, and fashion all together.
The Artist Connect
“SAEED ” is one of the most talented up and coming artist on the West Coast. Make sure to check out his upcoming music, coming sooner than later!
