A Black Ice Affair: Getting to Know: Tieran Cline

Tieran Cline

1) You are from?

A: Lancaster, Ohio

2) When and why and did you want to be a rapper?

A: I feel like part of me has always wanted to be a rapper ever since I was introduced to the music. I didn't start actually rapping my own stuff until about 2 years ago. My uncle is the main reason I fell in love with the music. I always looked up to him and he was always playing Wu-Tang and Mobb Deep when I was younger. I want to rap because I like the self-expression and I want people to feel like they can relate. I know rap changed my life because I felt like these people understood me and helped me, that's what I want to do to people through my music.

3) What do you think about hip-hop and where it’s going?

A: If you would've asked me this 2 years ago what I would've said wouldn't have been pretty. This last year has actually looked promising. Granted there are still wack MC's out there but I feel like lately things are going up. Of course the rap that's going to be on the radio is gonna be stupid till the end of time, but the underground scene is holding it down.

4) Who are your 3 favorite hip-hop artists?

A: My 3 favorite hip-hop artists would probably be Nas, Biggie, and J. Cole

5) Who would you say are the best 3 artist out right now?

A: J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T, and Nas (as long as he's alive I'm gonna say he's the best artist out)

6) Who inspires or inspired you?

A: I think my biggest inspirations are the people in the world struggling. Every time I hear a story about someone committing suicide or someone killing innocent people I feel like someone needs to speak for them and help them. That's exactly what I try to do. Even if it's a small issue I still feel for those people and wanna help them keep a positive attitude.

7) Pick one word that describes your style?

A: I don't really wanna pick one word because one word can't define anyone.

8) What makes you unique?

A: I think what probably makes me unique would be the way I think. Everyone is unique in this sense but for me I think so deep about even the littlest things.

9) Why did you pick the stage name you have, and what does it symbolize?

A: I chose for my stage name to be my real name because I want people to know I'm just an average person just like you. I'm not putting on any act. What you hear in my music is straight from MY heart and I feel like keeping my stage name as my real name will help people see that.

10) If you had one thing to say to listeners, what would you say?

A: Be who you wanna be. Don't let your past define you and don't let the people around you define you. In the end, you're your own worst enemy so be the nicest enemy you have.

Tiran Cline is an underground rapper/beat maker from Lancaster, Ohio. His first mixtape was officially released in 2010 on Datpiff and is currently still available for free download. Besides working on a co-mixtape with fellow artist Raisi K., Cline is has also released several solo projects, his most recent being, “Fight,” produced by RedHookNoodles. Take a quick listen to Tieran Cline’s “I Need A Dollar Remix.”