WITH T.I.N.G, HIP-HOP IS GOOD LOOKS

Editors Note: Every once in a while Hip-Hop sees a movement that epitomizes what Hip-Hop is all about creativity, innovation, and organic music. The Good Looks Movement is one of them.  

(CP) How did you get the name T.I.N.G Christ? Is there a meaning to the name?

 (TC) T.I.N.G actually stands for “That Intelligent Nigga Greg.” And Christ just means the anointed one. So I threw them together.

 (CP) How did you come up with the concept for your current Mix tape? Could you name some producers that you've worked with? Is there an album in the works?

 (TC) I just really wanted to find myself as an artist and show different styles. I came up with the title 'Do the Right 

 T.I.N.G' a word play on the movie title 'Do the Right Thing' by Spike Lee. The Mix-tape in terms of producers I worked with LV Beats which is a Good Looks Empire Producer, that’s like my lil bro, a producer that goes by the name Gumbgu that I actually met via sound cloud. He is from Slovakia; I think he is staying in Czech Republic now though. The last producer I have on there is a kid that goes by the name Angel M.

Yes, there is an album in the works Called “Can I Live” it’s all produced by my boy Brett Matthew, who is very musically talented and our chemistry is impeccable. We just got the project mastered by Senior Mastering Engineer Chris Gehringer from Sterling Sounds. I am very excited to drop that project I think we really introduce a whole new genre of Hip- Hop with some of the songs on the album.

(CP) How do you feel about the state of Hip-Hop today? How is your music going to differ from the current music that is out?

(TC) I feel it’s definitely different, I don’t really know if it’s a bad thing or good thing. There’s some new songs I hear and I really enjoy then there’s some I hear and I just don’t understand how some of these artist “Make it” but music is music and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  My music includes a lot of real sounds like live guitars, pianos, and violins (I’ve played for 10 years, so I add my own samples in some beats). And, I focus on my lyrics I try to outdo myself with clever and witty bars. I really like Hip-Hop because I like to listen to rhymes that make me go “oohhhhh” or “you heard what that he just said?”

 (CP) What’s next for Ting Christ? Are you doing any shows?

 

 (TC) Right now I’m really focusing on releasing this album the right way, I’ve been doing a lot of reading and research on  the industry and I want to make sure I’m doing this in the most effective manor, because it is a business.  As, for shows yes I mean I’m sure I’ll get on some bills at some local shows. Also, for the Good Looks Clothing Company I’m setting something up at this pop up shop in Richmond, VA in the next couple of weeks. And we have A3C and SXSW coming up so I’m definitely trying to hop on those bills too.

(CP) Describe T.I.N.Gs style?
 

 (TC) T.I.N.G style is much “Lit” that’s some NY slang. But, it’s very true to myself and it can be a mix of Educational rap talking about shit like Universal Laws and name dropping people that will hopefully make the listener do some research, and turn up Trippy rap because I do love to party and get trippy. My homies call me the Trip God.

(CP) Can you tell our Clutch readers something about Ting the people don't know?
 

 (TC) People don’t know my father is legendary jazz drummer Greg Bandy Senior so I was born into this music shit I’ve been in the studio with some jazz legends at a very young age. And I am a reader. My biggest message to people is read! If you’re reading this go look for a book called the ‘Kyballion,’ the teachings from Hermes Trismegistus. It’s deep. It’s real.

(CP) If you had the chance to create the ultimate album who would you get to feature on the album and what producer's would you work with?

 (TC) I really have to say Kanye West and Lil Wayne; those two artists have a big influence on why I took the Hip- Hop route as far as music is concerned. Some of the verses from those two guys are unbelievable. And for producers I have to say Just Blaze and Kanye. Also, I’ll have my people on it like Brett Mathew and LV Beats because both of them are very talented producers. 

(CP) Hip-Hop is about freshness and creating your own unique clothing style. What does Ting Christ rock when doing a show?
 

(TC) Whatever the hell I felt like wearing that day. Honestly, some fly jeans, Selvedge denim, a Good Looks Tee, some J’s, Nikes, and New Balances that are a little dirty and beat up ha-ha. Maybe, those old white hiking sandals with the straps because I’m about to get a pair of those lol. I don’t care about my outfits I do this to send a message, to control peoples moods with my words, make people feel good. Fuck fashion, that shit got people enslaved man, a lot of those big designers be racist as shit too.

(CP) Can you name some artist's you listen to?

(TC) Besides myself Sam Siegel that’s my bro he is a leader of the Good Looks Movement, Tshyne that’s my homie from HOME Team, Perrion my other homie from HOME Team, AB Go Hard, Kanye, Lil Wayne and I’ll listen to some new stuff if it’s on. TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) is fire, and I’m actually hype for Lupe Fiasco New project.

(CP) Clutch Players University likes to thank you for taking out time with us. Name one word that describes you, the music, and The Good Looks Movement? Why?

(TC) I would say ‘Authentic’ it’s straight from my heart and soul. My music comes from a place that I can’t even describe, it’s genuine and you can hear/feel the passion in my words when they come out that speaker over a beat that is for sure going to bang.  I just want to give a shout out to my sis Liv from Liv Life Productions she is a huge part of the Good Looks Movement and a lot would not even be possible without her. Thank you for this interview! 

Connections:

Music Videos-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GBc55oBVdU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm-dqBFCklU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BDCOeQQ4yI

Live Performance Video- https://www.youtube.com/watchv=6VVfU1x6vw8&list=UU8c6yDvOi6GQv4iquHj9qqg

Social Media-
twitter.com/tingchrist
soundcloud.com/goodlooksting

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