Influence a.k.a Mr. Windycity was born "Antonio Buford" on the westside of Chicago, IL. Moving to the southwest side “Laclaire Courts,” & also cook county representative, Influence was raised in the home of his grandmother, Mary Louise Steele. She raised Influence to be a man of his own and to respect others as long as they respected him. Gifted at a young age, influence was inspired by music at the age of 10 years old and acknowledged his craft of writing ablities at the age of 12. Influence, is currently building to be a leader of the hip hop industry, bringing a chicago style to life that is very much known to the "Chi,“ Stack Milly & Influence met in 2004 becoming good friends acknowledging each others talents.

After a year of recording and releasing there 1st mixtape together titled "Breaking Bread," they finally found there hit song "Whatcha Doin" that had fans rocking from Chicago to Baltimore. This will be the next single off the 2nd mixtape "Swagonomics 101"class in session." Traveling and performing there music in different states. they earn the respect from there peers in DC, Atlanta ,Memphis, Milwaukee and Baltimore in 2008, Stack Milly & Influence moved to Alanta, GA to pursue a brighter career in the music game. Due to complications Influence moved back to "Chicago" and after a few months he started to work on his solo project "Rookie of Da Year" which was released on "itunes" April 23rd 2010. Also available in streets,www.datpiff.com, Influence is now shopping his hit single "Radio" all over Chicago and surrounding states.

Location: Chicago IL (Laclaire Courts)

Contact: Twitter | Myspace |  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Influence- Intro: Rookie of the Year

Urban Steez: Tell everybody your name and what area you represent?

Influence aka Mr. Windycity aka it' Windy! I rep Chicago Laclaire courts "lc crazy" and the westside..

Urban Steez: How did you come up with your music name?

Influence: How I came up with the name was just over time, when my friends had problems it's like they came to me for advice so just talking with one of my real friends one day riding and talking he said ," you the type of person people wanna be or act like, and you always there for your people in need" "you influence so many" so that basically how the name came about. Just from me being like a big brother to my peers and fellow friend.

Urban Steez: That’s Wassup! How long have you been doing music and what made you get into music?

Influence: Ive been writing music since the age of 12 but I really took my music serious after college. I completed college 1st as something for myself and my grandmother r.i.p "Mary Louise Steele" but really music always been in my family. My grandmother use to listen to music all the time and sit back and drink her "bush' beer after work and rock out. Ive been a fan of cashmoney since cassette tapes.. when the "hot boys" was that ish and from "Lil Wayne" the block is hot" I grew up on Lil wayne, Marvin Gaye, Teddy P, Tupac, Biggie the list goes on.. r.i.p to the greats. This was something Ive been wanting to do, so I used to write raps and spit em to my friend but after completing college I decided to go heavy in the game and show the world my talent.

Urban Steez: How would you describe your style and why? and what do you feel you can bring to the table as an artist?

Influence: My style is Chicago! In a nut shell.. but I would say a blend of fast rapping and slow sort of twista and the south.. Much love for the city and south.. Me being an artist from the "Go" I have a versatile style where I can blend in with pop, rap, r&b genre. I love a challenge when it comes to music and to make music that people wouldn't expect to hear from me on the fast up-tempo style.. sort of like one of my tracks entitled "I got it"and “Shawty you know",that’s more pop rather than street or hardcore. Everyone is fly now of days so I’m here just to bring that urban style mixed with my life living in the "Go" and experience with real life encountersand the world wrapped up into a story.

Urban Steez: LOL I feel ya! 100% Chi- Town!! If you had to pick which label to be signed to what would it be and why?

Influence: If I had to pick one I would say def jam records ,because they have a good resume under theirbelt fortheirartist and history of legends to come and made already..I feel that will keep me on my "A" game being under artist such as Kanye West, Nas, Big Boi, LL Cool J, Patti Labelle, Jay-Z, Jeezy, etc.. that’s history..shot outto ymcmb.. another legend.

Urban Steez: What’s the biggest challenge you feel you face as an artist?

Influence: Being heard from Chicago as an independent artist on the grind for success and making good music, dealing with so many egos of fame and feeling the shoes of history makers from the "Go" Common, Kanye, R. Kelly, etc.

Urban Steez: Yea that’s always a challenge… Who would you want to collaborate with in the music industry and why?

Influence:Wow!!Honestly it's so many, I dig so many artist but at this point I rather do make music with just me, myself and I so I can be heard and recognized for my talent without someone boosting my single or track.. but if I had to pick some I would say Keri Hilson, Monica, KeyshiaCole, " she is a beautiful talented lady and I love to dedicate music to the ladies and what is better than having a women on the track with me who knows her gender..  "I love to cater to the ladies" now if I had to choose males I would say " Kanye" he from the city, Drake- everything he touching right now is certified, Gucci Mane, Jeezy, Wayne and Wiz Khalifa.. they are great artist to me and I got much respect for them all just to name a few..

Urban Steez: Keri is my girl, so be easy lol… So how do you feel you rank against top music talents today? and why?

Influence: Ifeel I rank as being one of the best once that door opens up and I have more opportunities my way as an artist and able to deal with some of the heavy hitters on the production side. I have confident in everything I do because I work hard day and night "sleep whenI die" is my motto. It’s just that Chicago sound with the rest of my fellow chi-town artist to let the music industry know the midwest got it.. "We Next"!!!

Urban Steez: I like that motto “Sleep when I die” in other words Grind Hard! What are you working on now and when can fans expect to hear more from you?

Influence: I am working on my 2nd solo mixtape titled "MVPS Status" being released early 2011 the 1st one is "Rookie of the Year" hosted by DJ AOH which is on www.datpiff.comhttp://www.datpiff.com/dj_aoh_influence_aka_mr_windycity_pheave_gs_da.m121042.html and im working on my new single for the mixtape "MVP Status" hosting is not know but got a few majors in the works for this project and fans can hear more  www.blokclubdjs.net & www.urbanknowledgetees.com, my site coming soon www.influenceu2.com

Urban Steez: Where do you see yourself a year from now?

Influence: A year from now I see myself in the studio making hits..lol.. and forming a big team for the city "Chicago" kicking doors down and on your radio, and television set..

Urban Steez: Who and what are your influences?

Influence: 1st and foremost "God" my family and my city "Chicago" and just positivity all around the board.. "Cut ya grass every morning and watch for snakes"

Urban Steez: Aint that the truth… What do you think of the hip hop/ music world right now?

Influence: I think the music industry is in transformation to a younger culture and sound what I would call more dance music instead of real hip hop. I respect every artist for their methods and relation to music for their age bracket or genre. It’s more fun music and less violence coming out now I feel which is a great way to enjoy music. Shot out to all the artist keep doing you in  a positive way..

Urban Steez: Music has an impact on people and the more positive it is the more positive people are. What music do you have playing in your sound system right now?

Influence: Right now I have that "Gucci Mane" Jewelry Selection mixtape playing .. I rock with Gucci Mane.

Urban Steez: GUCCI (in his voice)!!! Lol So, who is your celebrity crush?

Influence: Wow! I would have to say "Keri Hilson" lol.. She is very beautiful and sexy..

Urban Steez: Lol aww Man There you go again!! How can business heads and fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, number, etc.)?

Influence: Check me out on youtube, facebook, twitter, & myspace @influenceu2 and for booking/feats contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Urban Steez: any shot outs?

Influence: Yessir s/o to all my fans worldwide, Chi-Town, all the sexy ladies out there, Blok Club, RuckerBoyz, Keyz "my engineer" and everyone behind me in this music game.. I promise I won't let you down. It's Windy!

Influence- Radio (Rookie of the Year)

• < Prev
• Next >