It's not everyday that a rapper is fortunate to absorb his environment then voraciously spew content worthy of praise. Merksmilez is Bronx bred and fed with a mission to supply the opposite of ordinary. Hip hop captured this MC very early on as he used it as an educational device to teach himself to read. With those lessons Merks would go on to earn a degree majoring in business law from Temple University. Feeling more empowered he drew nearer to his musical roots and started a management company called Illview which began to piece together his hip hop legacy. 

Merksmilez is a rapper with a head on his shoulders and his music showcases exactly this point. Merks is spiritually connected and wishes to convey his message through every potent song. His introspective will leap from the both directly to listeners conscious for a solid blend, the results can be found within his latest creative project Just That Ill. Merksmilez ambitious skills have laid a foundation that will carry him further than he even could have ever suspected. Yo! Raps recently connected with Merksmilez to find out his true agenda.  

It's been said that one word used to describe you is tenacious. Has being so firm ever led you to making a bad decision in your career?

One time! [Laughs] I depended on some people to make something happen for me, and then they backed out. So I had a choice, make it happen on my own or focus on something different. I chose to make it happen by myself and I did. But in hindsight focusing on a new plan would have been better. But at the end of the day no one is going to know that but me [laughs].

Now I've heard about people using different models in rap music for educational purposes. I'm told that you used hip hop as a format towards learning how to read, can you elaborate?

Well, the way I was being taught how to spell and read all sounded like rhyming to me. My step dad would have us spell and he always did words that rhymed. He'd say a word you'd spell it. If you got it wrong, he'd get the Big Fat Belt [Laughs]. It isn't even funny, but it is when I think about it. Anyway, I didn't want to get it wrong so when he asked, I spelled every word and didn't let him ask me another word (i.e. r-a-t rat, c-a-t cat etc.) Plus, I would hear hip hop music where people rhymed saying slick stuff and that just made me want to know those words so I could do that too. So I pushed to improve my spelling and reading. 

You have a very unique stage name, Merksmilez. How did such a name come to be placed upon your head?

I got that from my dude Rosco Young Jersey #13 [laughs], back in high school. I needed a screen name for AOL Instant Messenger and he came up with Merksmilez. It came from 2 nicknames I had; Drama, because of negative situations I would be associated with, and Smiley because people thought I smiled a lot. So he said Merk because I handled my drama and Smilez because I do smile a lot. 

So you graduated from Temple University, which is a very huge accomplishment under your belt. What type of leverage do you feel your degree brings to the table as an artist working in a genre where many successfully acts have been high school drop outs?

Well I have more experiences to pull off than just high school and the world after high school that I can conceptualize into songs. I would be able to connect with more people at the start of my career than a high school dropout. I could be looked at as a role model possibly, to encourage kids to go to college and graduate. An artist that graduated from college, says, "Go to college and finish," always has a bigger impact than those saying it but haven't. 

Your degree is in Law and during these harsh economical times it could be argued that there is more financial security in pursuing something in your educational background so why still be an artist?

Because I love music, and it is my #1 passion; Trailing behind at #2 is Law [laughs]. I feel I can express myself the most when I am challenging my creativity. There are no limits creatively with music. With law there are creative limits. Besides, I can become a lawyer at any age. With being a music artist you have a shrinking window of opportunity as you get older. 

Philly has always had its own aspiring musical blend. While living there did you pick up any new influences or traits that you've infused into your own project?

Yea of course, subconsciously my flow changed. It's weird because I tried all these different flows just because I wanted to be versatile. And that speed flow, sounding like you not taking a breath is the flow that fits me best. I can best describe it through an artist; Eminem's flow after speeding it up on Drake's Forever song. Only I do it at a slower pace. I had to live in Philly to perfect it, and I came to Philly to get an education. [laughs]

So you're from New York, what do you think makes a New York MC be able to stand out in hip hop?

A New York MC will stand out mostly for their lyrical content more than anything else. But more importantly than that is the respect they get from other New York MCs. In all honesty respect gives you power and that power creates opportunity. Opportunity of course can lead to success. With all the history in terms of hip-hop New York MCs have made, the bar gets raised when being a new MC from New York.

As a new artist from New York, you have to bring something new and exciting to the table; Style, flow, aurora, perspective, something fresh. You have to be able to hold your own next to New York's elite or cause debates that you can! Honestly, if you're not strong enough to compete with the best...you really don't matter.

You're an avid performer what elements do you try to incorporate into your stage show to make sure your audience gets the most out of each performance?

The crowd, I feel a crowd can never truly enjoy a performance if they don't feel a part of it. I might make jokes, call and response, inspiration of the song, pulling someone from the crowd. There are many ways but the crowd is your most important element of your performance. A great crowd will create your greatest performance. But every crowd is great you just have to work it right.

What musical projects do you currently have on your plate?

Well right now I'm promoting my promo album, Just That Ill. It's free dining for your ears [smiles]. I'm also working on my new album. All the songs are already written, I'm just seeing which songs will make the cut and what production will make the final cut. I have a lot of material to choose from so I'm just taking my time. Other than that, looking to collaborate on some other peoples projects.

What inspires the content and message behind your music?

My life inspires the content on every song. When you hear the album, Just That Ill I'm just briefly walking you through my life to show you why I'm ill. From environment conditions, memories, relationships, anger, jokes, happiness and saying thank you. It's only real if comes from something real within me, that creates my content conceptually. The message is my perspective while considering an opposing perspective. 

You have a management company Illview, how did that come into existence?

I wanted to bring together my two interests law and music. My mentor and Legal Counsel for Illview supplied me with the questions. Once I provided the answers he helped me establish the company. It took me some time gathering the artist focusing on a direction etc., but nothing great happens overnight. There are no exceptions its time to work!

Your roster at Illview is described as traditional and non-traditional so let the people know what they can expect from the people you represent.

You can expect a lifestyle of quality, quality artist and quality art from a different perspective. A different perspective through art, through singers, rappers, producers, photographers etc.

What is the single most challenging fact that you have encountered as an artist who is also working to help other artist be discovered?

I would have to say ambition. The ambition and energy I am willing to put into an artist to help them get discovered is the same as I would for myself as an artist. But everyone isn't as driven and focused to make it happen. If you are an artist and your manager puts more energy into getting you discovered than you do, you're hustling backwards. Same thing goes for the artist putting more in than the manager. 

Do you feel lucky to be heading towards a solid career in hip hop, or is it just fate at its best placing you where you simply belong?

I feel lucky to be blessed with all my musical talents I have and the ambition to pursue them. It honestly felt like luck with the things in the beginning but after steadily growing it feels like it could be fate. No one is that lucky. I'm all for it [smiles] if a bit of luck and a bit of fate is the key to success; I pray I have enough to reach the top [laughs].

In the end let the people know where they can find you online...

My website is being developed right now. But I'm on Twitter at www.twitter.com/merksmilez

- By Sha'Linda Jeanine