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The Super Bowl halftime show is perhaps the biggest convergence of music and sports of the year, but it’s not the only forum where the two industries collide. Following in the footsteps of big-time artists and athletes like Shaquille O’Neal (aka DJ Diesel) and Damian Lillard (aka Dame Dolla), Chad Thomas, aka Major Nine, prioritizes independence at every turn, while also focusing on exercise and music. We aim to continue to advance our careers.
After playing defensive end for the Hurricanes at the University of Miami, the Cleveland Browns selected Thomas in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the sixth defensive end drafted that year, 67th overall selection. But a year before he became a national football star, Thomas was already making waves in the music industry under the name Major Nine.
In 2017, he ranked in the top five of Rick Ross’s Billboard 200 chart. you rather than me The album (with Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter Rafael Sadiq) is featured on the grand album opener “Apple of My Eye.”By 2020 for Ross – the same year the Browns gave up his multi-million dollar contract – the Major Nine had in turn landed Chris Brown & Young Thug the hot spot. Slime&B, The song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Billboard Music Award and a Soul Train Music Award. With his joint “Trap Back” featured on the album, Major His Nine did what was expected. He leveled up and contributed a credited guest verse as well as a producing assistant.
While Major Nine has made waves through his collaborations, he remains steadfast in bringing his own projects out into the world. Since 2018, he has released nine such sets, including 2019’s A Star Is Born soulties – culminating in his two recent works: 2023 not so major And this year’s cardiology. The former is Major Nine’s most radio-friendly body of work to date. Featuring guest verses from the emotionally vulnerable Heater (“Love Don’t Live Here,” “A Hustler’s Prayer”) and the flamboyant Kodak of His Black, not so major We distill the best of modern Florida rap into something the entire country can enjoy. the latter, cardiologyperhaps Major Nine’s greatest artistic swing in history, is an emotional 13-track Miami-based journey through the throes of love.
In a new interview with signboardMajor Nine talks about his new work cardiology As an artist and athlete, the project explores the intertwining of the worlds of music and sports, moving across multiple industries.
Obviously, you started your career as a public figure through football. Was music always in your head, or were you more focused on the athletic aspect?
Actually, I started playing music first. I’ve been playing music since I was a baby, so that was number one. And in high school, soccer took first place. Up until then, I was just playing around, but when I entered high school, it became more serious.
What is your earliest musical memory?
My pops, he bought me a drum set, like a little kid’s drum set. That was probably my first drum set. When I was a child, my grandmother’s house had a small piano. It was a baby grand, something like that. [Those were] My first instruments are drums and piano. I was accepted to every magnet school in South Florida. I ended up attending New World School of the Arts, one of the biggest schools there. For where I come from, that was a huge accomplishment. There are many people who cannot get into that school.
There are many different ways to play music, but I tried too many things with it. [Laughs.] The last time I was in New York, I played at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
What do you remember listening to as a child? Who and what was the artist or song that defined your childhood?
Anything 80’s R&B. Well, I’m from Miami, so Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, all the Miami moguls, South Florida moguls. A little West Coast style. My music goes everywhere. Metallica is in the library! I’ve been listening to all types of music since I was a kid, including gospel music and Kirk Franklin. Go left and right.
As you have traveled all over the country playing soccer, have you been influenced by new music from different teammates or cities? Especially during your time with the Browns?
To be honest, that was a bit backwards for me. When I first landed in Cleveland, my first apartment, the guy at the valet actually knew who I was. He was a producer, so we collaborated. When I got to Cleveland, I worked with my teammates. Many of my teammates supported my music and became fans. Actually, they were waiting for my new music and didn’t push me too much on people.
Sometimes that happens. They’ll guess who I got home. I’ve worked with a lot of artists who are actually superstars now, but it was before their time. Football connects you with different cities.
Got a production placement with Rick Ross you rather than me (2017). Describe how you assembled the truck and secured its placement.
That relationship has been going on since I was in high school and it was definitely connected to the whole MMG family, Rick Ross and everyone. I don’t really know how the songs come about, but they just call me and say, “We need a verse,” or “We need a beat.” You know I’m going out because it’s family. It wasn’t really a big deal. I went into the house, wrote my own poem and sent it back to him. He liked it. When I made the beat for “Apple of My Eye,” he really liked it. We did a lot of work together. I was just ecstatic when it popped up.
Are there any skills that you bring from the world of sports to the world of music or vice versa?
everytime. Music and football have taught me a lot about life. In the case of soccer, all you have to do is practice a certain way and develop a pattern for that skill. You need to know the numbers. It definitely goes hand-in-hand because a baller will still be a baller. A baller on the field is also a baller in the studio. Jarvis Landry is probably one of the best rappers I’ve ever heard.
If I were to bring music to soccer, it would just be interacting with people. Soccer players also have emotions and listen to music to soak up the atmosphere. Who better to build relationships with than your teammates? They’re actually doing it.
Why is being independent as an artist important to you?
[Because] I’ve been doing music all my life, and part of that has been learning how to do different things and be on your own team. Now that I actually have a team and a label that I created myself, it’s easier to learn how to build my own company while remaining independent and become one of the big companies, or even on the same level as them. I can. [Independence] it is perfect. It’s big. That means a lot to me and to the people around me. Because they realize how much more money they can make, how much business they can control, and how much influence they can have once they become independent.
How would you compare your experience in the business side of music to the business side of sports?
As a kid growing up in South Florida, business is not something you are taught along with sports. Yes, it’s monetized, you grow up, you’re a gangsta and they’re going to care about you. But business is not something that can be taught to us.
When it came to football and I got into the league, yes, I understood the business, but I lost a little bit of my love for football. Because it’s a business related to soccer. Whole life is a game, but once you reach a certain level, your destiny is in the hands of others. When it comes to music, you can’t control it, but you can express yourself. God has given me the gift of being able to use my talents to a level where people support me.
you put out not major Late last year, the focus track “Shawty” (using Kodak Black) was featured. How did that collaboration come about and why was it chosen as the Focus His track?
I recorded my part in LA. [probably two years ago] I sent it to Kodak and they sent it right back. The next time we met was at another studio in Miami. It was supposed to be his song, but I don’t know what happened to it, it came back to me, and Brody was ready to throw it away. Kodak and I are always doing business. It really is the connection between Broward County and Dade County. He was a blessing.
Many people interfere with Kodak. Besides everything else, he’s a good person, I really know him. He was on that song…we brought different parts of Florida together. When T-Pain and Praise did it, it was more Fort Myers and Tallahassee. It gives it that Dade County/Broward vibe that is a Florida classic.
Why is representing your hometown important to you?
I praise Florida, I praise Dade County. I’m from Liberty City and I’m from Miami. Actually, he’s not a big rapper from Liberty City. The greatest person we can be is Uncle Luke, who opened the door for so many people generations after him. Being from Miami, it’s a big deal to let people know that I’m from his 305. Florida, considering it’s the birthplace of a lot of styles and a lot of music that’s been sampled over the years. We’re going to represent Florida wherever we go. And we also felt a different atmosphere.
Music has been blaring in South Florida’s Miami for years, but now it’s a different kind of buzz. Just being one of the people who created this topic means a lot to me and to everyone. So I’m definitely going to represent all of my subordinates. I’m going to represent all of Florida, not just South Florida.
Who are the rappers on Florida’s Mount Rushmore?
I’m going to Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, JT Money — I’m going to save myself because I have a mountain all to myself — Ice [Billion] Berg.
recently dropped cardiology (February 16). What was your vision for the project and what are your goals after release?
These songs, I was already down. I’m always recording, so there are some songs I’ve added to it. The focus of the whole project was just… these aren’t your typical songs about love. That won’t happen.
Every time I listen to a different track, I see the direction of love and how it can confuse people and confuse situations. These songs speak to people and there’s a song out there for everyone. There are a lot of Miami style songs. I’m from Miami, so I know I have to put some dance into some of the songs, bass, DJ checks, things like that.
It was supposed to start everything cardiology It will probably roll out around 2022, but this is a great start.
Why were you late?
That was the direction of the song. I record songs, but I’m not the type of person who just records them to tape and puts them out straight. I would like to see if I can actually use anti-skip tape. I’ve been waiting a long time.And the direction of the video, the treatment, the overall marketing plan behind what we’re going to do. cardiology – That’s what we have to do. I brought my scrubs and I’m going to play a doctor in my video. we are enjoying it.
We’ve seen the worlds of sports and music continue to merge more and more each year, especially since Roc Nation and the NFL partnered up for the Super Bowl halftime show. What do you think about this dynamic, and do you think it’s the most effective approach for an artist-athlete like yourself?
Exposure, it’s the most important thing we do. People want exposure and want the world to see what they can do. These artists are here, but the world moves so fast. That exposure allows worlds to collide and makes it easier to get the right people in the same room. What they’re doing now is big. I hope this movement grows until more independent artists join this stage.
Do you have any advice for other athletes starting out in music, artists starting out in sports, or people trying to balance both?
Don’t make plans to live your life. I’ve been playing music since I was in high school, so that was the biggest thing for me. I started making music seriously in 10th or 11th grade, and that was my way of not going out as a kid. [who] I was always outside. We need to understand that what matters must remain important. And if it’s important to you, you don’t have to worry about the people around you and say they don’t support you or won’t give you the push you need. You have to be the driving force. You have to be all about yourself. In other words, life is not truly lost. I have just started living here!
People know me as, “Okay, I’m going to go make some tackles, I’m going to go get some sacks, and I’m going to go home and get some hits.” If you’re going to do it, do it. You will see the world change and you will find that getting money is easier if you put your mind to it.
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