Interview: 13 Questions With...MR. ROBOTIC

HypothesisSpits is proud to bring you a brand new installment of my ongoing Interview segment: 13 Questions With…

Marcas Harris has been known by many names throughout his career as a musician: Bullet, Genius Jenkins, and most recently, Mr Robotic.

I first discovered Mr. Robotic when he was featured as a DX Next artist back in 2008

His single "Earth Girls," brought him some well deserved praise.

Since 2008, Mr. Robotic has taken his sound to new heights and has discovered some unique ways to promote himself.

Please enjoy the following interview that has Mr. Robotic reflecting on topics from the "Death" of autotune, to his name change, upcoming projects, etc.

1.) At what age did you have the epiphany, “Holy Shit, I’m going to pursue the Music Industry?” What was going in on in your life at the time of this realization?

I had the epiphany at 18 years old.

Initially, I started off my career as a battle rapper because it was something I was really good at.  When I was battle rapping throughout college, I would get asked to come to radio interviews etc.. I was putting out mixtapes and realized I need to start making songs.

The 2^nd record I ever made was called “Shut it down” that got me my first paid show at 18 in Nebraska.  My 3^rd record called “Too many Friends” ended up being the biggest record to ever hit Columbia College Chicago–That was me at 18 years old.

Today, its 4 years later and I feel unstoppable.

2.) This isn’t breaking news by any means, but it’s 2010 and it’s no longer Bullet, its MrRobotic.  What inspired you to make this decision, and when did you realize you were going to initiate this name-change?

I had the name “Bullet” before I even got into music (because of how my head use to be shaped, LOL)  I always hated the name, but of course,  it stuck.

When I got into rapping everyone already knew me as "Bullet," it just made sense.  I was gaining notoriety under the name, but it got to a point where I was frustrated knowing that I couldn’t be as successful as I wanted to be while making music under the name "Bullet."  It became limiting.

When I get in my creative zone, I come up with some pretty cool stuff.  After hearing a beat my producer made, in 2009 I dropped a song called, "Mr.Robotic," which has become by biggest hit.  Following the release of "Mr. Robotic, I switched my official name to "Bullet aka Mr.Robotic."

After this everyone started referring to me as "Mr.Robotic",  so I came out and said, "When this website drops I’m officially Mr.Robotic." Like I said before, It just made sense.

3.) Does your new stage name, “Mr. Robotic,” reflect any intentional shift in the way you now approach the songwriting/creative process?  Is there a specific aspect of music you are trying to hit? Will your future releases differ from what you previously put out while performing as “Bullet a.k.a. Genius Jenkins?”

Not at all!  The music I have been making under Bullet is the same music I make as Mr.Robotic. The name change solved the issue for anyone who felt that "Bullet" didn’t match the music I’ve always made.

Believe this:  the music I make today wouldn’t have been possible without the moves I made under the "Bullet" name.

[with Mr. Robotic]I finally have the name to match the music I have been making for years.

4.) You recently launched a brand new website: worldofrobotic.com. What are your main goals with this website? What do your fans gain after visiting your official site; will the content differ in any ways from the typical “official” artist homepage?”

My main goal of the website is to give fans something cool to look at while getting a history of ME.  I am building my email list now.

Once I’m satisfied with that, I’m going to work on building a community on my site where anyone can get exclusive music, merchandise etc.

I am also setting my site up for a new business model for the EP I will put out before I sign my deal.

5.) How have your technology skill sets and talent to network socially on the internet contributed to your successes in the music industry?   I know an artist has to keep certain aspects of their success a secret, but I gotta know, which social networking tool could you not live without? (Twitter…Facebook…Blog-Hosts…etc)

I definitely can’t live without Twitter and Facebook.

Myspace was a BIG help in my career, but Twitter is the best for me.

Twitter helps because I have so much going on from interviews to shows to TV/Film Placements, that its easier for me to instantly promote it to all of my fans/followers.

6.) There are many folks out there who believe that it’s not realistic to chase success in the music industry AND a college-diploma at the same time.  You have proven that this is simply not true.  As a successful musician and student at Columbia College, how difficult has it been to balance your life between coursework and your career? Any advice for the young artists out there holding a mic and an acceptance letter?

I think before you chase anything you need to figure out your goals.

For me, going to Columbia wasn’t so much about the Curriculum.   It was more about the idea of becoming one of the biggest names in the school outside of class.  Get your buzz up in the college scene, then take your career from there.

College is one of the best places to develop a following, but you also have to realize that it’s still a bubble.

People might know you in YOUR college but what about outside that bubble?

My thing is, have your goals in place.

Also, going to college for music business you might find out you’re not meant to be an artist–You might enjoy something else in this business.

7.) Your music has received numerous placements on major cable networks (ESPN, the CW, etc).  How did you make this happen, and how has this marketing strategy affected your career?

In 2008 I said I wanted to get on the major blogs.  I accomplished that and realized that they really didn’t get ME anymore-it was just more of a pat on the back.

I realized that while I do love some bloggers, people give blogs TOO much credibility [regarding how much control bloggers have at putting someone on]  You don’t get put on by getting featured on a blog.

Once I came to this conclusion and realized every rapper felt good about getting on a blog or getting played on local radio, I said, "Whats the difference between me and most rappers?"

I actually have Songs.  I have Top 40/rhythmic material.

I’m unsigned, so its easy to license my material because I don’t use samples. [breaking into Film and Television] has been tremendous for my career.  I have gained so many fans from these accomplishments alone.

8.) Are there any upcoming projects in 2010 that we should be aware of?  What does Mr. Robotic have lined up for this Spring/Summer?

I have two huge things coming up this Month. One was the website, and I also acquired a theme song to a new TV show on E!

I will be shooting video for first single off the EP i’m putting out.

I plan on touring Europe over the spring/summer also.

I have a bunch more stuff lined up so stay tuned to www.worldofrobotic.com

9.) While it’s imperative for every aspiring artist to stay focused on their long-term goals, I’ve always been a huge fan of the short-term ones, with that said, where would you like to see yourself by the end of this year?

At the end of this year I would have acquired one of the greatest deals that would seem impossible in this music business climate.

I will break through mainstream radio easily and have fun while I’m doing it.

10.)  Name 3 artists who inspire you to do what you do and why.

Daft Punk

Justin Timberlake

30 Seconds to Mars.

These 3 inspire me right now because they all create different sounds,  but they all make great records–That’s what I love.  Great records from production to lyrics–just everything.

I study these 3 musicians everyday.

11.)  Last year, H.O.V. claimed that Autotune was dead.  In my mind, public opinion remains very much undecided on this—the effect is still everywhere at the top of the billboard charts and many artists still properly use the effect to enhance their melody’s or emulate specific genres of electronic music.  What is your opinion on the state of Autotune usage in the music industry? How do you feel about the criticism of this plug-in considering the style of music you make?

I think auto tune should be dead as far as people using it just to be using it.

I feel that if you are a rapper, you shouldn’t be singing throughout the whole song–You’re doing R&B at that point.

Like, the toughest rappers are singing on verses–but I feel like people who say or believe that autotune is dead?  who really has the credibility to say that?

There was autotune before T-Pain or Jay-Z.

Look outside the Genre of “Hip-Hop”–one of the groups that inspire me is Daft punk they always use autotune and its AMAZING! Still, I understand what people are saying about it and I agree to a certain extent.

12.)  Favorite Album of 2009?

808’s and Heartbreaks

13.)  In as few words as possible, describe the essence of a perfect “Mr. Robotic” song—the sound that defines who you are.

Perfect Mr.Robotic song =

Amazing production with Electric Guitars And Synths.

Catchy Melody and lyrics that match the mood of the record.

Drums that make you dance–A whole record that just makes you feel good.

Listen to Mr. Robotic:

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Download Here

Mr Robotic on Twitter

Check out the first "13 Questions With…segment [DJ Charlie White] HERE