John Creasy is a rising MC repping Niagara Falls. He has worked with a number of old friends of Respect Due, including Robert Deniro (who scored his entire Exodus album), Killy Shoot, Ol Man 80zz and other members of the growing Umbrella collective. His latest album is The Omen, a 9 track offering that takes you deeper into his thoughts.

RD: You rep Niagara Falls, while growing up did you have a music scene in your area?

C: I rep Niagara Falls NY all day, 716. Growing up in a small city the hip hop scene was limited you know the local shows, but overall it was very small.

RD: Has the rise of Upstate NY surprised you?

C: I wouldn’t say surprised, I would say it’s deserved. Upstate NY always gets the short end of the stick because we are not from NYC. New York is New York to me so surprised? No, more like about time.

RD: Would you consider Power your official debut?

C: Yea, Power was definitely my first official release.

RD: Last year you linked up with two old friends in OldMan80zz and Robert Deniro on the boards. What led you to working with each one of those guys?

C: I first linked with Deniro on the Mean Streetz compilation album. The connection was good, so we decided to do an EP together and Exodus was born. I loved Ol Man 80zz style of beats, so we linked and did the Teflon EP. Both are definitely talented and brought different versions of myself out. We all are part of the Umbrella movement, big shout out to my Gs.

RD: What are certain things you listen for when you’re picking beats?

C: I’m picky when it comes to beats, and I listen for everything. How the baseline rides the beat, how the snare hits, the melody, and the samples. I like to be different in my selection so anything that stands out, I’m on it.

RD: Some artists seem to be able to write under any circumstance, others need a specific setting. How would you describe your writing method?

C: I can write under any circumstance. Go off the top at any moment. I’m putting out versatile styles of music.

RD: Most important thing you learned about the game from 2018 until now?

C: Timing is everything. I feel like your start is not gonna be your finish, and when its time its your time. Stay true to yourself and your own craft.

RD: If you had to pick any one song to represent your body of work, which would you go with?

C: Unity Park off The Omen album, it gives an insight into how I grew up. People get blinded behind the Niagara Falls view itself, but once you cross over the Highland Bridge, you get my story of what Niagara Falls is about.

Cop The Omen and older works here https://johncreasy.bandcamp.com/album/the-omen

Follow him on IG @creasywwg and Twitter @Creasy_HO